Phew!

Today marked the first ozone alert issued in 2007, although ozone has risen to unhealthy levels many times so far in 2007.

The alert has been more than warranted. Ozone concentrations at the Fort Collins West monitor climbed to 79 parts per billion today, the highest ozone reading so far in Colorado in 2007. Federal standards are currently set at 80 parts per billion, so we're cutting it pretty close.