Colorado’s state agencies will soon no longer be allowed to use gas-powered equipment for lawn and garden tasks at state facilities located in certain areas.

Democratic Gov. Jared Polis issued a five-page executive order directing the Department of Public Health and Environment and the Department of Personnel and Administration to create a policy to phase out gas-powered push and hand-held lawn and garden equipment. The policy will start in ozone nonattainment areas. The feasibility of expanding the phasing out throughout the state by Jan. 31, 2024, will be explored.

“In particular, gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment create high levels of localized emissions that include hazardous air pollutants, criteria pollutants, and carbon dioxide emissions,” the order states. “These ‘nonroad’ emissions significantly contribute to air pollution, raising concerns about the impacts on public health. Gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment is also exceedingly loud contributing to noise pollution as well as air pollution. The state can and now will set an example in reducing emissions by making changes in the equipment we use to care for the lands of Colorado.”