Colorado is ending the practice of fueling state cars on premium gasoline — a change state officials think will save “tens of thousands of dollars.”
Last year, purchases of premium fuel cost taxpayers about $135,000 more than if workers had put regular gas in their tanks. In all, the state spent nearly $11 million on gas for state vehicles.
“The state shouldn’t own any luxury vehicles, so I don’t understand why you would want to use anything other than just standard-grade gas,” said state Rep. Carole Murray, R-Castle Rock. “I guess I’m amazed that it hasn’t been a policy before now.”
Concerned about the high use and cost of premium fuel, fleet-management officials sent a letter in January to about 5,900 employees and told them to stop buying premium gas for their Dodges, Fords, Chevys and other state vehicles starting in February.
In the past, fleet management encouraged drivers to use the fuel that was recommended in their owner manuals. Today, the state says it is fine for employees to put in one grade of octane lower than what the automaker recommends.
“At this point, the preponderance of evidence is overwhelming that there is no performance issue, especially at this altitude for those vehicles,” said Scott Madsen, division director for the Department of Personnel and Administration, which oversees fleet management. “If they’re purchasing premium at this point, it’s just a waste of money.”
