Colorado

Colorado Facts: Became the 38th state on August 1, 1876
State Abbreviation - CO
State Capital / Largest City - Denver
Area - 104,100 sq miles [CO is the 8th biggest state in the US]
Population - 4,301,261 (as of 2000) [CO is the 24th most populous state in the US]
Major Industries - agriculture (wheat, cattle, sheep), tourism (especially skiers), mining (gold, silver), oil, finance, & manufacturing
Major Rivers - Colorado River, Rio Grande, Arkansas River, South Platte River
Major Lakes - Grand Lake, Blue Mesa Reservoir, John Martin Reservoir
Highest Point - Mt. Elbert; 14,433 feet (4,399 m) above sea level
Bordering States - Arizona, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah, Wyoming

Idling in Colorado Extreme weather is a common occurrence in Colorado. Thunderstorms east of the Continental divide in the spring and summer as well as hail is a common sight in the mountains all the way to the northwest part of the state.

Colorado is aware of the consequences of environmental pollution and initiated strict idling regulations in the air problem zones but even more can be done. Colorado is a national leader in renewable energy which is a big step inthe right direction.

The state of Colorado has a number of vehicles in operation throughout the state since it is a connection between south and north as well as east and west. Below is a summary of the data regarding idling length and costs.

COLORADO IDLING ANALYSIS

	Average Hours One Vehicle Spends Idling Per Year	Total Number of Vehicles Idling	Total Hours Idling	Total Annual Fuel Consumption for Idling (Gallons)	Annual Barrels of Oil Consumed for Idling	Daily Barrels of Oil Consumed for Idling	Percentage of the 20 Million Barrels a Day that are Being Used to Idle
HEAVY DUTY TRUCK	2,142	42,503	75,382,434	75,382,434	7,538,243	20,653	0.103%
SCHOOL BUS	181	5,539	1,002,583	1,002,583	100,258	275	0.001%
LIGHT DUTY	30	948,057	28,441,711	18,202,695	928,709	2,544	0.013%
TOTAL ALL	2,353	996,099	104,826,728	94,587,712	8,567,210	23,472	0.117%

Emissions GHG CO2 TONS/YEAR
HEAVY DUTY TRUCK	824,306
SCHOOL BUS	10,963
LIGHT DUTY	172,955
TOTAL ALL	1,008,224

Tax Dollars Spent on Fuel for Idling in School Bus Industry
HEAVY DUTY TRUCK	N/A
SCHOOL BUS	$3,007,748
LIGHT DUTY	N/A
TOTAL ALL	$3,007,748

COLORADO IDLING REGULATIONS

Area	Maximum Idling Time	Fines	Exemptions
City of Aspen	5 minutes within any 1 hour	$1,000 Maximum and/or 1 year imprisonment (1.04.080)	- Safety reasons - To achieve an engine temperature of 120° F and an air pressure of 100 lbs/square inch
Source	City of Aspen Municipal Code -13.08.110. Aspen Environmental Health Department (970) 920-5039, www.aspenpitkin.com/depts/44/
City & County of Denver	10 minutes in any 1-hour period	Not >$999 and/or 1-year imprisonment (DMC x1-13)	- Less than 20° F for previous 24-hour period - Less than 10° F - Emergency vehicles - Traffic conditions - Being serviced - Auxiliary equipment
Source	Denver Municipal Code -4-43. City & County of Denver, Dept of Environmental Health, Division of Environmental Quality, (720) 865-5452, www.denvergov.org/DEQ

Additional Recource:Transportation and Land Use (TLU) Policy Work Group Policy Options (PDF)

COLORADO PRO ENVIRONMENT POLITICIANS (2007)

	Office Held	Party	Comment
Ritter, Bill jr.	Governor	Democrat	Established Colorado as a national leader in renewable energy
Dott, Christopher	Senate	Democrat	Rated 100% by LCV*
DeGette, Diana	House of Representatives	Democrat	Rated 100% by LCV*
Udall, Mark	House of Representatives	Democrat	Rated 100% by LCV*

*League of Conservation Voters, indicating pro-environment votes (2006)

State Enforcement of 400-Pound Auxiliary Power Unit Exemption to GVW Limit: 23 CFR 658.17(n)

Allows 400lb Weight Exemption	Does not Allow 400lb Weight Exemption	Legislation Pending to Allow Exemption
	YES	YES