Metro Denver and the North Front Range’s air quality does not meet current federal standards. Find your “simple step” below to create cleaner air.
Combine Trips
Sometimes you just need to drive. It happens. But by adopting a “while I’m out” approach you can have a dramatic impact on our air. Here are a few ideas about how to combine trips:
- Pick one day each week to run errands. You can even create an “errand bag” (Hello, Pinterest) and fill it with reminders so you won’t forget anything while you’re out.
- When you order delivery, ask for a bundled shipment to save trips and in summer, have deliveries sent after 5:00 p.m. when possible.
On the Road & At Home
Our air can benefit from small changes to your daily routine.
- Fill up your car after 5:00 p.m. on hot, sunny summer days and “stop at the click” to prevent gasoline vapors from turning into air pollution.
- Use low-VOC or water-based cleaners, paints and other products around the house.
- Switch to electric lawn equipment and mow after 5:00 p.m. when possible.
- Visit MowDownPollution.org for information on the RAQC’s lawn mower exchange program.
Take Public Transportation
Metro Denver is fortunate to have multiple public transit choices that are extremely beneficial to overall air quality. RTD will get you around the metro and with CDOT’s Bustang and Snowstang, getting to and from the mountains or along the Front Range has never been more fun. Pack your bags, leave the car in the driveway and say “so long” to sitting behind the wheel in congested I-70 traffic.
Combine Passengers on Trips
Carpooling or vanpooling to skip a car trip has plenty of advantages, including keeping the air clean. In addition to gas savings, carpooling and vanpooling prevents parking woes and allows access to Metro Denver’s HOV lanes. FACT: More time in the passenger seat means more time to catch up on your favorite podcast, show or book.
Skip Two Car Trips Each Week
If you skip two car trips each week and replace them with other ways to get around, you decrease traffic congestion and improve our air quality. Emissions from cars, trucks, vans, and motorcycles are some of the largest contributors to ground-level ozone in Metro Denver.
- Walk to lunch instead of driving.
- Walk, jog, or ride a bike if the trip is less than 2 miles.
- Use e-scooters and bikes or public transit to get to a game, concert, event, or the airport.
Teleworking
Many Colorado employers and employees have realized the benefits of teleworking. We prefer a healthy and prosperous Colorado and understand working from home may not be right for everyone, but for those who can it’s an important solution to air pollution. Even if it’s just one day a week.
Need some pro-tips on working remotely from home? Click here.
Avoid Idling
Did you know that idling uses more fuel than simply restarting your car? When you are stopped for more than 60 seconds, turn your engine off to prevent pollution and save on gas. Each pound of fuel burned produces about 20 lbs of CO2, and a car wastes about .3 gallons of fuel per hour while a big truck wastes 1 gallon/hour.
For more, visit EnginesOff.com.
Energize Your Ride
Driving a low- or zero-emission vehicle, like an electric vehicle (EV), is a common-sense way to create better air in Metro Denver. Colorado has some of the best tax incentives in the nation that make owning an EV easier on the pocketbook. We also have a highly accessible and increasingly growing network of charging stations around the Front Range, and you can charge at home. Visit NormalNow.com to see how EVs are better for your wallet and Colorado.
Sign up for Ozone Action Alerts, which help you create a game plan on poor air quality days.
Deep Dive
In September 2021, Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC) Executive Director Mike Silverstein wrote an open letter to the Colorado business community about the urgent, collective action needed to reduce commuter traffic congestion and improve air quality. Here’s a quick read about why the time is now.
> Smokescreens mask Front Range air quality problem – and solutions
Want to know more about summer ozone and the RAQC’s work? We got you…
Ground-level ozone along the Front Range explained:
> Ozone Fact Sheet
> North Front Range Ozone Fact Sheet
Discover how the RAQC is working to attain two unique federal ozone standards:
> 2008 Ozone Standard
> 2015 Ozone Standard
Get more info on the RAQC’s air quality planning process:
> Colorado Planning Process