Program: orphaned well state formula grant program ? Phase 2 legislative authority: 42 U.S.C. ? 15907(c)(4) award purpose: funding through the formula grant program may be utilized to plug,…

The Department of the Interior awarded the Colorado Department of Natural Resources $29.064 million under the Energy Community Revitalization Program (CFDA 15.018) on January 1, 2026, to plug, remediate, and reclaim orphaned wells on state and private lands throughout Colorado.

The recipient will plug orphaned wells; remediate soil and restore habitat degraded by orphaned wells and associated pipelines, facilities, and infrastructure; decommission or remove associated infrastructure on state and private lands adjacent to orphaned wells; identify and characterize undocumented orphaned wells; rank orphaned wells by public health and safety risk, potential environmental harm, and land use priorities; identify and address adverse human health or environmental effects on local communities; measure and track methane emissions and other gases as well as groundwater and surface water contamination; and develop or administer programs to carry out these activities under 42 U.S.C. § 15907(c)(4). The grant also funds cost accounting for plugging, remediation, and reclamation at each site and setup of well-plugging capacity where not already established.

Period of performance runs from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2028. Work is performed statewide across multiple Colorado Parks and Wildlife regional offices and divisions with administrative oversight from the Executive Director's Office in Denver.

Activities

This grant funds the colorado department of natural resources to perform the following activities: plug, remediate, or reclaim orphaned wells on state and private lands; remediate soil and restore habitat that has been due to the presence of orphaned wells or associated pipelines, facilities, or infrastructure on state and private lands; remediate state and private lands adjacent to orphaned wells and decommission or remove associated pipelines, facilities, and infrastructure; provide an accounting of the cost of plugging, remediation, and reclamation for each orphaned well site on state and/or private lands within the state; identify and characterize undocumented orphaned wells on state and private land; rank orphaned wells based on factors including public health and safety, potential environmental harm, and other land use priorities; identify and address adverse human health or environmental effects on local communities; measure and track methane emissions and other gases as well as contamination of groundwater and surface water; and develop or administer a program to carry out any activities described in this 42 U.S.C. ? 15907(c)(4). Activities funded by this grant must comply with the uniform guidance for grants and agreements (2 CFR 200), build america buy america, davis-bacon act, and 42 U.S.C. ? 15907(c)(4), and include all costs necessary to conduct and manage the approved project, such as equipment and contracted services. Expected deliverables or outcomes: 1. Decrease the amount of methane emissions from orphaned wells. 2. Enhance the protection of public health, safety, and property from adverse effects of oil drilling practices from orphaned wells on state and private lands. 3. Plug, remediate, or reclaim orphaned wells on state and private lands. 4. Restore land and water resources, the environment, and property from oil drilling activities, facilities, and associated pipelines from orphaned wells on state and private lands. 5. Remediate and restore land and water resources to return lands to traditional uses, including woodland, energy production, fish and wildlife habitats, recreation resources, and agricultural productivity.

Intended beneficiaries

The public benefits directly and indirectly from the proposed project that addresses national energy security and public safety. This investment in state programs across the country will grow the economy and address energy goals. Information and data collected by this project will be made available as applicable. The public will benefit by mitigating risks, restoring lands to productive uses, and providing job opportunities in impacted communities where work will be prioritized. Subrecipient activities (if known or specified at time of award): n/a