Oxygenated Gasoline Program

Colorado’s Oxygenated Gasoline Program was discontinued as of February 1, 2011, and is no longer in effect. 

The Oxygenated Gasoline Program was originally implemented in an effort to reduce emissions from motor vehicles that contributed to wintertime carbon monoxide concentrations. This program (along with the introduction of ever cleaner high-technology cars and other strategies) was critical in helping Colorado attain federal health-based standards for carbon monoxide. 

By coming into attainment with federal public health standards for carbon monoxide, the need for this program was diminished. Implementation of the U.S. Federal Government's Renewable Fuels Standard (requiring the use of oxygenated gasoline year-round and nationwide) meant the Oxygenated Gasoline Program had effectively fulfilled its mission and was allowed to sunset.

While the program was discontinued at the end of the 2010-2011 winter season, its benefits can still be seen in the Federal Renewable Fuels program. Important emission reductions (such as toxic air and particulate emissions) continue to be realized through the federal program. Even carbon monoxide, though no longer the issue it once was, continues to be reduced. Greenhouse gas emissions like carbon dioxide are also moderately reduced through the use of these fuels, along with energy independence. Colorado continues to closely monitor the federal program.

For more information, e-mail Kim Bruce Livo or phone him at (303) 692-3134. Links:

• Oxygenated Fuel Study: A detailed Air Pollution Control Division study of the impact of 10 percent oxygenated fuel on motor vehicle emissions. (PDF format, 1.3 MB) This is a large file that may require several minutes to download. If you can not download the file please notify us at comments.apcd@state.co.us and we will e-mail you a copy.