RAQC Recognizes Clean Air Champions at Downtown Denver Event

The Regional Air Quality Council recognizes the exceptional leadership of a handful of individuals and organizations in our community as Clean Air Champions each year. On Sept. 16, 2025, the RAQC presented awards to 14 Colorado Clean Air Champions at its third annual clean air happy hour. These current and former RAQC board members, community members, businesses, and local governments were recognized for their efforts to ensure a healthy environment and clean air for the Front Range region and all Coloradans.

Learn more about RAQC Clean Air Champions program here.

For the first time, the event took place at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, down the street from the RAQC’s office in downtown Denver.

This year’s event featured guest speaker KC Becker, former speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives. Now president and CEO of the Colorado Solar and Storage Association, Becker highlighted her recent experience at the Renewable Energy Conference in Las Vegas, RE+ 25, which attracted 40,000 attendees, emphasizing a continued growth in the clean energy industry.

Becker’s remarks also touched on her previous roles with the Boulder City Council and her time as administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Region 8. She reflected on the ebb and flow of environmental legislation, noting progress and setbacks over the years and unique challenges that have arisen in 2025. She shared a poem by Robert Service, “The Quitter,” to inspire resilience in the fight for clean air. She thanked the attendees for their dedication to public health and clean energy, acknowledging their ongoing efforts.

“We have to fight for public health and fight for clean air,” said Becker, “and that’s what you all and that’s what these clean air champions are doing every day.”

The awards were presented by RAQC executive director Mike Silverstein, RAQC board chair Dan Kramer, and Jacob LaBure, RAQC program manager and organizer of the event.

The RAQC would also like to thank its partners, board members, and all those who attended to celebrate and support efforts to improve air quality in the Colorado Front Range. Thank you also to event sponsor Rocky Mountain ACE Hardware for their generous support of this event.

All photos are credited to: Nisha Shrestha. To request high quality photos for personal or professional use, please contact program coordinator Haley Mendoza.

Clean Air Board Champions

Doug Rex, director of Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) and RAQC board member, has served as a tireless advocate for air quality across the region. His support for grants and air quality efforts at the RAQC has elevated the organization’s standing in the region and ensured it is considered for funding opportunities. As a member of the RAQC board for more than a decade, Rex has been a reliable mentor, offering guidance and perspective to new board members as well as experienced leaders at the RAQC.

Susan Wood, Planning Project Manager at Regional Transportation District (RTD) and RAQC Board Member, has been an advocate for clean transportation and trusted voice on science-based air quality planning for many years. Wood is a passionate advocate of transit alternatives and emission reduction strategies who brings thoughtful perspectives to the board. Her efforts have strengthened the RTD-RAQC partnership through data sharing and collaborative strategies.

Jeff Collett is a Professor and Department Head for the Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University, who brings deep scientific expertise to his role as a member of the RAQC Board. Collett has spent his career studying air quality and climate issues, contributing groundbreaking air pollution research to the field and educating the next generation of environmental leaders along the way. As his board tenure comes to a close after six years of service, Collett continues to bring mentorship to the board with science-based insights and contributions to ongoing air quality studies in partnership with RAQC and APCD.

Margo Melendez, Town Trustee for the Town of Bow Mar and Manager at the National Renewal Energy Lab (NREL), has brought pragmatic perspectives to her service as a RAQC Board Member that bridged local government and regional concerns. As a leader at NREL, she works to bring together industry, government, and fleet companies to reduce the use of petroleum in transportation. Melendez is known by RAQC staff for her generous service, lending her time and expertise to guide work groups and committees. As a convener of the RAQC Indirect Sources Sub-Work Groups on Airports and Universities, she provided helpful direction to work groups. Her thoughtful input on the Board, which strengthened discussions and advanced clean air initiatives across the region, will be missed as her Board service comes to a close.

Clean Air Public Servant Champion

Cassie Archuleta, Air Quality Scientist with City of Fort Collins, has long been a leader on air quality programming in northern Colorado. Archeluta has a proven track record of delivering policies and programs with measurable emissions reductions for Fort Collins. Her work has strengthened regional cooperation between RAQC, APCD, Larimer County, and North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Clean Air Local Government Champion

City of Northglenn’s strong community engagement and forward-looking clean air policies have made it a leader in air quality. Northglenn pioneered Colorado’s first zero-emission municipal City Hall, and its sustainability and air quality infrastructure sets a standard for municipalities. As a leader in air quality improvement through innovative infrastructure, sustainability policies, and community engagement, Northglenn has demonstrated bold leadership that many local governments can look to as an example for investing in the future of public health and environmental stewardship. Mara Owens, Sustainability Coordinator, and City Council Member Katherine Goff accepted the award on behalf of the City of Northglenn.

Clean Air Community Champions

Kirsten Schatz, Public Interest Advocate with Colorado Public Interest Research Group (CoPIRG), has been instrumental in advancing statewide clean air legislation and policies. Schatz’s work engaging policymakers and hosting panel discussions and public demonstrations to reduce pollution from lawn and garden equipment has resulted in meaningful policy change. Her unwavering dedication to improving air quality, advancing sustainable transportation, and driving meaningful policy change has made her one of the region’s most effective and inspiring environmental leaders.

Alexandra Schluntz, Senior Attorney at Earthjustice, is a longstanding advocate in RAQC air quality planning initiatives. Schluntz is involved in numerous RAQC planning initiatives as a formal active stakeholder in emission reduction strategy discussions and trusted collaborator with data and policy insights. Her clear, eloquent testimony at hearings has made her an important voice in advancing air quality planning initiatives and emissions reductions.

Shaina Oliver, a Moms Clear Air Force advocate, has elevated lived experiences of communities impacted by unhealthy air into policy discussions and public awareness. As a volunteer activist, she has testified in hearings with the EPA and supported environmental bills at the U.S. Capitol, bringing both attention and action to her community. By spearheading impactful community campaigns addressing pollution from local refining operations, Oliver has become a strong advocate ensuring community voices are heard in regional air quality planning.

Sarah Burke, Lead Organizer of Greeley Clean Air and Team Coordinator in northern Colorado for 350 Colorado, organized the Community Day of Action for Healthy Air in Greeley as well as other air quality workshops and community events. Burke organized the Community Day of Action for Healthy Air in Greeley as well as other air quality workshops and community events, helping contextualize the problems of air quality for northern Colorado residents. As a hard-working grassroots climate activist and community leader, Burke’s work included campaigns that targeted fracking efforts near schools and focused on acquiring more air monitoring devices for neighborhoods close to fracking wells.

Emily Garcia, Organizer of Greeley Clean Air, has built community momentum through workshops, outreach, and public engagement. She organized the Community Art Showcase for Clean Air in April 2024, channeling creativity into a shared vision for less pollution. A recent graduate of the University of Northern Colorado, Garcia is recognized by peers for her passion for Colorado communities and creating positive change in a critical region for air quality.

Clean Air Business Champions

Xcel Energy was the first major U.S. utility to commit to 100% carbon-free electricity by 2050 and 80% reduction by 2030. In addition to retiring coal plants, expanding wind and solar, and investing in electrification programs that cut ozone precursors and greenhouse gases, Xcel Energy has supported Colorado communities with rebates, EV charging, and clean equipment incentives, helping residents and businesses reduce emissions. As a proven leader delivering measurable emission reductions while engaging customers and local governments, Xcel Energy has been a strong partner with RAQC, collaborating on electrification, efficiency, and renewables integration while serving as a proven leader in delivering measurable emissions reductions and engaging customers and local governments. The award was accepted by Jeffery West, Senior Director of Environmental Services with Xcel Energy and RAQC Board Member.

Ba-Nom-a-Nom food truck was one of the first food trucks in the region to make the switch to battery-electric power. As a recipient of Engines Off Grant to electrify food truck business, Ba-Nom-a-Nom has partnered with RAQC through grant funding to replace gas generators with zero-emissions equipment. The staff are enthusiastic ambassadors, showcasing the equipment, sharing information about the installation process and inspiring others. The award was accepted by Sarah Ladley, owner and founder of Ba-Nom-a-Nom.

Karmina Van Le, Sales and Marketing Director for Rocky Mountain ACE Hardware stores, has been the driving force behind Ace Hardware’s regional corporate and local clean air leadership. Van Le has secured significant corporate investment in RAQC’s programs and consistently engaged in RAQC initiatives, making clean air part of Ace’s brand identity, doing marketing collaborations on mailers, and in-store promotions. As a leader within Ace Hardware, she has consistently advocated for greater corporate investment in clean air initiatives and ensures her stores are active and enthusiastic participants in RAQC programs.