Every day, people across Colorado breathe in toxic air — at home, at work and school. And while many of us expect the air to be clean, the truth is that too many communities live near highways, factories and oil and gas sites where the air is far from safe.

For decades,  communities have carried the heaviest burden of pollution. Now, Colorado has a chance to set stronger rules that protect people from toxic air through a new rulemaking that could finally put public health first.

What is this rulemaking about? 

The Air Quality Control Commission is working on Regulation 30, a new set of rules that could better protect our health. This process — called a “rulemaking” — is focused on setting health-based standards for five of the most dangerous toxic air contaminants in Colorado. These contaminants, known as the Five Priority Air Toxics, can cause cancer, heart and lung disease and other serious health problems — even at low levels. You need to know what those toxins are — especially if you or someone you love lives near oil and gas sites, plastic or rubber manufacturers or busy highways. These are the pollutants many Colorado communities are breathing every day:

• Benzene: Found in gas and oil. Linked to leukemia and respiratory irritation
• Ethylene Oxide: Used to sterilize equipment. Linked to cancer and breathing problems
• Hexavalent Chromium: Released from industrial processes like metal production, chemical manufacturing and burning coal or oil. Linked to lung cancer and breathing problems
• Formaldehyde (rotten egg smell): Found in factories that make pressed wood products and wallpaper and paint products. Linked to cancer, asthma and throat and skin irritation
• Hydrogen Sulfide: Released from oil drilling and wastewater plants. Linked to headaches, nausea and eye irritation

Why this rulemaking matters 

Can you believe that Colorado currently doesn’t have strong, health-based limits on how much of these toxic chemicals pollute the air?

That’s a big problem — especially for communities already facing higher risks because of where they live. And it’s not just a distant issue: Colorado’s air quality gets worse every year. The “brown cloud” often hides our mountains, reminding us just how urgent this is.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. Stronger rules can mean cleaner air, fewer health problems,  fewer missed school days, lower medical costs and a better quality of life for all Coloradans.

You need to know this: When the air is polluted, the risks are real:

• Kids can develop asthma
• Older adults face higher risks of heart and lung disease
• Pregnant people may experience complications
• Families worry about cancer and other serious health problems

Speak Up — Share your story to protect our communities

Have you or someone you love experienced asthma, heart or lung issues, pregnancy complications or smelled strong fumes near your home? This rulemaking impacts you and your family  and now is your chance to speak up. You don’t need to be an expert,  your story matters.

Deadline: Submit your comment to the Air Quality Control Commission by Sept. 2 at 5 p.m.

What to share:
Tell the members of the Air Quality Control Commission how air pollution has affected you and why we need strong, health-based standards on Regulation 30 to limit toxic air contaminants and protect our communities. 

As we reflect on the 2025 legislative session, we’re filled with gratitude.

Your dedication, from contacting legislators to testifying at hearings to supporting Conservation Colorado financially, has been instrumental in securing crucial victories for Colorado’s climate and communities. Your advocacy made a real difference. Here are just a few of the highlights you helped make possible:

  CLIMATE & CLEAN AIR

Tackled the nation’s top source of pollution: transportation
We drove and passed two new policies that expand clean transportation options, reduce traffic and improve transit access and reliability. These changes will help clean up our air and make it easier for people across the state to get to work, school and essential services.

Bringing renewable energy closer to home
Supported a new law that will make it easier to install power lines along Colorado’s highways, allowing more homes and businesses to be powered by clean energy like wind and solar, without harming wildlife habitat.

Defended clean electricity from corporate giveaways
We successfully blocked a bill that would have given tax breaks to energy- and water-intensive tech companies without requiring environmental safeguards. This effort protected Colorado’s clean electricity leadership and ensured our resources remain focused on real climate solutions.

  ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

Expanded access to the outdoors
We helped secure funding for the Outdoor Equity Grant Program, which helps historically excluded communities access parks, trails and nature. This is a critical investment in community health, both mental and physical, and an important step toward ensuring everyone can benefit from Colorado’s natural beauty.

  LANDS & WATER

Protected wildlife and outdoor recreation
The Colorado Wildlife Habitat Program was permanently reauthorized. Since its creation, the program has protected 35,000 acres of wildlife habitat and opened 156,000 acres for activities like hunting, fishing and wildlife viewing.

Invested in water quality and drought resilience
We secured important water quality improvements to address damage from historic mining, along with increased funding to tackle the growing threat of drought across the state.