
Why Colorado’s Air Quality Matters & How To Stay Safe On Smog Days
When people think about Colorado, ‘air quality’ issues are usually not the first thing that comes to mind.
Read More: How Do I Improve Air Quality in My Colorado Home?
However, it’s a significant issue on both sides of the Continental Divide, with wildfires and industrial emissions affecting the health of residents statewide at different times of year.

Why You Should Care About Colorado's Air Quality
Living in Colorado means being exposed to ozone and particulate pollutants. The more we are exposed to pollution the more we can see our friends and loved ones dealing with respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD. Air quality can increase the risk of cardiovascular issues, especially in children or elderly residents.
The more time Colorado residents spend outside, the more harmful pollutants could cause harm. This is discussed further by Fernando Holguin, MD, professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, during an episode of Health Science Radio which can be found here.
As we know, air quality affects far more than people. Colorado’s wildlife in locations like the Grand Mesa or the Uncompahgre National Forests can also suffer as ecosystems are harmed by pollution or damaged by wildfires such as the Bucktail Fire or Pine Gulch Fire.
Read More: Denver is Top 5 in the World for Worst Air Quality
Smog Days in Colorado
Staying safe on smog days can be as simple as taking a minute to look at Colorado's Air Quality Index (AQI) for your area. You can get regular updates for specific areas from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
On days with poor air quality, you can limit time outside, or travel outside of the smog area to enjoy outdoor activities. If wildfires create poor air quality consider using an N95 mask to protect yourself from breathing in harmful air.
Indoors, focus on keeping windows closed when air quality outside is poor. HEPA filters can help keep the air cleaner throughout the house during periods of poor air quality. Avoid burning incense or candles to help keep the air inside as clean as possible.
Stay on top of air quality in Western Colorado with our station app. If there is an air quality alert, we can help with notifications providing more info.
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Gallery Credit: Kyle Matthews
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