Some gas stations in the Denver area, including Costco, Murphy Express, and King Soopers, sold contaminated fuel recently, according to the Colorado Division of Oil and Public Safety. King Soopers reported that 14 of their gas stations were affected, and customers unknowingly pumped this flawed fuel into their vehicles.
The issue arose from a delivery mishap with a third-party carrier. A customer reported that her gas was tainted with diesel fuel. King Soopers took swift action to shut down the affected pumps once they learned about the contamination and is currently working to resolve the issue.
The gas stations impacted include locations in Arvada, Aurora, Broomfield, and Parker. Here’s a list of some specific places:
- 14967 Candelas Pkwy., Arvada
- 25701 E Smoky Hill Rd., Aurora
- 15109 E Colfax Ave., Aurora
- 12167 Sheridan Blvd., Broomfield
- 5125 W Florida Ave., Denver
King Soopers has expressed regret for the situation, promising to assist customers who might have been affected. They advised anyone who thinks they have received contaminated fuel to contact their local store for help.
The Colorado Division of Oil and Public Safety began receiving complaints about bad gas shortly after the incident. They confirmed that the fuel—regular unleaded mixed with diesel—was shipped from the HF Sinclair terminal in Henderson, Colorado, between January 7 and January 8.
To help consumers, the Division encourages anyone impacted to submit a complaint online or call for assistance. You can find the complaint form here.
This incident highlights the importance of quality control in fuel delivery. A similar situation occurred in February 2020 when a gas station in Boulder mistakenly mixed different types of fuel. Such mix-ups can not only cause vehicle issues but also damage consumer trust in these brands.
In today’s environment, consumers are relying more on social media to share experiences. Many have taken to platforms like Twitter to voice their concerns over the contamination, urging the companies involved to take responsibility and act quickly.
Keeping fuel clean is crucial, especially as we depend on it for our everyday travel. Companies must ensure their delivery processes are reliable, preventing such occurrences in the future. The scrutiny from the public and regulatory bodies can push gas stations to maintain higher standards, ultimately protecting consumers.
