Not sure if this is the correct place to post this, but anyway here it is. I've been wondering what's happening regarding hybrids in Colorado HOV lanes, since the law was passed years ago and the Fed ruling came through back in May. I sent a note to the DOT spokesperson today, and got the following very detailed reply a few minutes later:

"We just found out that the EPA has not issued a final rule yet and
doesn't plan to until sometime in 2008. Rather than wait, we are
proceeding with a plan. Currently, we're looking at whether we are
going to be required to do rulemaking on this issue and whether or not
we are statutorily authorized to do so. If not, we will likely be able
to proceed in three months. If rulemaking is required it will be closer
to 4-5 months. If we need legislative authority, we'll have to wait
until this next session.

We're working on a perfomance monitoring plan as required by the Federal
Highway Administration and we'll need approvol both from that agency as
well as the Federal Transit Administration.

While certain decisions have not yet been finalized, we're likely going
to proceed with a phased approach to allow only a certain number of
hybrids into the lanes so we can monitor traffic flow. We've completed
an analysis of excess capacity in all of our HOV lanes but have not yet
determined how many hybrid permits will be issued. Priority will be
given first to those on our interest list. Those hybrids that pursue
HOV permits will be issued an EXpressToll Transponder so we can ensure
good data collection regarding lane usage for this monitoring plan.

Hope this helps. As soon as I get word on the rulemaking issue, I'm
planning to send out a communication much like this to our list.
We just found out that the EPA has not issued a final rule yet and
doesn't plan to until sometime in 2008. Rather than wait, we are
proceeding with a plan. Currently, we're looking at whether we are
going to be required to do rulemaking on this issue and whether or not
we are statutorily authorized to do so. If not, we will likely be able
to proceed in three months. If rulemaking is required it will be closer
to 4-5 months. If we need legislative authority, we'll have to wait
until this next session.

We're working on a perfomance monitoring plan as required by the Federal
Highway Administration and we'll need approvol both from that agency as
well as the Federal Transit Administration.

While certain decisions have not yet been finalized, we're likely going
to proceed with a phased approach to allow only a certain number of
hybrids into the lanes so we can monitor traffic flow. We've completed
an analysis of excess capacity in all of our HOV lanes but have not yet
determined how many hybrid permits will be issued. Priority will be
given first to those on our interest list. Those hybrids that pursue
HOV permits will be issued an EXpressToll Transponder so we can ensure
good data collection regarding lane usage for this monitoring plan.

Hope this helps. As soon as I get word on the rulemaking issue, I'm
planning to send out a communication much like this to our list."

Gasp! Sorry, just woke up. . .

I live in Calif. We gave over, I think around a 100,000 permits for driver only could use the HOV lane. I think the issuance was based on autos which were low emissions and high milage.

I got mine a year ago Feb. Calif is no longer issuing such permits. What the DOT had to go through to get permission from the Feds I can't say.

So, tell me. If I'm driving through Colorado, can I use that HOV lane?

You can if you have more than one person in your vehicle.

I do not see this as a huge issue at this point.
Colorado is no where like California.

Colorado has about 15 miles of HOV lanes.
Total.
State Wide.
And that's in the Denver Downtown area only.
I've seen them on I25 ( about 8 miles worth )
and US 36 ( about 7 miles worth ) and that's it.

Luckily, at this point, most areas of Colorado don't need HOV lanes!
-John

You can also be a single passenger in the HOT (high occupancy TOLL) essentially the HOV lane if you feel paying a toll is worth it.

Does the babies count? Thanks!

More than one passenger is all it takes. A baby does count. A fetus does not--it's been tried.

Has anyone else received their pass for the HOV lanes in Colorado? Last month, the State issued about 2,000 permits for hybrid owners to use the HOV lanes free of charge with only one passenger.

We are a 2 hybrid household - 2005 FEH and 2007 Camry hybrid.

You were required to submit a request form in May, and just a few weeks ago, both of our cars received their stickers and transponder coding to use the HOV lanes along I-25 and I-36 free of charge. The 470 Toll lanes are not included in this great deal, so we still must pay to go out to the airport, etc.

So far, this has saved me at least 15 minutes of commute time each way each day, and I can hardly wait for a rainy or snowy day when the rest of the world forgets how to drive. The HOV lanes will save so much more time then!

The $6.50/day savings in tolls will go a long way toward the calculation of return on investment in our great cars too. Not that we needed more reason to buy hybrids, but this sure is another perk.

Yes, I have pass #1582A and am enjoying the HOV lane each day!

1978 Plymouth Horizon - 165,527 miles, still the longest lasting
1985 Dodge Daytona - 62,500 miles and the transmission gave out
1991 Mazda Protoge - A very good car
1997 Ford Contour - This one saved my life in a driver side impact accident
2000 Pontiac Grand Am - I have a bulls eye painted somewhere, this one was rear-ended
2004 Civic Hybrid - My first Honda, My first Hybrid, ran 88,300 miles before the tax rebates came calling
2007 Civic Hybrid - Going strong and a joy to drive
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Well okay dude. I just read some thread regarding HOV lanes. In Colorado, does it require a specific number of passengers in a vehicle? Thanks!
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