Separate equipment eligibility from price
The new-product emissions standard began January 1, 2026. The original statute includes an exception for products held in inventory in Colorado on the applicable standard's effective date. It also provides an ENERGY STAR compliance route. A model's manufacturing year alone does not settle its eligibility for a current sale. HB23-1161 signed act, sections 25-7-1503 and 1504.
The signed 2026 amendment changes the requirements and adds particular propane and manufactured-home replacement exemptions until January 1, 2031. Its ordinary effective-date provision identifies August 12, 2026, subject to its referendum condition. Do not apply an old handout without checking the current fuel and use conditions. SB26-002 signed act, pages 12-15.
These provisions do not set your contractor's installed price. They also do not mean your already-installed working furnace must be removed merely because a new-purchase standard changed.
Ask what “older model” means
It could mean a discontinued product, inventory already held by a seller, or an older design still sold with a current compliance basis. Ask for the full model number and the relevant manufacturer documentation. If an inventory exception is claimed, ask the seller to document that it applies and have the appropriate compliance authority confirm a disputed case.
Do not buy a model simply because someone says it is the last chance. Its fit for your home, support, parts, applicable warranty, and installation requirements still matter.
Test the price explanation with matched quotes
We recommend asking for a compliant alternative with the same necessary work. Compare both installed totals, controls, required related work, exclusions, and warranty terms. If a supply constraint adds cost, ask what is actually unavailable and how long the stated availability is valid.
A seller does not have to disclose every internal cost to make the offer understandable. You still need to know which equipment you are buying, what work is included, and why the recommended model fits. Another written local estimate can help when the same clear scope produces a large price gap.
Keep replacement need separate
If the present furnace needs repair, ask for that finding and a repair price before treating a regulatory sales discussion as a replacement diagnosis. If you are already planning replacement, choose from equipment that is properly documented for the actual application.
Your next step is a current written estimate with an exact model and compliance explanation. Compare it with a fitting alternative. Let verified requirements and complete project scope guide the choice, rather than a broad story about old stock becoming expensive.