About the Regional Air Quality Council
About
The Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC) was established in 1989 to serve as the lead air quality planning agency for the Denver metropolitan area. In 2019, Governor Jared Polis extended and amended the RAQC as the lead air quality planning agency for the Denver metropolitan area and the Denver Metro/North Front Range Ozone Non-Attainment Area.
Mission and Vision
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.
Strategic Plan
The RAQC’s current strategic plan was endorsed May 7, 2021: Strategic Plan 2021-2026.
Current Work Plan and Budget
On an annual basis, the RAQC implements a work plan, which focuses on planning and strategy development to reduce emissions and meet air quality standards, implementing incentive programs to reduce emissions from mobile sources and lawn/garden equipment, and administering programs of public information and education on air quality matters.
2025 Budget and Work Plan, Approved December 6, 2024
Executive Order
The Governor designated the RAQC as the lead air quality agency for air quality planning for the greater Denver Metropolitan Area and North Front Range Region. He has directed the RAQC to continue its work to engage in a coordinated process with Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), affected local governments, transportation agencies, and others, as appropriate, to develop and report on options to further reduce emissions from vehicles, reduce vehicle miles traveled and other measures that yield emission reductions from the transportation sector. The RAQC shall lead the discussions of transportation related air quality issues and provide for the broad coordination and opportunity for public involvement necessary to address this issue.
Under the Executive Order (B 2019 008) extending and amending the RAQC, the RAQC continues in existence until further modification or rescission by the Governor.
Executive Order (B 2013 007)
Executive Order (B 2012 001)
Executive Order (B 2011 02)
Executive Order (B 002 09)
Attainment Plan History
In 2008, the RAQC developed a plan to achieve compliance of the 1997 8-hour ozone standard (0.08 parts per million (ppm)). The Denver Metro/North Front Range 9-county region currently consists of 2 slightly different but overlapping nonattainment areas that have not achieved attainment of the 2008 federal ozone standard (.075 ppm), and the more stringent 2015 federal ozone standard (0.070 ppm). Continued work by the RAQC with the guidance of the Board of Directors from the authority in the Governor’s Executive Orders is necessary in light of these multiple air quality planning issues with overlapping compliance timelines, to provide ongoing identification of strategies for reducing ozone-causing emissions and track the success of implementing those strategies. The RAQC planning effort has a focus on emissions from the transportation, oil & gas, stationary, and area source sectors to come into compliance with both ozone standards in a timely manner.
RAQC Programs
In addition to developing these federally mandated plans, the Governor has charged the RAQC with developing and administering public education programs regarding air quality and air pollution control and prevention in the Denver Metro/North Front Range Ozone Nonattainment Area. The RAQC shall continue its ongoing efforts to reduce ozone precurser emissions through its programs, including Clean Air Auto Repair, Engines Off, Mow Down Pollution, and Simple Steps. Better Air. The RAQC also serves as an educational resource on regional air quality issues to elected city and county officials in the Denver region. Finally, the RAQC participates in rulemaking proceedings affecting air quality programs in the Denver area.
RAQC Members and Staff
The RAQC and its staff work closely with the State of Colorado’s Air Pollution Control Division and Air
Quality Control Commission in assessing and developing air quality plans and programs. The work of the RAQC is coordinated with the regional and transportation planning programs of the Denver Regional Council of Governments, an organization of local elected officials, and the North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization, as appropriate.
The RAQC also works closely with local governments, the General Assembly, the private sector, citizen groups and other affected parties to develop workable and sensible air quality improvement solutions for the Denver Metro/North Front Range area.
