2026 Air Quality Program Priorities
Published on March 05, 2026
Through partnerships, public outreach, and policy analysis, Weld County’s Air Quality Program is taking proactive steps to address key environmental challenges and help residents stay engaged in ongoing air quality conversations at both the local and state levels.
What We’re Working On
Weld County’s Air Quality Program is focused on:
- Sharing simple, helpful information about air and environmental health.
- Letting residents know when and how they can take part in local and state air quality decisions.
- Promoting discounts and programs, such as those for electric lawn tools.
- Working with scientists, schools, and other governments to identify practical solutions.
- Applying for grants to support future air quality work.
This Year’s Focus: Ozone, Air Toxics, and Nitrogen
Ozone: Regional and local partnerships
Across the Intermountain West, ozone levels are no longer responding as expected to continued reductions in ozone precursors. Weld County is working with air planning agencies in Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and Nevada to better understand what is driving ozone in our region.
We are also working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to explore regulatory relief options available under the Clean Air Act, including international transport and exceptional event demonstrations. In Colorado, Weld County will participate as state and local agencies evaluate control strategies to reduce ozone-forming pollutants. Our goal is to support data-driven decisions and avoid one-size-fits-all solutions.
In addition, we are working closely with the Air Pollution Control Division to publicly share Weld County ozone data in real time.
Air toxics: Assess baseline exposure risk
Weld County’s air quality team plans to collect data to better understand local air toxics risk, evaluate modeled risk estimates and establish a baseline to assess the benefits of any new emission control regulations for air toxics, including benzene and formaldehyde.
We will also continue reviewing annual emissions and monitoring reports for trends that may need further investigation.
Nitrogen: Understand the problem, evaluate solutions
Weld County will continue working with state agencies, researchers, and industry to understand how nitrogen pollution from farms and vehicles affects nature, air quality, and visibility.
Staying Involved
As lawmakers consider new environmental bills this year, Weld County will follow the discussions, share our perspective and let residents know how they can share theirs. The air quality team serves as a technical resource to help local leaders understand how proposed changes could affect the county and support informed decision-making.
By sharing knowledge and working together, we are helping ensure Weld County has a strong voice in shaping cleaner air and healthier communities.