In this audio interview, 102.5 FM Morning Radio Show Host Paul Wozniak sits down with the Interim Environmental Services Director Lucinda Smith to discuss the City’s 2012 Clean Lawnmower Rebate Program. The City of Fort Collins is committed to improving our overall air quality, and the rebate program is designed to limit ground level ozone which is impacted by running gas powered machines. The fewer we run, the cleaner our air.
Paul's written blog entry offers insights into his own experience using an electric lawnmower and ways that citizens can take advantage of the rebates. Listen to the interview by clicking on the green and white “play" button toward the middle of the blog post.

Air quality in and around Fort Collins is generally good, and the City is constantly working to make it even better. However, there are still problems with a major pollutant: ground level ozone.

The ground level ozone measured in Fort Collins exceeded federal health standards eight times last year. In 2009 and 2010, the same monitoring station measured just one high-ozone day. It's a complicated process, but basically, ground level ozone is formed when emissions from vehicles and industrial operations react with sunlight. The increased levels in 2011 can be attributed, at least in part, to weather conditions.

Regulations at the state level, including those for oil and gas operations and vehicle emissions, play an imporant role in reducing ozone; but every little bit helps when it comes to reducing emissions. Read the Coloradoan's article about ozone and what you can do to help improve our air quality.

City of Fort Collins residents are encouraged to participate in the 2012 Lawn Mower Rebate Program and get a $25 rebate by choosing from two options to “green” their lawn care and help reduce ozone pollution at the same time!

Speaking of pollution……Did you know that…older gas lawn mowers contribute to ground level ozone and emit many times more hydrocarbons than electric mowers?

…high levels of ground ozone can harm health, cause summertime smog, and reduce mountain views? More...

*Eligible participants must be Fort Collins residents who replace lawn mowers through participating Fort Collins merchants only.

It's spring time, and a great opportunity to take advantage of FREE volunteer training with the Healthy Sustainable Homes program!

Listen to Volunteer Coordinator Mary Pat Aardrup, as she speaks with Paul Wozniak, morning host for Tri-102.5 FM, about the upcoming volunteer training from April 3 -- April 19, 2012, where volunteers will receive 20 hours of training by experts who will certify them as Master Home Educators.

These volunteers will then be qualified to conduct FREE in-home air quality assessments and help citizens learn about health risks posed by common home pollutants and what low-cost or no-cost activities they can implement.

Got a creative project in mind that reduces air pollution in our Fort Collins community or raises awarness about air quality issues in our city? Find out how students, teachers, principals, volunteers, workerss of non-profits, Home Owners Associations, and faith-based communities can apply for grants ranging in $500 to $2,000!.

Listen to Environmental Planner Brian Woodruff, as he shares with Tri-102.5 FM Midday Host Paul Wozniak why testing our homes for radon is beneficial to our health. Radon cliams the lives of more than 20,000 people every year in the US, approximately 1,4000 of those cancer deaths are in Colorado alone. Fortunately, it's easy to test for radon. Learn more about radon and pick up an inexpensive radon test-kit for your home today!

The detailed methodologies in these reference documents were developed to provide complete data transparency and quality assurance and control procedures to ensure data integrity for the city’s annual municipal and community GHG inventories.

Yes it is! In fact, approximately 70% of homes in Fort Collins have radon levels above 4 pCi/L. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that citizens whose homes show a reading of 4 pCi/L and above be fixed. Test your home today! Learn more.

A listing of trained and certified professionals can be found through the Colorado Department of Health and Environment.For morer information, visit our radon section.

Think again! Listen to Lucinda Smith, Air Quality program manager, as she answers questions from Tri-102.FM Mid-Day Host Paul Wozniak about the City's "Breathe Easy" campaign, its partnership with Poudre School District, and what we can all do reduce car idling, improve our air, and save money!

$30,000/year in zero interest loans are available to customers of Fort Collins Utilities for upgrading old wood stoves to pellet, gas, or certified wood or removal (up to $3,000), and for radon mitigation systems (up to $1,500).  Click here for details, or call 970-224-6085.

Check out this blog write-up by Tri-102.5 FM mid-day Host Paul Wozniak based on an interview he conducted with Senior Environmental Planner Lucinda Smith.

Learn how to improve indoor air quality in uour home. Tri 102.5 FM radio personality Paul Wozniak blogs about and interviews Healthy Sustainable Homes Coordinator Mary Pat Aardrup. The first group of Fort Collins volunteers will embark in their training from October 4 through October 20.

Wondering if idling your car really makes a difference to your health, wallet, and the environment? Wonder no more. Check out this "Breathe Easy" video and learn the scoop from experts.

1,525 randomly selected citizens were surveyed during the summer of 2011 about air quality and recycling beliefs and actions. The survey had a 30% response rate. Results generally indicate strong support for environmental programs and show improved awareness/participation in several programs above the 2007 survey results.

Over a decade ago Fort Collins was among the first wave of communities in the nation to commit to reducing local greenhouse emissions. In 2008 City Council updated the community goals and Climate Action Plan.  The second progress report was released in July 2011. Click here to read the report.

Fort Collins' Air Quality Plan provides policy direction and high level implementation strategies to guide Fort Collins' progress towards the goal to “continually improve Fort Collins air quality".

The principles and policies in this document were developed and discussed as part of the extensive year-long Plan Fort Collins process to update City Plan and the Transportation Master Plan.  City Council adopted the air quality policies that are contained within the Air Quality Plan when they approved City Plan and the Transportation Master Plan on February 15, 2011. Click here for more information on City Plan. The rmainder of the Air Quality Plan was updated administratively with input from citizens, Council advisory boards, City staff, and consultants.

2011 Draft Air Quality Plan Comments (PDF) 

Thank you to all who commented on the Draft Air Quality Plan. The 2011 Air Quality Plan has been updated to reflect the comments.

Contact Us/Request a Presentation on the 2011 Fort Collins Air Quality Plan

For questions, additional information, or presentations for your civic group, church or other group contact:

Lucinda Smith
Senior Environmental Planner
970-224-6085

The brown cloud - infamously ugly with the potential to cause health problems. Motor vehicles are the number one contributor to the brown cloud in Fort Collins. We can do something about it by decreasing automotive engine idling and our contribution to the brown cloud. Learn about the "breathe easy" campaign.