Toxic gas initially in borders of Colorado (6,8)
I believe the answer is:
carbon monoxide
'toxic gas' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for carbon monoxide that I've seen before include "CO" , "Toxic gas" , "inspired to kill" , "POISON" .)