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Larimer County commissioners hear public plea to pursue state air‑quality monitoring grant
Summary
A Fort Collins resident asked Larimer County to apply for Colorado air‑quality enterprise funding to establish continuous monitoring; commissioners said they will review the request, follow up with public health staff and expect updates from CSU and advisory boards.
Ed Behan, a Fort Collins resident speaking for the Larimer Alliance for Health, Safety and the Environment and several local groups, asked the Larimer County Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 21 to ask staff to apply for a Colorado Air Quality Enterprise (AQE) grant to establish continuous, near‑real‑time monitoring in the county.
Behan said current local monitors are “site specific” and do not compile findings in real time, and pointed to the Boulder Air system as an example that posts results within 15 minutes and can support enforcement or grievances. “We urge the Board of County Commissioners to direct our Department of Health and Environment to pursue this grant,” Behan said, handing printed letters and signatures to the clerk.
Why it matters: Commissioners said they take the request seriously but noted additional information and coordination are needed before applying. Jody Shattuck McNally, commissioner and chair pro tem, said the board had received the emails and pledged to “take this back and discuss it.” Commissioner John Kefalas and Chair Kristen Stevens described pending local and regional work that could inform a decision, and highlighted planned updates from Colorado State University this spring.
Commission response and next steps: Commissioner Cavallos said she had forwarded the groups’ email to the county public health director and would seek more information from staff; she said she was reviewing a CSU project summary tied to a $1.375 million grant and noted CSU’s planned summer 2025 work to study ozone precursors. Stevens said the county previously evaluated the Boulder Air system and cited cost as a past barrier, but said available grants could change feasibility and that the county’s Environmental and Science Advisory Board will hear updates in March. Shattuck McNally encouraged the public to follow the Regional Air Quality Commission and said that commission is preparing the state implementation plan for ground‑level ozone.
What was not decided: The board did not vote or formally direct staff to submit an AQE application at the meeting. Commissioners described follow‑up actions: staff and commissioners will gather additional information, coordinate with CSU and the county public health director, and raise the matter at upcoming advisory board and RAC meetings. No application timeline or budget figures for a county AQE application were provided at the meeting.
Context and sources cited at the meeting: Behan referenced federal evaluations of regional air quality and pointed to emissions downwind from Weld County and the Denver‑Julesburg Basin as contributors to ozone precursors; commissioners referenced CSU research, the Regional Air Quality Commission, and the county Environmental and Science Advisory Board as relevant partners for further study.
Ending: Commissioners thanked Behan and the groups that submitted letters, and said the county will follow up with staff and external partners before any formal grant decision.
