As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 16, 2018

Registration No. 333-

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

HollyFrontier Corporation

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Copy to:

Alan J. Bogdanow

Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.

Trammell Crow Center

2001 Ross Avenue, Suite 3900

Dallas, Texas 75201

(214) 220-7700

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this registration statement becomes effective.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.  ☐

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.  ☒

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ☒

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” or “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act  ☐

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

PROSPECTUS

HollyFrontier Corporation

SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES

COMMON STOCK

We may from time to time, in one or more offerings, offer and sell senior debt securities or common stock.

We may offer and sell these securities in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions and other factors at the time of the offering. This prospectus provides you with only a general description of these securities and the manner in which we will offer these securities. The specific terms of any securities that we offer will, if not included in this prospectus or information incorporated by reference herein, be included in a supplement to this prospectus. Any prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus.

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “HFC.”

Investing in our securities involves risk. Before you make an investment in our securities, you should read “Risk Factors” beginning on page 1 and carefully read and consider the risk factors incorporated herein by reference.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is November 16, 2018.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

“Our,” “we,” “us” and “HollyFrontier” as used in this prospectus refer to HollyFrontier Corporation or to HollyFrontier and its subsidiaries collectively, as the context requires.

i

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) using a “shelf” registration process. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that are registered hereunder that may be offered by us. Each time we offer securities, we will provide you with a prospectus supplement that will describe, among other things, the specific amounts and prices of the securities being offered and the terms of the offering.

Any prospectus supplement may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Any statement that we make in this prospectus will be modified or superseded by any inconsistent statement made by us in any prospectus supplement. The information in this prospectus is accurate as of its date. Additional information, including our financial statements and the notes thereto, is incorporated in this prospectus by reference to our reports filed with the Commission. Therefore, before you invest in our securities, you should carefully read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement relating to the securities offered to you together with the additional information incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement (including the documents described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Documents Incorporated by Reference” in both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement).

You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. Neither we nor anyone acting on our behalf is making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of those documents.

THE COMPANY

We are principally an independent petroleum refiner that produces high-value light products such as gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, specialty lubricant products, and specialty and modified asphalt. We were incorporated in Delaware in 1947. Our operations are currently organized into three reportable segments: (a) refining, (b) lubricants and specialty products and (c) Holly Energy Partners, L.P. (“HEP”). We own and operate refineries having a combined crude oil processing capacity of 457,000 barrels per day that serve markets throughout the Mid-Continent, Southwest and Rocky Mountain regions of the United States. Our refineries are located in El Dorado, Kansas; Tulsa, Oklahoma, which comprise two production facilities, the Tulsa West and East facilities; a petroleum refinery in Artesia, New Mexico, which operates in conjunction with crude, vacuum distillation and other facilities situated 65 miles away in Lovington, New Mexico; Cheyenne, Wyoming and Woods Cross, Utah. In 2017, we acquired Petro-Canada Lubricant Inc. (“PCLI”), located in Mississauga, Ontario, which produces base oils and other specialized lubricant products. We also own and operate HollyFrontier Asphalt Company (“HFC Asphalt”), which operates various asphalt terminals in Arizona, New Mexico and Oklahoma, and own a 57% limited partner interest and a non-economic general partner interest in HEP.

In March 2017, ASU 2017-07, “Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Post-retirement Benefit Cost,” was issued amending current GAAP related to the income statement presentation of the components of net periodic pension cost and net periodic post-retirement cost (credit). We adopted this standard effective January 1, 2018, on a retrospective basis with the presentation of service cost separate from the other components of net periodic costs. The interest cost, expected return on plan assets and amortization of prior service credit have been reclassified from selling, general and administrative expenses to other, net. The adoption of this standard had no impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. In connection with our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2018, June 30, 2018, and September 30, 2018, filed on May 2, 2018, August 2, 2018, and October 31, 2018, respectively, cost reclassification information

ii

for the three month period ended March 31, 2018, the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2018, and the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2018 and the comparative periods of the prior year has been recast to reflect the 2018 classifications. However, we have not retrospectively revised our 2017 financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, filed on February 21, 2018, as the impact to cost reclassifications was not material.

Our principal corporate offices are located at 2828 N. Harwood, Suite 1300, Dallas, Texas 75201 and our telephone number is (214) 871-3555.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, and other information with the Commission (File No. 001-03876). Our filings with the Commission are available to the public through the Internet at the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov. You can also obtain information about us at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.

We make available free of charge on our Internet website at http://www.hollyfrontier.com all of the documents that we file with the Commission as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file those documents with the Commission. Information on our website or any other website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus and does not constitute part of this prospectus unless specifically so designated and filed with the Commission.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The Commission allows us to incorporate by reference into this prospectus the information we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to the documents we file with it. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, and later information that we file with the Commission will automatically update and supersede information in this prospectus and information previously filed with the Commission. Therefore, before you decide to invest in a particular offering under this shelf registration, you should always check for reports we may have filed with the Commission after the date of this prospectus.

We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made by us with the Commission under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) before the filing of a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part that indicates that all securities offered hereunder have been sold or that deregisters all securities then remaining unsold (other than information furnished and not filed with the Commission):

iii

We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request, a copy of any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any exhibit specifically incorporated by reference in those documents. Requests for such documents or exhibits should be directed to:

HollyFrontier Corporation

Attn: Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

2828 N. Harwood, Suite 1300

Dallas, Texas 75201

Telephone number: (214) 871-3555

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus and some of the documents we incorporate by reference contain various “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements are identified as any statement that does not relate strictly to historical or current facts. When used in this prospectus or the documents we have incorporated herein or therein by reference, words such as “anticipate,” “project,” “expect,” “plan,” “goal,” “forecast,” “intend,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “believe,” “may” and similar expressions and statements regarding our plans and objectives for future operations are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management’s beliefs and assumptions using currently available information and expectations as of the date hereof, are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties. All statements concerning our expectations for future results of operations are based on forecasts for our existing operations and do not include the potential impact of any future acquisitions. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure you that our expectations will prove to be correct. Therefore, actual outcomes and results could materially differ from what is expressed, implied or forecast in these statements. Any differences could be caused by a number of factors including, but not limited to:

iv

This summary discussion should be read in conjunction with the discussion of the known material risk factors and other cautionary statements under the heading “Risk Factors” included in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, and in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, each incorporated by reference herein. All forward-looking statements included in this prospectus and all subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by those cautionary statements. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made and, other than as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

v

RISK FACTORS

An investment in our securities involves risks. Before you invest in our securities, you should carefully consider those risk factors included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as supplemented by our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, each of which is incorporated herein by reference, and those risk factors that may be included in the applicable prospectus supplement together with all of the other information included in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents we incorporate by reference in evaluating an investment in our securities. When we offer and sell any securities pursuant to a prospectus supplement, we may include additional risk factors relevant to such securities in the prospectus supplement.

1

USE OF PROCEEDS

Except as otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will use the net proceeds from any sale of securities described in this prospectus for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things, funding acquisitions of assets or businesses, working capital, capital expenditures, investments in subsidiaries, the repayment or retirement of existing debt or the repurchase of common stock or other securities. Pending any specific application, we may initially invest funds in short-term marketable securities or apply them to the reduction of short-term indebtedness.

2

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

The debt securities covered by this prospectus will be our general senior unsecured obligations. We will issue the debt securities under the indenture, dated March 22, 2016, between us and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, as supplemented from time to time, which we refer to herein as the “indenture.” We have summarized selected provisions of the indenture and the debt securities below. This summary is not complete. For a complete description, we encourage you to read the indenture and any supplement thereto. We have filed the indenture as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, and we will include any other instrument establishing the terms of any debt securities we offer as exhibits to a filing we will make with the Commission in connection with that offering. Please read “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Documents Incorporated by Reference.”

In this summary description of the debt securities, unless we state otherwise or the context clearly indicates otherwise, all references to “we,” “us,” “our” or “HollyFrontier” are references to HollyFrontier Corporation only.

Ranking

The debt securities will constitute senior debt and will rank equally with all of our other unsubordinated debt. The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that can be issued under the indenture or the amount of additional indebtedness we or any of our subsidiaries may incur. We may issue debt securities under the indenture from time to time in one or more series, each in an amount we authorize prior to issuance. The trustee will authenticate and deliver debt securities executed and delivered to it by us as set forth in the indenture.

We are organized as a holding company that owns subsidiary companies. Our subsidiary companies conduct substantially all of our business. The holding company structure results in two principal risks:

Terms

The prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities we are offering will include specific terms relating to that offering. These terms will include some or all of the following:

3

We may sell the debt securities at a discount, which may be substantial, below their stated principal amount. These debt securities may bear no interest or interest at a rate that at the time of issuance is below market rates. We will describe in the prospectus supplement any material U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to those securities.

If we sell any of the debt securities for any foreign currency or currency unit or if payments on the debt securities are payable in any foreign currency or currency unit, we will describe in the prospectus supplement the restrictions, elections, tax consequences, specific terms and other information relating to those debt securities and the foreign currency or currency unit.

Restrictive Covenants

We have agreed to two principal restrictions on our activities for the benefit of holders of the debt securities. Unless waived or amended, the restrictive covenants summarized below will apply to a series of debt securities issued under the indenture as long as any of those debt securities is outstanding, unless the prospectus supplement for the series states otherwise. We have used in this summary description terms that we have defined below under “— Glossary.”

Limitations on Liens

We have agreed that when any debt securities are outstanding neither we nor any of our Principal Domestic Subsidiaries will create or assume any liens upon any Principal Property or capital stock of any of our Principal Domestic Subsidiaries unless those debt securities are secured equally and ratably with or prior to the indebtedness secured by the lien. This covenant has exceptions that permit:

4

5

Limitations on Sale/Leaseback Transactions

We have agreed that neither we nor our Principal Domestic Subsidiaries will enter into any sale/leaseback transactions with regard to any Principal Property, providing for the leasing back to us or a Principal Domestic Subsidiary by a third party for a period of more than three years of such Principal Property which has been or is to be sold or transferred by us or such Principal Domestic Subsidiary to such third party or to any other person. This covenant has exceptions that permit transactions of this nature under the following circumstances:

In addition, we are permitted to enter into sale/leaseback transactions with Holly Logistic Services, L.L.C., Holly Energy Partners, L.P. and their respective Subsidiaries without any limitations. We are also permitted to enter into other sale/leaseback transactions in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding, together with indebtedness secured by liens permitted by the last bullet discussed under the “Limitations on Liens” covenant described above, 15% of our consolidated adjusted net assets.

Glossary

We define the following terms in the indenture. We use them here with the same definitions. Generally accepted accounting principles should be used to determine all items in this section, unless otherwise indicated.

“Consolidated adjusted net assets” means the total amount of assets shown on the consolidated balance sheet of us and our Subsidiaries, prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, less (i) all current liabilities (excluding the amount of those liabilities that are by their terms extendable or renewable at our option to a date more than 12 months after the date of calculation and excluding current maturities of long-term debt); and (ii) total prepaid expenses and deferred charges.

“Funded debt” means generally any indebtedness of us or our Subsidiaries for money borrowed, created, issued, incurred, assumed or guaranteed which would be classified as long-term debt or capital lease obligations.

“Principal Domestic Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary (i) that has substantially all its assets in the United States and (ii) that owns a Principal Property.

“Principal Property” means any of our or our Subsidiaries’ refineries in the United States. This term excludes any refinery that in our opinion is not material to our and our Subsidiaries’ total business conducted as an entirety or any portion of a particular property that is similarly found not to be material to the use or operation of such property. This term also excludes any transportation or marketing facilities or assets.

“Subsidiary” means any entity of which at the time of determination we or one or more of our Subsidiaries owns or controls directly or indirectly more than 50% of the shares of voting stock or the outstanding partnership or similar interests and any limited partnership (i) of which we or any one of our Subsidiaries is a general partner and (ii) which is consolidated with us for financial reporting purposes; provided that Holly Logistic Services, L.L.C. and Holly Energy Partners, L.P. and their respective Subsidiaries, for so long as Holly Energy Partners, L.P. is not wholly owned, directly or indirectly, by us, in each case shall be deemed not to be Subsidiaries.

6

“wholly owned” means, when used with reference to an entity, an entity of which all of the outstanding capital stock (except for qualifying shares) or partnership or similar interests, as applicable, is owned by us or by one or more of our wholly owned Subsidiaries.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale

We have agreed in the indenture that we will consolidate with or merge into any entity or transfer or dispose of all or substantially all of our assets to any entity only if:

Events of Default

Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, the following are events of default under the indenture with respect to a series of debt securities issued under the indenture:

If an event of default for any series of debt securities occurs and is continuing, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the series affected by the default may declare the principal amount of and accrued interest on all the debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately. If an event of default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occurs, the principal of and accrued interest on all the debt securities issued under the indenture will become immediately due and payable without any action on the part of the trustee or any holder.

After any declaration of acceleration of a series of debt securities, but before a judgment or decree for payment has been obtained, the event of default giving rise to the declaration of acceleration will, without further act, be deemed to have been waived, and such declaration and its consequences will, without further act, be deemed to have been rescinded and annulled if:

7

In most cases, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders, unless the holders have offered to the trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the trustee. Subject to this provision for indemnification, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may direct the time, method and place of:

The indenture requires us to furnish to the trustee annually a statement as to our performance of our obligations under the indenture and as to any default in performance.

Modification and Waiver

We may modify or amend the indenture without the consent of any holders of the debt securities in certain circumstances, including to:

We may modify or amend the indenture with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected by the modification or amendment. Without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security affected, however, no modification may:

The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series may waive past defaults by us under the indenture with respect to the debt securities of that series only. Those holders may not, however, waive any default in any payment on any debt security of that series or compliance with a provision that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of each holder affected.

8

Discharge

We will be discharged from all obligations relating to any series of debt securities, except for certain surviving obligations to register the transfer or exchange of the debt securities and any right by the holders to receive additional amounts under the indenture if:

To exercise the right of deposit described above, we must pay all other sums payable under the indenture, and deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel and an officers’ certificate stating that all conditions precedent to the satisfaction and discharge of the indenture have been complied with.

Form, Exchange, Registration and Transfer

Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, we will issue the debt securities only in fully registered form, without coupons, in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

Debt securities will be exchangeable for other debt securities of the same series, the same total principal amount and the same terms in such authorized denominations as may be requested. Holders may present debt securities for registration of transfer at the office of the security registrar or any transfer agent we designate. The security registrar or transfer agent will effect the transfer or exchange when it is satisfied with the documents of title and identity of the person making the request. We will not charge a service charge for any transfer or exchange of the debt securities. We may, however, require payment of any tax or other governmental charge payable for the registration of the transfer or exchange.

We will appoint the trustee as security registrar for the debt securities. We are required to maintain an office or agency for transfers and exchanges in each place of payment. We may at any time designate additional offices or agencies for transfers and exchanges of any series of debt securities.

We will not be required to:

Payment and Paying Agents

Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, principal and interest will be payable, and the debt securities will be transferable and exchangeable, at the office or offices of the trustee or any paying agent we designate. At our option, we will pay interest on the debt securities by check mailed to the holder’s registered address or by wire transfer for global debt securities. Unless we inform you otherwise in a prospectus supplement, we will make interest payments to the persons in whose name the debt securities are registered at the close of business on the record date for each interest payment date.

9

In most cases, the trustee and paying agent will repay to us upon written request any funds held by them for payments on the debt securities that remain unclaimed for two years after the date upon which that payment has become due. After payment to us, holders entitled to the money must look to us for payment.

Book-Entry and Settlement

We may issue the debt securities of a series in the form of one or more global debt securities that would be deposited with a depositary or its nominee identified in the prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement will describe:

Notices

Notices to holders will be given by mail to the addresses of such holders as they appear in the security register.

Governing Law

New York law will govern the indenture and the debt securities.

The Trustee

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association is the trustee under the indenture.

If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the trustee will be required in the exercise of its rights and powers to use the degree of care and skill of a prudent person under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs. The trustee may resign at any time or the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities may remove the trustee. If the trustee resigns, is removed or becomes incapable of acting as trustee or if a vacancy occurs in the office of the trustee for any reason, we will appoint a successor trustee in accordance with the provisions of the indenture.

If the trustee becomes one of our creditors, it will be subject to limitations in the indenture on its rights to obtain payment of claims or to realize on certain property received for any claim, as security or otherwise. The trustee may engage in other transactions with us. If, however, it acquires any conflicting interest, it must eliminate that conflict, resign or obtain permission of the Commission to continue as trustee, as required under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.

10

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

We have summarized selected aspects of our common stock below. The summary is not complete. For a complete description, you should refer to our certificate of incorporation and by-laws, each as amended and restated, which are exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

Common Stock

Our authorized common stock consists of 320,000,000 shares, par value $0.01 per share. Each share of common stock is entitled to participate equally in dividends as and when declared by our Board of Directors. The payment of dividends on our common stock may be limited by obligations we may have to holders of any preferred stock. For information regarding restrictions on payments of dividends, see the prospectus supplement applicable to any issuance of common stock.

Common stockholders are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters submitted to them. Our common stock does not have cumulative voting rights, meaning that holders of a majority of the shares of common stock voting for the election of directors can elect all the directors if they choose to do so.

If we liquidate or dissolve our business, the holders of common stock will share ratably in the distribution of assets available for distribution to stockholders after creditors are paid and preferred stockholders receive their distributions. The shares of common stock have no preemptive rights and are not convertible, redeemable or assessable or entitled to the benefits of any sinking fund.

All issued and outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and nonassessable. Any shares of common stock we offer under this prospectus will be fully paid and nonassessable.

Our common stock is listed on the NYSE and trades under the symbol “HFC.”

Liability of Our Directors

As permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, we have included in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation a provision that limits our directors’ liability for monetary damages for breach of such director’s duty as a director. The provision does not affect the liability of a director:

Anti-Takeover Provisions

The provisions of Delaware law, our certificate of incorporation and our by-laws, each as amended and restated, summarized below may have an anti-takeover effect and may delay, deter or prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt that a stockholder might consider in his or her best interest, including those attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for our common stock.

Preferred Stock

Our authorized preferred stock consists of 5,000,000 shares, par value $1.00 per share, issuable in series. Our Board of Directors can, without action by stockholders, issue one or more series of preferred stock. The

11

board can determine for each series the number of shares, designation, relative voting rights, dividend rates, liquidation and other rights, preferences and limitations. In some cases, the issuance of preferred stock could delay or discourage a change in control of us.

The issuance of preferred stock, while providing desired flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could adversely affect the voting power of holders of our common stock. It could also affect the likelihood that holders of our common stock will receive dividend payments and payments upon liquidation.

Stockholder Proposals and Director Nominations

Our stockholders can submit stockholder proposals and nominate candidates for our Board of Directors if the stockholders follow advance notice procedures described in our amended and restated by-laws. Generally, stockholders must submit a written notice between 90 and 120 days before the first anniversary of the date of our previous year’s annual stockholders’ meeting.

To make stockholder proposals, the notice must include, among other things: a description of the proposal; the reasons for bringing the proposal before the meeting; the name and address of the stockholder and any Stockholder Associated Person; the class and number of shares owned by the stockholder and any Stockholder Associated Person; any derivative interests or other interests held by the stockholder and any Stockholder Associated Person; a list of all transactions in our securities in the six months before the date of notice by the stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person; any interest of the stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person in the proposal; a description of any voting agreements with respect to our securities between the stockholder, any Stockholder Associated Person and any other person; a description of the economic terms of any derivative securities or voting agreements; and a representation by the stockholder that he or she is a holder of record of capital stock of HollyFrontier entitled to vote at such annual meeting and that he or she intends to appear in person or by proxy at the annual meeting to propose such business. For purposes of this section, a “Stockholder Associated Person” is (i) any beneficial owner of shares of stock of HollyFrontier on whose behalf any proposal or nomination is made by such stockholder; (ii) any affiliates or associates of such stockholder or any beneficial owner described in clause (i); and (iii) each other person with whom any of the persons described in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) either is acting in concert with respect to HollyFrontier or has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of any capital stock of HollyFrontier or to cooperate in obtaining, changing or influencing the control of HollyFrontier.

To nominate directors, the notice must include the same information required for a stockholder proposal, as well as: information about the nominee required by the Commission; a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of capital stock of HollyFrontier entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such nomination; and a representation as to whether the stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person intends, or is part of a group that intends, to (i) deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the outstanding capital stock of HollyFrontier required to elect the nominee or (ii) otherwise solicit proxies or votes from stockholders in support of such nomination. Director nominees must meet certain requirements set forth in our amended and restated by-laws.

In each case, if we have changed the date of the annual meeting by more than 30 days from the date contemplated at the time of the previous year’s proxy statement, a stockholder’s notice must be received not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to such annual meeting date or, if the public disclosure of such annual meeting is less than 100 days prior to the date of such annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice must be received no later than the seventh day following the day on which the public disclosure of the date of such meeting was made.

Director nominations and stockholder proposals that are late or that do not include all required information may be rejected. This could prevent stockholders from bringing certain matters before an annual meeting, including making nominations for directors.

12

Stockholder Meetings; Action by Written Consent

Pursuant to our amended and restated by-laws, special meetings of stockholders may be called by the Chief Executive Officer or at the request in writing of a majority of our Board of Directors, a majority of the Executive Committee of HollyFrontier, or of stockholders owning a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock. At any special meeting of the stockholders, only such nominations or business may be conducted or considered as shall have been properly brought before the meeting pursuant to the notice of meeting.

Our stockholders may act by written consent without a meeting, subject to the requirements in our amended and restated by-laws for setting a record date for the written consent. Any stockholder seeking to have the stockholders authorize or take corporate action must request that our Board of Directors fix a record date. Such notice must include the same information required for a stockholder proposal and be submitted to our board of directors as described in our amended and restated by-laws.

Size of Board and Vacancies; Removal

Our amended and restated by-laws provide that our Board of Directors will consist of between three and fourteen directors, as determined by resolution of the Board. Vacancies on our Board of Directors shall be filled by a majority of the directors then in office.

Our amended and restated by-laws provide that at any meeting of the stockholders called for the purpose any director may, by vote of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of the votes then entitled to vote in the election of directors, be removed from office with or without cause.

Delaware Anti-takeover Statute

We are a Delaware corporation and are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. In general, Section 203 prevents us from engaging in a business combination with an “interested stockholder” (generally, a person owning 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock) for three years following the time that person becomes a 15% stockholder unless one of the following is satisfied:

Under Section 203, these restrictions also do not apply to certain business combinations proposed by a 15% stockholder following the disclosure of an extraordinary transaction with a person who was not a 15% stockholder during the previous three years or who became a 15% stockholder with the approval of a majority of our directors. This exception applies only if the extraordinary transaction is approved or not opposed by a majority of our directors who were directors before any person became a 15% stockholder in the previous three years, or the successors of these directors.

Other Provisions

Our amended and restated by-laws provide that our amended and restated by-laws may be amended or repealed or new by-laws may be adopted only by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than 67% of the

13

stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at any regular or special meeting of the stockholders, if notice of the proposed alteration or amendment be contained in the notice of meeting, or by the affirmative vote of a majority of our Board of Directors.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation also provides that our Board of Directors is expressly authorized to amend or repeal our amended and restated by-laws.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

EQ Shareowner Services is our transfer agent and registrar.

14

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the securities in and outside the United States through underwriters or dealers, directly to purchasers or through agents.

Sale Through Underwriters or Dealers

If we use underwriters in the sale of securities, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. Underwriters may offer securities to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to conditions, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities if they purchase any of them. The underwriters may change from time to time any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers. We will include in the prospectus supplement the names of the principal underwriters and the amounts underwritten.

During and after an offering through underwriters, the underwriters may purchase and sell the securities in the open market. These transactions may include overallotment and stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover syndicate short positions created in connection with the offering. The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid, whereby selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other broker-dealers for the offered securities sold for their account may be reclaimed by the syndicate if such offered securities are repurchased by the syndicate in stabilizing or covering transactions. These activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the offered securities, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market. If commenced, these activities may be discontinued at any time.

If we use dealers in the sale of securities, we will sell the securities to them as principals. They may then resell those securities to the public at varying prices determined by the dealers at the time of resale. The dealers participating in any sale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) with respect to any sale of those securities. We will include in the prospectus supplement the names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction.

Direct Sales and Sales Through Agents

We may sell the securities directly. In that event, no underwriters or agents would be involved. We may also sell the securities through agents we designate from time to time. In the prospectus supplement, we will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities, and we will describe any commissions payable by us to the agent. Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, any agent will agree to use its reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of its appointment.

We may sell the securities directly to institutional investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any sale of those securities. We will describe the terms of any such sales in the prospectus supplement.

Delayed Delivery Contracts

If we so indicate in the prospectus supplement, we may authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers from certain types of institutions to purchase securities from us at the public offering price under delayed delivery contracts. These contracts would provide for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts would be subject only to those conditions described in the prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement will describe the commission payable for solicitation of those contracts.

15

Remarketing

We may offer and sell any of the securities in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment by their terms or otherwise, by one or more remarketing firms acting as principals for their own accounts or as our agents. We will identify any remarketing firm, the terms of any remarketing agreement and the compensation to be paid to the remarketing firm in the prospectus supplement. Remarketing firms may be deemed underwriters under the Securities Act.

Derivative Transactions

We may enter into derivative transactions with third parties or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third parties may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third parties in these sale transactions will be underwriters and will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement or in a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

General Information

We may have agreements with the agents, dealers and underwriters to indemnify them against civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute with respect to payments that the agents, dealers or underwriters may be required to make. Agents, dealers and underwriters may engage in transactions with us or perform services for us in the ordinary course of their businesses.

Each series of offered securities will be a new issue and, other than our common stock, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, will have no established trading market. We may elect to list any series of offered securities on an exchange, but we are not obligated to do so. It is possible that one or more underwriters may make a market in a series of offered securities. However, they will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue market making at any time without notice. We cannot assure you that a liquid trading market for any of our offered securities will develop.

16

LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters in connection with the securities will be passed upon by Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., Dallas, Texas, as our counsel. Any underwriter will be advised about issues relating to any offering by its own legal counsel.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of HollyFrontier Corporation, appearing in HollyFrontier Corporation’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2017, and the effectiveness of HollyFrontier Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017 (excluding the internal control over financial reporting of the PCLI business acquired on February 1, 2017) have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in its reports thereon, which as to the report on the effectiveness of HollyFrontier Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting contains an explanatory paragraph describing the above referenced exclusion of the PCLI business acquired on February 1, 2017 from the scope of such firm’s audit of internal control over financial reporting, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements have been incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

17

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

Set forth below are the expenses payable in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities registered hereby. The amounts set forth below are estimates.

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

HollyFrontier is incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware.

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) permits a corporation to indemnify any person who was or is a party, or is threatened to be made a party, to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding.

In a suit brought to obtain a judgment in the corporation’s favor, whether by the corporation itself or derivatively by a stockholder, the corporation may only indemnify for expenses, including attorney’s fees, actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of the case, and the corporation may not indemnify for amounts paid in satisfaction of a judgment or in settlement of the claim. In any such action, no indemnification may be paid in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such persons shall have been adjudged liable to the corporation except as otherwise approved by the Delaware Court of Chancery or the court in which the claim was brought. In any other type of proceeding, the indemnification may extend to judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement, actually and reasonably incurred in connection with such other proceedings, as well as to expenses (including attorneys’ fees).

The statute does not permit indemnification unless the person seeking indemnification has acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation and, in the case of criminal actions or proceedings, the person had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. There are additional limitations applicable to criminal actions and to actions brought by or in the name of the corporation. The determination as to whether a person seeking indemnification has met the required standard of conduct is to be made, with respect to a person who is a director or officer at the time of such determination, (i) by a majority vote of directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, (ii) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, (iii) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (iv) by the stockholders.

II-1

HollyFrontier’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws provide that HollyFrontier must indemnify each director and officer who was or is a party, or is threatened to be made a party, to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that he is or was one of HollyFrontier’s directors or officers to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL.

Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL (“Section 102(b)”) authorizes corporations to limit or to eliminate the personal liability of directors to corporations or their stockholders for monetary damages for breach of directors’ fiduciary duty of care. Although Section 102(b) does not change directors’ duty of care, it enables corporations to limit available relief to equitable remedies such as injunction or rescission. HollyFrontier’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation limits the liability of its directors to it or its stockholders to the fullest extent permitted by Section 102(b). Specifically, HollyFrontier’s directors will not be personally liable for monetary damages for breach of a director’s fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to HollyFrontier or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) for unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock purchases or redemptions as provided in Section 174 of the DGCL, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. In the view of the Commission, the limitation of monetary liability pursuant to state law does not apply to liabilities under the federal securities laws.

We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our current directors and executive officers to provide these directors and executive officers additional contractual assurances regarding the scope of the indemnification set forth in our amended and restated by-laws and to provide additional procedural protections.

We have an insurance policy in place that covers our officers and directors with respect to certain liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act, or otherwise.

We may enter into one or more underwriting agreements which provide that the underwriters will be obligated, under some circumstances, to indemnify our directors, officers and controlling persons against specified liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

II-2

Item 17. Undertakings

(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) above do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 or Form F-3 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof;

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering;

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:

(i) If the registrants are relying on Rule 430B:

(A) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(B) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to

II-3

Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is a part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date; or

(ii) If the registrant is subject to Rule 430C, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use; and

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:

The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i) any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii) any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

(iii) the portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

(iv) any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of any registrant pursuant to the provisions described in Item 15 above, or

II-4

otherwise, each registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, each registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

(d) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

(1) for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective; and

(2) for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

II-5

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Dallas, State of Texas, on November 16, 2018.

II-6

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints George J. Damiris and Richard L. Voliva III, jointly and severally, his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement and any Registration Statement (including any amendment thereto) for any offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or would do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in fact and agents or any of them or their or his or her substitute and substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on November 16, 2018.

II-7

II-8