Welcome to Our On-line Slideshow

Metro Denver's air, you live in it, work in it, and play in it. It's essential to your being and critical to your health.

The air we breathe affects our health, our views of the mountains, and our attractiveness to business and tourism. All of these considerations help define our overall quality of life.

Which, for many of us, is why we live in Colorado. Outdoor opportunities abound, the sun is always shining, the economy is thriving, and the population is booming.

Unfortunately, however, we still have regional pollution problems. The aptly named "Brown Cloud" is a visibility problem for which there is no federal health standard, although one of the primary pollutants of the Brown Cloud does affect health.

The Denver region is especially challenged by its climate and geography which can trap air pollution at low levels. An example of such a phenomenon (known as a temperature inversion), is pictured above.