Kevin Hannon, Partner at Singleton Schreiber, was recently featured by the City of Boulder in its press release, "Colorado Supreme Court Advances Historic Boulder Climate Accountability Case," which was issued on May 12, 2025.
The announcement highlights a major legal victory for Boulder County and the City of Boulder in their climate accountability case against ExxonMobil and Suncor in Board of County Commissioners of Boulder County, et al. v. Suncor Energy (U.S.A.) Inc., et al., which seeks to hold the companies accountable for knowingly contributing to climate change and misleading the public about the harmful effects of their products.
According to the Colorado Supreme Court, Mr. Hannon and the other plaintiffs may proceed with their claims under Colorado state law, rejecting Exxon’s effort to have the lawsuit dismissed on federal preemption grounds. The Court further acknowledged that the case raises "substantial issues of global import," and affirmed Colorado's ability to hold companies accountable for in-state injuries linked to climate deception.
Mr. Hannon, commenting on the significance of the decision, said:
"The Court properly ruled that Colorado law is fully capable and appropriate to address climate harms occurring in Colorado. After over seven years, Boulder County and the City of Boulder can finally have their day in court.”
Board of County Commissioners of Boulder County, et al. v. Suncor Energy (U.S.A.) Inc., et al. was originally filed in April 2018 by Boulder County, San Miguel County, and the City of Boulder, and seeks to recover damages for the rising costs Colorado communities face due to climate-related harms and infrastructure impacts.
