1982 and Newer Vehicles

An enhanced emissions test (I/M 240) is required for gasoline-powered passenger vehicles and light trucks at an Air Care Colorado center every two years. Your vehicle registration renewal postcard will state whether or not a test is required. If your emissions expiration date is out of sequence with your registration renewal, retain your emission test paperwork as it will be required when you renew your registration. Inspection fee is $25.

** New vehicles do not require an emissions test until the fourth model year. For example, a 2003 model year vehicle is not due for an emissions inspections until 2007.

** Pursuant to House Bill 1214, a vehicle being registered in the program area for the first time may be registered without an inspection or certification if the vehicle has not yet reached its fourth model year.

l98l and Older Vehicles

A two-speed idle test is required every year for gasoline-powered passenger vehicles and light trucks at an Air Care Colorado facility or at an independent, licensed test station. Inspection fee is $15.

Heavy Duty Vehicles

Gasoline-powered heavy duty vehicles that are model year 1982 or newer are tested with the idle test rather than the I/M 240 test. They must be tested at an I/M 240 testing station. Inspection fee is $25.

Change of Ownership

An emissions test is required when a vehicle is sold or the ownership changes. The seller is responsible for obtaining the test. This requirement is a consumer protection, and applies to private party vehicle sales as well as to dealers.

A vehicle dealer may offer customers a voucher enabling the buyer to obtain a test for free. The customer has the right to refuse this arrangement. The dealer is responsible for repairing or repurchasing the vehicle if it fails the emissions test, but the consumer must return the failed vehicle to the dealer within 3 days of the purchase, beginning the day after you take possession of the vehicle.

There is one exception to this rule. If a newer vehicle is sold and there are 12 months or more left on the original 4-year exemption, the vehicle does not require testing at the time of sale.

Commuters, Students & Military

Vehicles registered outside the region but driven into the seven-county program area 90 or more days per year for work or school must obtain an enhanced emissions test inside the seven-county area.

Exemptions

The following Colorado motor vehicles are exempt from emissions testing:

  Newly-manufactured vehicles, for the first 4 model years, or until a change of ownership (click here for requirements regarding vehicles being brought into the program area from another state or from another part of Colorado);
  Pre -1975 collector-plated vehicles
  Pre-1942 horseless carriage-plated vehicles
  Vehicles with a two-stroke engine manufactured prior to 1980
  Motorcycles
  Farm-plated vehicles
  Electric powered vehicles

** Hybrid electric vehicles, such as the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight, and other alternatively powered vehicles do not currently require emissions inspections.

For further information on exemptions, call your county motor vehicle office, or the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles' Emissions Program Office at 303-205-5603. Also see information regarding vehicles manufactured outside the U.S. and kit cars.

Important Note

Be sure your vehicle is actually due for an emissions test before going to an Air Care Colorado testing center. State regulation (D.O.R. AIR Program Regulation 2, 200-E) requires testing centers to test all vehicles that are presented for testing. No refunds can be given for emissions tests on vehicles that were not actually due for a test. If you are not sure, call the Air Care Colorado Hotline or your county motor vehicle registration office for information.

Additional Info

  New residents: If you are bringing a vehicle into the program area, see "new residents" requirements.