Heidi Leswood

When I first saw the ozone warning sign in Colorado, I had no idea it was related to health. Why were there signs telling us not to drive due to ozone? And why such an ineffective campaign? Clearly the signs weren’t working. Congestion was never resolved, but rather worsened.

I am now aware that ozone is a hazard on land, that the EPA and WHO have established health standards for ozone, and that the EPA has given the Denver Metro North Front Range area its assessment of ozone to “critical” unsatisfactory status. I know you’re pulling down. Since 2008, we have violated EPA’s ozone health standards and none of the state’s plans to fix the problem have worked. Last year, levels of ozone dangerous to human health occurred for most of the summer (63 days).

Terrestrial ozone is produced by the interaction of certain “precursor” chemicals (nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds) with sunlight. Exposure to unhealthy levels can result in hospitalization and even death in people with lung and heart problems. It is associated with severe lung tissue scarring, depression in adolescents, dementia in older adults, low sperm count, and preterm birth. So why aren’t states doing more than displaying these ineffective signs asking people not to drive? Is it just for checking?

The state’s actions suggest it fears curbing fracking and other oil and gas developments, the biggest contributors to ozone pollution. The Regional Air Quality Council has data showing that oil and gas production and transportation operations in our state are the largest contributors to ozone. This industry shows that it emits more of these precursors than many other sources combined, and arguably far more than automobiles. Why would “precursor” emissions from oil and gas operations increase by 11% by 2026 instead of decreasing in the RAQC’s proposed plan to reduce emissions? The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission , the law mandates that we make rules to protect us from the cumulative pollution that our oil and gas operations bring, but why is ozone season or ozone season to reduce high-emission activities? Didn’t we make a rule? High ozone day? States actually have the power to bring ozone levels back to safe levels by curbing oil and gas pollution, but they are not using that power.How many lives could they have saved? How Much Medical Expenses Can You Avoid?

As usual, oil and gas production is doing well and is set to increase in the next few years, prohibiting new wells or in heavily polluted areas often located in overly affected communities. There are no rules restricting the activities of They like to pretend to be victims, but the companies that mine for oil and gas in Colorado are still profitable, producing billions of dollars worth of oil and gas each year. The oil and gas industry has significant influence in the areas of policy and regulation. It’s time for states to take courage and decide to put public health ahead of the interests of oil and gas companies.

Heidi Leswood lives in Denver.