Denver Is First City To Make Clean-air Comeback

Denver was ranked behind only Los Angeles for poor air quality in 1977. It is now the first city to come all the way back to clean-air status.

1 minute read

September 2, 2001, 7:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"Last week, federal air-quality officials also proposed designating Denver a clean-air city for another pollutant - carbon monoxide. And Gov. Bill Owens' administration is "very confident" the EPA will accept a plan submitted this summer to limit the levels of particulates, the source of Denver's notorious brown cloud. When that happens, Denver - ranked behind only Los Angeles in 1977 for the poor quality of its air - will be the first city in the country to come all the way back to clean-air status... What it does mean is that companies that want to move to Colorado will have an easier time getting air-pollution permits. Transportation projects will not face federal funding restrictions. Consumers will benefit as winter and summer gasoline reformulations will be phased out."

Thanks to Governing News

Friday, August 31, 2001 in The Denver Post

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Hot air balloons rise over Downtown Boise with the State Capitol building visible amidst the high rises.

The Five Most-Changed American Cities

A ranking of population change, home values, and jobs highlights the nation’s most dynamic and most stagnant regions.

April 23, 2025 - GoodMigrations

Close-up of smartphone with Zoox logo and screen with blurred image of Zoox autonomous vehicle in background.

Amazon-Owned Robotaxis to Begin Testing in LA

Los Angeles will become the sixth city where Zoox is testing its autonomous vehicle technology.

1 hour ago - Smart Cities Dive

NYC MTA train on elevated rail with Manhattan skyline visible in background.

New York MTA Says No More Borrowing, Will Cut Costs Instead

The agency says it won’t take out any new loans to finance its planned improvements and is finding other ways to cut costs.

3 hours ago - Bloomberg CityLab

Tree-lined street with large old trees and full parking lane and one-way driving lane in Spain.

Research: More Complex Streets Are Safer

Streets that offer more perceived obstacles and distractions can force drivers to slow down and drive more carefully.

5 hours ago - State Smart Transportation Initiative

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Senior Manager Operations, Urban Planning

New York City School Construction Authority

Building Inspector

Village of Glen Ellyn

Manager of Model Development

Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO