Metro area air quality · 2024

Colorado Springs, CO

Median AQI 49 (Good). 55.2% of monitored days rated Good across this metro's EPA monitoring network.

49
Median AQI
55.2%
Good-air days
2
Unhealthy days
20%
Cleaner than US metros

Aggregated from EPA Air Quality System (2024), 366 monitored days. EPA AQS → · NOAA →

Insights: Colorado Springs, CO metro. Aggregated EPA AQS monitors across this Core-Based Statistical Area logged a median Air Quality Index of 49 over 366 measured days in 2024, which corresponds to a Good band and a Moderate metro-wide health grade. The monitored-day split lands at 202 Good days (55%), 150 Moderate (41%), and 12 Unhealthy-for-Sensitive-Groups (3%). The 90th-percentile AQI finished at 80 while the highest single-day reading hit 166 (Unhealthy). Metro residents averaged roughly 16.6 clean-air days per 30-day window across the reporting year.

Across the 2020–2024 trend window, good days shifted by -39 and the median AQI moved +3 points, which classifies the multi-year trajectory as worsening. The metro recorded 2 unhealthy-or-worse days combined, on those days the EPA recommends that sensitive groups limit prolonged outdoor exertion, and many schools and athletic programs adjust outdoor activity accordingly. Metros with comparable AQI profiles include Boulder, CO (57.9% good, AQI 49); Carlsbad-Artesia, NM (51.4% good, AQI 49); Columbus, GA-AL (52.5% good, AQI 49).

Air Quality Summary

Median AQI

49

Good

Good Days

55.2%

202 of 366 days

Max AQI

166

Unhealthy

Health Grade

Moderate

90th pct: 80

AQI Day Breakdown (2024)

Distribution of 366 monitored days across EPA AQI categories.

Good

202

55%

Moderate

150

41%

USG

12

3%

Unhealthy

2

1%

Very Unhealthy

0

0%

Hazardous

0

0%

Health Impact Assessment

Moderate

The Colorado Springs, CO metro area's air quality is rated Moderate based on 55.2% good air days. There were 2 unhealthy days in 2024 when outdoor activity should be limited.

Air quality is acceptable most days, but 12 days reached "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" and peak AQI reached 166. Sensitive groups should monitor real-time conditions at AirNow.gov.

How does the Colorado Springs, CO metro compare?

How Colorado Springs, CO compares

Good-day share worse than US avg
Colorado Springs, CO 55.2%
Boulder, CO 57.9%
US average 70.2%
Median AQI worse than US avg
Colorado Springs, CO 49
Boulder, CO 49
US average 41
Unhealthy days / yr worse than US avg
Colorado Springs, CO 2
Boulder, CO 1
US average 1

5-Year Air Quality Trend

Air quality is worsening in the Colorado Springs, CO metro. Best year: 2022 (249 good days).

Year Good Moderate Unhealthy Median AQI
2020 241 118 1 46
2021 224 113 0 47
2022 249 114 0 46
2023 240 123 1 47
2024 202 150 2 49

Metros with Similar Air Quality

Metro areas across the US with a similar median AQI to Colorado Springs, CO.

Boulder, CO

AQI 49 · 57.9% good

49

Carlsbad-Artesia, NM

AQI 49 · 51.4% good

49

Columbus, GA-AL

AQI 49 · 52.5% good

49

El Dorado, AR

AQI 49 · 51.2% good

49

Glenwood Springs, CO

AQI 49 · 57.9% good

49

Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC

AQI 49 · 53.7% good

49

More Air Quality Data

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Worst Air Quality

Counties and metros with the most unhealthy air days.

All Metro Areas

Annual AQI by CBSA for every monitored U.S. metro area.

Best and Worst City Air

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Air Quality Guides

Learn more about air quality monitoring, pollutants, and health impacts.

Understanding AQI

What each AQI level means and who is most at risk.

Best & Worst City Air Quality

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Health Effects of Air Pollution

How PM2.5 and ozone exposure affects respiratory and cardiovascular health.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the air quality in the Colorado Springs, CO metro area? ▼
The Colorado Springs, CO metro area has a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 49, rated "Good." 55.2% of monitored days (202 out of 366) had good air quality in 2024.
How many unhealthy air days does Colorado Springs, CO have? ▼
In 2024, the Colorado Springs, CO metro area recorded 2 unhealthy air days (2 Unhealthy, 0 Very Unhealthy, 0 Hazardous). The maximum AQI reached 166.
Is air quality in Colorado Springs, CO getting better or worse? ▼
Air quality in the Colorado Springs, CO metro is worsening based on 5-year trends (2020-2024). Best year: 2022 with 249 good days. Worst year: 2024 with 202 good days.
What does AQI 49 mean for health? ▼
An AQI of 49 is "Good", air quality is satisfactory and poses little or no health risk. This is the best category on the EPA's AQI scale.
What is the 90th percentile AQI for Colorado Springs, CO? ▼
The 90th percentile AQI for the Colorado Springs, CO metro area is 80, meaning 90% of monitored days had an AQI at or below this level. The maximum AQI recorded was 166 (Unhealthy).
How does Colorado Springs, CO compare to other metro areas? ▼
The Colorado Springs, CO metro has 55.2% good air days. Similar metros: Boulder, CO (57.9% good), Carlsbad-Artesia, NM (51.4% good), Columbus, GA-AL (52.5% good).

Data Sources

Primary Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Air Quality System (AQS), Annual AQI by CBSA dataset, 2020–2024. The AQS collects ambient air monitoring data from state, local, and tribal monitoring agencies across the United States.

Metrics: Air Quality Index (AQI) is calculated using EPA-standard breakpoints for six criteria pollutants: PM2.5, PM10, Ozone, NO2, CO, and SO2. Median AQI, max AQI, and 90th percentile AQI are computed from daily measurements. Good days percentage reflects days with AQI 0–50.

Coverage: 501 metro areas (Core Based Statistical Areas). Only metros with active monitoring stations are included. Unmonitored areas are not represented.

Read our methodology , how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Source: U.S. EPA, AirNow / AQS Air Quality Index readings and pollutant concentrations · 2025