Ozone Alert Skipped

Was it a mistake?

Yesterday, ozone levels in the Denver metro area climbed to as high as 80 parts per billion over an eight hour period, which is where current health standards are set. Despite this, an ozone health alert wasn't issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

The state issues ozone health alerts whenever it forecasts ozone levels to rise to 75 parts per billion or higher. Yesterday, ozone rose to 75 parts per billion or higher in Fort Collins, southwest Lakewood, Rocky Flats, at Chatfield Reservoir, in Golden and in Greeley.

According to the state's forecast, ozone was supposed to climb to only 70 parts per billion yesterday. What happened?

It seems like one thing to mistake a forecast, but when ozone is rising to unhealthy levels right before our eyes, the state should immediately get an alert out. Forecasts aren't perfect, but when all else fails, reality is usually a good substitute.

The Denver metro area continues to endure corrosive ozone pollution. The least the state could do right now is make sure people are aware of this and take precautions.