A recent gas contamination incident in Denver has left many drivers in a state of panic. On January 7th and 8th, 2026, multiple gas stations across the Denver metro area sold diesel-tainted gas to unsuspecting customers. This mistake, which appears to have originated from a regional terminal facility, could cause significant damage to vehicles if diesel fuel is burned in non-diesel cars.
The affected gas stations include stores run by popular brands such as King Soopers, Costco, and Murphy Express. King Soopers, in a statement to Denverite, acknowledged the issue and assured customers that they took immediate action by shutting down affected fuel lines and dispatching diagnostic teams. However, the statement did not specify how many locations were impacted.
According to Peter Schiavoni, a service advisor at Urban Autocare, burning diesel fuel in a non-diesel car can cause the vehicle to stop working. He advises drivers to park the car and have it towed to a repair facility if they suspect they have filled up with contaminated fuel. If the issue is caught late, the car may stall out and die, requiring immediate attention from a local repair facility.
The state agency responsible for the incident has not disclosed the number of gas stations or customers affected, but 9News reported that nearly 200 complaints have been received. King Soopers has identified 13 affected locations, and the state agency has assured that stations are working to stop the sale of contaminated gasoline and replace it with the correct fuel.
Customers who believe they have been affected are encouraged to contact the gas station they visited and submit a complaint to the state online or by phone. This incident serves as a reminder to drivers to always check the fuel type before filling up and to be vigilant for any signs of contamination.
