Local Government Resources

A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO THE REGIONAL AIR QUALITY COUNCIL.

The Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC) was established in 1989 to serve as the lead Air Quality Planning agency for the Denver Metropolitan area. In April 2007, Governor Bill Ritter reauthorized and expanded the RAQC as the lead Air Quality Planning agency for the Denver metropolitan area.

OUR MISSION.

The RAQC’s mission is to develop and propose effective and cost-efficient air quality planning initiatives with input from government agencies, the private sector, stakeholder groups, and citizens of the Denver metropolitan region. Our primary task is to prepare state implementation plan elements that demonstrate and ensure long-term compliance with state and federal air quality standards and provide acceptable public health and environmental protections to those residing in the Denver metropolitan area.  It is also our charge to administer public education programs regarding air quality and air pollution control and prevention in the area.  The RAQC also serves as an educational resource on regional air quality issues.

POLLUTANTS WE’RE COMBATING.

Ground-level ozone.Our most important initiative is to reduce ground-level ozone pollution. Our region has been out of compliance with federal standards for ozone since the summer of 2007. Ground-level ozone pollution is formed when emissions from everyday items combine with other pollutants and “cook” in the heat and sunlight. Sources of such emissions include local industry, gasoline-powered vehicles and lawn equipment, and household paints, stains, and solvents. You will learn more about the RAQC’s programs to reduce summer ozone pollution in this guide.

Carbon Monoxide.We are also working to reduce carbon monoxide (CO), which is a colorless, odorless gas that is formed from the incomplete burning of fuel (combustion). It is emitted directly into the air from vehicle exhaust pipes and typically occurs when vehicles are first started up or when they are not properly started. While the Denver region is not in violation of CO levels, the RAQC has several programs in place to help reduce vehicle emissions and keep this pollutant in check.

PM10. Particulate matter (PM) consists of airborne particles that can be inhaled by humans. PM comes in many different sizes and PM10 is a course particulate matter that is created from windblown dust, unpaved roads, street sand, and crushing and grinding operations. The RAQC has maintained a street sweeping program for over 15 years to help rid the streets of the on-road sand that contributes to the “Brown Cloud” in the winter.

PM2.5. This fine particulate matter is only 2.5 micrometers in diameter and is so small that particles can only be detected with an electron microscope. The EPA has labeled this particulate a “likely carcinogen”.  Currently, our region is within compliance on this pollutant.While winter time wood burning is a major source of PM2.5, so are emissions from motor vehicles. The RAQC’s Clean Air Fleets program focuses on reducing PM pollution.

WHY YOUR COMMUNITY SHOULD GET INVOLVED.

With your partnership in providing essential public information and encouraging citizenship participation, we can reduce air pollution in our communities and maintain compliance with federal standards. The municipal governments throughout the Front Range Region have been among the RAQC’s most important partners in the work we do. We also collaborate with a number of local and community organizations, such as American Lung Association of Colorado, National Jewish Medical and Research Center, 36 Commuting Solutions and Transportation Solutions, among others. Some of our private sector partners have included the Colorado Select NAPA AutoCare Group, Envirotest Systems, Inc., Suncor Energy (formerly Conoco) and Xcel Energy. The RAQC also works closely with other government organizations such as CDPHE, DRCOG, CDOT, EPA Region 8 and many local municipalities. Together with all of these organizations, we can continue to plan and implement the necessary programs to keep our air healthy for all of us.

STAY INFORMED. BECOME A STAKEHOLDER.

We encourage you to become an active Stakeholder in the planning and implementation of our air quality programs. To become involved in reducing summer ground-level ozone pollution, log on to the OzoneAware.org homepage, where you’ll find a Stakeholders link, giving you information on recent and upcoming meetings and presentations. You can also register online to receive email notification of upcoming meetings and Ozone Action Alerts. To become a Stakeholder in our other air quality programs, please log on to RAQC.org and click through the Stakeholders link, which also gives you information on recent and upcoming meetings and presentations, and how to get involved. We want to make sure your voice is heard, and your community’s concerns are met.

HOW THIS GUIDE WILL HELP YOU. 

This Resource Guide is designed to give you an overview of all the educational and outreach programs sponsored by the Regional Air Quality Council. Once you know more about our Ozone Aware program, Mow Down Pollution event, our Clean Air Fleets initiative, Repair Your Air campaign, our Fleet Maintenance Program and Street Sanding  program, you’ll understand how to inform and engage your citizens to get involved and become a part of the solution.

This guide also includes ready-to-use materials you can post on your website or download from our website and disseminate in whatever fashion is convenient for you. We’ve also included contact information for each program so you can speak to a staff member at RAQC to answer any questions or provide additional assistance. We hope you’ll take advantage of all the tools we have available to inform and mobilize your community.