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Fort Collins air quality.

Regional air-quality reports for Fort Collins, with times and source links.

AIRNOW · FORT COLLINS REPORTING AREA (REGIONAL OBSERVATION)

Air quality right now

Checking the latest report…

Regional observations from AirNow and the linked official reporting source. This is an area report, not a monitor on your street.

    Official AQI report and health guidance ↗
    What about pollen?

    Check a local allergy forecast for pollen levels. Air quality and pollen measure different things.

    Fort Collins air quality in 2024

    Days with good air

    43%

    156 of 366 days

    Median AQI

    54

    Moderate

    Unhealthy-for-sensitive days or worse

    23

    Main pollutant

    Ozone

    300 days

    Worst reading

    AQI 161

    Unhealthy

    • Good: 156 days
    • Moderate: 187 days
    • Unhealthy for sensitive groups: 21 days
    • Unhealthy: 2 days

    Air quality by month

    Average daily AQI for each month, 2022–2024. November is usually the cleanest month and July the worst.

    51Jan60% good
    50Feb68% good
    51Mar58% good
    60Apr37% good
    64May23% good
    67Jun26% good
    77Jul19% good
    71Aug18% good
    61Sep38% good
    49Oct65% good
    47Nov68% good
    48Dec77% good

    Ten-year trend

    201517 daysmedian 51
    20168 daysmedian 51
    201713 daysmedian 52
    201828 daysmedian 53
    20196 daysmedian 50
    202022 daysmedian 49
    202150 daysmedian 54
    202210 daysmedian 51
    20235 daysmedian 51
    202423 daysmedian 54

    Bars show days each year at “unhealthy for sensitive groups” (AQI above 100) or worse.

    Worst air days, 2022–2024

    1. 161July 23, 2024 · Unhealthy · ozone (smog)
    2. 159July 24, 2024 · Unhealthy · ozone (smog)
    3. 156August 17, 2023 · Unhealthy · ozone (smog)
    4. 150July 25, 2024 · Unhealthy for sensitive groups · ozone (smog)
    5. 147August 1, 2024 · Unhealthy for sensitive groups · ozone (smog)

    Reading the AQI

    Ozone forms on hot, sunny afternoons, so it peaks in summer; plan runs and outdoor play for the morning on high-ozone days. Fine particles (PM2.5) come from wildfire smoke, traffic and wood burning and can spike in any season. Above 100, people with asthma, heart or lung conditions, older adults and children should limit long or heavy exertion outdoors.

    Questions

    Is the air quality good in Fort Collins?

    In 2024, 43% of days had good air (AQI 50 or below) at Larimer County monitors, 51% were moderate and 23 days reached unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse. The median AQI was 54.

    When is air quality worst in Fort Collins?

    From 2022 to 2024, July had the highest average AQI (77) and November the lowest (47).

    What is the main air pollutant in Fort Collins?

    ozone (smog) was the main pollutant on 300 of 366 days in 2024.

    Is Fort Collins’s air getting better or worse?

    The median AQI was 51 in 2015 and 54 in 2024; days at unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse went from 17 to 23.

    Source: U.S. EPA AirData, annual and daily AQI by county, Larimer County, Colorado. County figures use the highest reading among the county’s monitors each day.

    Understand the area reading

    Air quality can vary within the reporting area. Use AirNow’s guidance and current reports when planning outdoor activity.

    Open AirNow →

    Weather and pollen

    Check weather and wind alongside the AQI. Pollen is a separate measurement and is not connected yet.

    Local weather →

    Hours and availability change, so check with each place before you go.

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