Greeley, CO Environmental Rules: Vehicle Idling Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Idling limit
- 20 minutes
- Applies to
- unattended vehicles only
- Remote start
- counts toward the limit
- Code section
- Greeley Municipal Code § 16-388(d)
Summary
In Greeley, an unattended vehicle, one that hasn't moved and has no licensed driver in it, cannot idle more than 20 minutes after the engine starts, whether started by key, remote starter, or otherwise, under § 16-388(d).
(d)No person shall allow an unattended motor vehicle to remain idling for more than 20 minutes from the time the motor was started, by remote starter or other means. As used in this subsection, the term "unattended" means that the vehicle has not moved from its original position and has not been occupied by a person possessing a valid driver's license. (Code 1994, § 11.01.1206; Ord. No. 80, 1997, § 2, 12-16-1997; Ord. No. 54, 2000, § 1(part), 10-17-2000; Ord. No. 31, 2017, § 1(exh. A), 8-1-2017; Ord. No. 12, 2019, exh. E, § 11.01.1206, 3-19-2019)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 6 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Section 16-388 mainly requires drivers to stop the engine, lock the ignition, and set the brake before leaving a vehicle unattended, but subsection (d) adds a separate 20-minute cap: an unattended vehicle cannot keep idling past 20 minutes from when the motor was started, including a remote-started engine. "Unattended" is defined narrowly for this purpose, the vehicle must not have moved from where it was left and must have no person with a valid driver's license occupying it, so a driver sitting in an idling car is not covered by this cap.
Violations & Fines
Remote-starting a car and leaving it running unattended past 20 minutes violates § 16-388(d), on top of the underlying requirement that an unattended vehicle be locked, keyless, and braked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remote-start my car and leave it running in Greeley?
Does the 20-minute limit apply if I'm sitting in the car?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Greeley
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