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DENVER, CO – The House Energy & Environment Committee today passed legislation to expand Colorado's authority over all injection wells. HB26-1112 would help Colorado create a tailored approach that protects groundwater and our environment.
“To protect our water and attract new industry, it’s in Colorado’s best interest to have full regulatory authority over all the underground injection wells in our state,” said Rep. Amy Paschal, D-Colorado Springs. “With a focus on protecting our groundwater, this important bill would create a Colorado-specific approach that streamlines permitting project approval timelines for injection wells. Fluctuating federal policies reduce reliability for Colorado businesses, and by extending full injection well authority to the state, we can be nimble and responsive to protect our environment to the fullest extent.”
“Expanding Colorado’s authority over injection wells is good for businesses and our climate goals,” said Rep. Lesley Smith, D-Boulder. “This bill allows us to streamline injection well projects and permitting that prioritizes emerging technologies that fight climate change and help us safeguard our environment. By extending full regulatory authority to Colorado, we can ensure injection wells in our state are meeting our state’s needs and pushing us closer to our climate goals.”
HB26-1112 passed committee by a vote of 9-3. This bill expands Colorado’s regulatory authority to oversee all the underground injection wells in the state. Underground Injection Control (UIC) wells are classified based on the type of fluid injected and the depth of the well. With a state-level program overseeing all UIC wells, Colorado can create a tailored approach that streamlines permitting and prioritizes water management strategies, including conservation, storage and recovery. This bill would also help Colorado attract and retain more emerging industries that will help the state achieve its climate goals with a focus on carbon management, geothermal and hydrogen technologies.
Colorado currently has authority over UIC wells in Classes II and VI. This bill extends Colorado’s authority to oversee all six classes of UIC wells. As of July 2025, North Dakota, Wyoming, Louisiana, and West Virginia have been granted full primary authority for all Underground Injection Wells. HB26-1112 would add Colorado to that list.
Injection wells are used to place fluid underground into porous rocks, such as sandstone or limestone. Injected fluids may include water, wastewater, brine or water mixed with hazardous or non-hazardous chemicals. Under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classification, there are six different categories of injection wells, but all have a similar purpose to dispose of unwanted materials without endangering underground sources of drinking water.