Colorado Gas Station Compliance Guide
Everything fuel station operators in Colorado need to know about UST compliance, managed by the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, Division of Oil and Public Safety – Petroleum Program.
State Agency
Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, Division of Oil and Public Safety – Petroleum Program
Petroleum Storage Tank Program
Compliance Deadlines
Federal EPA Requirements
| Requirement | Deadline | Penalty | CFR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Release Detection | Ongoing — monthly | up to $74,943/day (40 CFR 19.4, 2025) | 40 CFR 280.41 |
| Walkthrough Inspection | Every 30 days (containment sumps and hand-held release detection equipment annually) | up to $74,943/day (40 CFR 19.4, 2025) | 40 CFR 280.36 |
| Operator Training (Class A/B/C) | Within 30 days of designation | up to $74,943/day (40 CFR 19.4, 2025) | 40 CFR 280.242 |
| Financial Responsibility | Continuous | up to $74,943/day (40 CFR 19.4, 2025) | 40 CFR 280.90 |
| Spill/Overfill Prevention Equipment | Required at all UST systems | up to $74,943/day (40 CFR 19.4, 2025) | 40 CFR 280.30 |
| Corrosion Protection Testing | Every 3 years (all systems); impressed-current rectifiers checked every 60 days | up to $74,943/day (40 CFR 19.4, 2025) | 40 CFR 280.31 |
| Release Reporting | Within 24 hours of discovery | up to $74,943/day (40 CFR 19.4, 2025) | 40 CFR 280.50 |
| UST Registration/Notification | Within 30 days of bringing the tank into use | up to $29,980 per tank/day (40 CFR 19.4, 2025) | 40 CFR 280.22 |
Colorado State Requirements
| Requirement | Deadline | Frequency | Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tank Registration | Prior to operation | One-time | $1,000/day |
| Annual Tank Fee | Annually | Annual | Late fee + interest |
| Release Detection | Monthly | Monthly | $1,000/day |
Penalties, Cleanup Fund, Training, Fees & Inspectors
State-specific figures for Colorado are being re-verified against Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, Division of Oil and Public Safety – Petroleum Program sources and are not shown until confirmed.
This covers maximum penalties, cleanup fund limits and eligibility, operator training intervals and approved providers, registration and annual tank fees, and inspector requirements. Federal requirements above still apply in every state. For current state figures, contact the program directly:
Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, Division of Oil and Public Safety – Petroleum Program · (303) 318-8525