FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, December 18, 2025
CONTACT: Liane Jollon, Executive Director, 970-769-0354, liane@westernleaders.org
Jessica Pace, Program Director, 615-294-2049, jess@westernleaders.org
Colorado elected officials applaud adoption of statewide landfill methane rule
Leaders across state celebrate rule to cut landfill methane as important step toward cleaner air, healthier communities
Today, the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission voted 6-0 to adopt an updated rule to better monitor, regulate and capture methane emissions from landfills across the state. This is an important step in advancing modern, protective standards that will protect Colorado’s public health and environment.
Methane is a powerful climate pollutant with more than 80 times the near-term warming power of carbon dioxide. According to data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment, landfills are the third-largest source of methane emissions in Colorado, releasing 1.45 million metric tons of greenhouse gases in 2020, and research suggests these emissions are even higher than state and federal estimates.
Regulation 31, Control of Methane Emissions from Municipal Solid Waste Landfills, will implement requirements to cover more landfills, capture more gas and improve pollution monitoring through the use of proven technology, with flexibility built in for small and/or underserved communities to comply.
Below, local and state elected officials react to the adoption of the rule, applauding the AQCC for regulations that will reduce health-hazardous pollution, support healthier communities, and improve the measurement and regulation of climate-damaging emissions.
Reactions from Local and State Elected Officials:
"Coloradans expect and deserve clean air, clean water, and to mitigate further climate change. This is a win for all Coloradans. By reducing methane emissions from landfills, we are taking a direct step to protect public health, especially for children, seniors and communities living near these sites who are most vulnerable to harmful air pollution. Cleaner air means fewer asthma attacks, lower risk of respiratory illnesses and a healthier future for families across our state, while also doing our part to address the climate crisis responsibly and proactively." – Cathy Kipp, District 14 State Senator
“This rule will implement commonsense, efficient updates to our state’s landfill standards. By requiring better cover practices, earlier deployment of gas collection and control systems, and the use of proven technologies, we will be able to more efficiently detect and address methane leaks in real time. It raises the bar for landfill management, protecting both public health and our environment by embracing smart, practical solutions that make sense for communities and landfill operators alike.” – Judy Amabile, District 18 State Senator
“Rule implementation comes with costs that local elected officials have to weigh carefully, but failing to address significant sources of methane is far more expensive. Climate impacts are already reshaping Colorado’s economy, and methane pollution is accelerating those threats. Public lands are the backbone of Colorado communities, supporting tourism, skiing, ranching, outfitting and countless small businesses that directly feel the impacts of a warming climate. Stronger methane rules are a practical way to protect our natural resources and the local revenue they generate, and other states that have implemented similar rules show we can make these upgrades without dramatic spikes in tipping fees.” – Ashley Stolzmann, Boulder County Commissioner
"Cutting methane emissions from landfills is a critical step in protecting both our climate and the health of Colorado communities. As a Broomfield Council Member, I'm proud to support this commonsense rule that will reduce a major source of pollution while improving air quality for residents across our state. This is exactly the kind of forward-thinking environmental policy that demonstrates Colorado's commitment to creating a healthier future for all." – Paloma Delgadillo, Broomfield City Councilor
“This rule is a victory for all Colorado communities. By requiring the coverage of more landfills, better monitoring practices, the use of proven technology and strengthening gas collection standards, we’ll dramatically reduce unchecked methane pollution, which is a major contributor to climate change and released along with health-hazardous pollutants. Limiting flaring and capturing more gas at the source means cleaner air for our neighborhoods and a smarter, more responsible approach to landfill management that reflects Colorado values.” – Sarah Parady, Denver City Councilor
“As our county moves forward with opening a new landfill, we’re also taking responsibility for the past by installing a closed methane-capture system at our existing site. Methane doesn’t care about county lines or zip codes; it degrades air quality, harms public health, and accelerates climate change no matter where it’s released. That’s why we’re committed to capturing emissions and protecting healthy air not just for our residents, but for communities across Colorado.” – John Kefalas, Larimer County Commissioner
"Many of Colorado’s landfills are in rural areas, and small communities like Ridgway have experienced the public health impacts of unmitigated landfill methane and other pollutants for many decades. We can do better. This rule is an important step forward, putting in place necessary protections that focus on the highest-emitting sites and modernizing the outdated systems currently used to monitor and capture methane." – John Clark, Mayor of Ridgway
Western Leaders Network harnesses the power of local, tribal, and state elected officials to address the climate crisis, advance conservation initiatives, and protect democracy.