Imagine filling up your car's tank, only to realize later that you've been driving on the wrong fuel! This is the shocking reality for potentially thousands of Denver drivers right now. At least 19 gas stations across the Denver metro area have confirmed receiving contaminated unleaded fuel, a mix-up that could cause serious damage to vehicles. King Soopers and Phil Long Ford of Denver have both acknowledged the issue, with Phil Long Ford reporting multiple cases of customers bringing in cars affected by this blunder. But here's where it gets even more concerning: the contaminated fuel is actually diesel, which can wreak havoc on gasoline engines. Phil Long Ford warns drivers who suspect they’ve been affected to avoid starting their cars and to have them towed to a trusted mechanic immediately.
And this is the part most people miss: while King Soopers is the only company to have officially commented so far, the Colorado Division of Oil and Public Safety has confirmed receiving complaints from other major retailers like Costco and Murphy Express. The division has already tested and confirmed contamination at a Costco station in Sheridan, raising questions about how widespread this issue truly is. King Soopers, in a statement, urged Denver7 to reach out to other fuel retailers, emphasizing that this isn’t an isolated incident. They’ve taken swift action by shutting down affected fuel lines and conducting thorough diagnostics at their stations.
But here's the controversial part: How did this contamination happen in the first place? The Colorado Division of Oil and Public Safety traced the issue back to fuel loaded from the HF Sinclair terminal in Henderson, Colorado, between 2 p.m. on January 7 and 6 a.m. on January 8. This raises serious questions about quality control and accountability in the fuel supply chain. Should there be stricter regulations to prevent such mishaps? Or is this an unavoidable risk in the current system? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
For those affected, King Soopers has identified the following contaminated locations: 14967 Candelas Pkwy., Arvada; 25701 E Smoky Hill Rd., Aurora; 15109 E Colfax Ave., Aurora; 17000 E Iliff Ave., Aurora; 3050 S Peoria St., Aurora; 19001 E Quincy Ave., Aurora; 1045 S 1St St., Bennett; 3600 Table Mesa Dr., Boulder; 1650 30Th St., Boulder; 12167 Sheridan Blvd., Broomfield; 2355 W 136Th Ave., Broomfield; 7284 Lagae Rd., Castle Pines; 750 N Ridge Rd., Castle Rock; 5125 W Florida Ave., Denver; 11747 W Ken Caryl Ave., Littleton; 9820 W Belleview Ave., Littleton; 1611 Pace St., Longmont; 12959 S Parker Rd., Parker; and 17761 Cottonwood Dr., Parker. If you filled up at any of these stations during the affected period, contact the respective King Soopers for assistance.
The Colorado Division of Oil and Public Safety is actively working with station owners to test fuel samples and identify all impacted retailers. They’ve assured the public that contaminated fuel is being replaced with the correct product. Affected customers can file a complaint online at https://ops.colorado.gov/sites/ops/files/2019-11/consumercomplaintform.pdf or call 303-866-4967 for state assistance.
This incident not only highlights the potential risks in our fuel supply chain but also underscores the importance of vigilance as a consumer. What do you think? Is this an isolated incident, or a sign of deeper issues in the industry? Share your thoughts below and let’s keep the conversation going!
