Took it to classic mechanic to check emissions before test.

Got to make 2.00 % CO, and 600 ppm hydrocarbons. It's running at about 3% and 1800. Not so good. Valves adjusted, timing adjusted and mixture messed with and it's at 1.9% and 700. Close enough to test.

Drive it to testing place - do some shadetree (check photo - yes that's a shade-tree indeed!) double-checking before it goes in and it's at 1.7% and 500. Good deal!
Drives like a dog, but drives none-the-less. Fill up with gas on way since gauge went from 1/2 full to empty in less than 5 min. No smell of gas, so assume it's bad gauge versus gas leak. 

Hand over my $15 Get it tested. It fails. 1.6% and 604.   SO CLOSE. GRRRRR.
Adjust slightly - free re-test. 2.59% and 350. Grrr.
It's like putting money in a fruit machine (slot machine to the Americans).
Adjust slightly. Hand over another $15. Restest. 1.81% and 320. That's a pass. We'll take it!

Took car for technical inspection. Bossy employee tells me to give him keys and he'll come tell me when they are done. Ask if he has any questions - he tells me he doesn't need any input from me. He's rather large - I wonder how he will do...

2 minutes later - he comes and tells me I need to pull it around for him. Resist temptation to suggest he goes on a diet instead telling him the gear shift is indeed almost unusable and pull it to the back for him.

Wait 1 hour.

Results - passed with no modifications needed. I must just keep it a gas engine with a carb. I can do that. Now I get to do the actual emissions test.

whee. I heard Colorado DMV is EVEN worse than NC..  at least we do NOT have to do emission testing on pre 98..  and  recent law passed here in NC.. that western 26 NC counties will have NOT EPA testing on ANY cars and trucks later in 2018...I heard the real problem with DMV was buying cars from NON title states like Georgia. or Alabama..

Just for those who are interested.

Got temporary 10 day Colorado tags yesterday. All import documents examined and accepted provisionally. Some questions on Big Al's character (seriously!).  Went to emissions station - rejected for test and referred to full inspection (expected).

Booked full inspection Monday for visual examination of required emissions equipment. If that goes well, then onto the actual emissions test.

Did get one surprise. They ruled I have to get a certified weight certificate  to make sure it's not "too heavy for Colorado roads". I'd be amused by that if it wasn't a 50 mile round trip to get it weighed.