ASPEN, CO – The Aspen Police Department wants to go green. Since mid-March, officers have been testing a hybrid patrol car, the 2008 Toyota Highlander hybrid, as a way to do their part for the city of Aspen’s Canary Initiative, an attempt to reduce the city’s carbon footprint and minimize effects on the environment, according to www.vaildaily.com.

The new Toyota hybrid — an SUV slighter taller and longer than current Aspen patrol cars — gets 26 miles to the gallon, according to information on www.greencar.com, a consumer magazine Web site.

Police officials hope the new car will meet their needs and become part of the fleet.

Once known for their fleet of sporty Saabs, in recent years, Aspen police have patrolled in a fleet of seven Volvos. However, the contract with Volvo is about to expire, and the department is looking for new and different options, and is also looking into hybrid vehicles made by GMC.

Officers will monitor the vehicle’s performance in the line of duty as well as the vehicle’s fuel efficiency in coming months.