Nat/Sci In-Person: Denver Pollution

Denver Air and Water Pollution: Sources, Hazards, Trends and Mitigation
Four In-Person Sessions
Tue., Sept. 10, 17, 24, 2024, 6:30-8:30 pm MT
CAMP Air Monitoring Station Visit, Sat., Sept. 28, 10-11 am

Over the past 50 years, the Denver metro area has earned a reputation as one of the worst places in the country for air pollution, but one of the cleanest cities for water quality. What’s going on here? Why the discrepancy? What elements are at play? What’s being done to improve air quality? And is that enough? Plus, what’s proving to be a new threat to our drinking water? This course, taught by retired chemistry professor Dr. John Lanning, is aimed at those who are interested in the environment and the hazardous impacts of pollution. Content includes air and water pollution sources and how they influence human health and the environment, including: radon infiltration of homes, impact of Weld County fracking on Denver air quality, consequences of not meeting the Environmental Protection Agency’s air quality standards, the infamous Denver brown cloud winter pollution, summer ozone-smog pollution, lead contamination of drinking water in older homes, the recent discovery of forever chemicals in drinking water and nutrient loading of Cherry Creek. Lanning, who believes that the best pollution mitigation options come from science, says this course also includes a tour of an air monitoring station maintained by the Colorado Department of Health and Environment. Come away with a clearer view of Denver’s air and water issues.

Dr. John A. Lanning is a retired CU Denver chemistry professor who taught environmental courses to non-science majors and chemistry graduate students. His philosophy is simply stated: “Understanding the science is the best approach to mitigating complex environmental problems.”