In an effort to keep interested stakeholders informed of current happenings with RAQC programs, partners, and air quality news and events, the RAQC created “The Air Monitor” quarterly e-newsletter. You can read the second issue here. If you are interested in subscribing to the newsletter, sign up here or contact Sara Goodwin at sgoodwin@raqc.org.
News
In Recognition of Earth Day, RAQC’s Simple Steps. Better Air. Team Partners with VF Corporation’s Colorado Classic on Exciting Announcement
In recognition of Earth Day – April 22, 2019 – the RAQC’s Simple Steps. Better Air. (SSBA) team partnered with VF Corporation’s Colorado Classic Pro-Women Cycling Race on their announcement that the race has been awarded “Certifiably Green” status by the City of Denver. No other bike race in the state of Colorado has received this designation and the Colorado Classic is the largest event in Colorado to receive this certification. Get more information on the announcement here. The SSBA team is also collaborating with the Colorado Classic to participate in race-day activities, which will be August 22-25 in the Denver area.
City of Fort Collins to Unveil One-Of-A-Kind Ozone Monitoring Station, April 15th
The City of Fort Collins, in partnership with Colorado State University, is unveiling a one-of-a-kind Ozone Monitoring Station. This innovative exhibit features a solar powered ozone monitor installed in a bench, which will be surrounded by plants that can be damaged by ozone. Attendees will see how this technology will teach families in the community about poor air quality and the importance of ozone alerts, especially for protecting vulnerable populations. Click here for a schematic of the Ozone Monitoring Station.
Details of the ribbon-cutting event are:
Monday, April 15th at 3:00 PM
Gardens on Spring Creek
2145 Centre Avenue
Fort Collins, CO 80526
RSVP for the event here.
Governor Polis Withdraws Request to Extend Attainment Date for 2008 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard
Today, Governor Jared Polis released a statement on the state’s decision to withdraw a request to extend the attainment date for the 2008 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard. This extension would have given Colorado additional time to come into compliance with the health-based standard.
You can read the press release here, and the full letter here.
Denver Metro/North Front Range Fuel Supply Impacts and Compliance Costs for Refiners and Consumers Report is Finalized
Click here for the finalized version of the Denver Metro/North Front Range Fuel Supply Impacts and Compliance Costs for Refiners and Consumers report.
ALT Fuels Colorado announces first round of Settlement funding awardees
The Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC) and its program partners are pleased to announce the first round of projects funded through ALT Fuels Colorado, utilizing funds from the Volkswagen Diesel Emission Environmental Mitigation Trust. To access a list of projects by agency name and awarded amount click here. A second call for ALT Fuels Colorado Mitigation Trust projects has taken place, and an updated awardee list will be posted once the funding for those projects are approved by the Trust.
A list of ALT Fuels Colorado projects funded through the Federal Highway Administration’s Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) program can be accessed here.
The RAQC Board and Staff “Retreat” To Discuss Pressing Regional Air Quality Issues
The RAQC’s Board of Directors and staff spent their Friday getting to know each other better and collaborating on how the RAQC can best address important air quality issues in our region.
RAQC’s TV Meteorologist Advisory Group Collaborates on Communicating About Region’s Upcoming Ozone Season
The RAQC’s TV Meteorologist Advisory Group – with meteorologists from all local television stations and the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) – met to discuss the region’s upcoming ozone season and how best to communicate to their respective viewers the “Simple Steps to Better Air” we all can take to make a positive impact on our air quality.
View the Simple Steps. Better Air. site.
The RAQC’s Simple Steps. Better Air. Program to Sponsor Running Up For Air-Colorado Event
The RAQC’s Simple Steps. Better Air. program has teamed up with Suffer Better – a Boulder-based non-profit that taps “the inexhaustible power, focus, dedication, and commitment of the endurance athlete community to work with and support local nonprofits and improve local communities” – to sponsor their annual event “Running Up For Air-Colorado” (RUFA-CO). RUFA-CO takes place March 9, 2019 near Evergreen, CO and is an endurance trail run, with runners committing to run for 3, 6 or 12 hours, to benefit POW Trail. Find out more about the event here.
Learn about the RAQC in our new digital booklet
What is the RAQC? Answers to this question, as well as what the RAQC does and the RAQC’s priorities, can all be found in our new digital overview booklet.