PRESS RELEASE

City of Aspen Releases 2022 Air Quality Report

Air quality better in 2022 than 2021

Aspen, Colorado – May 8, 2023 – According to the recently released 2022 Aspen Air Quality Report, there were 17 more days of good air quality in 2022 compared to 2021.

Aspen has good air most of the year due to air quality protection efforts taken by the City of Aspen and its partners. However, special circumstances and events, like wildfires, impact Aspen’s healthy air quality days.  

“Most of Aspen’s moderate or unhealthy air quality days occur in the spring and summer months due to elevated levels of ozone and particulate matter, respectively,” said Natalie Tsevdos, the City’s environmental health administrator. “We saw more days of good air quality in 2022 due to fewer impacts from wildfire smoke.”

The release of the 2022 Air Quality Report comes on the heels of national Air Quality Awareness Week. Throughout the week of May 1-5, 2023, communities throughout the United States amplified their air quality messaging with a strong focus of, “Working Together for Cleaner Air.” The theme for this year encourages people to take action and incorporate air quality knowledge into their daily living.

“There are several ways for locals to take action when it comes to air quality,” Tsevdos said. “Using public transportation, walking, or biking instead of driving, planting trees, avoiding burning wood, and refraining from idling reduce air pollutants. Preparing for wildfire smoke by signing up for Pitkin alerts and buying a portable air cleaner are other ways the community can stay informed and ready for air quality events.”

The City of Aspen and Pitkin County partner to provide wildfire smoke preparedness information and updates about air quality events in Pitkin County. Sign up for Pitkin Alerts to be notified of an air quality event at PitkinEmergency.org.

In addition, the City’s air quality webpage, AspenAirQuality.com, is updated hourly with current air quality levels using the EPA’s health-based Air Quality Index and is a helpful resource during air quality events. For more information and to download the City of Aspen 2022 Air Quality Report visit AspenAirQuality.com.  

Contacts: 

Natalie Tsevdos, Environmental Health Administrator, City of Aspen, 1-970-920-5075, natalie.tsevdos@aspen.gov. 

Carolyn Sackariason, Communications Coordinator, City of Aspen, 1-970-319-2791. carolyn.sackariason@aspen.gov. 

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