The Colorado Department of Natural Resources is seeking applicants to serve on the Geologic Storage Stewardship Enterprise Board. The call for volunteers follows the signing of HB25-1165: Geologic Storage Enterprise & Geothermal Resources by Governor Polis, which establishes a framework for the long-term management of carbon dioxide (CO2) storage sites in the state.
The new law creates a process for overseeing CO2 storage through a dedicated fund, which will be supported by fees from CO2 storage operators. The volunteer board will administer this enterprise, ensuring that carbon storage facilities are managed safely over time. The initiative is intended to support Colorado’s climate goals, shift the financial responsibility away from taxpayers, and provide regulatory certainty to operators.
According to the Department, “The Enterprise ensures carbon storage facilities are safe long into the future. It also advances our state’s climate goals, relieves state taxpayers of a burden to manage these sites, and provides certainty to operators.”
The board will include five members: the Chair of the Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission (ECMC), the ECMC Director or her designee, one individual with significant experience in geologic storage (preferably with actuarial science expertise related to long-term risk assessment), one person with formal training or substantial experience in environmental protection or public health, and another with technical experience in wellbore monitoring or long-term stewardship.
Terms for board members will generally last three years. However, during the initial term, some positions will have shorter durations: one year for the geologic storage expert and two years for the environmental protection or public health representative.
Individuals interested in applying can access an application online by scrolling to the Geologic Storage Stewardship Enterprise Board section. For more information about eligibility and expectations, applicants may contact Aaron Ray, DNR Director of Policy.
