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Low Emission Vehicle Standards

 
 
On November 16, 2018, the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC) adopted Regulation 20, the Colorado Low Emission Automobile Regulation (CLEAR). As of automotive model year 2022, all new light-and-medium-duty vehicles (up to 14,000 pounds GVWR) and Aftermarket Catalytic Converters sold in Colorado must meet Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) standards. 
 
These standards helped preserve existing standards applicable in Colorado, and avoid any roll-back of these applicable standards by the federal government. This rule did not initially create a Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) program for Colorado, but that was added in 2019. This rule also has no effect on heavy-duty vehicles or non-highway equipment, and no change to fuel specifications.
 
 
On June 19, 2018, Governor Hickenlooper signed Executive Order B 2018 006, Maintaining Progress on Clean Vehicles. The executive order explains that the federal government has announced its intention to roll back vehicle greenhouse gas (GHG) standards for model years 2022-2025. Rolling back these standards would negatively impact Colorado’s ability to meet its GHG reduction goals.
 
The executive order directs the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to do the following:
 
  • develop a rule to establish a Colorado Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) program, which incorporates the requirements of the California LEV program, and
     
  • propose that rule to the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC) during its August 2018 meeting for possible adoption into the Colorado Code of Regulations by December 30, 2018.

This executive order does not direct CDPHE to propose a Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) rule or mandate the sale of electric vehicles.
 

Stakeholder Meeting
CDPHE held a stakeholder meeting on August 3, 2018:
 
 
Resources
Contacts

Please send any questions or comments about the Colorado Low Emission Vehicle programs to cdphe_colevzev@state.co.us.