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Committee Meeting

Operations Committee

10:00 am - 11:30 am

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Jul 20th

Committee Meeting

Control Strategy Committee

9:00 am - 11:00 am

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Regional Air Quality Council

Mission:

We collaborate to improve air quality and protect Colorado’s health, environment, and economy through planning, policy development and program implementation.

Vision:

Clean air provides us the opportunity to breathe easy.

News Feed

Ozone Summary through June 26, 20228- hour Ozone Summary is based on 8-hour averages of raw 1-hour ozone data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) through EPA AirNow and consistent with Data Reporting and Handling Conventions outlined...

RAQC Welcomes New Board Members

Jun 22, 2022

The Regional Air Quality Council welcomed 14 board members to serve through April of 2025. The RAQC’s board, currently consisting of 29 members, is appointed by the governor of Colorado. Applicants are selected from across the front range and are chosen because of their varied backgrounds and their commitment to improving air quality:

New members to the board:

Lynn Guissinger of Boulder, Colorado, to serve as a representative of transportation management agencies. Guissinger is the President/Owner of Catalyst Communications Inc. and the Board Director at the Regional Transportation District (RTD).

Wendy Koenig of Estes Park, Colorado, to serve as a representative of Larimer County. The Honorable Wendy Koenig is the Mayor of the Town of Estes Park.

Michael Leccese of Boulder, Colorado, to serve as a representative with land use planning experience. Michael Leccese was the Executive Director of Urban Land Institute Colorado for 16 years. In 2022 he retired but continues to consult and volunteer. He previously had a long career as a journalist and communications consultant.

Margo Ramsden of Bow Mar, Colorado, to serve as a representative of the local government in the Denver metro region. The Honorable Margo Ramsden is a Town Trustee for the Town of Bow Mar.

Grace Rink of Denver, Colorado, to serve as a representative of local government in the Denver metro region. Grace Rink is the Chief Climate Officer/Executive Director for the Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resilience with the City and County of Denver.

In addition to the 5 new members, 9 members have been reappointed to an additional term.

Mike Foote of Lafayette, Colorado, to serve as a member with broad public interest. The Honorable Mike Foote will also continue to serve as the board chair.

Steven Hawks Arnold of Littleton, Colorado, to serve as a representative of broad public interest. Steve Arnold is an adjunct professor at the University of Denver’s University College, where he teaches courses in environmental policy and management program focused on environmental planning and sustainable transportation.

Jeffrey Lee Collett of Fort Collins, Colorado, to serve as a representative that has experience in environmental science. Jeffrey Collett is a Professor and Department Head for the Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University.

Bill Lee Holen of Aurora, Colorado, to serve as a representative of local government in the Denver metro region. The Honorable Bill Holen is an Arapahoe County Commissioner. As Commissioner, he oversees the Community Resources and Facilities and Fleet Management departments.

Ryan Joseph Hurst of Boulder, Colorado, to serve as a representative of an automotive-related business. Ryan Hurst is the founder and CEO of Hurst, LLC a private investment firm.

Alicia Johnson of Evans, Colorado to serve as a representative of Weld County. The Honorable Alicia Johnson is a Evan’s Councilperson and social worker employed by the Weld County Department of Human Services (WCDHS).

Douglas Wade Rex of Castle Pines, Colorado, to serve as a representative of the Denver Regional Council of Governments. Doug Rex is the Executive Director of the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG), where he oversees DRCOG’s regional programs and planning for the nine-county Denver metro region.

Kristin Stephens of Fort Collins, Colorado, to serve as a representative of the North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization (NFRMPO). The Honorable Kristin Stephens is a Larimer County Commissioner.

Susan Alice Wood of Wheat Ridge, Colorado, to serve as a representative of the Regional Transportation District. Susan Wood AICP, is a Planning Project Manager (Environmental) at the Regional Transportation District (RTD) where she is responsible for environmental clearance and compliance with respect to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

For more information on RAQC board members, visit raqc.org/board-members

The RAQC would also like to thank five departing board members for their service to the organization and the state. We appreciate the time they have given.

Kendra Black, representing local government in Denver Metro region

Kathleen Bracke, representing transit management agencies

Will Karspeck, from Larimer County

Marcia Kohler, with land use planning experience

Jackie Millet, representing local government in Denver Metro region

Dena Wojtach, alternate for APCD

RAQC Hiring: Programs Director

May 4, 2022

The RAQC has a unique opportunity for a qualified individual to join a dynamic, passionate, mission-driven team. Reporting to the Executive Director, and in collaboration with other staff, the Programs Director will manage or direct program implementation of the mobile sources, lawn and garden, and other emission reduction program. This position will also manage or direct other programs and special projects as developed. The Programs Director will be part of a leadership team tasked with expanding the organization’s impact and guiding the implementation of our annual work program as directed by our Executive Order.

Position Announcement: Programs Director
Application period: Initial deadline is May 13, 2022; will remain open until filled.

EPA Proposes Reclassification under 2008 and 2015 8-hour Ozone NAAQS

Apr 14, 2022

On April 13, 2022 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed to reclassify the Denver Metro/North Front Range Nonattainment area under both the 2008 and 2015 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS):

Under the 2008 8-hour ozone NAAQS of 75 parts per billion the EPA is proposing to reclassify the DM/NFR nonattainment area to Severe.
Under the 2015 8-hour ozone NAAQS of 70 parts per billion the EPA is proposing to reclassify the DM/NFR nonattainment area to Moderate.

The EPA will be accepting written comments on the proposals through June 12, 2022 and will be holding a virtual hearing May 9, 2022. Proposed reclassifications will not take effect until EPA publishes the final reclassification in the Federal Register.

For more information on the RAQC’s planning efforts under both standards please see the RAQC’s Air Quality Planning page.

RAQC and APCD Hosting April Public Listening Session

Apr 8, 2022

PUBLIC LISTENING SESSIONS: OZONE Colorado is actively planning next steps in addressing ozone in the North Front Range. These initial listening sessions will share basic ozone information, identify planning processes and potential reduction strategies, and provide...