DENVER—Colorado could have a program in place to cut vehicle emissions within the next year.
Gov. Bill Ritter said Tuesday that he asked the Department of Public Health and Environment to report back to him on the status of the effort in the next 60 to 90 days. The move follows a directive from President Barack Obama that could help states that want to adopt emission standards that are tougher than the federal government’s.
Some states want to adopt a plan enacted by California. Last spring, Ritter directed the health department to start working on a Colorado-specific program, taking into account high-altitude driving conditions and vehicle costs.
Ritter says he hopes Colorado can now have a plan in place this year or early 2010.
