News

Where to find the RAQC in summer 2023

The RAQC is pleased to join and support several free public events this summer in the Denver metro area. Come by our table to say hi and grab new swag, information, and resources about what we call can do to help reduce ground-level ozone in the Front Range. We look...

APCD Ozone Public Listening Sessions / Recordatorio: Sesiones de escucha pública sobre el ozono

Join the Air Pollution Control Division for an Ozone Public Listening Session

Wednesday, May 31st, 5:30 – 7 p.m.:

  • Register to attend in person at the Irving Street Library, Westminster OR
  • Register to attend over Zoom


Saturday, August 19th, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
:

  • Register to attend over Zoom

 

Colorado is actively planning next steps in addressing ground-level ozone in the North Front Range.

The Air Pollution Control Division will use these meetings to discuss updated emissions inventories and provide updates on the work to reduce ozone. These sessions will also share Air Pollution Control Division efforts to assess technical analyses that support air quality planning efforts and advance potential reduction strategies. Join us to learn about ozone planning, ask questions, learn how to stay involved, and share comments!

For more information about this meeting or future ozone meetings hosted by the APCD, please sign up to receive notifications or find more information on our webpage.

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Acompáñenos en una sesión de escucha para el público sobre el ozono

Miércoles, 31 de mayo, 5:30 a 7:00 p.m.:

  • Regístrese para unirse en personaen Irving Street Library, Westminster o
  • Regístrese en Zoom

 

Sábado, 19 de agosto, 10 a.m. a 12 p.m.:

  • Regístrese en Zoom

 

Colorado está planificando activamente los próximos pasos que se darán para hacer frente al ozono a nivel del suelo en la zona del Front Range.

Durante estas reuniónes hablaremos de los inventarios de emisiones actualizados y proporcionaremos actualizaciones acerca del trabajo para reducir el ozono. Estas sesiónes incluye la evaluación de los análisis técnicos que respaldan la labor de planificación de la calidad del aire y la promoción de las posibles estrategias de reducción. ¡Acompáñenos para obtener más información sobre los planes del ozono, hacer preguntas, aprender cómo puede mantenerse involucrado o involucrada y compartir sus comentarios!

Para obtener más información sobre esta reunión u otras reuniones que la División de Control de la Contaminación del Aire organice en el futuro sobre el ozono, regístrese para recibir notificaciones o busque más información en nuestra página web.

RAQC Welcomes New Communications & Programs Coordinator

The Regional Air Quality Council welcomes Kelsey Simpkins to the RAQC staff.  Prior to joining the RAQC, Kelsey worked at the University of Colorado Boulder in media relations and as a science writer, specializing in climate and environmental science. She previously worked for sustainability science NGO Future Earth as a digital engagement and communications specialist, and for the Twin Cities-based ecological restoration nonprofit Great River Greening in development and communications.

As Communications and Programs Coordinator, Kelsey will manage media, public relations, and community outreach and events for the Simple Steps Better Air program.

RAQC Welcomes New Planning Director

The Regional Air Quality Council welcomes a new Planning Director, Tom Moore.  He came to the RAQC after serving as the Technical Services Program manager at the State’s Air Pollution Control Division as well as working for many years for the Western Regional Air Partnership, coordinating air quality analysis and planning for the 15-state WRAP region. He has served as the Vice Chair for the Air Quality Enterprise Board and chaired the Fort Collins Air Quality Advisory Board. Tom has a B.S. degree in Physical Geography from Arizona State University.

As the Planning Director, he will be working on air quality control strategies, coordinating development of the State Implementation Plan components, and leading emission inventory and photochemical modeling analyses.

RAQC Welcomes New Board Members

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.
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    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).
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    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