Colorado Fleet Purchaser/Manager

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 as follows:

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)

Natural Gas Fuel Rate Reduction and Infrastructure Maintenance

Clean Energy Fuels offers services to the natural gas vehicle industry that include compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling station equipment maintenance, competitive fuel pricing for larger fleet customers, and alternative fuel vehicle financing. Clean Energy also operates public CNG fueling stations in Colorado.

Point of Contact

James Orsulak
Market Manager for Alternative Fuels
Clean Energy Fuels
Phone (303) 322-4600
Fax (303) 322-4644
jorsulak@cleanenergyfuels.com

Alternative Fuel Use and Vehicle Acquisition Requirement

The Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Personnel has adopted a policy that requires all state-owned diesel vehicles and equipment to be fueled with a fuel blend of 20% biodiesel and 80% petroleum diesel (B20), subject to the availability of the fuel and so long as the price is no greater than $0.10 more per gallon than the price of conventional diesel. Biodiesel is defined as fuel composed of mono-alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived from plant or animal matter that meets ASTM specifications and that is produced in Colorado.

The Executive Director has adopted a policy to increase the utilization of alternative fuels and establish increasing utilization objectives for each succeeding year. Beginning January 1, 2008, the Executive Director must purchase flexible fuel vehicles or hybrid electric vehicles, subject to availability, unless the incremental cost of the vehicle is more than 10%. The Executive Director may adopt a policy to allow some vehicles to be exempt from this requirement.

By January 1, 2009, the Executive Director must report to the general assembly the amount of biodiesel used in the state fleet. The report must include the number of gallons purchased since January 1, 2007, the average price of biodiesel, and a description of economic benefits

(Reference Executive Order D0012 07 (PDF 31KB) and Colorado Revised Statutes 24-30-1104) Download Adobe Reader

Point of Contact

Art Hale
Colorado State Fleet Manager
Colorado Dept of Personnel and Administration, Division of Central Services, State Fleet Management
Phone (303) 866-5531
Fax (303) 866-5511
art.hale@state.co.us
http://www.colorado.gov/dpa/dcs/

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)

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) and Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) Tax Credit

An income tax credit is available from the Colorado Department of Revenue for the purchase of an AFV or the conversion of a vehicle to operate using an alternative fuel, based on the incremental or conversion cost. HEVs also qualify for this incentive. This credit is only available in the year during which the vehicle was purchased or converted, and a vehicle may only qualify for this credit one time. For an AFV purchase or conversion that permanently replaces a motor vehicle or power source that is ten or more years old, the percentage specified in the table below is doubled, up to a maximum of 100% of the incremental or conversion cost. To the extent the allowable credit exceeds the person's tax liability for that year the excess may be carried forward for up to five years. Lessees or lessors of qualifying vehicles are also eligible for the credit. The value of the credit is based on the EPA emissions classification of the vehicle as follows:

Tax credits for Model Year 2008 HEVs and AFVs are as follows:

For vehicle eligibility updates and historical credit information, see the Colorado Department of Revenue's Alternative Fuel Income Tax Credit Web site. Mild Hybrids and neighborhood electric vehicles do not qualify for the AFV credit since they cannot be operated on Colorado highways.

(Reference Colorado Revised Statutes 39-22-516)

Point of Contact

Tax Information Call Center
Colorado Department of Revenue
Phone (303) 238-7378
http://www.revenue.state.co.us/main/home.asp

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Rebate

A rebate is available from the Colorado Department of Revenue for the purchase of an AFV or for the conversion of a vehicle to operate using an alternative fuel. Vehicles must be owned by the State of Colorado, a political subdivision of the state, or a tax-exempt organization, and be used in connection with the official activities of the entity. HEVs also qualify for this incentive. The rebate is a percentage of the incremental cost if used toward purchasing a new AFV, or is a percentage of the conversion cost if used towards the cost of converting a vehicle to operate using an alternative fuel. For an AFV purchase or conversion that permanently replaces a motor vehicle or power source that is ten or more years old, the percentage specified in the table below is doubled, up to a maximum of 100% of the incremental or conversion cost. Each qualified entity is limited to $350,000 per state fiscal year in total rebates paid. The rebate value is as follows:

For more information about this rebate, see the Colorado Department of Revenue's Alternative Fuel Income Tax Credits Web site.

(Reference Colorado Revised Statutes 39-33-101 through 39-33-106)

Point of Contact

John Doty
AFV/Hybrid Taxes and Rebates
Colorado Department of Revenue
Phone (303) 205-8211
jdoty@spike.dor.state.co.us
http://www.revenue.state.co.us/mv_dir/home.asp

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 10 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 corresponding 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)