NOTE: Emissions standards are tightening as of January 2022
Vehicle emissions continue to be a major contributor to air pollution in Colorado.
Air Care Colorado is using tighter emissions standards for its I/M 240 dynamometer (treadmill) test, starting in January 2022.
The I/M 240 test is for vehicles that are at least eight (8) years old back to model year 1982.
Your vehicle should still pass this test (even with these new tighter standards) if it is in proper working order.
Due to COVID-19 adjustments to testing protocols, and delays in the postal system, it is possible that you may not need to go to an emissions inspection station; you may have already passed emissions through the RapidScreen roadside option, or you may not have received your registration renewal card in a timely manner. More vehicles are receiving passing emissions through the RapidScreen roadside testing option, and some registration notifications may not reflect this.
To renew online:
1) Be sure to have available:
2) Got to MyDMV.Colorado.gov
3) Click on Renew a vehicle registration (The car icon under 'Vehicle Quick Start.')
4) Read instructions and press the 'NEXT' button to begin the registration process.
If you receive a message that says your vehicle requires an inspection before it can be registered, please visit one of the 18 Air Care Colorado locations for an inspection and try again.
The Air Care Colorado Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) Program is a network of 18 stations conveniently located throughout the Denver-metropolitan area and the North Front Range. Additionally, 18 RapidScreen roadside data collection units are set up and rotated among state-approved locations throughout the program area.
Depending upon the vehicle, Air Care Colorado stations use three different testing methods to evaluate emissions as part of the overall emissions inspection. They are:
Find inspection stations and RapidScreen sites near you, and diesel inspection stations, and county motor vehicle offices.
LOW PROFILE RIMS & OVERSIZED TIRES - Please note that front-wheel and all-wheel drive vehicles with low-profile rim sizes 17-inches-or-larger in diameter or vehicles with wheel sizes larger than 34 inches must be tested on special dynamometers capable of testing vehicles with these unusual features. Please take your vehicle to the Sheridan, Boulder, Ken Caryl or Fort Collins stations for inspection. These are the only stations in the program area equipped with specialized dynamometers that can test these vehicles.