This site is intended for operators of gas pipeline systems, including required regulations, reporting tools and any changes in rulemaking.
Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) functions as a safety oversight organization for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). We work within their federal standards which are:
- Hazardous Materials Safety Regulations (Title 49 C.F.R. Parts, 100-185)
- Pipeline Safety Regulations (Title 49 C.F.R. Parts 190-199)
- Legislative Mandates:
- PIPES Act of 2016, 2020
- Hazardous Materials Safety Improvement Act of 2012
- Pipeline Safety Act of 2011
- The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act
- Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL)/Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)
Their mission is to “protect people and the environment by advancing the safe transportation of energy and other hazardous materials that are essential to our daily lives. To do this, the agency establishes national policy, sets and enforces standards, educates, and conducts research to prevent incidents. We also prepare the public and first responders to reduce consequences if an incident does occur.”
As the PUC, we also follow State regulations §§40-1-103, 40-2-115, 40-7-117, C.R.S. The statutes providing state authority allowing the PUC to enter cooperative agreements with federal agencies and to adopt and create rules to administer and enforce the National Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968. The state rules and regulations are:
Natural Gas Pipeline Operators
Natural gas pipeline operators in Colorado include:
Operators MUST contact the National Response Center (NRC) for immediate reporting of pipeline incidents as defined in 49 CFR § 191.3 at: 800-424-8802. Reporting must occur within one hour of confirmed discovery.
After an NRC control number is assigned, operators must call the PUC’s GPS Telephonic Event/Incident Reporting number at: 303-894-2854.
Operators MUST contact the PUC's GPS Telephonic Event/Incident Reporting number within two hours of confirmed discovery if one of the following occurs (4 CCR 723-11, 11102. Verbal Reporting of Pipeline Incidents and Events):
- An unplanned/emergency event that occurs on the pipeline system that results in the evacuation of 50 or more people from a normally occupied building or property;
- An unplanned/emergency event that occurs on the pipeline system that results in the closure of all lanes in either direction of a roadway or railroad;
- An unplanned/emergency event that occurs on the pipeline system that results in the evacuation of four or more residential structures;
- An unplanned/emergency event that occurs on the pipeline system that results in a service outage of 100 or more customers.
- An event that requires active soil vapor extraction for a period exceeding 48 hours as measured from the time the extraction device is turned on at the site until the operator determines soil vapor extraction is no longer necessary.
- A Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure (MAOP) exceedance event that requires the operator, pursuant to its procedures, to implement follow-up actions such as a leak survey; OR
- An event that, in the opinion of the operator, requires courtesy notification to the Pipeline Safety Program.
If the expedited reporting time for a pipeline event exceeds two hours after confirmed discovery, the operator shall provide a written explanation for the exceedance to the PSP Chief within ten business days after the event.
Operators must file SRC Reports by email to InformationResourcesManagement@dpt.gov, or by facsimile to (202)366-7128 and must concurrently inform the PSP Chief through e-mail at dora_copuc_pipeline_safety@state.co.us and submit the SRC report to Commission through its E-Filings System in accordance with subparagraph 1204(a)(III) of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure in the repository proceeding opened for such reporting purposes no later than close of the next business day.
On or before March 15th of each year, Operators must submit the following:
- Each operator of transmission, gathering or distribution systems, excepting MMO/LPG systems, shall submit the Annual Report (PHMSA F 7100.1-1, 7100.2-1, as applicable) to PHMSA using its electronic portal at https://portal.phmsa.dot.gov.
- Each operator of an MMO/LPG system shall submit the MMO/LPG Annual Report to the Commission through its E-Filings System in the repository proceeding opened for annual reports. The operator may use the form at the following location: Download Form Here
- Each operator shall submit a PSP Damage and Locate Report (DLR) to the Commission through its E-Filings System in the repository proceeding opened for DLRs. This report should be submitted if the operator experienced state or federal incidents or events and/or is subject to the rules and requirements of the Colorado One-Call law. The operator may use the form at the following location: Download Form Here
- Each operator shall submit GIS data electronically, through the PUC's E-Filings System in the repository proceeding opened for annual reports. The operator may use the form at the following location (link coming soon):
- Each operator shall submit a list of advanced leak detection technology being used and their descriptions. The operator may use the form at the following location (link coming soon):
Further annual reporting requirements can be found in 4 CCR 723-11, 11103.
Consumer Safety
The PUC's Pipeline Safety Program is holding a stakeholder meeting on December 13, 2023 10:00 AM MST to discuss House Bill 23-1216, which stipulates rules regarding customer-owned natural gas services. The discussion will focus on proposed changes as defined in Public Utilities Commission's 4 Code of Colorado Regulations (CCR) 723-11, Part 11, Rules Regulating Pipeline Operators and Gas Pipeline Safety.
Schedule: This public stakeholder meeting will require advanced registration. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Also, check with the calendar of events for the Zoom link.
Legislative Declaration and Rule Changes to Strengthen and Streamline Colorado's laws governing pipeline safety
Proceeding No. 22R-0491GPS (Rules Regulating Gas Pipeline Operators and Gas Pipeline Safety , 4 Code of Colorado Regulations 723-11)
The PUC issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to amend its Rules Regulating Pipeline Operators and Gas Pipeline Safety (Pipeline Safety Rules) to: address the legislative declaration and rule changes outlined in Senate Bill 21-108, which strengthen and streamline Colorado's laws governing gas pipeline safety.
Proposed rules intend on allowing innovations in technology, improving the rules in recognition of an aging infrastructure system, a growing population that increasingly encounters gas infrastructure, and climate change policy. The proposed amendments recognize a shared responsibility for pipeline safety oversight among other federal and state agencies, commissions, and regulatory bodies.
Schedule: A public hearing on the proposed rules and related matters was held before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) on Thursday, January 19, 2023. The recording of the meeting is posted here. An additional hearing was held on May 2, 2023, and is continued to June 29, 2023, at 11:30 a.m. The recording of the May 2 meeting can be found here. Check with the calendar of events for the Zoom link.
Opportunities to Comment:
Written comments can be submitted through the online comment form; by emailing dora_puc_website@state.co.us; or, by mailing comments to Colorado Public Utilities Commission, online comment form 1560 Broadway, Suite 250, Denver, CO 80202. Members of the public may also call 303.869.3490 to leave oral comments (English and Spanish options).
On April 9-10, 2024, the Pipeline Safety Program held its 2024 COPUC Pipeline Safety Seminar. Below are the presentations for your review and records. If you have any further questions, please send an email to: dora_copuc_pipeline_safety@state.co.us.