EPA Orders More Air Quality Monitoring at 6 Colorado Oil and Gas Sites

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The Environmental Protection Agency has directed Colorado to require enhanced air quality monitoring around six oil and gas production sites on the state's Western Slope. The EPA says the existing monitoring is inadequate and the new rules are needed to better protect public health and the environment.

Why it matters

The EPA's order highlights ongoing concerns about the environmental impact of fossil fuel extraction, especially in sensitive areas like the Western Slope. Stronger air quality monitoring could lead to tighter regulations on the industry, which has faced scrutiny over methane emissions and other pollutants.

The details

The EPA sent proposed permits to Colorado regulators this month, mandating that the state implement more comprehensive air quality monitoring around six specific oil and gas production facilities on the Western Slope. The federal agency says the current monitoring is insufficient and that the new rules are necessary to better assess potential health and environmental risks posed by the operations.

• The EPA issued the order in March 2026.

What’s next

Colorado regulators must now review the EPA's proposed permits and determine how to implement the new air quality monitoring requirements around the six oil and gas facilities.