Air Program Information

The Automobile Inspection and Readjustment Program (AIR) is authorized by C.R.S. 42-4-301 through C.R.S. 42-4-317.

Gas Vehicle Program Area

(E)* Enhanced - Boulder, Jefferson, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Parts of Adams, Arapahoe, Larimer, and Weld counties.

Colorado law requires that gasoline powered vehicles registered within the AIR Program area be inspected for emissions compliance. Proof of the issuance of emissions compliance must be presented or the electronic testing record verified at the County Motor Vehicle Department, the State Registration Section or EVTR Service Provider at the time of initial or renewal registration. 

Colorado law also requires that motor vehicles owned by residents who reside outside the program area who are employed for at least ninety (90) days in a program area or who are attending school in a program area shall be inspected for emissions control.

Motor vehicles owned by non-residents who maintain the vehicle in the emissions program areas are required to be inspected for emissions compliance. Such non-residents include, but are not limited to, all military personnel (See C.R.S.42-4-310 (c) (I)), and temporarily assigned employees of business enterprises.

Gas Fleet Testing Facilities C.R.S 42-4-309

Gas fleets with twenty or more vehicles, who operate a motor vehicle repair garage or shop adequately equipped and manned as required by section 42-4-308, can become licensed to conduct their own emissions testing. The vehicle inspection report including the certificate of emissions compliance on the lower right of the document (See document 1) and the electronic test data is uploaded to DRIVES. There may be a delay in the access to this data. Fleet gas vehicles must be tested annually and are not waiver eligible.

Gas Vehicle Testing Locations

Air Care Colorado provides gas vehicle testing at the locations listed below. For detailed information of services provided, see https://aircarecolorado.com/ or call the DOR emissions office at (303) 205-5603. Electronic test data from these locations will be updated in DRIVES no later than the next business day..

Emissions Waivers

Gas Vehicle Waivers

• Repair waiver

  • Vehicle has an original failed emissions test.

  • Repairs have been completed on the vehicle directly related to the original failure.

  • Detailed receipts totaling a minimum of *$715 outlining the repairs made to the vehicle.

  • Missing, or tampered emission component replacement does not count towards the minimum requirement.

  • Vehicle is retested and continues to be in non-compliance.

  • Application is made to DOR for the waiver.

  • DOR visual inspection must verify that the vehicle is in original emissions configuration with no modifications and that there is no visible smoke coming from the vehicle.  

  • There is no limit to the number of repair waivers for a vehicle.

    • 68 and newer vehicles, 67 and older is $75

• Hardship waiver

  • Vehicle has an original failed emissions test.

  • Customer has provided documentation of receiving qualifying government assistance.

  • Customer has no more than two (2) vehicles registered in their name.

  • Application is made to DOR for the waiver.

  • DOR visual inspection must verify that the vehicle is in original emissions configuration with no modifications and there is no visible smoke coming from the vehicle.

  • Hardship waiver is limited to one per vehicle lifetime.

  • Waiver applications can be made on https://mydmv.colorado.gov/_ or call the emissions office at (303) 205-5603.

Diesel Vehicle Waivers

• • Repair waiver light duty (14000 GVWR or less)

    • Complete the same process as the gas vehicle waiver with a minimum of $750 in repairs.

    • No visible smoke inspection.

  • Repair waiver heavy duty (14001 GVWR or greater)

    • Complete the same process as the gas vehicle waiver with a minimum of $1500 in repairs.

    • No visible smoke inspection.

  • No hardship waivers available on diesel vehicles.

  • Waiver applications can be made on https://mydmv.colorado.gov/_ or call the emissions office at (303) 205-5603.

Out of State Emissions Extensions

Emissions Inspection Extension C.R.S. 42-4-310   

C.R.S. 42-4-310 (1) (c) (III) Vehicles registered in a program area and being operated outside such area but within another program area shall comply with all program requirements of the area where such vehicles are being operated. Vehicles registered in a program area that is being temporarily operated outside the state at the time of registration or registration renewal, may apply to the Department of Revenue for a temporary exemption from program requirements. Upon return to the program area, such vehicles must be in compliance with all requirements within fifteen days. A temporary exemption shall not be granted if the vehicle will be operated in an emissions testing area in another state unless proof of emissions from that area is submitted.

Emissions Extension Qualifications 

These are the reasons for an Out of State Emissions Extension from form DR 2376. 

• Colorado resident attending school out of the state (this is not available to residents in state but outside of the emissions area).

• Colorado resident serving in the military out of the state.

• Individuals seasonally out of the state (snowbirds or any individual that resides outside of Colorado for a portion of the year but always returns).

• Vehicle disabled out of the state (involved in an accident or broke down while traveling and is temporarily not drivable).

• Individual temporarily working out of the state.

• Individual temporarily out of the state for other reasons (such as settling an estate or caring for a sick relative).

Documentation for an Out of State Emissions Extension   

(See document 10)

• Form DR 2376 – Application for an Affidavit of Emissions Extension

• If the vehicle is domiciled in an area requiring an emissions test, a current, passing, emissions test must be provided from that area. In this case, the extension is valid for the normal vehicle emissions cycle.

• If the vehicle is domiciled in an area that does not do emissions testing, a VIN verification is required. Form DR 2698 – Verification of Vehicle Identification Number. In this case, the extension is valid for one year only.  The DR 2698 may only be signed by law enforcement.

How to Apply

• Applications can be made online at https://mydmv.colorado.gov/

• Applications can be made directly at a DMV office in the county in which the vehicle is registered.

• This process may be repeated over multiple registration cycles until the vehicle has returned to Colorado.

Obtaining Registration Renewal Tab

• At the county’s discretion, they may hand the year tab to the customer over the counter.

• If the decal is to be mailed out of state, there is a special procedure in DRIVES for this process:

  • Complete the Case for an Out of State Emissions Extension and process the registration normally, but do not print the registration notice yet.

  • Go to the ownership account for the vehicle.

  • Go to the CRM tab.

  • Go to the Letters sub-tab.

  • Click the hyperlink for the Vehicle Registration letter.

  • Click the Input tab. It will show the regular ownership address.

  • Click the Edit button on the right.

  • Enter the out of state mailing address. This will generate an override address

  • You can now print the registration. 

    • The mailing address will be the override address just entered.

    • The normal registration address will print on the vehicle registration.

Please contact the Emissions office at (303)205-5603 with any questions.

Rapid Screen Mobile Emissions Testing

Emissions Testing Option for Ultra-Clean Well-Maintained Vehicles

• Rapid Screen-testing standards are more stringent compared to standard testing.

• Eligible vehicles must be gas vehicles 82 and newer, less than 10K GVWR with no outstanding emissions failed tests.

• The vehicle must be registered in Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Jefferson, Larimer or Weld counties.

• Test sites will be identified with a sign “Emissions monitor ahead”

• Test site locations can be found at https://aircarecolorado.com/

• To qualify for Rapid Screen the vehicle must record two consecutive passing screens within a ten month window. This window begins one year before your vehicles renewal month and ends two months prior to the renewal month.

• Tips to achieve a successful Rapid Screen.

  • License plate must be clean and readable.

  • Ensure the vehicle is at full operating temperature.

  • Moderately accelerate through the testing monitor.