In one embodiment, a system is provided. The system includes a turbine control system, comprising a processor. The processor is configured to receive an input for transitioning between a normal load path (NLP) of a turbine system and a cold load path (CLP) of the turbine system. The processor is additionally configured to determine a carbon monoxide (CO) setpoint based on the input. The processor is further configured to apply a temperature control based on the CO setpoint, wherein the normal load path comprises higher emissions temperatures as compared to the cold load path.