Emissions testing in Colorado is tied to where the vehicle is registered, not where you used to live. Air Care Colorado, the state’s inspection program, covers the Denver metropolitan area and the North Front Range. The DMV names Denver, Boulder, Jefferson and Douglas counties as examples of designated emissions counties; your county clerk can tell you whether your exact address is inside the boundary.
What Air Care says about vehicles coming in
- A vehicle brought into the program area from another state, or from elsewhere in Colorado, must pass an inspection before it can be registered in the new county, within 90 days of establishing residency.
- Vehicles that have not yet reached their seventh model year (counted from the Manufacturer Statement of Origin) do not need an inspection at registration. They need one when they reach the eighth model year.
- A brand-new vehicle that has never been registered in any state needs no inspection.
- A VIN verification may also be required if the vehicle has never been registered in Colorado.
- Air Care stations do not test diesel-powered vehicles.
Heads up on the age rule. Air Care’s own pages describe the exemption two ways: “six years old or newer” for the general rule and “hasn’t reached its seventh model year” for new registrations. Some county pages quote seven years. Confirm your car’s status with your county clerk instead of trusting a single number.
Cost and frequency
| Vehicle | Test price | How often |
|---|---|---|
| 1982 and newer gasoline vehicles | $35 | Every two years |
| 1981 and older | $20 | Every year |
| VIN verification | $25 | One time, when required |
Planning around it
- Do not wait until day 85. A failed test means repairs and a retest, and you cannot register without the pass.
- If a carrier is shipping your car, schedule the test for the week after it arrives.
- Electric vehicles and diesels are handled differently from gasoline cars; ask your clerk what applies to yours.
- If you will live outside the program area, for example on much of the Western Slope, the emissions step may not apply to you at all.