Due to unforeseen circumstances, the July 2 Wards Advisory Committee Meeting has been canceled. The next meeting will take place Tuesday, July 9 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at City Hall.
A sustainable city has a healthy and vibrant environment. The City of Westminster is working to maintain and protect our environment and is prioritizing air quality. Learn about air quality—indoor and outdoor health—and what you can do to help ensure that the environment stays healthy.
Sign up for Air Quality Notifications and Register for Ozone Alerts
Ground-level ozone pollution is different than the ozone layer of the atmosphere that protects us from harmful radiation from the sun. When ozone is lower in the atmosphere, it causes harmful pollution. Ground-level ozone pollution is created when oxides of nitrogen (NOX) mix with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the presence of sunlight. Generally, VOCs are things you can smell like cars, trucks, trains, and busses that run on gas.
Negative impacts of ozone pollution include:
Learn more about air quality, ozone, and what you can do to impact and improve it!
Visit these activity guides for additional information on how and when to adjust your activity levels depending on air quality:
Below are some immediate steps you can take to protect your health and to help improve outdoor air quality here in Westminster and the region.
Avoid outdoor physical activities: If you can see it, smell it, or taste it – you shouldn’t breathe it. Face coverings not specifically designed to filter smoke do little to prevent breathing in the fine particles and harmful chemicals transported by wildfire smoke.
Purchase an air purifier
Keep windows and doors closed and If you have an HVAC system, use the highest level of filtration recommended by the manufacturer and replace filters regularly
Check out the National Weather Service air quality smoke forecast
Prepare: visit the EPA’s Smoke-Ready Toolbox for Wildfires webpage
Use an electric lawn mower and earn a rebate through the Mow Down Pollution program
Switch other lawn and garden equipment from gas to electric power!
Refrain from mowing your lawn until after 5:00 p.m.
Fuel in the early mornings or night: When you fill up your car mid-day, or in the daylight, gas emits oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which mix in the presence of sunlight, forming ozone. If you fill up your car when it's not sunny (early morning or night) these fumes have time to dissipate and they don’t form ozone.
Adjust your driving habits: Take fewer car trips, carpool, use public transportation, telecommute, or walk or bike to your destination
Turn off your car instead of idling while waiting.
Participate in the EcoPass program to enjoy unlimited rides on most regular RTD transit services, including the SkyRide service to Denver International Airport at no charge
Track your travel
Drive an Electric Car (EV).
Wood-burning stoves cannot be used during Air Quality Action Days
Check local fire restrictions for Jefferson County and Adams County
Learn more about the symptoms of wood smoke exposure and environmental impacts of burning wood.
Did you know that common household activities, such as cooking on a gas stove or using certain types of household cleaning products can trigger poor air quality inside your home.
Indoor air quality refers to the air quality within and around buildings and structures, especially as it relates to the health and comfort of building occupants.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment groups indoor air quality concerns by the following:
Comfort issues
Sick building syndrome
Building-related illnesses.
Exposure to indoor air pollutants can have immediate or long-term health impacts, depending on the type of pollutant, a person's sensitivity to it and their age and health.
Below is a list of typical sources of indoor air pollution and some tips for what you can do to address them.
Choose electric appliances over gas
Use an exhaust hood when cooking
Learn about the health and indoor air quality impacts of gas stoves
Choose safer household cleaning products
Safely dispose of your hazardous household materials.
Ensure your home is well insulated and well sealed by having your home audited for leaks: Contact Xcel Energy for a Home Energy Squad visit
Test your home for radon
Learn more: A Citizen’s Guide to Radon PDF (English, Boulder County Public Health)
Learn more: Manual Informativo Sobre El Radón PDF (Spanish, Boulder County Public Health).
Clean up mold and prevent its growth in your home.
Contact an asbestos expert
Read asbestos FAQs..
Thank you for subscribing. You will receive your first email(s) soon.
There was an error processing your request. Please try again later.
Select the lists you'd like below.