SB26-101 Landfill Methane Emission Reduction Regulations for Local Governments
Summary
Colorado SB26-101 proposes measures to assist local governments with landfill methane emission reduction compliance. The bill allows counties to use designated funds for compliance purposes, requires the Air Quality Control Commission to research best practices, and establishes waiver processes for landfill operators. Local governments demonstrating financial inability to comply are exempt from noncompliance penalties.
What changed
Colorado SB26-101 establishes multiple mechanisms to ease landfill methane compliance for local governments. The bill permits counties to access the community impact cash fund, air quality enterprise cash fund, and local government mineral impact fund for compliance. It requires the Air Quality Control Commission to develop a waiver process for landfill owners and operators, and to consider debt service availability when establishing compliance schedules. Landfills reaching applicable methane limits will not be subject to reduction requirements until two years after reaching those limits. Local governments demonstrating financial inability to comply are exempted from noncompliance penalties.
For local governments and landfill operators, this bill significantly reduces compliance burdens by providing flexible funding sources, extended timelines, and penalty protections. Counties should monitor the bill's progress through the legislature and prepare to utilize the new funding mechanisms and waiver processes once enacted.
Archived snapshot
Apr 18, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
SB26-101
Local Government Landfill Methane Emission Reduction Regulations
| Type | Bill |
|---|---|
| Session | 2026 Regular Session |
| Subjects | Natural Resources & Environment Public Health |
Concerning measures to assist local governments in complying with landfill methane emission reduction regulations adopted by the air quality control commission.
Recent Bill (PDF) Recent Fiscal Note (PDF) Bill Summary:
Under current law, the air quality control commission (commission) in the department of public health and environment is directed to adopt emission control regulations for significant sources of air pollutants. A solid waste landfill (landfill) is a significant source of air pollutants such as methane.
The bill:
- Allows a county to utilize money from the community impact cash fund, air quality enterprise cash fund, and local government mineral impact fund for the purpose of complying with landfill methane emission reduction requirements adopted by the commission;
- Requires the air quality enterprise to research best practices for reducing methane emissions from landfills;
- Requires the commission to consider debt service availability when developing schedules of compliance for landfills;
- Requires the commission to establish a process for an owner or operator of a landfill to request a waiver from methane emission reduction requirements;
- States that a landfill that reaches or exceeds applicable methane emission limits on or after the effective date of the bill is not subject to methane emission reduction requirements until 2 years after the landfill reaches or exceeds applicable methane emission limits; and
- Exempts a local government from paying a noncompliance penalty for failure to comply with requirements to reduce methane emissions from landfills if the local government demonstrates that the failure to comply is due solely to a financial inability to comply. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)
Prime Sponsors
Byron Pelton
Senator
Dylan Roberts
Representative
Chris Richardson
Committees
Senate
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Status
Under Consideration
Introduced
Under Consideration
Upcoming Schedule
1 meeting
Apr 20
Senate Third Reading of Bills - Final Passage
10:00 AM Senate Chamber
Related Documents & Information
| Date | Version | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| 04/17/2026 | Engrossed | |
| 02/11/2026 | Introduced |
| Date | Version | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| 04/14/2026 | PA1 |
| Date | Version | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| 04/15/2026 | First Revised Fiscal Note | |
| 04/15/2026 | Fiscal Note Memorandum | |
| 03/18/2026 | Initial Fiscal Note |
| Activity | Vote | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| Adopt amendment L.002 | The motion passed without objection. | Vote summary |
| Adopt amendment L.001 | The motion passed without objection. | Vote summary |
| Refer Senate Bill 26-101, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. | The motion passed on a vote of 9-0. | Vote summary |
| Hearing Summary | 2nd Hearing Summary | Committee Report: PDF |
| Date | Amendment Number | Committee/ Floor Hearing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 04/17/2026 | L.006 | Second Reading |
| 04/17/2026 | L.005 | Second Reading |
| 04/13/2026 | L.001 | SEN Transportation & Energy |
| 04/13/2026 | L.002 | SEN Transportation & Energy |
- Amendments passed in committee are not incorporated into the measure unless adopted by the full House or Senate.
** The status of Second Reading amendments may be subsequently affected by the adoption of an amendment to the Committee of the Whole Report. Refer to the House or Senate Journal for additional information.
| Date | Location | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 04/17/2026 | Senate | Senate Second Reading Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor |
| 04/16/2026 | Senate | Senate Second Reading Laid Over to 04/17/2026 - No Amendments |
| 04/13/2026 | Senate | Senate Committee on Transportation & Energy Refer Amended to Senate Committee of the Whole |
| 02/11/2026 | Senate | Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Transportation & Energy |
Prime Sponsor
Sen. B. Pelton | Sen. D. Roberts
Sponsor
(None) Co-Sponsor
(None)
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