On a clear day, residents of Colorado’s northern Front Range enjoy views of Longs Peak, one of the state’s 58 summits exceeding 14,000 feet and the only one in Rocky Mountain National Park. However, haze often obscures this view.
This haze is primarily ground-level ozone, harmful to human lungs, plants, and wildlife. Ozone forms from automobile exhaust, industrial pollution, and coal emissions.
In 2022, Colorado revised its Regional Haze Plan aiming for improved air quality by closing coal plants. However, on Jan. 9, the EPA rejected this plan, arguing coal plants were essential for grid reliability.
Conservation groups view the EPA’s decision as a setback for public health and lands. Tracy Coppola, of the National Parks Conservation Association, described it as a blow to national parks.
Originally aimed at enhancing air quality in national parks, regional haze rules have helped reduce pollution from coal-fired plants. Historically, the EPA treated pollution thresholds as minimum standards, but EPA Region 8’s Cyrus Western stated Colorado didn’t need to shut down all coal facilities to meet these standards.
Six of Colorado’s eight coal plants are near national forests. These plants emit pollutants that contribute to smog and health risks. The Front Range has struggled to meet federal air quality standards for decades.
Colorado, with its high peaks and national parks, is a hub for outdoor recreation. Rocky Mountain National Park, less than 90 miles from Denver, received over 4.1 million visitors in 2024, ranking as one of the most-visited parks.
However, pollution limits visibility to 85% of the park’s natural viewshed, making it the fourth-haziest national park. Other Colorado parks also rank high for haze.
Changes in public land management have concerned park communities, fearing impacts on recreation economies. Tracy Coppola emphasized the economic stakes for these areas.
For many, clean air is an environmental health issue. Ean Tafoya of GreenLatinos highlighted how power plants near low-income areas disproportionately affect people of color.
National parks host air quality monitoring equipment as part of a federal network. According to federal data, some sites may fail to collect complete datasets due to shutdowns, affecting EPA haze-tracking.
Significant polluters, like the Craig power plant, have historically impacted Colorado. In December, the Trump administration ordered it to remain open due to energy shortages, despite plans for its closure.
Tri-State, operating the Craig plant, cited rising maintenance costs and grid reliability as reasons for extended operations. CEO Duane Highley noted increased costs due to necessary repairs.
Some view the administration’s stance as inconsistent, given its position on renewable energy subsidies. Rachael Hamby of the Center for Western Priorities critiqued this approach as ideological.
The administration argues for leveling the energy market, claiming renewables only gained traction due to subsidies. Last year, Congress repealed many of these incentives but left fossil fuel subsidies intact.
Despite coal’s temporary reprieve, global trends show renewables producing more electricity. The think tank Ember reported renewables outpacing coal for the first time in 2025.
Public lands remain crucial for communities, providing a space for resilience. GreenLatinos plans a day of service on MLK Day, emphasizing the connection to nature.
If Colorado fails to submit a new haze plan, the Trump administration will impose a federal one in two years.
Original Story at insideclimatenews.org