Supreme Court to Hear Oil Companies' Challenge to Colorado Climate Lawsuit

What's happening

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a significant case involving a climate lawsuit filed by Boulder, Colorado, against major oil companies, including Exxon Mobil and Suncor Energy. This case, titled Suncor Energy, Inc. v. County Commissioners of Boulder County, will examine whether state law claims can proceed against these companies for their alleged contributions to climate change.

The core issue at stake is whether federal law preempts state claims related to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change impacts. The oil companies argue that allowing such lawsuits undermines federal authority and could lead to a patchwork of state regulations that complicate national energy policy.

The lawsuit originated when Boulder officials accused Exxon and Suncor of causing harm to the city’s property and residents through their fossil fuel activities. They sought damages for public nuisance, trespass, unjust enrichment, and civil conspiracy, claiming the companies misled the public about climate change impacts. ## Key Details In previous rulings, both a federal district court and the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the oil companies' attempts to move the case to federal court.

Why it matters

Supreme Court has agreed to hear a significant case involving a climate lawsuit filed by Boulder, Colorado, against major oil companies, including Exxon Mobil and Suncor Energy County Commissioners of Boulder County, will examine whether state law claims can proceed against these companies for their alleged contributions to climate change The core issue at stake is whether federal law preempts state claims related to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change impacts

The oil companies argue that allowing such lawsuits undermines federal authority and could lead to a patchwork of state regulations that complicate national energy policy

Key facts & context

Supreme Court has agreed to hear a significant case involving a climate lawsuit filed by Boulder, Colorado, against major oil companies, including Exxon Mobil and Suncor Energy This case, titled Suncor Energy, Inc. v County Commissioners of Boulder County, will examine whether state law claims can proceed against these companies for their alleged contributions to climate change

Timeline & key developments

2026-02-23: Supreme Court to Hear Oil Companies' Challenge to Colorado Climate Lawsuit. Additional reporting on this topic is available in our broader archive and will continue to shape this timeline as new developments emerge.

Primary sources

• supremecourt.gov PDF
• supremecourt.gov document
• congress.gov document

Further reading & references

• (Additional background links will appear here as we cover this topic.)