Colorado Individual Vehicle Purchaser/Driver
Alternative Fuels Tax and Vehicle Decal
Fuel tax exemptions are granted for compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) vehicle owners. Owners of CNG and LPG fueled vehicles are required to purchase an annual tax decal from the Colorado Department of Revenue or a decal vendor as follows:
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating in Pounds (lbs.) | Annual License Tax Fee |
|---|---|
| 1-10,000 lbs | $70 |
| 10,001-16,000 lbs. | $100 |
| Over 16,000 lbs. | $125 |
All CNG and LPG vehicles must display a current fuel tax decal. Non-profit transit agencies are exempt from the fuel tax.
(Reference Colorado Revised Statutes 39-27-102.5)
Alternative Fuel Definition
Alternative fuel is defined as compressed natural gas, propane, ethanol, or any mixture of ethanol containing 85% or more ethanol by volume with gasoline or other fuels, electricity, or any other fuels, which may include, but are not limited to, clean diesel and reformulated gasoline, so long as these other fuels make comparable reductions in carbon monoxide emissions and brown cloud pollutants as determined by the air quality control commission. Alternative fuel does not include any fuel product that contains or is treated with methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE). (Reference Colorado Revised Statutes 25-7-106.8)
Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) Sales Tax Exemption
Vehicles, vehicle power sources, or parts used for converting a vehicle power source, including but not limited to wiring, fuel lines, engine coolant system, fuel storage containers, fuel control system, and other components associated with reducing the emissions characteristics of an engine or motor, certified to federal LEV standards or better are exempt from state sales tax. This exemption applies to vehicles, power sources, or parts for vehicles over 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating. (Reference Colorado Revised Statutes 39-26-719)
Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Registration
Upon registering a motor vehicle with the Colorado Department of Revenue Division of Motor Vehicles, the vehicle owner must report the types of alternative fuel used to operate the vehicle and whether the vehicle is dual-fueled or dedicated to one alternative fuel. Forms provided by the Department of Revenue for the purpose of registering motor vehicles must include space for the following fuel types: gasoline, diesel, propane, electricity, natural gas, methanol or M85, ethanol or E85, biodiesel, and other. (Reference Colorado Revised Statutes 42-3-113)
Idle Reduction Requirement - Denver
Idling of any vehicle for more than five minutes in any one-hour period is prohibited within the city and county of Denver. Exemptions apply for the following: when ambient outside air temperatures have been less than 20 degrees Fahrenheit for the previous 24 hours; current ambient outside air temperature are less than 10 degrees Fahrenheit. This requirement does not apply to emergency vehicles, vehicles engaged in traffic operations, vehicles being serviced, vehicles that must idle to operate auxiliary equipment, and vehicles that are idle due to traffic congestion. (Reference Revised Municipal Code, City and County of Denver, Section 4-43)
Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Weight Limit Exemption
Gross vehicle weight rating limits for AFVs are 1,000 pounds greater than those for comparable conventional vehicles, as long as the AFVs operate using an alternative fuel or both alternative and conventional fuel, when operating on a highway that is not part of the interstate system. (Reference Colorado Revised Statutes 42-4-508)
Idle Reduction Requirement - Aspen
Idling of any vehicle for more than five minutes within any one-hour period is prohibited in the City of Aspen. Exemptions apply for safety reasons and to maintain specified engine temperatures. Violators are subject to a penalty of up to $1,000 and/or one year imprisonment. (Reference City of Aspen Municipal Code 13.08.110)
Low-Speed Electric Vehicle (EV) Access to Roadways
A low-speed EV is a self-propelled vehicle using electricity as its primary propulsion method, has at least three wheels in contact with the ground, does not use handlebars to steer, and meets manufacturer requirements as defined in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, section 565. A low-speed EV may be operated only on a roadway with a speed limit of 35 miles per hour (mph) or less; a low-speed EV may directly cross a roadway with a speed limit greater than 35 mph.
A Class B low-speed EV is defined as a low-speed EV which is capable of traveling at greater than 25 mph but less than 45 mph and may be operated only on a roadway with a speed limit of 45 mph or less; a Class B low-speed EV may directly cross a roadway with a speed limit greater than 45 mph. Neither a low-speed EV nor a Class B low-speed EV may be operated on a limited-access highway. The Colorado Department of Revenue may not register or issue a title for a Class-B low-speed EV until after the U.S. Department of Transportation has adopted a federal motor vehicle safety standard for low-speed EVs that authorizes operation at greater than 25 mph but less than 45 mph.
Low-speed EVs may not be sold or offered for sale unless they comply with state vehicle safety requirements.
(Reference Senate Bill 075, 2009, and Colorado Revised Statutes 12-6-120, 42-1-102, 42-4-109.5, 42-4-109.6)
Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) and Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) Tax Credit
An income tax credit is available from the Colorado Department of Revenue for a motor vehicle titled and registered in Colorado that uses or is converted to use an alternative fuel, is a hybrid vehicle, or has its power source replaced with one that uses an alternative fuel. For vehicles purchased or converted between January 1, 2007, and January 1, 2010, the percentage of the actual or incremental cost that may be claimed as a credit is as follows:
| Type of Vehicle | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Low Emission Vehicle | 50% |
| Ultra Low or Inherently Low Emission Vehicle | 75% |
| Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) | 85% |
Beginning January 1, 2010, tax credits are based on specified state-defined vehicle categories as follows:
| Category | January (Jan.) 1, 2010, to Jan. 1, 2012 | Jan. 1, 2012, to Jan. 1, 2013 | Jan. 1, 2013, to Jan. 1, 2014 | Jan. 1, 2014, to Jan. 1, 2015 | Jan. 1, 2015, to Jan. 1, 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 - Vehicle meeting Tier 2, Bin 1 federal emissions standards | 85% | 75% | 75% | 75% | 75% |
| 2 - Light-duty diesel-electric hybrid passenger vehicle with a minimum fuel economy of 70 miles per gallon (mpg) | 65% | 45% | 25% | 15% | 15% |
| 3 - Light-duty passenger vehicle, light-duty truck, or medium-duty diesel-electric truck conversion that increases original fuel economy by at least 40% AND (for 2010 and 2011) a new diesel-electric or gasoline-electric medium-duty truck hybrid with 30% greater fuel economy than a comparable vehicle | 75% | 55% | 35% | 25% | 25% |
| 4 - Light-duty passenger vehicle, light-duty truck, or medium-duty truck natural gas conversions | 75% | 55% | 35% | 25% | 25% |
| 5 - Idle reduction technologies | 25% | 25% | 25% | 25% | 25% |
| 6 - Vehicle meets Tier 2, Bin 2 or 3 federal emissions standards, with a fuel economy of at least 40 mpg | 75% | 10% | 10% | 0% | 0% |
| 7 - Vehicle meets Tier 2, Bin 2 or 3 federal emissions standards, with a fuel economy of at least 30 but less than 40 mpg. (Excludes original equipment manufactured natural gas vehicles.) | 50% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
These credits are capped at $6,000 for the following: AFVs, AFV conversions, HEVs, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), PHEV conversions, idle-reduction technologies, and power source replacements; there is no cap on natural gas vehicle conversions. Between 2012 and 2016, the cap on PHEV conversions increases to $7500. Individuals who claimed a tax credit in previous years for the purchase of a HEV, Model Year 2004 or newer, may be eligible to claim an additional credit for the conversion of the same vehicle to a PHEV. For credits claimed in tax years 2010 and 2011, Category 3 and Category 4 vehicles that permanently displace vehicles or power sources at least 12 years old are eligible for 1.25 times the credit percentages displayed up to 100%. Additional information is also available from the Governor's Energy Office.
(Reference House Bill 1331, 2009, and Colorado Revised Statutes 39-33-101 to 39-33-106)
Point of Contact
Division of Taxation
Colorado Department of Revenue
Phone (303) 238-7378
http://www.revenue.state.co.us/main/home.asp
