On clear days, Colorado’s northern Front Range reveals the stunning Longs Peak, one of the state’s tallest mountains. However, on hazy days, this beauty can vanish behind a veil of smog. Often, this haze comes from ground-level ozone, a gas that is harmful not just to our breathtaking views but also to our health and environment.
That ozone stems from car emissions, industrial activity, and specific weather conditions. These factors combine with coal burning to create air pollution that can irritate lungs and disrupt local ecosystems.
In 2022, Colorado aimed to tackle these air quality issues by updating its Regional Haze Plan. This plan, submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), proposed measures to reduce emissions, including the closure of coal-fired power plants. However, the EPA rejected this proposal, arguing that some coal plants must remain operational to maintain electric grid reliability.
The rejection has left many conservationists disappointed. Tracy Coppola from the National Parks Conservation Association highlighted how crucial the regional haze program is for protecting national parks. “This is a major setback for our public lands and for health,” she emphasized.
Air quality regulations were initially designed to improve conditions in national parks. Historically, these rules have helped limit pollution from coal-fired plants. However, the EPA now believes Colorado doesn’t need to exceed basic pollution thresholds to comply with the Clean Air Act. According to the EPA’s Cyrus Western, Colorado just needs to meet the bare minimum to ensure residents have clean air to breathe.
Most of Colorado’s coal plants are situated near national forests and parks, and they contribute significantly to both carbon emissions and local air pollution. Sadly, Colorado’s Front Range has struggled to meet federal air quality standards for much of the 21st century.
Outdoor recreation is central to the lives of many Coloradans, with around 92% participating in outdoor activities annually, according to the state’s Outdoor Recreation Industry Office. Rocky Mountain National Park alone drew over 4.1 million visitors in 2024, ranking as one of the most popular national parks in the U.S.
Yet, visitors may not realize that the air quality in these stunning locations isn’t always optimal. The pollution limits visibility across about 85% of the park, making it one of the haziest parks in the nation.
The pressure for maintaining coal plants is growing, with recent announcements aiming to extend the life of the Ray Nixon plant in Colorado Springs beyond its planned closure in 2029. This trend has caused concern among environmental advocates, who worry that delaying the shift to renewable energy holds back progress in the fight against climate change.
As Ean Tafoya from GreenLatinos pointed out, low-income communities often bear the brunt of air pollution from nearby coal plants. “It’s about breathing clean air where you live and play,” he said, emphasizing the call for social justice in environmental issues.
Monitoring air quality has also faced challenges, with many sites expected to miss data collection due to operational issues. This lack of comprehensive data hampers effective tracking of air quality and pollution trends.
Historically, coal plants like the Craig plant, labeled a major contributor to regional haze, have been granted extensions to remain operational, even when slated for closure. This has raised concerns about the broader implications for public health and climate goals.
As coal struggles to compete with renewable energy—renewables recently generated more electricity than coal globally for the first time—advocates warn that clinging to coal can hurt local communities trying to adapt to a changing economic landscape.
With clean air essential for a healthy environment, the pressure mounts on local and federal leaders to prioritize sustainable energy solutions. While debates continue, the connectedness of communities with their natural surroundings remains vital. As GreenLatinos prepares for a day of service on public lands, the message is clear: our relationship with the earth is integral, not just for enjoyment, but for our future.
The government has stated it will impose a federal air quality plan if Colorado fails to produce a new one within the next two years.
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air pollution,air quality,Center for Western Priorities,Coal,coal plant,coal plants,Colorado,Colorado Regional Haze Plan,Environmental Protection Agency,EPA,Trump Administration
