Turn the Key, Be Idle Free

The Town of Vail has a three-minute idling ordinance. 

• No unattended passenger vehicle can idle for any period of time, except betwee November-April, where vehicles may idle for up to three minutes. 
• No unattended commercial vehicle can idle for any period of time in the Lionshead Mixed or Commercial Core zone districts.
• Passenger transportation vehicles may not idle when unoccupied. When occupied, operators are encouraged to turn off the vehicles during dwell time.

Save on fuel expenses and help us keep the air we breathe clean by turning your car engine off when not driving.

Benefits of Reducing Idling

For your engine: Decreases maintenance costs and extends engine life! The U.S. Department of Energy suggests drivers limit engine start cycles to 10 total cycles per day and drive more than five miles between start cycles. This will ensure your battery is fully charged, optimize fuel consumption and reduce wear on engine components.

For your wallet: Lower your fuel costs by idling less. Idling for two minutes uses as much fuel as traveling of a mile!

For emissions: Idling your engine produces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that are harmful to Vail’s environment. Idling a large sedan for just 10 minutes a day produces 475lbs of GHG emissions annually.

For air quality: In addition to carbon dioxide, idling vehicles emit carbon monoxide, particulates and nitrogen oxides that pollute the air.