Overview
The Town of Crested Butte Air Monitoring Station in Colorado, USA, is an operational facility managed by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, providing ambient air quality data for the region.
The Town of Crested Butte Air Monitoring Station is an operational air quality monitoring facility located at 603 6th St. in Crested Butte, Colorado, United States. It is part of the broader US EPA Air Quality System (AQS) network, which monitors criteria pollutants and other atmospheric parameters to ensure compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The station is managed by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, a key state agency responsible for environmental monitoring and public health protection. As an air monitoring station, it typically measures pollutants such as ozone, particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide, though specific parameters are not detailed. The station operates under the regulatory framework of the Clean Air Act and contributes to the national network of over 4,000 monitoring sites. Its location in a mountain town provides valuable data on background air quality and potential impacts from local sources like winter tourism and wood burning. The station plays a critical role in protecting public health and the environment in the Gunnison Valley. Data from this site helps inform local air quality forecasts, support research on high-altitude atmospheric chemistry, and guide policy decisions. By maintaining continuous monitoring, the facility ensures that residents and visitors have access to reliable air quality information, supporting a healthy community and sustainable tourism.
Environmental context
Crested Butte is a high-altitude town in the Rocky Mountains, with an elevation of over 8,900 feet. The local air quality is influenced by winter inversions, wildfire smoke, and emissions from vehicles and residential wood burning. Monitoring at this station helps track ozone and particulate levels, which are critical for understanding regional air quality trends and protecting sensitive populations. The site's representativeness is important for assessing background conditions and transboundary pollution transport.
Frequently asked questions
The station is located at 603 6th St. in Crested Butte, Colorado, United States, in Gunnison County.
As an air monitoring station, it typically measures criteria pollutants such as ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide, in accordance with EPA standards.
The station is operated by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), which manages air quality monitoring across the state.
Air monitoring in the US is governed by the Clean Air Act and implemented through the EPA's Air Quality System (AQS) network, which sets National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for criteria pollutants.
Crested Butte's high altitude and mountain geography make it sensitive to winter inversions and wildfire smoke. Monitoring provides data to protect public health and support local air quality management.
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