Colorado Lawmakers Reject Change To Emission Inspections

DENVER (AP) -- New car owners in Colorado won't get an extra two years before getting state emission inspections.

A Senate committee on Friday rejected a bill that would have increased vehicle exemption from the first four model years to the first six model years.

Several Republicans in the Senate suggested extending the exemption because they say cars are getting cleaner. Some 98 percent of cars in the sixth model year pass state emission inspections, so Republicans asked whether it's necessary to test those newer cars.

But the change was defeated on a party-line 5-4 vote. Democrats said vehicle emissions testing is being reviewed already. An official from the Colorado Air Pollution Control Division testified that Colorado would have to make up for any increase in emissions.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)