[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6133703,"mediaKeyId","5698756-3abbddfe8db476854e224ef51a42671f","parentId",5698756,"title","RAC unveils draft control strategy blueprint; board and stakeholders press for clarity, outreach","audioSeconds",576,"startMs",1933000,"endMs",2509000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5698756-3abbddfe8db476854e224ef51a42671f&start=1933&end=2509","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5698756-3abbddfe8db476854e224ef51a42671f/thumbnail_1933000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6133703/Colorado/RAC-unveils-draft-control-strategy-blueprint-board-and-stakeholders-press-for-clarity-outreach","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6133703-81fd10716a950fa4a98a464226a52c77/orig.mp4?Expires=1770616632&Signature=J4TloXLJwBJwz1sxq9GICsU9lY~J2TSx980IeSugKD5L6HVUHj9ZO-yQ0uop6RNaXUWWkCzeWr904axvSZ4glj9DvrEvw9l0~IvBavC5f8eoyBW9I9dtwHsaXTi9uE-7DOtCqxYBRa9Ll55bo4VxAK8Q6sFU~ads6IBwS9oprqcfw7rARihk5oxYGZCl~zf1lWf84xc8YkFi8VEjPlNgJiK52cllF2Y2eCip6corIvjR-mboLrRQ4fZfBrBVsaTGCyKCxdyktx94rmCiRPyM6ORSS6xbyxPMO76XpE~wT5egzrHlzQg4RxMg5biCgO6E8qdaOig2bY9N2XIDTQqBBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Colorado Governor's Boards and Commissions","date","2025-08-01T00:00:00Z","article","Regional Air Quality Council staff presented a draft Control Strategy Blueprint that lays out a suite of policy recommendations and a phased approach to reducing ozone precursor emissions ahead of voluntary reclassification and future State Implementation Plan (SIP) modeling.

‘‘Blueprint is still in a very draft form,’’ Kira, RAC planning staff, told the board, explaining the document provides context on ozone causes, projected futures and a menu of potential control strategies grouped by feasibility and timing. The slide presentation referenced an earlier RAC blueprint example from 1999 and described the new blueprint as a strategic framework and a ‘‘game plan’’ for developing, evaluating and prioritizing strategies over the next several years.

What’s in the draft: staff said the blueprint will include data and trend analysis, descriptions of emissions sources, a list of control strategies (approximately 17 in the current draft), a set of short one‑page ‘‘strategy overviews’’ with evaluation metrics (cost, feasibility, enforceability and equity impacts), and a three‑bucket structure. The buckets are: 1) ‘‘off‑the‑shelf’’ emission reductions that could be implemented quickly (possible implementation by 2027); 2) strategies that need further development or stakeholder work but could roll out in the near term; and 3) adopted rules and longer‑term ideas that may require additional development.

Timeline and modeling: staff said they expect a fuller draft in September and a final board version in October, with a plan to present the board‑endorsed blueprint to the Air Quality Control Commission in mid‑November to inform its planning. Staff cautioned that full quantitative modeling of the blueprint strategies cannot be completed until the modeling corrections described earlier are finished; they expect emissions‑reduction estimates for strategies before modeling but do not expect final modeled attainment runs until after the corrections.

Stakeholder engagement and outreach concerns: board members and staff extensively discussed outreach strategy and how to engage industry and facility operators early. Several board members urged clearer definitions of ‘‘indirect sources’’ (examples discussed included warehouses, entertainment venues, airports and universities) and said materials need more plain‑language descriptions and concept papers so regulated parties understand whether they will be affected.

Board members emphasized that some industry participants do not engage until proposals are concrete and urged RAC staff to do targeted outreach, develop stakeholder personas and supply clearer documentation of anticipated implementation responsibilities and resource needs for potential strategies. Staff said they had used RAC mailing lists, MPO stakeholder lists and CDOT networks to invite participation and planned additional materials and one‑pagers in advance of the next workshop (Aug. 18 in Fort Collins).

What endorsement would mean: several board members asked whether endorsement would be a near‑term commitment to any one regulatory pathway. Staff and multiple board members agreed that an endorsement would be a ‘‘green light’’ to continue fleshing out and prioritizing a set of strategies and to pursue the engagement and analytical work needed to prepare specific proposals for decision makers. Board members said they expect follow‑up, strategy‑by‑strategy evaluation and additional opportunities to weigh in before any rule is advanced to AQCC or other authorities.

Next steps and public comment: staff invited written comments on the blueprint by Aug. 25 and said additional workshops and an indirect‑sources work group meeting are scheduled. Board members asked RAC staff to secure clearer statements from implementing agencies (for example CDOT or the Air Pollution Control Division) about their capacity or willingness to implement particular strategies, and to surface fiscal or resource constraints where relevant.

Ending: staff said they will add one‑page strategy summaries, clarify facility definitions, continue outreach and return with a fuller draft at the September board meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","RAQC Board Meeting | August 1, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","RAC staff presented a draft control strategy 'blueprint' that catalogs potential policy options to reduce ozone precursor emissions. The board discussed a three‑bucket approach, a timeline for stakeholder workshops and modeling, and concerns about industry engagement, clarity on 'indirect sources' and what board endorsement would mean.","taxTitle"," Regional Air Quality Council, Governor's Boards and Commissions, Organizations, Executive, Colorado","taxId",27703,"location","Colorado","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6133707,"RAC staff found modeling error; November Air Quality Control Commission hearing for SIP rulemaking still on track",446,1397000,1843000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5698756-3abbddfe8db476854e224ef51a42671f&start=1397&end=1843","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5698756-3abbddfe8db476854e224ef51a42671f/thumbnail_1397000.jpg","/articles/6133707/Colorado/RAC-staff-found-modeling-error-November-Air-Quality-Control-Commission-hearing-for-SIP-rulemaking-still-on-track","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6133707-b33ec7f38051a0da980bd6b92b735eed/orig.mp4?Expires=1770616632&Signature=HA1mdEPGeA~IpsitZ7QgaW5mjDnT56zrbJWy2hY44NCnKF5tT8AzhdTlMiJLY5pNiMZLbdbdY38h42tbrPUfmJDZvCNYqDHJW4jf4mhRBb3KRZsRihf5YXL6WM9Vxj4zTEbl5ugq20ixgjMJpH-BhP2OtvWwgwXvQrtTCig7d6TRt8naMNNw8bWnWSLSxiQMvoWo1Nzwoc~7sDHAePZ69r~XBQEk-4fQzC8edjrIpo6RUyxXVWT-dhVEIXzC48OI90NF2Z8--03y6rfMMDeQZP~KFS3I7mKaFPI0xFtCxidmeEwwHdpK9JhekbMaWZh1BlDn6-N~yMEiFGEza3T8rg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Regional Air Quality Council planning staff told the board that a technical error was identified in modeling inputs used to evaluate control strategies and that staff have paused public presentations tied to the modeling while contractors correct the processing differences with EPA‑provided meteorological/model ready data.

Kira, RAC planning staff, said the issue relates to how EPA’s 36‑ and 12‑kilometer domain data were processed for mobile‑source model inputs. She said RAC staff do not believe the error affects Colorado’s emissions inventory that underlies the SIP the board endorsed in June, and that the commission’s November rulemaking hearing remains scheduled. ‘‘We do not believe it impacts the SIP you all considered a few months back and endorsed for consideration by the Air Quality Control Commission,’’ Kira said.

Why it matters: the SIT (State Implementation Plan) and related modeling support rulemaking at the Air Quality Control Commission. Staff said they will work with the contractor to correct the modeling, reissue updated results and reconvene workshops before releasing final strategy modeling results to avoid public confusion from multiple conflicting model outputs.

Staff described the QA process that found the discrepancy and said the contractor is correcting the work at no additional cost to RAC. Staff emphasized the importance of accurate modeling inputs and noted that if further impacts are found, there are procedural opportunities (for example prehearing statements) to incorporate updates before the commission hears rulemaking in November.

Ending: Staff said they expect to reconvene a conference to present corrected modeling in a few months and that the November AQCC hearing remains the important near‑term milestone for the SIP rulemaking calendar.","RAC planning staff described a modeling error in preparation materials used for control‑strategy analysis, said the error does not appear to affect the region’s emissions inventory or the SIP the board approved in June, and noted a November Air Quality Control Commission rulemaking hearing to consider SIP‑related rules.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6133712,"RAC: 2025 ozone season calmer so far; monitoring below 75 ppb at all sites",101,1196000,1297000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5698756-3abbddfe8db476854e224ef51a42671f&start=1196&end=1297","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5698756-3abbddfe8db476854e224ef51a42671f/thumbnail_1196000.jpg","/articles/6133712/Colorado/RAC-2025-ozone-season-calmer-so-far-monitoring-below-75-ppb-at-all-sites","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6133712-8bdf40950acd65bb507542336cfe5411/orig.mp4?Expires=1770616632&Signature=maC0dSa26Oi5sMSLsq-E1Qe-WU389mA5KHKfrd~fs8yDhK9HFe8bSPIPHOf678yVVUAqJ2LaNsb1no47QiTbBhq5p~WGZvQbLUF5Z88zBlyHYJkRxwzAhb2p2BBhoj6EcQI7gFDop-38nInPHVZR-nH95tRmXYMoVoHeR8L37ob5CUxLyfZIy6pzO2CKzc3G06hcnvQgrh~5Ceqd-KIb4XXvdEuxBRbb3hDvTctQ8xKN5I~t0RJm7YPOiVmUhN80Mx6NyN2mI1p-RP7HM~qWhdNDCw4yCNSNHKjb8hOUIZC~hBx4-xhT2cSyHrW1Br9uie9Ssmh6MKskNMXS20c3uA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","RAC monitoring staff told the council that the 2025 peak ozone season has been relatively calm so far, with hourly readings and rolling averages showing values below the 2008 ozone standard of 75 parts per billion at monitors across the region.

‘‘Our highest forecast is currently 73 at Evergreen and 72 at Chatfield, Fort Collins West, and Rocky Flats North,’’ said Joe, RAC monitoring staff. He listed other high readings in the low 70s and noted the season has been less smoky than some recent years; staff said no days so far had been flagged for significant smoke impacts by the new smoke‑impact assessment tool.

Why it matters: ozone levels determine attainment planning steps and inform voluntary and regulatory strategies. Staff reminded the board that August and parts of September remain part of the ozone season and that favorable meteorology this summer likely reduced ozone buildup.

Kira, RAC planning staff, added context: while continued emission‑reduction programs probably helped, favorable turbulent atmospheric conditions this summer are an important factor in lower ozone formation. ‘‘We're not out of the woods yet,’’ she said, noting August can still produce peak ozone days and the council will continue to monitor and post weekly summaries on the RAC website.

Staff urged continued vigilance and said weekly summaries and historical data are posted online for public review.","RAC staff reported that, to date, monitors across the region have stayed below the 2008 ozone standard of 75 parts per billion and that smoke impacts have been low this summer; staff cautioned there is a month left in peak season.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6133717,"RAC describes ‘Simple Steps, Better Air’ summer ad campaign and outreach push",148,756000,904000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5698756-3abbddfe8db476854e224ef51a42671f&start=756&end=904","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5698756-3abbddfe8db476854e224ef51a42671f/thumbnail_756000.jpg","/articles/6133717/Colorado/RAC-describes-Simple-Steps-Better-Air-summer-ad-campaign-and-outreach-push","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6133717-1a586d5612dde7b305498e7ae0fba78c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770616632&Signature=nM-jpWGLXV1~2~9xdVRF1h4wGOiedxe39k0qoCspO9PMWXFr~tneePXpIT81TNELxCsZcfw97zLAgM4--hgJ7jC3oKhEsPNeZ-lj~7Ab9XyRiXqimG~7jIMcWL-NUCVnlyw8aKJeOzMYxG-UjEMjcbqXw61uoObJwHtJ1QFA-qmb9NKz12X8EXMxSgWbvYEqcr4MMoZuyU8mAboCKLjtq6pZglQ~yNEtPPef0DvtKZDxFir~lixHUmMSwRwFO8-RgHd~Elv~-xOr2hxCwFq3AVPcEuSGUFrPXGhX4KBbq~obZCeU9eozq4-1cKcj4h40mOkC8mTNsL22VvEJZZc8Iw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Regional Air Quality Council communications staff gave the board a mid‑season snapshot of the council’s ‘‘Simple Steps, Better Air’’ media buy and in‑person outreach, highlighting transit ads, TV placements, bilingual print and community events.

Communications staff said the campaign includes advertising on regional buses, light‑rail kiosks, bus shelters, major TV stations and streaming platforms, plus a data‑page takeover and sponsored online content. Staff noted paid native‑style “sponsored content” placements this year with 5280 magazine and The Denver Post. ‘‘We are also advertising on some bus shelters this year, which apparently we did in years past, and we're bringing some of those back,’’ the staff member said.

Why it matters: the media buy supports the council’s ozone‑season outreach and incentivizes signups for ozone alerts and participation in replacement programs such as the mower exchange. Staff said the campaign also includes giveaways with Ace Hardware to encourage people to switch to electric lawn and garden equipment.

Staff reported an expanded in‑person events calendar: about 10 events over 17 days so far this summer, including bike‑to‑work day and festival outreach across the Front Range, and noted an outreach push into northern counties. Staff thanked new team members and board members who participated in events; the presentation included bilingual print examples and a screenshot of a TV weather segment on ground‑level ozone that staff said helped spread the campaign message.

Staff asked board members to help share nomination links for the Clean Air Champions awards and to encourage local partners to help extend campaign reach into northern counties in 2026.","RAC communications staff reviewed the summer advertising and outreach push — transit ads, TV, bilingual print, sponsored content and 17 days of in‑person events — aimed at ozone awareness and to boost program participation.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6133721,"RAC reports program growth, new e‑bike libraries and $1.5 million nonattainment grant",670,467000,1137000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5698756-3abbddfe8db476854e224ef51a42671f&start=467&end=1137","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5698756-3abbddfe8db476854e224ef51a42671f/thumbnail_467000.jpg","/articles/6133721/Colorado/RAC-reports-program-growth-new-ebike-libraries-and-15-million-nonattainment-grant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6133721-f378829e602a08b97732bd04795eee8b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770616632&Signature=cwKhgR9aKgX1sz~RfFKYZxGkp9M65syzCpbUCtCgGCDdrkZMI6B55ISF4BkRg270PLl~SLE3rhTp-z7cfV8jIhysb3IMG4ti28jwW6Q7k~IahhesJ1cwrLHvE8drbbbaTJ2JVug4aaBr8N5JjTvQp-THjVsT7XEApdqbWwhuv~RokvBOst01nfm8FNIf9xmYzPM8zIej65GAMF5efYYuXEkw5ewGZDfIsfCNME4syWKMFTZjSOe7Nx~F3ipiwCmz9eWntMpLqdstW4hB8~QmlNSpmub~BycvMvV3ko76uwyj7f8OIuiDB08~~BHNlsluB5jfndQ9m6GasBnlfn1i~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Regional Air Quality Council staff on Monday gave the board a progress report on multiple outreach and incentive programs and said the council will receive a $1.5 million award from the Non‑Attainment Area Air Pollution Mitigation Enterprise (NAAPME) to expand those efforts.

The update covered new and ongoing programs that aim to reduce mobile‑source emissions. ‘‘We’re hoping to have some bikes hit the road in August,’’ said Kelsey, programs team staff, describing plans to launch two e‑bike libraries in partnership with West Metro Housing and the Denver Housing Authority and to pursue future sites in Adams County and Fort Collins.

Why it matters: the programs are intended to reduce regional emissions by replacing polluting equipment and supporting low‑emission alternatives for small businesses and residents. The NAAPME award was presented as timely support while other agencies face budget constraints and staffing reductions.

Board members heard compact summaries of several program areas. The mower exchange program has held events in Adams County, Commerce City, Northglenn, Thornton and Federal Heights; staff said the program distributed 227 electric mower vouchers and recycled 227 gas mowers. Staff reported funding for 34 landscaping companies this year, and said roughly $120,000 of private support came from Ace Hardware and related partners, while landscaping companies contributed about $379,000 in additional funds. Staff summarized those figures as ‘‘a little over half a million dollars worth of equipment out this year.’’

The council’s ‘‘Engines Off’’ and microgrant work — intended to help mobile businesses such as food trucks retrofit to lower‑emission equipment — has provided more than $500,000 in grants across about 45 projects, staff said. Staff also said they recycled more than 64 gas generators and reported nearly $200,000 in private matching funds for that work.

Clean Air Auto Repair, the council’s program to fix emissions‑related vehicle problems, repaired more than 80 cars so far this year with more than $300,000 invested, staff said. Common repairs included catalytic converters and oxygen sensors; staff noted gas cap faults were a frequent cause of emissions problems.

Board members and staff thanked the programs team for summer outreach and asked staff to share nomination links for the council’s Clean Air Champions awards ceremony, scheduled for Sept. 16 at the Denver Performing Arts Center. Kelsey said invitations and a nomination link would be circulated to board members.

Action and funding context: staff told the board that the NAAPME (a CDOT‑administered nonattainment mitigation enterprise) selected RAC’s application earlier this year and approved a $1,500,000 award to support RAC programs. Staff framed the award as enabling expansion of programs beyond the Denver metro area into other nonattainment counties beginning in 2026.

Staff said they will continue fundraising and seek partners to scale the programs and bring lessons learned to new jurisdictions. Board members encouraged continued outreach and cross‑agency coordination to ensure implementing partners and affected businesses are aware of opportunities.

Ending: Staff asked board members to forward nominations for Clean Air Champions and said more program details and outreach materials would be circulated ahead of the fall event.","Regional Air Quality Council staff briefed the board on expanded programs — e‑bike libraries, a mower exchange, microgrants for food trucks, auto repair subsidies and a Clean Air Champions event — and noted a $1.5 million Non‑Attainment Area Air Pollution Mitigation Enterprise award to scale programs regionwide.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

RAC unveils draft control strategy blueprint; board and stakeholders press for clarity, outreach

RAC staff found modeling error; November Air Quality Control Commission hearing for SIP rulemaking still on track

RAC: 2025 ozone season calmer so far; monitoring below 75 ppb at all sites

RAC describes ‘Simple Steps, Better Air’ summer ad campaign and outreach push

RAC reports program growth, new e‑bike libraries and $1.5 million nonattainment grant