Supreme Court agrees to hear case on Colorado dispute over climate change

SCOTUSblog

by Amy Howe

February 23, 2026

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The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a significant case involving Boulder County’s lawsuit against oil and gas companies over their alleged role in exacerbating climate change. The case, *Suncor Energy Inc. v. County Commissioners of Boulder County*, centers on whether state laws can hold corporations accountable for damages caused by greenhouse gas emissions or if such claims are preempted by federal environmental laws and foreign policy authority. Boulder County argues that oil and gas companies have knowingly contributed to climate change, causing millions in damage to local property and infrastructure. The companies, however, maintain that federal law supersedes state claims, citing the structure of the U.S. Constitution, which limits states’ ability to regulate activities with significant interstate impacts. The Colorado Supreme Court ruled in Boulder’s favor, rejecting the argument that federal interests override the county’s legal authority. The oil and gas industry, supported by the federal government, contends that allowing state lawsuits on such a broad scale would disrupt the balance of power between states and the federal government. They argue that addressing climate change is a matter for federal regulators, not individual states. The Supreme Court’s decision to take up the case could set a precedent for how state and federal authorities address liability for climate-related damages. The justices also agreed to consider whether they have jurisdiction to hear the case at all. Boulder County argued that the Colorado Supreme Court’s ruling was not yet final, and rushing to resolve this issue could create unnecessary legal complications. The Court is expected to hear oral arguments in the fall of 2026, with a decision

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Originally published on SCOTUSblog on 2/23/2026