Colorado Springs Air Quality Index (AQI)

Colorado Springs Air Quality Index

Air quality is good across Colorado Springs and the Briargate neighborhood today — AQI at 17. Enjoy outdoor activities across the Pikes Peak region freely. Current air quality conditions and 48-hour forecast for Colorado Springs and the Briargate area, including AQI readings and pollutant breakdown for ozone, PM2.5, and other pollutants.

AQI

Good

Current Air Quality

Air quality is satisfactory.

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

Pollutant Breakdown

Ozone (O₃)

Good

PM2.5

Good

PM10

Good

Carbon Monoxide

Good

Nitrogen Dioxide

Good

Sulfur Dioxide

Good

48-Hour Forecast

Tue
6am

Good

Tue
9am

Good

Tue
12pm

Good

Tue
3pm

Good

Tue
6pm

Good

Tue
9pm

Good

Wed
12am

Good

Wed
3am

Good

Wed
6am

Good

Wed
9am

Good

Wed
12pm

Good

Wed
3pm

Good

Wed
6pm

Good

Wed
9pm

Good

Thu
12am

Good

Thu
3am

Good

Air Quality Index Scale

Good

Moderate

USG

Unhealthy

Very Unhealthy

Hazardous

0-50 51-100 101-150 151-200 201-300 301-500

Air Quality in Colorado Springs

Why is ozone worse in the afternoon in Colorado Springs?

Ground-level ozone forms when sunlight reacts with pollutants from vehicle exhaust and other sources. In Colorado Springs, intense sunlight at 6,000+ feet elevation accelerates this process, causing ozone levels to peak in the early-to-mid afternoon. Morning hours typically have the best air quality for outdoor exercise.

How does elevation affect air quality in Colorado Springs?

Colorado Springs sits at over 6,000 feet elevation, which means thinner air, more intense UV radiation, and faster ozone formation on sunny days. The city also sits in a partial basin with the Front Range to the west, which can trap pollutants during certain wind patterns.

What AQI level is safe for outdoor exercise?

AQI 0-50 (Good) is ideal for all outdoor activity. AQI 51-100 (Moderate) is acceptable for most people, though unusually sensitive individuals should consider limiting prolonged exertion. At AQI 101-150 (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups), people with asthma, heart disease, or respiratory conditions should reduce outdoor activity.

What causes poor air quality days in the Briargate area?

The most common cause of elevated AQI in Colorado Springs and Briargate is ground-level ozone on hot, sunny afternoons. Wildfire smoke from fires in Colorado or neighboring states can also push AQI into unhealthy ranges, as can dust events from the eastern plains during windy conditions.