

3. Air Quality (weight: 10%)
How is Routt County protecting the human health and visual resources
of its community?
Basis: in Colorado communities, road dust, street sanding, wood, and fossil fuel
burning constitute most sources of particulates. The environmental effects of
particulates range from visibility degradation to vegetation damage and health issues.
Trending the change in particulates is a characteristic element that can help track the
risk of negative effects on health and vegetation relative to the air quality.
NOTE: According to the National Ambient Air Quality Standard, the air quality in all
Colorado mountain towns is likely to either meet or significantly exceed the national
standard, however the air quality in communities should continue to be monitored.
Changes in PM10 Air Particulates are used for this comparative chart. Routt County has
relatively high increase over the past year relative to the Core Counties., however air
quality in Routt County is still excellent.