Colorado HOV Lane Access

High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane Exemption

Vehicles that meet the definition of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Inherently Low Emission Vehicle (ILEV) classification and have a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,000 pounds or less may be operated in HOV lanes regardless of the number of occupants and without payment of a special toll or fee. A special sticker must be obtained from the Colorado Department of Transportation. Flexible fuel vehicles are not eligible for the HOV exemption decal. Qualified HEVs must obtain and display an HOV lane exemption decal. Initially, only 2,000 decals will be issued. The program is scheduled to expire on September 30, 2009, unless federal authorization of HEV use of HOV lanes is extended. For more information on the use of HEVs in HOV lanes, see the Colorado Department of Transportation’s Hybrid Vehicle Use in HOV Lanes Web site. (Reference Colorado Revised Statutes 42-4-1012)

Point of Contact

Teresa Carrillo
Commercial Vehicle Operations Manager
Colorado Department of Transportation
Phone (303) 757-9716
Fax (303) 757-9719
teresa.carrillo@dot.state.co.us