Photos: 14 Colorado counties' (mostly lousy) ozone pollution grades from worst to best

The American Lung Association's massive State of the Air report for 2014 is out, with the organization grading places all over the country in terms of air pollution, including Colorado. Ozone-pollution figures for fourteen Colorado counties were available, and the ALA's judgments are harsh: Eight of the counties get grades...

By Michael Roberts

May 2, 2014

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "12017618",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17242653",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261320",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261321",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

The American Lung Association's massive State of the Air report for 2014 is out, with the organization grading places all over the country in terms of air pollution, including Colorado.

Ozone-pollution figures for fourteen Colorado counties were available, and the ALA's judgments are harsh: Eight of the counties get grades of "D" or "F," with only two earning an "A." We ranked the photo-illustrated results, using data in other categories as tiebreakers and giving extra credit for providing data even if the scores are iffy. Count them down below.

Number 9: Jefferson County Number 8: Weld County Number 7 (tie): Douglas County Continue to keep counting down the (mostly lousy) ozone pollution grades of nine Colorado counties. Number 7 (tie): Arapahoe County Number 6 (tie): Denver County Number 6 (tie): Boulder County Continue to keep counting down the (mostly lousy) ozone pollution grades of nine Colorado counties. Number 6 (tie): Adams County Number 5 (tie): El Paso County Number 5 (tie): La Plata County Continue to keep counting down the (mostly lousy) ozone pollution grades of nine Colorado counties. Number 4: Rio Blanco County Number 3 (tie): Gunnison County Number 3 (tie): Garfield County Continue to keep counting down the (mostly lousy) ozone pollution grades of nine Colorado counties. Number 2: Pitkin County Number 1: Mesa County

Here's the complete State of the Air 2014 report.

American Lung Association State of the Air 2014 Report

Send your story tips to the author, Michael Roberts.

More from our Environment archive circa April 17: "Photos: Top ten solar cities in the U.S. -- and why Denver's finish isn't good enough."

KEEP WESTWORD FREE... Since we started Westword, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Denver, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.

Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

Contact: Michael Roberts

Follow:

Facebook: 111180895657427

Twitter: @mikerobertscolo