Adams County CoVid-19 Response and Recovery

Adams County Recognizes Air Quality Awareness Week, Focuses on "Working Together for Clean Air"

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Posted on: May 1, 2023

Air Quality Awareness Week (AQAW) is a federal initiative that seeks to share information with the public about protecting and improving air quality. This year's theme is "Working Together for Clean Air." The week runs May 1-5, 2023, and each day has a different topic. The themes include:

  • Monday, May 1 - Wildfires and Smoke
  • Tuesday, May 2 - Asthma and Your Health
  • Wednesday, May 3 - Air Quality and Transportation
  • Thursday, May 4 - Air Quality and Climate
  • Friday, May 5 - Participatory Science

The Denver metro area, including communities throughout Adams County, is experiencing increasingly worse air quality conditions. The Denver Metro-North Front Range does not meet the EPA's standards for ozone, and residents are increasingly being exposed to high concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM). Absent dramatic changes in behavior and policy, we will continue to see worsening air quality conditions across the Front Range due to impacts from climate change, such as increased temperatures, drought events, and the number and severity of wildfires both inside and outside of Colorado.

Both ozone and PM can cause a multitude of health impacts. Ozone impacts include short-term effects such as coughing, scratchy throat, and difficulty breathing. Long-term impacts include lung and airway damage. Ozone can aggravate respiratory diseases such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis. Particulate matter is the most common trigger of asthma attacks.

Like ozone, PM is associated with conditions like chronic bronchitis, asthma, and heart disease and has been linked to increased respiratory and cardiovascular hospital admissions, emergency department visits, and early death. Adams County has a higher age-adjusted asthma emergency department visit rate of 29.67 than the statewide average of 20.1.

To help address these issues, Adams County is receiving EPA funds ($400,000) to support and expand our existing Particulate Matter (PM2.5) sensor network and local government partnerships to increase AQ monitoring, community awareness about AQ, and policy/systems changes to improve public health. 

“The EPA commends Adams County for their leadership in building a strong, community-based air monitoring network,” said EPA Regional Administrator KC Becker. “As we continue to address persistent air quality challenges in Colorado, these types of projects provide critical information on conditions in our neighborhoods. Through Inflation Reduction Act funding, EPA is helping local leaders, health experts, and families secure real-time information about air quality near locations where people gather.” 

The Adams County Health Department is working with a number of partners, including the City of Northglenn, Adams 12 School District, City of Thornton Parks and Rec, Adams County, Anythink Libraries, Arapahoe Libraries, City of Sheridan, and City of Englewood. We would like to thank them for their partnership in this work.

“Northglenn is excited to be working together for clean air with the Adams County Health Department and many other great partners in our region. The ability for our residents to monitor PM2.5 in real-time is a true benefit and can help them make decisions about their health regarding outdoor activities on bad air quality days,” said Becky Smith, Planning Manager for the City of Northglenn. “Residents can also use it as a tool to take steps to reduce their air quality impacts on days when PM2.5 is higher.” 

We urge everyone to take part in AQAW and help spread awareness about air quality. Working together, we can all help ensure clean air for ourselves and future generations.

Pride Logo
Posted on: May 13, 2024

Adams County Pride Returns Saturday, June 8

Adams County Pride is back at Riverdale Regional Park on Saturday, June 8. Take pride in who you are and celebrate love, diversity, and equality at the free, family-friendly festival.

Starting at 11 a.m., featured activities will include roller skating and art exhibits with Rainbow Dome, live music/entertainment, Airbound attractions, volleyball, and a drag show that’s guaranteed to dazzle.

Posted on: May 3, 2024

Check Your Air, Improve Your Health: Phone App Empowers Community During Air Quality Awareness Week

It’s no secret air pollution can cause both long- and short-term health conditions ranging from an itchy throat and shortness of breath to asthma attacks, cardiovascular disease, and mental illness.

That’s why Air Quality Awareness Week (AQAW) is back this year from May 6-10, with a greater focus than ever on empowering communities to find out what’s in the air they’re breathing and take action to better their health.

This year’s theme is “Knowing Your Air” with a different topic for each day of the week:

Posted on: April 19, 2024

Recycling in Adams County is Easier This Earth Day

Residents can celebrate Earth Day by signing up for recycling at their homes, a service now available in all parts of unincorporated Adams County.

In February, the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) unanimously approved an ordinance that requires all trash collection providers operating in unincorporated Adams County to offer curbside recycling services to their residential and commercial customers. The ordinance does not mandate what trash providers can charge for recycling services paid by the resident or business.

Colorado Curated Story - USS Colorado
Posted on: March 27, 2024

Adams County Partners with History Colorado to Develop Colorado Curated Story: USS Colorado

In 2023, when Adams County unveiled the Adams County Veterans Memorial – a replica of the USS Colorado – at Riverdale Regional Park, Adams County residents with ties to the renowned vessel donated items to honor the lives of veterans. Among the objects received by Adams County were letters, photographs, and artifacts that told the story of life aboard the USS Colorado. 

Posted on: March 26, 2024

Colorado Air and Space Port Receives State Grant to Rehabilitate Ramp and Taxiway Areas

Colorado Air and Space Port (CASP) is receiving a $500,000 grant from the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) Aeronautics Division to perform pavement rehabilitation work on some of CASP’s most heavily used taxiways and ramp areas. Adams County is providing $55,555 as the local grant match toward the work with a total project cost of $555,555 in a 90/10 partnership.

On Tuesday, March 26, the Adams County Board of Commissioners (BoCC) applauded the grant in Public Hearing.

Half-Staff Flag
Posted on: March 7, 2024

Governor Polis Orders Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of Eagle County Paramedic Steve Zuckerman

COLORADO - Governor Polis ordered flags to half-staff on Sunday, March 10, 2024, from sunrise to sunset in honor of Steve Zuckerman, an Eagle County paramedic who passed away responding to a backcountry rescue call in Vail on Friday, February 23, 2024. Flags are being lowered in Zuckerman’s honor on the day of his memorial service.

Steve Zuckerman worked as ski patrol for Beaver Creek for over 25 years. He became a part-time paramedic in 2008, before becoming full-time in 2013.