What Air Care Colorado Does and Who Runs It
Air Care Colorado is Colorado's vehicle emissions testing program, run by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. It tests whether your vehicle's exhaust meets state air quality standards. If you live in one of Colorado's eight testing areas — mostly around Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins, and Colorado Springs — you must pass an emissions test every two years (or every year for vehicles older than 1981) before you can renew your registration.
Air Care Colorado does not test your vehicle itself. Instead, the state contracts with private testing centers across the region. These centers have the equipment and trained technicians to run the actual test. Your job is to find a participating center near you, make an appointment or walk in, and have your vehicle tested. The center reports your results directly to the state.
The test takes about 10 to 15 minutes and costs between $20 and $30, depending on the testing center. You cannot register your vehicle without a passing result, so the test is mandatory in your area, not optional.
Key Takeaways
- Air Care Colorado is a state program that requires vehicles in eight Colorado regions to pass an emissions test every two years before registration renewal.
- Private testing centers contracted by the state perform the actual test, which takes 10 to 15 minutes and costs $20 to $30.
- You can find a testing center location, check your vehicle's test history, and learn your vehicle's requirements on the official Air Care Colorado website.
- Most vehicles pass on the first try if they are in normal operating condition and the check engine light is off.
- If you fail, you have 60 days to repair your vehicle and retest at no additional charge at the same center.
Finding a Testing Center and Scheduling Your Test
The Air Care Colorado website (aircareco.com) has a searchable map of all participating testing centers in your area. You can filter by location and see hours of operation for each one. Most centers are open during standard business hours, and many stay open into the evening or operate on weekends, so you have flexibility in when you go.
You do not need an appointment at most centers — you can walk in during their hours. However, some centers do take appointments, and calling ahead can save you a wait, especially during peak times like the end of the month when people rush to renew registration. A few centers may have a wait time of 30 minutes to an hour during busy periods.
Bring your vehicle keys, your driver's license, and proof of vehicle ownership (registration or title). The technician will need to start your vehicle and may ask you questions about recent repairs or maintenance. If your check engine light is on, the test center will likely refuse to test you until you have the vehicle diagnosed and repaired.
What Happens During the Emissions Test
The test measures your vehicle's tailpipe emissions — primarily nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and hydrocarbons — to see whether they fall within Colorado's limits. For most vehicles, the test is non-intrusive: the technician plugs a probe into your tailpipe while the engine is running and takes a reading. The whole process takes less than 15 minutes.
Vehicles from 1981 and newer are tested using the Onboard Diagnostic (OBD) system, which is a computer built into your vehicle. The technician connects a scanner to a port under your dashboard, reads the vehicle's emissions data, and checks whether the system is working correctly. This is the most common type of test and requires no tailpipe probe.
Older vehicles (1981 and earlier) and some diesel vehicles may undergo a different test procedure. The testing center will tell you which type your vehicle needs when you arrive. If your vehicle fails, the center will give you a detailed report showing which emissions exceeded the limit and what systems may need attention.
Passing, Failing, and What to Do Next
Most vehicles pass on the first test if the engine is in normal operating condition and the check engine light is off. A passing result is valid for two years and is reported to the state when ready. You can then renew your vehicle registration online or at your local DMV office.
If you fail, you have 60 days to repair your vehicle and return to the same testing center for a retest at no additional charge. The testing center will give you a detailed failure report that explains which emissions were too high. Common reasons for failure include a faulty oxygen sensor, a clogged catalytic converter, or a malfunctioning fuel injector. A mechanic can use the failure report to diagnose the problem more quickly.
If you cannot repair your vehicle within 60 days, you can request a waiver from the Air Care Colorado program. Waivers are granted only in specific circumstances — for example, if you have spent money on repairs but the vehicle still fails, or if the repair cost exceeds a certain threshold set by the state. You must request a waiver before the 60-day window closes. Contact the testing center or the Air Care Colorado customer service line for waiver instructions.
Checking Your Test History and Vehicle Requirements
You can check your vehicle's test history and see whether it is due for testing on the Air Care Colorado website. Enter your vehicle's license plate number and the state will show you the date of your last test and when your next test is due. This is useful if you are unsure whether your registration is current or if you are buying a used vehicle and need to know its testing status.
The website also tells you which type of test your vehicle will receive based on its model year and fuel type. If you are unsure whether your vehicle is subject to testing, you can check the eight-county testing area map on the site. If your address is outside these areas, you do not need to test your vehicle.
What Happens If You Miss Your Test important date
If your emissions test expires and you do not renew it, you cannot legally renew your vehicle registration. The state will not issue a new registration sticker until you have a passing test result on file. You can still test your vehicle after the important date — there is no penalty for being late — but you must have a passing result before you can register.
If you are pulled over with an expired registration because your emissions test lapsed, you may receive a citation. The best approach is to test your vehicle before your registration expires. Most testing centers have availability within a few days, so there is usually time to fit it in before the important date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I test my vehicle at any Air Care Colorado center, or do I have to go to a specific one?
You can test at any participating center in your region. If you fail and need to retest, you must return to the same center where you failed, and the retest is free. After that, you can test at any center for your next regular test.
What if my vehicle has a check engine light on?
Most testing centers will not test your vehicle if the check engine light is illuminated. You need to have the vehicle diagnosed and repaired first, then the light must be cleared before testing. A mechanic or auto parts store can help you identify the problem.
Do hybrid or electric vehicles need to be tested?
Hybrid vehicles are tested the same way as gasoline vehicles if they are in the testing area. Electric vehicles are exempt from emissions testing because they produce no tailpipe emissions. Check the Air Care Colorado website to confirm your specific vehicle type.
How much does the test cost, and can I get a refund if I fail?
The test costs $20 to $30 depending on the center. If you fail, the retest at the same center is free. You do not get a refund for the first test, but you do not pay again if you need to retest.
What if I move out of the Air Care Colorado testing area?
If you move outside the eight-county testing region, you no longer need to test your vehicle in Colorado. However, if you move to another state with emissions testing, that state will have its own requirements. Check your new state's DMV website for testing rules.