Colorado UST Regulations 2026: OPS Compliance Guide
Practical playbook for Colorado petroleum marketers, local governments, and consultants overseeing underground storage tanks
Colorado's Division of Oil and Public Safety (OPS) administers the Storage Tank Program, enforces 7 CCR 1101-14, and synchronizes records through the Colorado Storage Tank Information System (COSTIS). Every active facility must list designated Class A/B/C operators, current insurance or other financial responsibility instruments, and an emergency response plan. Inspectors are flagging mountain-corridor tanks, older cathodically protected steel systems, and any site that has not updated internal walkthrough checklists in the last 12 months. Start compliance prep by comparing your inventory to the live Colorado facility directory on UST Map and correcting serial numbers, product codes, or facility contacts before your next OPS visit.
Core Compliance Expectations
New tanks installed after January 1, 2026 must be double-walled, paired with secondary-contained product piping, and include sumps equipped with electronic sensors tied to an automatic tank gauge (ATG). OPS requires monthly walkthroughs covering spill buckets, overfill devices, interstitial spaces, and dispenser pans; keep inspection logs for at least three years and upload serious deficiencies to COSTIS within five days. Repairs and lining work demand prior approval and certified contractors. Class A/B operators must renew training every three years, while Class C operators receive site-specific instruction documented in your emergency binder.
Leak Detection & Reporting
Colorado accepts automatic tank gauging, statistical inventory reconciliation, interstitial monitoring, and groundwater/vapor wells when equipment meets EPA performance standards. OPS now requires annual functional testing of sensors and line leak detectors using manufacturer-approved procedures, plus 72-hour advance notice for precision tests. Suspected releases must be reported within 24 hours and followed by a five-day written summary that documents alarms, sampling methods, and mitigation steps. Pair electronic monitoring with manual reconciliation to satisfy leak detection cross-checks, and archive alarm histories for at least a year.
Financial Responsibility & Cleanup Funds
Most marketers must show $1 million per-occurrence coverage and $2 million aggregate coverage; smaller non-marketers with fewer than 100 tanks may satisfy the $500,000/$1 million standard through insurance, surety bonds, letter-of-credit packages, or dedicated trust funds. Colorado's Petroleum Storage Tank Fund reimburses eligible assessment and corrective-action costs once owners pay the $10,000 deductible, document compliance at the time of release, and submit invoices within 12 months. Pair fund support with the federal LUST Trust Fund or private financing if remediation delays strain cash flow—our LUST risk primer explains when to escalate.
Recent Updates & Actionable Takeaways
- OPS' 2026 policy memo now requires quarterly spill-bucket liquid tightness checks and 30-day repair windows.
- Remote compliance reviews are available for low-risk rural facilities if you upload high-resolution sump and dispenser imagery.
- Facilities converting to renewable diesel must file compatibility assessments and update corrosion monitoring plans.
- Use our LUST reporting checklist to train Class C operators on emergency notifications.
- Subscribe to COSTIS alerts and set UST Map notifications so you know when inspection scores, release investigations, or enforcement actions change near your site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who regulates underground storage tanks in Colorado?
Colorado's Division of Oil and Public Safety (OPS) oversees UST permitting, inspections, release response, and financial responsibility. OPS inspectors work regionally and rely on the Colorado Storage Tank Information System (COSTIS) for registration and recordkeeping.
What leak detection methods does Colorado accept in 2026?
OPS aligns with EPA performance standards and requires double-walled tanks or secondary containment with continuous interstitial monitoring. Automatic tank gauging, statistical inventory reconciliation, and groundwater monitoring remain acceptable when operated by certified Class A/B operators and documented in COSTIS reports within 30 days.
How does the Petroleum Storage Tank Fund help Colorado UST owners?
The Colorado Petroleum Storage Tank Fund can reimburse eligible investigation and cleanup costs once owners demonstrate financial responsibility and maintain compliance. The fund typically covers up to $2 million per occurrence with a $10,000 deductible, though OPS may require higher retainage for repeat violations.