Largest single-day enforcement action in over a decade exposes widespread non-compliance, including operators running without proof of insurance near Colorado schools.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 10, 2026
Contact:
Caitt Maeve, caitt@corising.org, 720-499-4224
Christiaan van Woudenberg, christiaan@ecocarto.com , 720-263-6434
Largest single-day enforcement action in over a decade exposes widespread non-compliance, including operators running without proof of insurance near Colorado schools.
Denver, CO — On March 6, 2026, the Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission (ECMC) issued 157 Notices of Alleged Violation to oil and gas operators across the state, nearly double the previous single-day record of 82 set in October 2018. Colorado Rising for Communities is calling attention to what this enforcement action reveals about the state of operator accountability in Colorado, and what it means for the communities and children living next to these wells.
The violations fall into three categories: 57 operators failed to provide proof of the minimum required $5 million general liability insurance coverage designed to protect communities from property damage, bodily injury, and pollution; 43 operators failed to file their annual Form 1B license renewal; and 57 operators failed to remit the Marginal Well Fee for 2024, the fund specifically designed to plug and reclaim orphaned and marginal wells across Colorado. Forty-three operators were cited for all three violations simultaneously.
Under the ECMC’s penalty matrix, operators cited for all three violations face a combined maximum fine approaching $900,000. In practice, however, the ECMC routinely waives penalties when operators come into compliance, meaning most will likely face little to no fine if they comply quickly.
The Stakes for Colorado’s Children
This enforcement action comes as Colorado Rising has just launched its Marginal Well campaign, having identified 45 low-producing wells within 2,000 feet of Colorado schools. These aging, poorly maintained wells leak methane and volatile organic compounds into the air children breathe every day. We are encouraging the operators of these wells to apply for Round Two of the ECMC Enterprise Marginal Well Plugging program, open now through April 2, 2026, at no out-of-pocket cost to operators.
The Marginal Well fee was designed to hold the industry accountable for the bad actors in its midst. When operators dodge that fee, the burden shifts to everyone else, and orphaned wells next to our schools remain in operation.
“Operators who have been out of compliance for nearly a year need to know there are real consequences,” said Caitt Maeve, Executive Director of Colorado Rising for Communities. “The ECMC has an opportunity to show the industry it means business; we’ll be watching.”
This story was made possible by the data analysis and research of our partners at EcoCarto.
Visit our website for more information about the Marginal Wells campaign: https://corfc.org/marginal-wells/
Colorado Rising for Communities is a 501(c)3 grassroots organization powering a statewide movement to protect our health, safety, quality of life and the future of our climate from the harms and impacts of oil and gas operations.
