Percent Deductible
The Petroleum Storage Tank Fund has traditionally required a $10,000 deductible to be met prior to reimbursement for cleanup, but with our January 2025 updates to the Petroleum Storage Tank Regulations we introduced the potential for a percent deductible that could save tank owners thousands of dollars while incentivizing quick release reporting and cleanup.
Releases that occurred on or after January 1, 2025, are eligible for a 10% deductible on reimbursed costs up to the first $100,000 reimbursed, with no additional deductible thereafter, if the Petroleum Storage Tank Committee does not impose any reductions for non-compliance. We had our first successful application of the percent deductible during the December 2025 Committee meeting, with that storage tank owner being reimbursed $10,350 of their $11,500 cleanup costs instead of the $1,500 they would have been reimbursed under the traditional $10,000 deductible structure. We believe this new deductible structure will encourage compliant operation and quick cleanups.
Petroleum Storage Tank Fund Status Update – Fourth Quarter 2025
PSTF Balance (as of 12/31/2025): $5,138,921.60
Reimbursement Applications (PREQs) Received FY26: 380 PREQs
PREQs Average Days to Process (FY26): 66 days
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REP to CO-REP Transition
The deadline for the REP-to CO-REP transition has been extended. The new deadline will be March 1, 2026. All current REPs (Recognized Environmental Professionals) will maintain their REP status until March 1, 2026. If a current REP has not submitted an approvable QAP (Quality Assurance Plan) and passed the CO-REP Exam by that date, they will be delisted. Another extension will not be granted.
It is essential to note that, after March 1, 2026, OPS will continue to accept and review Applications/QAPs and administer CO-REP Exams on an as-needed basis. The deadline was set as a date for the current REPs to transition over to the new CO-REP Program.
To ensure you can meet this deadline, you must adhere to the following, as OPS is expecting a large number of submittals within the coming weeks:
- Have your Application/QAP submitted no later than January 16, 2026. OPS advises submitting your applications/QAPs earlier to ensure that the Remediation staff has time to review your submission.
- Testing will be conducted during the last two weeks of February 2026 (February 17-27, 2026) in our office located at 707 17th Street in Denver. The test will be offered several days during those two weeks. Once the dates/times have been determined, they will be posted. You will not be able to book until you have received an approval letter.
- For companies that submitted a QAP on or before December 4, 2025, OPS will issue letters within the next two weeks with approvals and/or comments on QAPs. If you receive a denial of your QAP and you resubmit by the January 16, 2026, deadline, you will be able to take the test in February, if the required changes are made. This is only available to the companies that submitted a QAP on or before December 4, 2025. For companies that have not yet submitted a QAP or submit one after December 4, 2025, the QAP will receive one review before the February testing dates.
- OPS will issue "Provisional Approvals" of QAPs, which will enable consultants to take the CO-REP Exam. However, there will be comments on the QAPs that need to be addressed within a specified timeframe to retain the CO-REP Certification.
- OPS will continue accepting CO-REP applications, but will transition to an exam schedule once every six (6) months or every quarter, depending on the number of applications we receive.
CO-REP Exam Information
The proctored exam will take place at the OPS office located at 707 17th Street, Suite 2400. Please note the following:
- When you arrive at the new 707 building, please go to the main security desk in the first-floor lobby entrance for the general public. Once there, you will check in and will be “badged” up to the 24th floor, where a member of the OPS Remediation team will greet you. If you have any questions or issues, call or text Mary White at 720-584-5101.
- Electronic resources are not permitted; however, paper copies of regulations, guidance/policies, and other relevant materials are allowed.
- Materials recommended by OPS are: Current and Updated Guidance and the Presentation material from Outreach 2025 (on the "What's New?" Page)
- The exam is 50 questions. Each timeslot is 2 hours long. At the end of the time slot, the exam will end. The amount of time you have will depend on the time you arrive.
Testing dates and times will be:
- Tuesday, February 17, 2026: 9:00 am - 11:00 am AND 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
- Wednesday, February 18, 2026: 9:00 am - 11:00 am AND 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
- Monday, February 23, 2026: 9:00 am - 11:00 am AND 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
- Tuesday, February 24, 2026: 9:00 am - 11:00 am AND 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
- Wednesday, February 25, 2026: 9:00 am - 11:00 am AND 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
- Thursday, February 26, 2026: 9:00 am - 11:00 am AND 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
- Friday, February 27, 2026: 9:00 am - 11:00 am
You will be able to sign up for an exam time and date when you receive your approval letter. Walk-ins will NOT be accepted.
Updated Remediation Guidance
We heard the ask for a Guidance document that could be downloaded, printed, and navigated easily. Therefore, we have been working hard to update the Petroleum Remediation Guidance, not only to make it easily navigable, but to bring clarity to sampling protocols, chemicals of concern, when to report a confirmed release, and more. Sections are being published as they are finished, so keep checking back here: UPDATED Remediation Guidance to see if your favorite section has been completed.
If you have any questions, reach out to Mary KV White.
REMINDER: Locked Lab Reports
Just a reminder that lab reports submitted to OPS-Remediation must be locked (certified by digitally signing). The lab reports must be locked by the laboratory issuing the reports, not the consultants.
Please refer to the FTP Instructions on submitting lab reports to OPS.
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Remediation Status Update – Fourth Quarter 2025 (as of 12/31/2025)
Confirmed Releases: 34
Closed Release Events: 36
Total Open Release Events: 566
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OPS Tip of the Quarter: Spill Bucket Maintenance
If the calendar is to be trusted, it’s clearly wintertime, even though the months leading up to January certainly didn’t feel like it. With the winter months upon us, now is a good time to remember that your spill buckets play a critical role in release prevention, but they can get a lot of abuse. Please take care when removing ice from your spill buckets, and make sure to continue monthly inspections. We recommend visiting with your fuel delivery and snow removal providers to ensure that they know you would like to avoid damage to your spill buckets during their work as well. Damaging the spill bucket or its snow plow ring can be a very costly mistake, resulting in significant upgrade costs and a potential petroleum release.
Colorado Drivers: Why Checking Your Owner’s Manual for Octane Rating Matters
When it’s time to fill up your car in Colorado, do you know which fuel is best for your engine? With many options at the pump, it’s important to check your vehicle’s owner’s manual for the recommended or required octane rating. Making the right choice helps to keep your engine running smoothly and can save you money down the road.
What is Octane Rating and Antiknock Index (AKI)?
Let’s keep it simple: the octane rating is the number you see on gas pumps (like 85, 87, or 91) that measures a fuel’s ability to resist “knock”, which is a type of unwanted engine noise that can hurt your car’s performance and even damage the engine. The higher the number, the better the fuel is at preventing knock.
Typical U.S. Octane Ratings—and Colorado’s Unique Situation
Most gas stations across the country offer regular (87), mid-grade (89), and premium (91 or higher) octane fuels. But in high-altitude states like Colorado, you might notice regular fuel is labeled as 85 octane. That’s because thinner air at higher elevations makes engines less likely to knock, allowing for lower octane fuel—at least in older vehicles designed for these conditions.
Why is 85 Octane Found in Colorado?
Years ago, many cars could safely use 85 octane fuel in Colorado and other mountain states thanks to the altitude. If your vehicle is from the early 1980s or before, and doesn’t have advanced engine controls, it will likely run fine on 85 octane. But this may not apply to your modern car. Today’s vehicles are built with high-tech sensors and computer systems that often require higher-octane fuel to run efficiently and avoid engine problems.
Modern Vehicles May Need Higher Antiknock Fuels
Modern engines are smaller, sometimes turbocharged, and designed for better performance and fuel economy. These advancements mean they spend more time operating in conditions where knock can happen, so they may rely on higher AKI fuels to protect the engine and maintain peak performance. Using fuel with too low an octane rating can cause your car’s computer to reduce power and efficiency to protect the engine.
The Benefits of Using the Recommended Fuel
Sticking to the octane rating recommended in your owner’s manual may give you smoother performance, better gas mileage, and may help prevent costly engine repairs. If your manual says a higher octane is “required,” always use it. If it just “recommends” a certain AKI, you might save a little money with lower-octane fuel, but you could notice a drop in power and efficiency.
Conclusion: Know Before You Fill Up
Before you pull up to the pump, take a minute to check your owner’s manual for your vehicle’s fuel requirements. It’s the best way to keep your car running at its best - especially here in Colorado, where altitude and modern technology have changed the rules about which fuel is right for your ride. Making an informed choice will help you avoid headaches and keep your engine happy for years to come.
Annual Fuel Quality Report
Colorado's commitment to maintaining excellent fuel quality is evidenced by the 2025 Annual Fuel Quality Report, which details the Division of Oil and Public Safety's rigorous retail inspection activities. The report highlights an impressive 95.4% overall compliance rate across all fuel samples tested at retail, reinforcing consumer confidence in product integrity.
Key findings, including the primary causes of the 4.6% of violations and the strong 92.9% compliance with EPA’s Reformulated Gasoline program in the Denver Front Range, underscore the effectiveness of state oversight. For an executive summary of the program’s successes, detailed analytics and initiatives, stakeholders and the public are invited to read the complete 2025 Fuel Quality Report at this link.
Fuel Quality Lab - Fourth Quarter 2025
Fuel Samples Analyzed: 269
Analytical Compliance Rate: 94.4%
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Bill Hickman Retires from OPS
After 30 years with OPS as a nationally recognized expert on storage tank systems, Bill Hickman has retired. His knowledge and drive for regulatory clarity have helped OPS maintain fair, consistent, and protective implementation of our regulations, and his work on numerous national work groups has strengthened our nation’s standardized codes of practice. Most of all though, he will be remembered for the time and energy he devoted to helping countless tank owners, contractors, and consumers overcome complex problems. We’ve been preparing for this retirement for a long time, and we’re happy to report that our team is in an excellent position to continue our involvement on national work groups and standard development committees, our implementation of reasonable and protective regulations, and our dedication to serving the citizens of Colorado. Thanks for your service Bill!
AST Certified Installer Requirement by January 1, 2027
As part of our January 2025 updates to the Petroleum Storage Tank Regulations, OPS will be requiring Certified Installers for all new aboveground storage tank (AST) installations starting January 1, 2027. We’ve had Certified Installers on the underground storage tank (UST) side of the industry for decades, and the requirement for AST Certified Installers should improve installer knowledge and the quality of AST installations in Colorado.
The certification will look a lot like the UST Certified Installer program, requiring passing the International Code Council’s (ICC’s) AST Installation/Retrofitting examination (Exam U5)and the Petroleum Equipment Institute’s (PEI’s) PEI RP200, along with a simple application form. OPS will provide the AST Certified Installer application form in early 2026 and subsequently publish the approved list of installers so tank owners can plan accordingly for the 2027 requirement.
If you have questions about storage tank installations, please contact Dan Cannell at daniel.cannell@state.co.us.
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Compliance Status Update – Fourth Quarter 2025 (as of 12/31/2025)
Storage Tanks Installed: 51
Storage Tank Closures/Removals: 23
Technical Compliance Rate for USTs: 94.1%
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