Public Health Education

Air Quality Project

Air quality is an important part of community health in Southwest Colorado. Wildfire smoke, dust, and seasonal conditions can impact the air we breathe—especially for children, older adults, and individuals with heart or lung conditions.

Archuleta County Public Health partners with the Southwest Colorado Air Quality Project to provide real-time, local air quality data and tools to help residents stay informed and take action.

This regional effort expands monitoring across Archuleta, La Plata, and San Juan Counties using advanced sensors that track pollutants like particulate matter and ozone.

PurpleAir Community Checkout Program

Want to understand the air quality around your home, school, or neighborhood? Portable sensors help fill gaps in long-term monitoring and give residents access to localized, real-time information.

Through the Southwest Colorado Air Quality Project, residents can check out portable air quality monitors for short-term use.

With this program, you can:

• Measure air quality in your immediate environment
• Track impacts from wildfire smoke, dust, or indoor sources
• Support community-driven data and awareness
• Use real data to make decisions about your health and activities

Get started or learn more: https://www.swcoair.org/checkoutprogram

Air Quality Index

AQI Basics for Ozone and Particle Pollution
Daily AQI Color	Levels of Concern	Values of Index	Description of Air Quality
Green	Good	0 – 50	Air quality is satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.
Yellow	Moderate	51 – 100	Air quality is acceptable. However, there may be a risk for some people, particularly those who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
Orange	Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups	101 -150	Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is less likely to be affected.
Red	Unhealthy	151 – 200	Some members of the general public may experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.
Purple	Very Unhealthy	201 – 300	Health alert: The risk of health effects is increased for everyone.
Maroon	Hazardous	301 and higher	Health warning of emergency conditions: everyone is more likely to be affected.

What Can You Do?

Protect your health on poor air quality days

When air quality is reduced:

• Limit prolonged outdoor activity
• Keep windows closed and use air filtration if available
• Use recirculation in your vehicle
• Consider wearing a properly fitted mask during smoke events.

Even small actions can reduce exposure and protect your health

Air Quality Awareness & Community Engagement 

Archuleta County continues to support community awareness through initiatives like the Air Quality Flag Program, which helps schools and businesses communicate daily air quality conditions during Air Quality Awareness Week.

If you would like to participate in the Air Quality Flag Program or to schedule a presentation on air quality, please contact Public Health at 970-264-2409.