Following an 8-0 vote, a new rule adopted by the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission (CoPIRG) will ban state agencies from using certain gas-powered lawn equipment during the summer.
According to the regulation, set to go into effect in 2025, from June to August state agencies will not be allowed to use gas-powered lawn equipment with engines of 25 horsepower or less.
The new regulation will also prohibit the use of gas-powered push lawnmowers and other lawn equipment under 10 horsepower on other public property within the Denver metro and north Front Range ozone nonattainment area. This area includes the Denver metro, as well as areas north through Larimer and Weld counties.
“Given the significant pollution generated by gas-powered lawn equipment and the severe air pollution problem in our region, I’m glad the state is taking action to accelerate the switch to cleaner, quieter electric lawn equipment,” said Kirsten Schatz, the clean air advocate at CoPIRG. “This vote is the first step toward eliminating this unnecessary source of harmful air pollution.”