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Denver, the capital of Colorado, has faced challenges with air pollution, especially from its power generation units, with the Comanche Generating Station being the largest offender. In 2021, Denver had a US Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 56, which is considered Moderate according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Denver's ranking is worse when it comes to ground-level ozone pollution. While Denver is not the most polluted city in Colorado, it is among the most polluted cities in the US, ranking 6th or 7th in the nation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Air Quality Index (AQI) in 2021 | 56 ("Moderate") |
| Concentration of PM2.5 pollutant in 2021 | 14.6 µg/m³ |
| Population in 2019 | 7.25 million |
| Ranking of most polluted cities in the US | 6th or 7th |
| Ranking of most polluted cities in Colorado | 2nd |
| Main source of air pollution | Power generation units |
| Largest offender | Comanche Generating Station |
| Other contributors | Refining facility north of Denver City; traffic pollution |
| Progress in improving air quality | Slowed significantly in the last two decades |
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What You'll Learn
Denver's air quality in 2021
Denver, the capital of Colorado, is not the most polluted city in the US. In 2019, Silverton was Colorado's most polluted city, followed by Greeley. However, Denver has had its fair share of air quality issues. At the beginning of 2021, Denver had moderate air quality, with a US Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 56, and a PM2.5 pollutant concentration of 14.6 µg/m³. This is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, and it is recommended that residents keep their doors and windows closed to prevent dirty air from entering their homes.
Denver's air pollution is primarily attributed to its power generation units, particularly the Comanche Generating Station, which operates three coal-fired generators. These generators emit over 9 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere annually and are a significant source of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulphur dioxide (SO2). The latter contributes to the formation of ozone (O3), which is associated with adverse health effects, especially for those with respiratory conditions.
Denver's air quality has shown some improvement since the 1980s, when the city was known for its "brown cloud." In 2020, the city mostly achieved the World Health Organization's (WHO) target of 10 µg/m³ or less, with an annual average of 8.7 µg/m³. However, the months of August, September, and October recorded "moderate" levels, with readings between 12.1 and 35.4 µg/m³.
While Denver's air quality is not the worst in the US, it still faces challenges. The city's power generation units and the collective impacts of consumer-level energy use, particularly from personal vehicles, contribute to the pollution levels. Additionally, Denver's air quality can be influenced by dynamic factors such as seasons, weather, and pollution events. Real-time air quality data is available for Denver residents to help them plan ahead and reduce their exposure to polluted air.
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Denver's ranking in Colorado
Denver, the capital of Colorado, is not the most polluted city in the state. In 2019, Silverton was Colorado's most polluted city, followed by Greeley. Denver's air quality has improved since the 1980s when the city was known for its "brown cloud". The city's main source of air pollution is its power generation units, particularly the Comanche Generating Station, which operates three coal-fired generators. Denver's air quality at the beginning of 2021 was "Moderate", with a US Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 56.
Denver is the most populous city in Colorado, with an estimated population of over 7.25 million in 2019. The city is nicknamed the "Mile High" City due to its elevation of 5,280 feet (1,609.344 meters) above sea level. The University of Colorado Denver is ranked as the number one institution in the state for social mobility, and the University of Denver is ranked 121st in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges.
Denver faces challenges with air pollution, particularly from large industrial emitters and consumer-level energy use, such as the transportation sector. The city's annual average PM2.5 concentration in 2020 was 8.7 µg/m³, meeting the World Health Organization's (WHO) target. However, certain months had higher readings, with figures between 12.1 and 35.4 µg/m³.
Denver's environmental concerns extend beyond air pollution. The ten biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in Colorado are coal-fired power plants. The government aims to phase out these sources, with two units at the Comanche site scheduled for retirement by 2025. Additionally, a refining facility near Denver contributes to pollution, releasing almost 15 tons of hydrogen cyanide into the atmosphere annually.
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Denver's ranking in the US
Denver, the capital of Colorado, is not the most polluted city in the US. In fact, in 2019, Silverton was Colorado's most polluted city, followed by Greeley. Denver was ranked as the 6th or 7th most polluted city in the US by different reports. The city's air pollution is mainly caused by its power generation units, with the Comanche Generating Station being the largest offender, emitting over 9 million tons of carbon dioxide annually. Additionally, the transportation sector and the use of personal vehicles significantly contribute to Denver's air pollution.
Denver's air quality has improved since the 1980s when the city was known for its "brown cloud". However, progress has slowed in recent decades, with only minor improvements. According to data from 2020, Denver mostly achieved the World Health Organization's (WHO) target figure of 10 µg/m³ or less for air quality. The annual average was 8.7 µg/m³, while August, September, and October had "Moderate" readings between 12.1 and 35.4 µg/m³. At the beginning of 2021, Denver had a "Moderate" air quality reading of 56 on the US Air Quality Index (AQI).
Denver's ranking in ground-level ozone pollution is worse than its overall pollution ranking. Ozone pollution is linked to increased health risks, including premature births, lower birth weights, asthma attacks, and harm to lung development in children. Climate change exacerbates the formation of ozone pollution and makes it more challenging to improve air quality in affected communities.
To address Denver's air pollution, it is important to target not only large industrial emitters but also consumer-level energy use, particularly in the transportation sector. Phasing out coal-fired power plants and reducing the release of greenhouse gases are crucial steps in improving the city's air quality. Denver's air pollution is dynamic and can vary with seasons, weather conditions, and pollution events. Real-time air quality data is available for Denver, enabling residents to plan ahead and reduce their pollution exposure.
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Sources of Denver's air pollution
Denver, the capital of Colorado, has experienced challenges with air pollution. While it is not the most polluted city in Colorado, Denver's air quality is primarily threatened by ozone pollution. This is formed from precursor pollutants emitted by motor vehicles and the oil and gas industry. The main sources of air pollution in Denver are large industrial emitters and consumer-level energy use, particularly in the transportation sector.
One of the biggest contributors to Denver's air pollution is the Comanche Generating Station, which produces more than 1,400 megawatts of energy from its 3 coal-fired generators. These generators emit over 9 million tons of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides (NOx), and sulphur dioxide (SO2) into the atmosphere each year. Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are the main sources of ozone formation. The Colorado Fuel and Iron Company, a neighbour of the Comanche Generating Station, is the largest producer of airborne lead.
Another major source of pollution is the refining facility just north of Denver City. This facility refines most of the crude oil extracted in Colorado into gasoline and other products. This process releases almost 15 tons of hydrogen cyanide, a highly dangerous pollutant, into the atmosphere annually. The refinery is the state's second-largest stationary source of fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), which consists of microscopic airborne particles that pose significant health risks.
Additionally, the waste disposal site in Arapahoe, despite using a gas-to-energy collection system for methane gas, is the single largest stationary source of fine-particle pollution in Colorado. Wildfires also contribute to Denver's air pollution, as they release fine airborne particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone precursors, which can have far-reaching impacts on air quality.
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Denver's air pollution in the past
Denver, the capital of Colorado, has had issues with air pollution in the past. The city is located in the South Platte River Valley, on the western edge of the Rocky Mountains. Its elevation is exactly one mile above sea level, hence its nickname, the "Mile High" City.
Denver's air quality has improved since the 1980s, when it was known for its "brown cloud". In recent decades, progress has slowed, with only minor improvements. In 2020, Denver mostly met the World Health Organisation's (WHO) target figure of 10 µg/m³ or less, with an annual average of 8.7 µg/m³. However, between August and October, the reading was "Moderate", with figures ranging from 12.1 to 35.4 µg/m³.
Denver's air pollution is largely due to its power generation units, particularly the Comanche Generating Station, which produces over 1,400 megawatts of energy from three coal-fired generators. These emit more than 9 million tons of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and sulphur dioxide, which contribute to ozone pollution. Additionally, Denver's refining facility, located just north of the city, refines most of the crude oil extracted in Colorado. This facility releases almost 15 tons of hydrogen cyanide, a dangerous pollutant, into the atmosphere annually.
Denver's air pollution is also impacted by consumer-level energy use, particularly the transportation sector and the use of personal vehicles. While Denver is not Colorado's most polluted city, Silverton and Greeley, which are known for their meatpacking industry, ranked higher in 2019.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Denver is not the most polluted city in the US. In 2022, it was ranked as the 7th most polluted city in the nation, and in 2021, it had a moderate air quality rating with a US AQI reading of 56.
The main source of air pollution in Denver is its power generation units, specifically the Comanche Generating Station, which runs on coal-fired power.
Air pollution can trigger asthma attacks, harm lung development in children, and increase the risk of lung cancer. It can also cause early death and heart attacks, strokes, and other serious health issues.
Local governments have made it a priority to phase out coal-fired power plants, with two out of three units at the Comanche site scheduled to be shut down by 2025.
Denver is not even the most polluted city in its own state. In 2019, Silverton and Greeley were ranked as more polluted, and Grand Junction was among the country's cleanest cities.
