REMOTE (April 29, 2022): The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is teaming up with the Colorado Rapids to get the ball rolling toward a goal of promoting environmental awareness.
On Saturday, April 30, CDPHE’S Air Pollution Control Division will have a tent set up at the Colorado Rapids vs. Portland Timbers match to help celebrate Clean Colorado Night at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park. CDPHE will have information and a sign-up sheet to receive air quality alerts, but Coloradans can always subscribe on our website. Thousands of Coloradans subscribe to our three air quality alert lists. Two of the email lists provide subscribers with daily forecasts in certain areas. The third list notifies Coloradans state-wide when there are health advisories. The state-wide option is available in both English and Spanish.
CDPHE is also using the event to kick off Air Quality Awareness Week 2022, which the Environmental Protection Agency has designated as May 2 - 6. This year’s theme is “Be Air Aware and Prepared!” During that week, CDPHE and its partners will engage in social media outreach aimed at increasing air quality education and encouraging Coloradans to incorporate the Air Quality Index in their daily lives.
Each day of Air Quality Awareness Week will highlight an important topic:
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May 2 – Wildfires and Smoke
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May 3 – Asthma and Your Health
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May 4 – Science and Sensors
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May 5 – Environmental Justice and Air Quality
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May 6 – Air Quality Around the World
“It’s especially important to be aware of your local air quality this time of year because both the summer ozone pollution and wildfire seasons are coming up fast,” said Michael Ogletree, director of the Air Pollution Control Division. “Kids, older Coloradans, and people with lung diseases are at a higher risk on days with lower air quality, but they should still have the opportunity to enjoy our beautiful state. That’s why we encourage all Coloradans to subscribe for air quality alerts so they can breathe easy when making plans to get outside this summer.”
The Colorado Rapids encourage local fans to take advantage of the Burgundy Bike Lot on Clean Colorado Night to further cut down greenhouse gas emission levels. The bike lot is free for guests on game days.
Follow CDPHE and the Air Pollution Control Division on social media for updates on Air Quality Awareness Week. We’ll be using the hashtag #AQAW2022. More educational resources are also available at Colorado.gov./airquality and airnow.gov.
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