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Oil Field 13

Class VI Program Overview

About

Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) is an essential technology in greenhouse gas emission reduction, and Underground Injection Control (UIC) Class VI wells are the dedicated mechanism used to inject captured CO2 into deep rock formations for permanent storage. Said plainly, operators capture CO2 that would have otherwise gone into the atmosphere and pump it deep below ground.

Class VI wells are currently regulated at the federal level unless a state is awarded primary enforcement authority (primacy). The Energy and Carbon Management Commission (ECMC) submitted Colorado’s Class VI primacy application to the EPA in the spring of 2025, with a final decision anticipated in 2026. To attain primacy under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and the EPA’s Class VI Rule, the state must demonstrate that its proposed regulations are at least as stringent as existing federal requirements. By being one of the first states in the nation to seek this regulatory authority, Colorado is positioning itself as a national leader in the responsible deployment and oversight of emerging technologies that support the critical reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

If the EPA awards UIC Class VI primacy to Colorado, ECMC will gain the authority to directly permit and oversee all Class VI carbon storage projects within state borders, excluding Tribal land because the EPA and the state of Colorado recognize the sovereignty of Tribal nations. State primacy provides an opportunity for a more tailored and holistic approach to permitting when compared to the existing federal framework, enabling state agencies to be proactive and encouraging additional communication and consultation across all impacted agencies and stakeholders. This shift in authority ensures that regulatory decisions are made at the state-level, allowing for a framework that is customized to the specific geologic and environmental needs of Colorado.

State oversight ensures that all projects are carried out under a regulatory framework specifically designed to protect Colorado’s people, land, water, and wildlife. The state program emphasizes strict technical standards, robust environmental monitoring, and comprehensive public engagement, ensuring that the state maintains the highest level of environmental protection while fostering the safe, responsible, and efficient development of CCUS technologies.

Announcements

  • January 27, 2026: Second meeting of the Geologic Storage Stewardship Enterprise Board. The theme of this public meeting will be discussing Stewardship Fees. The meeting details and agenda will be posted online.

Resources

Reports and Informational Guides
Presentations
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