Air quality impacts our quality of life in numerous ways. Poor outdoor air quality can decrease visibility and negatively impact our respiratory health. Outdoor air pollution is generated by fires, construction, and street maintenance, as well as chemical pollutants generated by vehicles, oil and gas operations, and even spilling gas at the fueling station.
Learning about Air Quality
Front Range Air Quality
Each day, you can find out what the air quality is like by checking the Air Quality Index (AQI) for where you live. The Environmental Projection Agency calculates the AQI, which tells you when high levels of air pollution are predicted for the day. You can use that information to plan for safe and healthy physical activity.
Longmont and the surrounding areas are part of the Denver Metro/North Front Range reporting area.
Checking the AQI is easy — anyone can do it! All you need is your ZIP code. Look up the local AQI on AirNow.gov
Sign up to get email or text AQI alerts from AirNow.gov
Boulder County Air Quality
Boulder County Public Health, in partnership with Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment (CDPHE), sponsors monitoring of air quality at the Boulder Reservoir and provides preliminary results of near-real time atmospheric monitoring online.
Learn about all of Boulder County's studies and analysis on their website
Longmont Air Quality
As directed by City Council, and in accordance with the objectives of the Sustainability Plan, an air quality monitoring program has been developed to monitor oil and gas emissions, and the overall air quality in the City of Longmont.
Air monitoring instruments are located at Union Reservoir and Vance Brand Airport. Air monitors track the presence of compounds such as carbon dioxide, ozone, nitrogen oxides, methane, benzene, and particulate matter. To learn more about the air quality monitoring program, check out our interview video at the top of the page featuring Dr. Jane Turner and Dr. Detlev Helmig.
Longmont’s preliminary air quality data is available in near real-time to interested residents. Note: The air quality dashboard is best viewed using Google Chrome. Questions about interpretation of the air quality data should be directed to the air quality contractor, whose contact information can be found on the dashboard site.
Other Air Quality Resources
Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment - Air Quality Monitoring, Modeling, and Data
Regional Air Quality Council – Planning and strategies for improving air quality in the Denver Metro/Front Range area
Simple Steps to Better Air
Outdoor Air Quality
Reducing gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicle miles is an important step to improving outdoor air quality. You can reduce your vehicle miles by walking, bicycling, carpooling, using public transit, or driving an electric vehicle.
Find more ways to make a positive impact at Simple Steps, Better Air.
Know when air quality is poor and sign up for Ozone Action Alerts.
Indoor Air Quality
Please review the Buildings and Infrastructure page to learn how to check and improve your indoor air quality.
