The Suncor Refinery Business Center—officially part of the Commerce City Refinery—is a large-scale oil refinery complex located at 5455–5801 Brighton Blvd, Commerce City, CO 80022, USA. Owned by Suncor Energy (U.S.A.) Inc., it merged two older refineries (acquired in 2003 and 2005), making it the largest refinery in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region, with a capacity of approximately 98,000 barrels per day—processing gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and paving-grade asphalt.
This facility plays a pivotal role in supplying nearly 95% of the refined products consumed in Colorado. It provides around one-third of jet fuel to the Denver International Airport and supplies asphalt to Colorado roads.
📍 Key Contact & Location Details
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 5455–5801 Brighton Blvd, Commerce City, CO 80022, USA |
| Main Phone | +1 303‑286‑5701 |
| Alternate Listing | +1 303‑289‑1610 (for related Suncor Energy USA Inc operations) |
| Website | www.suncor.com |
| Corporate HQ Contact | Calgary-based offices: +1 403‑296‑8000 |
🧭 Core Facilities & Operations
Within its sprawling campus, the refinery complex includes:
- Three distinct processing units across two historic refinery sites
- Atmospheric & vacuum distillation units for crude separation
- Hydrotreating, catalytic cracking, and asphalt production units
- On‑site emergency response team trained for industrial incidents
- Support infrastructure: warehouses, administrative offices, rail truck loading zones, maintenance, and safety systems
🕑 Hours of Operation
As an industrial refinery, the facility operates 24/7 year-round.
The Business Center, used for administrative and business services (e.g., oil-change station), typically runs Mon–Fri, 8 AM–5 PM; closed on weekends.
Google Maps Location
🚉 Transport & Accessibility
**Nearest public transport**:
– The facility is near Brighton Boulevard, with local bus services connecting Commerce City to Denver.
– The closest rail line is the BNSF freight corridor, without direct passenger access.
– The nearest passenger rail or RTD light rail stations are roughly 5–6 miles away, with bus transfers required.
Road access: Situated off the I‑270 and I‑76 corridor, with ample truck access and industrial transport routes.
⚙️ Community & Environmental Impact
Local & Regional Benefits
- Economic boost: Generates an estimated $2.5 billion for the state annually, plus significant local tax revenues
- Fuel security: Helps stabilize Colorado’s fuel market and keeps local fuel prices ~30–50% lower
- Employment: Offers hundreds of jobs—ranging from technical and administrative to operational and maintenance roles
Environmental & Health Concerns
Community and activist groups, notably 21-year-old Alessandra Chavira and other climate advocates, have raised serious concerns:
- Reports of foul odors (hydrogen sulfide, benzene), air pollution, and tap water advisories
- In 2022–2023, Suncor recorded 37 exceedances of legal pollutant emissions
- Ongoing EPA cleanup site status: human and groundwater exposures not under control as of July 2022
- Repeated fines: $2.2M (2012) and $9M (2020) for benzene and other VOC violations
🌟 Pros & Cons (Based on Public Reviews & Employee Feedback)
👍 Pros
- Essential service provider: Helps stabilize fuel and asphalt availability
- Economic cornerstone: Significant revenue and job creation for Commerce City
- Trained staff & 24/7 readiness: Emergency drills and on-site safety teams in place
Good pay & benefits (employee reviews)
👎 Cons
- Health and odor complaints: Residents cite noxious smells and water quality concerns
- Environmental compliance issues: Persistent exceedances and fines suggest weak enforcement
- Community distrust: Some feel local authorities inadequately hold Suncor accountable
- Employee morale mixed: Reports of high-pressure operations, long shifts, and culture issues
✅ Summary
The Suncor Refinery Business Center is a vital energy and economic hub for Colorado, delivering consistent fuel, asphalt, and industrial output. However, its significant environmental footprint has drawn sustained concern—particularly around air and water quality, pollution, and long-term health effects for surrounding neighborhoods.
📌 Key Facts Recap
- Name: Suncor Refinery Business Center (Commerce City Refinery)
- Address: 5455–5801 Brighton Blvd, Commerce City, CO 80022
- Phone: +1 303‑286‑5701 (alt +1 303‑289‑1610)
- Website: www.suncor.com
- Hours: Refinery: 24/7; Business Office: Mon–Fri 8 AM–5 PM
- Capacity: ~98,000 barrels/day; largest in Rocky Mountains
- Economic Impact: ~$2.5B annually; jet fuel supplier; asphalt producer
