Overview
The Air Quality Control Commission adopted Regulation 29 to reduce air pollution emissions that form ground-level ozone, especially volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides. Regulation 29 establishes restrictions on the use of small hand-held lawn and garden equipment between June 1 and August 31, when Colorado typically sees higher ozone pollution levels. If left unregulated, gas-powered lawn and garden equipment can produce around 36 tons of volatile organic compounds per day and 7.5 tons of nitrogen oxides per day in 2026. This accounts for approximately 11% of total air pollution emissions that form ground-level ozone in the northern front range of Colorado.
Requirements and deadlines
Local and federal agencies
Regulation 29 applies to any local or federal agency that uses small, hand-held lawn and garden equipment within the Colorado ozone nonattainment area. The nonattainment area includes all of Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Jefferson, Weld Counties, and portions of Larimer County.
Local agencies include municipalities, county governments, city and county governments, public school districts, and special districts.
Federal agencies include any department, agency, or other office of the national government.
Regulation 29 also applies to any lawn-and-garden contractors working for a local or federal agency.
Beginning June 1, 2025, all federal agencies and local governments within the Colorado ozone nonattainment area cannot use gasoline-powered push and handheld lawn and garden equipment with an internal combustion engine smaller than 7kw (10 horsepower) from June 1 to August 31 of the current year.
State government agencies
The regulation will apply to any agency, board, bureau, commission, division, institution, or office of the executive or judicial branches of the state government. This includes higher education institutions and state government contractors that use small, hand-held lawn and garden equipment anywhere in Colorado.
Beginning June 1, 2025, state agencies cannot use gasoline-powered push and hand-held lawn and garden equipment with an internal combustion engine smaller than 19kw (25 horsepower) from June 1 to August 31 of the current year.
Lawn and garden equipment requirements
Push and hand-held lawn and garden equipment can be any piece of equipment that has the primary purpose of assisting with the cleanup or maintenance of the lawn or garden area of a property. Examples include, but are not limited to the following:
- Aerators.
- Brush cutters.
- Chainsaws.
- Dethatchers.
- Generators.
- Hedge trimmers.
- Leaf blowers.
- Push lawnmowers.
- Pruners.
- Rotary tillers.
- String trimmers.
- Edgers.
Any equipment used for the following purposes is exempt from the use restriction:
- Abating or preventing damage during a declared emergency or equipment used by first responders to provide emergency services.
- Fire hazard reduction and post fire recovery activities in or near wildland areas or the wildland urban interface.
- Riparian, forest, or grassland management.
- For public safety purposes.
Reporting requirements
Beginning June 1, 2026, and by June 1 of each following year, all federal, local, and state agencies using lawn and garden equipment must submit a report for the prior calendar year. The report must include:
- A list of all gasoline-powered push and hand-held lawn and garden equipment with an internal combustion engine of the relevant size to the agency that was used or might have been used by that agency from June 1 to August 31 of the reporting year. This list must include equipment type, horsepower, and manufacturer.
- For any gas-powered equipment used during the reporting period, documentation showing the circumstances that required using that equipment. This may include supply chain issues, heavy-duty scale equipment needs, or exempted use.
- The company name and designated contact person of any lawn-and-garden contractors who used gas-powered equipment in the previous year, and a description of the services provided. The list of services should consist of:
- Activities performed.
- Duration.
- Frequency.
- Expected equipment use.
Any affected agencies must maintain records for five years to demonstrate compliance with this requirement.
Electric equipment benefits
Reduction in noise pollution
Internal combustion engines are loud and create a lot of noise pollution. This can be harmful to the public and those using the equipment. Electric equipment is much quieter and would reduce the impacts of noise pollution on employees and the public.
Reduction in vibration
Internal combustion engines produce a lot of vibration, which can create a lot of fatigue for the user. Electric equipment has much less vibration than gas-powered equipment, reducing fatigue and increasing productivity.
Lower fumes
Electric equipment does not require liquid fuel to work as such, users will not have to deal with the fumes of refueling or fuel mixing when using electric equipment instead of gas-powered equipment. This will improve the overall respiratory health of agency staff and contractors.
Lower pollution rates
Gas equipment produces a lot of air pollution when in use, especially smaller handheld pieces that have no pollution control built in. By switching to electric equipment, pollution from that type of equipment will drop and will decrease the amount of greenhouse gasses and ozone precursors in the atmosphere.
Ease of use
Electric equipment is generally easier to use than their gas-powered counterparts, increasing employee productivity and satisfaction. A well-supported library of electric lawn and garden equipment improves the overall helth and well-being of agency staff, reduces overall emissions, and supports ozone reduction.
Tools for a successful transition
Have sufficient charging infrastructure
It is important to provide enough charging for the expected use of your equipment. Some equipment will require more power than others depending on how long a piece of equipment is used and how frequently. Work with the manufacturer or retailer to determine how many charging stations will be needed.
Enough batteries for the work
Making sure that your equipment is powered is important. Having enough batteries to support the use of your equipment in the field will go a long way toward supporting your transition to electric equipment. Manufacturers and retailers can help you work out how long a battery(ies) will last on one charge and help you determine how many backup batteries you will need depending on the expected frequency and duration of use of a piece of equipment.
Available equipment
Determining what equipment is available to you for your purposes is important. Looking into what equipment is available to you and will fulfill your needs will help you make better decisions in the long run.
Testing opportunities
Once you know what equipment is available, find opportunities to test the equipment. The City of Golden is converting a lot of equipment and has offered to let other municipalities and governments come to test their equipment. Organizations like the Regional Air Quality Council have provided testing opportunities at public events. Manufacturers may let you test their equipment before purchase. Testing will ensure that the equipment you buy will fulfill your needs and that you are satisfied with the product.
Discard and recycle
The division suggests equipment be recycled and that agencies not resell gas-powered equipment. Recycling will eliminate polluting the supply chain with outdated equipment and ensure proper waste removal. If possible, find a place to recycle the old equipment using the Regional Air Quality Council list of recyclers.
Funding options
There is a 30% discount on electric lawn equipment at participating retailers and manufacturers until December 31, 2026. The discount comes from an income tax credit extended to the sellers of electric equipment through Senate Bill 23-016. The discount can be applied to:
- Electric lawnmowers
- Leaf blowers
- Trimmers
- Snow blowers.
Review the list of participating retailers and manufacturers.
Grant opportunities
Funds are available for commercial businesses looking to replace their gas-powered lawn and garden equipment through the Regional Air Quality Council’s Mow Down Pollution Program. The program requires the entity to recycle any gas-powered equipment to receive any funding. A business can receive 50% of the final cost of the new electric equipment, up to $6,000. The municipal and residential programs do not currently have funding.
Heavy equipment opportunities
The Colorado Clean Diesel Program provides grant funding to replace specific diesel-powered equipment with newer, more efficient equipment. Depending on the replacement equipment, the program will cover up to 45% of the costs.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Any equipment used for the following purposes is exempt from the summertime use restriction:
- Abating or preventing damage during a declared emergency or equipment first responders use to provide emergency services.
- Fire hazard reduction and post-fire recovery activities in or near wildland areas or the wildland urban interface.
- Riparian, forest, or grassland management.
- For public safety purposes.
No. Local and federal agencies outside of the nonattainment area are not required to follow this regulation.
Yes, all state agencies, including higher education institutions, must follow the regulation statewide.
Additional information is available at the Small Business Assistance Program guidance library under lawn and garden guidance.
Public participation opportunities
Check the CDPHE Air Pollution Control Division’s public participation web page for upcoming opportunities to provide feedback or learn more about the division’s work.
Contact us
Questions? Contact cdphe.commentsapcd@state.co.us with “Regulation 29” and your agency in the email subject line.