Broomfield Air Quality Monitoring Program (AQM)

Air quality is a main focus of the Oil and Gas Chapter of Broomfield’s Comprehensive Plan.  Broomfield created the Air Quality Monitoring Program (AQM) to help protect the health of the residents, environment, and wildlife.

Please visit Broomfield Public Health's Air Quality page for information on ozone and today's air quality conditions.

Air Quality Monitoring Program Details

As approved in the 2023 contract, Ajax has scaled back the network. View Air Quality Monitoring Map of the air quality monitoring sensors (Ajax Analytics) and the trailer locations (Boulder A.I.R.). 

The locations of the sensors and stationary trailer locations were selected by a team of atmospheric scientists, based, in part, upon meteorological data and elevations. Sites near oil and gas well sites were selected to capture emissions prior to dispersion and in the neighborhoods to determine if pad emissions are moving into residential areas. If any oil and gas operator is found to be responsible for an illegal release of emissions, the situation will be referred to the appropriate agency. Although the data from this system is carefully monitored and shared as necessary with emergency responders, this system is not intended to be an emergency response protocol nor an acute exposure warning system. Broomfield staff will publish trigger notifications and data as soon as it can be validated.  Other real-time data is available on the links below.

Air Quality Monitoring Program Monitoring Equipment

The AQM includes equipment and analysis of data by Colorado State University (CSU), Ajax Analytics & Boulder A.I.R.  The following equipment monitors oil and gas emissions (VOCs):

  • APIS sensors with real-time trigger canisters that collect air samples for laboratory analysis when triggered by elevated total volatile organic (TVOC) emissions.  Analysis of the trigger canisters allows for identification of individual compounds & concentrations. Trigger canisters are in operation both near oil and gas well pads and in adjacent neighborhoods. They detect over 800 compounds and results of the canister samples are analyzed by scientists at the Atmospheric Sciences Lab at Colorado State University and all canister results are made public when received. 

  • Stationary monitoring stations provide real-time data of volatile organic compounds, including oil and gas signature emissions, like benzene, and ozone data.

How to view data

  • Ajax Analytics Site.  This site provides real-time data viewing for the network's photo ion detector (PID) sensor systems.

  • Boulder A.I.R. Site. This site provides real-time data of volatile organic compounds and other airborne compounds, such as methane and nitrous oxides. In the near future, the site will feature other real-time data for oil and gas signature compounds, including benzene.

  • Quarterly Reports - View quarterly reports for the air quality monitoring program.

CDPHE Air Pollution Control Division

Reports submitted by Broomfield Oil and Gas operators to CDPHE's Air Pollution Control Division can be viewed here.

File Concerns & Report Any Health Symptoms

Use the File an Immediate Concern form to report your health concerns.=

Send general oil and gas questions to oilandgas@broomfield.org

If at any time you witness emissions off of an oil and gas pad that you believe may be a danger to public health and safety, do not hesitate to call 911.