Colorado

In June 2018, Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper announced that his state would join 13 states and the District of Columbia in adopting California’s clean car emissions standards.

The governor’s first Executive Order directed the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC) to consider a proposed rule adopting a California Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) Standard. The AQCC passed Regulation 20 – The Colorado Low Emission Automobile Regulation (CLEAR) – on November 16, 2018. 

The public comment period included extensive public comment in support of both Low and Zero Emission Vehicle Rules. In January 2019, Governor Hickenlooper responded to these comments with another Executive Order, directing agencies to develop a rule to establish a Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) program to boost sales of electric vehicles.

In August 2019, the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC) voted to adopt a ZEV rule.

Throughout both rulemaking processes, the proposals faced pushback from oil industry defenders, auto dealers, and free market organizations tied to the Koch network.

Colorado’s LEV and ZEV Rules

Low Emission Vehicle Standards: Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment’s resource on the LEV rulemaking process, includes important meeting dates, testimonies, and more information on the LEV standards.

5 Benefits of Colorado’s New Zero Emission Vehicle Program: An analysis by Conservation Colorado on why the ZEV mandate is important for residents of the Rocky Mountain State.

Who is Fighting Against Colorado’s Clean Car Standards

The Independence Institute: The Independence Institute is a libertarian think tank based in Denver, Colorado and the state’s affiliate member of the State Policy Network.

Freedom to Drive Coalition: A coalition of car dealers, oil and gas industry trade groups, and free market advocates launched to oppose Colorado’s clean car standards.

Americans for Prosperity: The Colorado chapter of the “the centerpiece of the Kochs’ political machine” lobbied against the LEV and ZEV standards, sending representative Shari Shiffer-Krieger to commission hearings and bundling public comments from members.

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