Need to Know

Cost & Hours

Cost

Inspection Fees

1982 & Newer Model Year Gasoline-powered Vehicles: $25 biennial (Every two years)
1981 & Older: $15 annual
VIN Verification: $25

Six (6) years old or newer: Exempt

Cash, checks and, credit cards accepted. Please make checks payable to Air Care Colorado.
(2% transaction fee on all credit card purchases.)

Note: Vehicle sellers must provide buyers either a new Emissions Inspection Certificate or an emissions inspection voucher at the time of sale.

Air Care Colorado stations
DO NOT TEST DIESEL-POWERED vehicles.

Hours

• BEST TIMES TO TEST: 
• The middle two weeks of the month
• Late afternoons
  Saturdays
•  
• AVOID:
• Mondays
• Last few days of the month
• Day after any holiday​​​​

VIN Verification

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Verifications

If your vehicle has never been titled in Colorado and is not currently titled/registered in Colorado, a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) verification MAY be required prior to registration." If you are unsure, please contact your local Motor Vehicle office for clarification. VIN Verifications may be obtained at any Air Care Colorado inspection station. If your vehicle requires an emissions inspection, simply let the inspector know that you need a VIN verification as well as an inspection. If your vehicle does not require an inspection, do not drive into the testing lanes, please ask for a VIN verification inside the station office. VIN verification fee: $25. 

The following provide VIN verifications:

• Centralized Air Care Colorado emissions inspection stations.
• Independent emissions inspection stations in both the Enhanced and Basic emissions program areas.
• Licensed diesel emissions inspection stations.
• Some motor vehicle dealerships.
• Some County Clerk and Recorder offices.
• Some law enforcement agencies.

Important Note: Some county clerks and law enforcement agencies do not provide this service. Call ahead to make sure this service is available before going to a county clerk's office or law enforcement agency for a VIN verification. For more information on the VIN verification requirement, call the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles at 303-205-5603 or your county motor vehicle office.

When does a 'new to Colorado' vehicle NOT require an inspection?

If the vehicle you are bringing into the program area is six years old or newer, or is brand new and has never been registered in any state, you do not need an emissions inspection. If the vehicle has never before been registered anywhere in the state of Colorado, you will need a VIN verification.

Do not drive the vehicle into the testing lanes for a VIN verification only; request a VIN verification at the office.

New Resident & Ownership Change

New Resident

If you are bringing a vehicle into the program area from another state or another part of Colorado, it must pass an emissions inspection before it can be registered in a new county. This process must be completed within 90 days of establishing residency. Be advised that a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) verification may also be required.

Exceptions can be made for vehicles brought into the program area that have not yet reached the seventh model year (based upon the Manufacturer Statement of Origin). Such vehicles do not require an emissions inspection at the time of registration. Vehicles require an emissions inspection once they reach the eighth model year.

Change of Ownership

By law, any used vehicle offered for sale is required to have another emissions inspection even if the current inspection report has not yet expired. Exceptions can be made for USED vehicles that are offered for sale if they have at least one year (365 days) remaining on the original seven-model-year exemption.

It is the seller's responsibility to provide the updated emissions inspection paperwork to the buyer for vehicle registration purposes. This is consumer protection for the buyer. The buyer must use this paperwork to register the vehicle within one year (365 days). Dealers selling vehicles may offer buyers free emissions inspection vouchers instead of an updated inspection. However, it is the buyer's right to refuse a voucher and require the dealer to provide an updated emissions inspection. **As of August 10, 2022, the automotive dealer's liability for vehicle emissions compliance is extended from 3 to 5 business days post-purchase. (See below.)

If you purchased a vehicle from a dealer, used a dealer-provided voucher to obtain an emissions inspection, and the vehicle subsequently failed an inspection, please visit the FAQ page and look to number 13.

Automotive Dealer Emissions Liability Extended
from 3 to 5 days post-purchase

With the passage of the Deter Tampering Motor Vehicle Emissions Control Systems Act (SB22-179), the period during which an auto dealer is liable for a recently purchased gas-powered motor vehicle's compliance with Colorado emissions standards has been extended from three to five business days after purchase.

Beginning August 10, 2022, vehicle buyers must be informed of the extension when the emissions testing coupon is given to the customer to sign. New, updated vehicle emissions testing coupons will be available at the main Air Care Colorado office by August 31, 2022. Air Care Colorado will continue to honor the existing emissions testing coupons during the inventory transition.

Please contact the Division of Motor Vehicles Emissions Team at 303.205.5603 if you have any questions.

Failed Inspection? Now What?

There can be a variety of reasons a vehicle fails an inspection. Remedies may be as simple as an oil change. Other repairs may be more complicated, including the replacement of worn or failing components like oxygen sensors, catalytic converters and computer-controlled components. Air Care Colorado encourages motorists to consult with a qualified repair technician to determine the cause of the failure so that the appropriate repairs can be completed.

Air Care Colorado provides and continually updates a list of uniquely-qualified repair technicians in the program area. These facilities have repair technicians with training specific to emissions-related failures and subsequent repairs.

Of course, motorists always have the option of selecting the facility or technician of their choice to complete repairs, or completing repairs on their own.