- Home
- Departments
- Environmental Health
- Air Quality
Air Quality
Introduction
There are many types of air pollution, from blowing dust to human-caused chemical emissions. the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Has developed standards for six air pollutants that it calls "criteria pollutants" to protect the public's health and welfare. The standards indicate maximum allowable levels of the regulated pollutants in the air. EPA reviews and revises the standards periodically as necessary as new information on health and environmental effects becomes available. The six criteria pollutants are:- particulate matter
- ground-level ozone
- carbon monoxide
- sulfur dioxide
- nitrogen dioxide
- lead
In the Past
Routt County and the City of Steamboat Springs were in violation of federal air quality standards for particulate matter in the 1980’s. This was largely due to street sanding, fireplace and woodstove use within the City of Steamboat Springs.
Present Day
Routt County, the City of Steamboat Springs, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment worked together to craft a plan to improve air quality. As a result, air quality has dramatically improved and the Steamboat Springs Air Shed is now in compliance with state and federal air quality standards. Routt County’s Air Pollution Control Resolution became effective on June 10, 1991. The City of Steamboat Springs has adopted a similar ordinance. Routt County’s regulation is focused on limiting the number and type of solid fuel burning device that may be installed in new or existing buildings within an area designated as the Steamboat Springs Air Shed. All solid fuel devices must meet the emission standards that apply to EPA phase II standards for woodstoves and fireplaces.
Approved Solid Fuel Burning Devices
Buildings within the Routt County portion of the air shed are limited to one approved solid fuel burning device. There is no limit on the number of gas fired appliances.
Wildland Fire and Smoke
Occasionally smoke produced from nearby wildfires or wildfires in neighboring states moves into the valley creating a haze that obstructs views and can sometimes irritate sensitive respiratory systems. While not everyone has the same sensitivity to wildfire smoke, it’s still a good idea to avoid breathing smoke if you can help it. Please refer to the following link about how smoke from fires can affect your health: EPA
The criteria pollutant we are most concerned about related to wildfires, is small particulate matter (PM 2.5.) To help address these concerns, Routt County installed PM2.5 monitoring in September, 2018. These air monitoring results can be viewed live at the following website: Air Quality Index Map
Other Documents and Links
Interactive Map of Air QualityFire and Smoke Map
Activity Guidelines for Wildfire
Air Quality Buffer Map
Routt County Air Pollution Control Resolution Number #91-032
Colorado Air Quality
Incident Information System
MOLD
Mold PresentationTenant support information
Contact Us
-
Scott Cowman
Environmental Health Director
Email
Heather Savalox
Senior Environmental Health Specialist
Email
Rick Melzer
Environmental Health Specialist
Email
Gina Cadrecha
Administrative Assistant
Email
Environmental Health Department
Routt County Courthouse Annex
136 6th Street, Suite 201
Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
Ph: (970) 870-5588
Fx: (970) 870-5404
Hours
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Monday - Friday