Colorado Governor Jared Polis announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Wyoming to strengthen coordination on permitting for carbon storage efforts that may cross state boundaries.

“This MOU brings Wyoming and Colorado together to speed up permitting, support cleaner air, and protect property rights. Colorado is proud to be a leader in protecting our environment for future generations, and this MOU is another example of good work with others to move forward. I want to thank Governor Gordon and his team for their collaboration and partnership on this important issue,” said Governor Polis.

“This new agreement shows the importance of working across state lines to make energy more affordable as new energy technologies continue to develop,” said Julie Murphy, director of the ECMC. “By coordinating early and sharing information, Colorado and Wyoming can better support communities while ensuring projects meet strong environmental and safety standards.”

Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality Groundwater Section Manager, Lily Barkau, added that the technical exchange is a key benefit of the agreement. “This MOU allows our groundwater experts to engage in meaningful dialogue with our counterparts in Colorado long before a permit is finalized. This level of coordination is important for managing the complex carbon sequestration process and ensures we are identifying and mitigating risks using the best available data from both states.”

Clear Process for Cross-Border Coordination

The MOU applies to projects located near the Colorado–Wyoming border, specifically those within one mile of the state line or where project activities may extend across it. This includes project review areas, monitoring wells, facilities, and long-term site care activities.

To support coordination, the agreement establishes two key steps:

Notification: When a project may involve both states, the state leading the permit review will notify the neighboring state early in the process. This includes sharing key project details, timelines, and opportunities for input so both states and operators are informed from the outset.

Consultation: The neighboring state may request a consultation to exchange information, discuss potential impacts, and provide input. This collaborative process helps identify any questions early, supports coordination on monitoring and oversight, and ensures each state can meet its regulatory responsibilities.

This structured approach helps reduce uncertainty for communities and project developers while reinforcing strong environmental protections.

Supporting Communities and Responsible Development

As carbon management efforts continue to grow across the region, coordination between states is increasingly important to ensure consistent oversight and clear communication.

Maintaining State Authority

The MOU does not alter or limit the authority of either state. Each agency retains its full regulatory responsibility while committing to work in good faith to share information and address cross-border considerations.

About the ECMC

The mission of the Colorado Energy & Carbon Management Commission (ECMC) is to regulate the development and production of the natural resources of oil and gas, deep geothermal resources, the geologic storage of captured carbon, and the underground storage of natural gas in a manner that protects public health, safety, welfare, the environment and wildlife resources. Visit the ECMC website for more information.

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Colorado and Wyoming Announce Agreement to Coordinate Carbon Storage Efforts

Office of Colorado Governor Jared Polis