Starting July 1, Colorado will require carbon monoxide alarms in all houses, duplexes, and mobile and manufactured homes.

This is a new law you can't get away with breaking if buy or rent a home, or apply for a building permit. That's because anytime you have your home inspected, they'll be checking to make sure you have a carbon monoxide detector installed within 15 feet of the entrance of all bedrooms and those detectors must be verified at the time of inspection.

Officials say final approval of the permit will not be granted unless you meet the new state law standards. The new law states that detectors don't have to be hard-wired. They can be plugged into an outlet or combined with a smoke alarm or home security system.

The reason for the tough new law: carbon monoxide is a deadly, colorless, odorless gas produced by incomplete burning of fossil fuels.

According to Safebuilt Colorado, 170 people die in the U.S. each year from carbon monoxide poisoning. The carbon monoxide can come from furnaces, ranges, water heaters, generators, and fireplaces. Some of the symptoms include flu-like symptoms, mental confusion, loss of muscle coordination, loss of consciousness, and death. Carbon monoxide poisoning often happens at night, so a carbon monoxide alarm is the safest option for early warning.

Once you have that alarm installed, if it goes off, get outside immediately and call 911.