Air Care Colorado FAQ

Q:  What is the Air Care Colorado Program?

A:  It is a centralized vehicle inspection program whose purpose is to reduce vehicle tailpipe emissions (particularly carbon monoxide) in the six-county Denver metropolitan area -- Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas and Jefferson. The program began Jan. 2, 1995 and is operated under a contract with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Colorado Department of Revenue. It requires that all 1982 and newer vehicles have an I/M 240 emissions test every two years at one of the 15 Air Care Colorado testing stations in the Denver metro area. These facilities are operated by Envirotest Systems, under the oversight of the two state agencies. 1981 and older vehicles are required to pass the idle emissions test annually at any Envirotest Air Care Colorado center or at any licensed independent testing center.

Q:  What are the best and worst times to get your car tested?

A:  Normally, the heaviest volume occurs in the first few and last few days of each month, as well as the middle part of the day, from about 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Also, Mondays are heavy usage days, as well as the first business day after any holiday. The best times to bring your vehicle in for testing are during the middle two weeks of the month, the first and last hours of operation each business day, and Fridays and Saturdays. Centers are open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 12 noon on Saturday. The test fee for 1982 and newer vehicles is $24.25. Cash and checks are accepted, but not credit cards.

Q:  What are the options for testing a 1981 or older vehicle?

A:  Vehicles 1981 or older can be inspected at any Air Care Colorado center or at an independent test-only station. You can call 303-692-3270 for independent inspection locations. The cost for an idle test for 1981 and older vehicles in $15.

Q:  What are your busiest testing centers?

A:  The highest volumes occur at the Denver Southeast center in Aurora at 10190 E. Warren Ave, and the Arvada center at 5185 Marshall St.

Q:  What are your least busy testing centers?

A:  Our three lowest volume centers are the Parker center at 10199 Park Glen Way, the Castle Rock center at 541 Topeka Way, and the Longmont center at 4040 Rogers Rd. Wait times rarely exceed a few minutes at these centers.

Q:  How many vehicles have been tested so far and what's the failure rate?

A:  Just under a million vehicles a year are given an emissions test. From Jan. 1995 to Dec. 2001, approximately 7 million tests were conducted. The current fail rate is about 8.5 percent for 1982 and newer vehicles and about 24 percent for 1981 and older vehicles.

Q:  What procedure should a vehicle owner follow if his/her car fails the test?

A: Motorists whose vehicles fail the test will be given a Vehicle Inspection Report detailing the failure. This report will assist a repair technician in making the necessary repairs to the vehicle. Motorists will also be given an Emissions Repair Guide, which rates the effectiveness of emissions repair facilities that have agreed to be in the guide. However, consumers may choose to have emissions repairs performed by any repair technician of their choosing. After repairs have been made, the vehicle should be brought back to any Air Care Colorado testing center to be retested. If done within ten calendar days of failing the initial inspection, your retest is free. Motorists failing the retest may request a free diagnostic evaluation at a state emissions technical center. For more information, call the Air Care Colorado Hotline at 303-456-7090, or call the technical center at 303-744-2442 and press 3.

Q:  If a consumer has a problem at a testing center, how can concerns be voiced to Envirotest?

A:  Our goal is to make the testing process as convenient as possible for our customers. Customer service is a number one priority. If a customer has a complaint about their experience at one of the centers, a complaint can be filed:

  ask to speak to the station manager about the problem
  fill out the customer comment form located in the waiting booth at each center
  contact our Hotline at 303-456-7090
  e-mail us at customerservice@aircarecolorado.com
  mail your comments to: Customer Service Dept., Envirotest Systems, 5175 Marshall St., Arvada, CO 80002
  contact the Colorado Department of Revenue, Emissions Office, at 303-205-5603.

All complaints and comments are given serious attention. They are an important factor in our efforts to improve customer service throughout the 15-center network. If you have a less than positive experience, please let us know.