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Lawn and garden equipment requirements

Overview

The Air Quality Control Commission adopted Regulation 29 to reduce air pollution emissions that form ground-level ozone, specifically 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 could 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.

For more information about ground-level ozone and the state’s efforts to reduce ozone-forming pollutants, see the Ozone State Implementation Plan, federal ozone pollution standards and Colorado nonattainment areas, or State Implementation Plans to meet federal ozone standards.

Electric equipment benefits

Reduction in noise pollution

Internal combustion engines are loud and create noise pollution. This can be harmful to the public and those using the equipment. Electric equipment is much quieter and  reduces the impacts of noise pollution on employees and the community.

Reduction in vibration

Internal combustion engines produce vibration. This vibration can create 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. This means electric equipment users do not have to breathe  fumes from refueling or fuel mixing when using gas-powered equipment. This improves the overall respiratory health of agency staff and contractors.

Lower pollution rates

Gas equipment produces significant air pollution when in use, especially smaller handheld pieces that have no pollution control built in. Electric equipment decreases the amount of greenhouse gases and ozone-forming pollutants in the atmosphere.

Ease of use

Electric equipment is generally easier to use than gas-powered equipment. Electric equipment increases employee productivity and satisfaction. A well-supported library of electric lawn and garden equipment improves the overall health and well-being of agency staff, reduces overall emissions, and supports ozone pollution reduction.

Tools for a successful transition

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 the number of necessary charging stations.

Ensure you have enough batteries to power your equipment in the field. Manufacturers and retailers can help you determine how long a battery will last on one charge. They may also be able to help you determine how many backup batteries you need, depending on the expected frequency and duration of use of a piece of equipment.

Lithium batteries can pose a safety risk, especially if handled, stored, or disposed of incorrectly. To prevent these problems, review the lithium battery guidance. The guidance includes information on proper storage, disposal, and fire suppression.

It is important to determine what equipment is available and how you will use the equipment in the field. Determining what available equipment best meets your needs will help support your long-term operations.

Once you know what equipment is available, find opportunities to test the equipment.  The City of Golden is converting equipment and has offered to let other municipalities and governments come to test their equipment. Organizations like the Regional Air Quality Council and CoPIRG have provided testing opportunities at public events. Manufacturers and retailers 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.

Old, gas-powered equipment should be recycled, and agencies should not resell gas-powered equipment. Although not required, recycling is beneficial because it eliminates outdated equipment in the supply chain and ensures proper waste removal. 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.

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.

Applicability 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 pollution nonattainment area.

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, covered local and federal agencies cannot use gasoline-powered push and handheld lawn and garden equipment with an internal combustion engine smaller than 7 kilowatt (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 19 kilowatt (25 horsepower) from June 1 to August 31 of the current year.

Covered lawn and garden equipment

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.
  • Edgers.
  • Generators when used for lawn and garden services (e.g. charging or operating electric equipment).
  • Hedge trimmers.
  • Leaf blowers.
  • Power washers.
  • Push lawnmowers.
  • Pruners.
  • Rotary tillers.
  • String trimmers.
  • Wood splitters.

Any equipment used for the following purposes is exempt from the use restriction, but still must be reported:

  • 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

Any covered entities that used gas-powered equipment during the ozone pollution season must submit a report by June 1 of the following year. This report is required by Air Quality Control Commission Regulation 29, Part IV.

Submit the lawn and garden equipment report and any supporting documentation using the Lawn and Garden Annual Report Submittal Form. If you are unable to use the form, email supporting documents to cdphe_apcd_lawnandgarden@state.co.us. If you must report via email, please use the subject line, "2025 Lawn and Garden Report [Agency Name] Submittal."

Title the files as follows:

  • Excel documents: [Year]_[AgencyName]_LGEF.xlsx
  • Supporting documents: [Year]_[AgencyName]_LGEFSD[#].docx (or) .pdf

Review the Reporting Form Guidance Document and Lawn and Garden Reporting Form for guidance.

Learn how to fill out the form and clarify individual fields. Watch the webinar!

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.

Yes, the equipment must be reported either way, even if the use of the equipment is exempted, the division still needs to know that the equipment was used.

Yes, for the purposes of this regulation, special districts are included in the definition of local government. Special districts are defined in Colorado Revised Statutes section 32-1-103 (20). This includes metropolitan districts.

Yes, as long as the equipment is used by an employee of the agency. The regulation is intended to cover the equipment regardless of which department is using it. Even if the use of the equipment is exempted, the equipment still needs to be reported to the division.

No, only contractors who provide lawn and garden services need to be reported to the division.

Yes, the equipment still needs to be reported. Regulation 29 is intended to cover lawn and garden equipment regardless of its use. Even though there are exempted cases, the division must know that the equipment was used from June 1 to August 31.

Yes. Even though gas-powered equipment for emergency response is exempt from the use restriction, the equipment still needs to be reported.

Yes, if the intent of the removal is to prevent fire, then any maintenance of this type would be wildfire mitigation.

Please refer to our guidance library to prevent safety risks from improperly handling, storing, or disposing of lithium batteries.

Recycle old equipment when possible. The Regional Air Quality Council has a list of companies that will accept gas-powered equipment for scrap. This is not an exhaustive list. Reach out to your local scrap company with questions.

Batteries for electric equipment should be recycled. Review the lithium battery guidance document. You may also view the full document library, which includes information on storage, disposal, and fire control.

Contact us

Questions? Contact cdphe_apcd_lawnandgarden@state.co.us.

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