Metro area air quality · 2024

Steamboat Springs, CO

Median AQI 12 (Good). 99.7% of monitored days rated Good across this metro's EPA monitoring network.

12
Median AQI
99.7%
Good-air days
0
Unhealthy days
99%
Cleaner than US metros

Aggregated from EPA Air Quality System (2024), 365 monitored days. EPA AQS → · NOAA →

Insights: Steamboat Springs, CO metro. Aggregated EPA AQS monitors across this Core-Based Statistical Area logged a median Air Quality Index of 12 over 365 measured days in 2024, which corresponds to a Good band and a Excellent metro-wide health grade. The monitored-day split lands at 364 Good days (100%), 1 Moderate (0%), and 0 Unhealthy-for-Sensitive-Groups (0%). The 90th-percentile AQI finished at 25 while the highest single-day reading hit 53 (Moderate). Metro residents averaged roughly 29.9 clean-air days per 30-day window across the reporting year.

Across the 2020–2024 trend window, good days shifted by +11 and the median AQI moved -2 points, which classifies the multi-year trajectory as improving. The metro avoided any Unhealthy-tier days entirely, an outcome that typically reflects favorable wind patterns, lower industrial density, or effective regional emission controls. Metros with comparable AQI profiles include Houghton, MI (98.3% good, AQI 12); Salem, OH (100.0% good, AQI 12); Ca¤on City, CO (97.8% good, AQI 13).

Air Quality Summary

Median AQI

12

Good

Good Days

99.7%

364 of 365 days

Max AQI

53

Moderate

Health Grade

Excellent

90th pct: 25

AQI Day Breakdown (2024)

Distribution of 365 monitored days across EPA AQI categories.

Good

364

100%

Moderate

1

0%

USG

0

0%

Unhealthy

0

0%

Very Unhealthy

0

0%

Hazardous

0

0%

Health Impact Assessment

Excellent

The Steamboat Springs, CO metro area's air quality is rated Excellent based on 99.7% good air days. No unhealthy air days were recorded in 2024.

Air quality is generally acceptable. Unusually sensitive people should monitor real-time conditions at AirNow.gov during high-pollution events.

How does the Steamboat Springs, CO metro compare?

How Steamboat Springs, CO compares

Good-day share better than US avg
Steamboat Springs, CO 99.7%
Houghton, MI 98.3%
US average 70.2%
Median AQI better than US avg
Steamboat Springs, CO 12
Houghton, MI 12
US average 41
Unhealthy days / yr better than US avg
Steamboat Springs, CO 0
Houghton, MI 0
US average 1

5-Year Air Quality Trend

Air quality is improving in the Steamboat Springs, CO metro. Best year: 2024 (364 good days).

Year Good Moderate Unhealthy Median AQI
2020 353 5 0 14
2021 347 7 0 15
2022 356 0 0 13
2023 348 5 0 13
2024 364 1 0 12

Metros with Similar Air Quality

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

Houghton, MI

AQI 12 · 98.3% good

12

Salem, OH

AQI 12 · 100.0% good

12

Ca¤on City, CO

AQI 13 · 97.8% good

13

Mayaguez, PR

AQI 11 · 100.0% good

11

Show Low, AZ

AQI 13 · 99.5% good

13

Los Alamos, NM

AQI 14 · 100.0% good

14

More Air Quality Data

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All Metro Areas

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Air Quality Guides

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Understanding AQI

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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 Steamboat Springs, CO metro area? ▼
The Steamboat Springs, CO metro area has a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 12, rated "Good." 99.7% of monitored days (364 out of 365) had good air quality in 2024.
How many unhealthy air days does Steamboat Springs, CO have? ▼
In 2024, the Steamboat Springs, CO metro area recorded 0 unhealthy air days (0 Unhealthy, 0 Very Unhealthy, 0 Hazardous). The maximum AQI reached 53.
Is air quality in Steamboat Springs, CO getting better or worse? ▼
Air quality in the Steamboat Springs, CO metro is improving based on 5-year trends (2020-2024). Best year: 2024 with 364 good days. Worst year: 2021 with 347 good days.
What does AQI 12 mean for health? ▼
An AQI of 12 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 Steamboat Springs, CO? ▼
The 90th percentile AQI for the Steamboat Springs, CO metro area is 25, meaning 90% of monitored days had an AQI at or below this level. The maximum AQI recorded was 53 (Moderate).
How does Steamboat Springs, CO compare to other metro areas? ▼
The Steamboat Springs, CO metro has 99.7% good air days. Similar metros: Houghton, MI (98.3% good), Salem, OH (100.0% good), Ca¤on City, CO (97.8% 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