EPA Greenlights Colorado's Updated Car Inspection Rules
Published Date: 11/18/2025
Rule
Summary
Colorado’s vehicle inspection and maintenance program just got a fresh update approved by the EPA, aiming to keep the air cleaner and healthier. Starting December 18, 2025, drivers and auto shops in Colorado will follow new rules that help reduce pollution from cars. This change helps Colorado meet air quality goals without adding extra costs or delays for folks on the road.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Colorado drivers: updated I/M rules
If you drive a vehicle in Colorado, revisions to the State’s vehicle inspection and maintenance (I/M) program (Regulation No. 11, Parts A–D, specific sections listed) are federally approved and become enforceable on December 18, 2025. The EPA approved the SIP revision submitted May 16, 2022, so drivers in Colorado will follow the updated I/M requirements as part of the State Implementation Plan starting on that date.
North Front Range: enhanced program expansion
The revision finalizes expansion of the Enhanced Emissions Program to the North Front Range area (Regulation No. 11, Part A, section V), and that change is federally approved and enforceable as of December 18, 2025. This specifically references the North Front Range expansion as part of the approved SIP amendments.
Inspection stations and repair shops affected
If you operate or work at an emissions inspection station, readjustment station, inspection-only facility, motor vehicle dealer test facility, or emissions-related repair facility in Colorado, Regulation No. 11 Part D (sections I–III) revisions are federally approved and enforceable on December 18, 2025. The EPA’s approval makes those state licensing, qualification, and registration provisions part of the federally enforceable SIP as of that date.
Clean Screen / remote sensing added
The SIP revision incorporates Clean Screen/Remote Emissions Sensing provisions (Regulation No. 11, Part A IV and Part C XII) and adds a provision for approval of Clean Screen Test Analyzer Systems (Part B XI). These clean-screen and remote-sensing procedures are federally enforceable starting December 18, 2025.
No added federal costs for small businesses
The EPA states that this action approves state law as meeting federal requirements and "does not impose additional requirements beyond those imposed by state law." The EPA also certified the action as not having a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
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