Fort Collins missed another federal air quality deadline. Here's what that actually means

How Ozone is Produced. Image Credit: Simple Steps. Better Air.

The Denver Metro and North Front Range region is expected to implement higher emission controls for ground-level ozone, a pollutant that causes respiratory health issues, after the EPA announced last week the region did not meet federal standards for air quality.

The region is currently classified as a moderate nonattainment area for ozone. The EPA is proposing to reclassify the area as a serious nonattainment area for ozone, which requires stricter controls for emissions. The reclassification would set a new deadline of July 20, 2021 for the region to attain the air quality standard.

The EPA will hold a public hearing on the proposed reclassification on September 6, 2019 in Denver. Visit the EPA website to learn more about the reclassification proposal and to register to speak at the public hearing.

You can also read more in the Coloradoan.