Overview
BOULDER - CU-ATHENS is an operational air monitoring station in Boulder, Colorado, managed by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. It contributes to the US EPA Air Quality System network.
BOULDER - CU-ATHENS is an air monitoring station located at 2102 Athens St. in Boulder, Colorado, United States. Operated by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, it is part of the national ambient air quality monitoring network that supports the US EPA's Air Quality System (AQS). The station is currently operational and provides critical data on criteria pollutants and other atmospheric parameters. The station operates under the regulatory framework of the US Clean Air Act, which mandates monitoring of pollutants such as ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and lead. As part of the Colorado monitoring network, it follows EPA siting criteria to ensure representativeness of local air quality. The station's last reported sample date is September 30, 2025, indicating ongoing data collection. Located in Boulder, a city at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, the station monitors air quality influenced by both urban emissions and mountain meteorology. Its data supports public health advisories, regulatory compliance, and research on air pollution transport. The station's role is vital for understanding local air quality trends and informing policy decisions.
Environmental context
Boulder's air quality is influenced by its location in a mountain valley, which can trap pollutants during temperature inversions. The station monitors criteria pollutants and may also measure meteorological parameters to understand dispersion patterns. Its siting is representative of urban background conditions, providing data essential for assessing compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and for studying the impacts of local sources such as traffic and residential heating.
Frequently asked questions
The station is located at 2102 Athens St. in Boulder, Colorado, United States.
As part of the EPA AQS network, the station monitors criteria pollutants including ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and lead, along with meteorological parameters.
The station is operated by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).
Air monitoring stations in the US operate under the Clean Air Act and are part of the EPA's Air Quality System (AQS) network, which sets standards for monitoring methods, siting, and data reporting.
The station provides continuous data used for assessing compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards, issuing air quality alerts, and supporting research on pollution sources and trends in the Boulder area.
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