Colorado Pipeline Safety Program Public Meeting

On March 19, 2025, Elemental Compliance SMEs attended the Colorado Public Utilities Commission’s (COPUC) Gas Pipeline Safety Program Stakeholder meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the COPUC’s Rule 4 CCR 723-11, Rules Regulating Pipeline Operators and Gas Pipeline Safety, and to invite feedback from stakeholders as part of the pre-rulemaking process that takes place before the filing of a formal Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.

The Pipeline Safety Program sought input on several topics from its stakeholder group on the redlined regulations.

The changes being discussed include the following additions to the rule :

• Addition of definitions for the following terms:

  • Advanced leak detection

  • Advanced leak detection equipment

  • Advanced leak detection technology

  • Business district

  • Class 1, 2, 3, and 4 pipelines

  • High consequence area

  • Identified site

  • Leak detection equipment

  • Potential impact circle

  • Potential impact radius

• The use of GIS to determine how to reduce risk associated with abandoned pipelines

• Advanced leak detection survey requirements

• Updated leak repair and response requirements

The  meeting was an opportunity for stakeholders to provide feedback on the proposed changes. Feedback included:

• Suggested changes to definitions

• Clarifying the requirements for confirmed discovery

• Suggested timelines for leak repair requirements

This language is still in the early stages of development, so it may be a while before a final version is available. Because a formal Notice of Proposed Rulemaking has not yet been filed, a potential timeline for final rules is not available at this time.

Ultimately, it may be possible that Colorado gas operators could have additional requirements above and beyond federal requirements, following examples from states like Texas and California.  Pipeline operators should continue to monitor states for additional regulations while similar PHMSA regulations are under review.

As always, Elemental monitors regulatory updates across the country for national and local changes that will affect your pipeline safety programs. Our new rule analysis team analyzes each section of the proposed code language and can identify programmatic changes, implementation tasks, and associated timelines for both. Contact Elemental Compliance today for a copy of the proposed language and support in addressing new rules!

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