Courts & lawClimate lawsuits against oil companies

Justices appear divided over Boulder climate suit against Suncor, Exxon

Suncor Energy v. Boulder County, argued at the Supreme Court on October 5, 2026, on whether federal law bars state-law suits seeking climate-related damages from energy companies; and how the ruling affects similar suits by other states and cities.

Compiled by Previouslyfrom 3 sources, 1 of them official recordEdition of October 26, 2026Checked today, nothing newFollow this story

The story so far, in brief

5 new developments

New developments

Boulder sued Suncor and ExxonMobil in Colorado state court in 2018, seeking compensation for costs it attributes to climate change.¹^{, 2}
The Colorado Supreme Court ruled that federal law did not bar Boulder's state-law claims, allowing them to go forward.¹
The U.S. Supreme Court granted the companies' petition on February 23, 2026, and added a question about its own jurisdiction.³
The court's clerk notified counsel on September 28, 2026, that Justice Samuel Alito would not participate in the case.³^{, 2}
At argument on October 5, 2026, it was not clear whether a majority agreed that federal law bars Boulder's claims.¹^{, 2}

Still open

The court has not ruled on the merits or on its jurisdiction, and CBS News reported a decision is expected by summer 2027.³^{, 2}

Follow this story to keep your place: next time, this box shows only what's new since your last visit.

The Story So Far

Every milestone in order, with the records and reporting behind it.

2018
During the year
Boulder sued Suncor and ExxonMobil in Colorado state court over climate change costs.
CBS News