Greeley Clean Air Project

Thank you all for your incredible support throughout the Greeley Clean Air project! From community events to educational opportunities and shared stories, this project has been a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish together. While we’ve officially wrapped up this project, we’re proud to leave behind a collection of resources, educational materials, and event highlights for anyone who wants to learn more or revisit the inspiring moments we created. Your energy and enthusiasm made this project truly special. Thank you for being part of it!

Want to stay involved? Make sure to visit our Volunteer Page, Fracking Page and 350 Northern Colorado Page to take action!

Weld County has the highest number of fracked oil and gas wells in the U.S., leading to significant health risks from air pollutants.

This project aims to help equip people living in Weld County with the resources & tools we need to address these issues and fight for clean air.

Who We Are:

350 Colorado is built the local grassroots movement to solve the climate crisis and transition to a sustainable future.

Volunteers with 350 NoCo from Greeley, Ft. Collins, and the surrounding area.

Our overarching goals:

Movement Building

Keeping Fossil Fuels in the Ground

Promoting Solutions

GCA was a grassroots movement working to build a fossil-free future powered by 100% renewable energy, and they empowered communities across Colorado to join together to fight for environmental justice. Through our volunteer-led teams, they used a variety of tactics, such as legislation and direct action, to take on the climate crisis.

As a climate organization, we’re working to build a livable future for all. While no one will be free from the effects of climate change, the weight of this crisis is not born equally, and an ethical, effective climate movement must center and empower frontline communities.

350 Northern Colorado is a local team that encompasses Greeley, Fort Collins, Windsor, Estes Park, Loveland and Ault. 350 Northern Colorado has a group of dedicated volunteers who care about the climate crisis and are dedicated to fighting for a cleaner, greener future.

Greeley Clean Air

Greeley Clean Air is a project that has been in the works for many years. In 2017, we began working with Patricia Nelson Garcia. She was concerned about the fracking wells that were to be put in extremely close to Bella Romero, her son’s school. Patricia has since worked tirelessly to monitor the wells, hold the operators accountable, and try to create education and awareness around the health impacts of fracking and the air quality that is worsening as a result of the fracking.

Over the next year, we will be working with CSU to provide air monitoring data using air quality monitors sent up in neighborhoods close to the wells. Our goal is to make this data accessible and understandable and to provide educational workshops that will give provide context to the air quality data and create awareness around fracking as a whole, the impacts that fracking has on air quality, health related risks associated with poor air quality, and what you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones. These educational workshops will be free to the public and will be put on by experts, community volunteers, and members of local climate orgs.

We understand that there are many Greeley residents that work for the oil and gas industry, and we are in no way trying to undermine that line of work, or threaten anyone’s livelihoods. We are just trying to educate surrounding communities about the harmful effects of fracking, so that people are able to protect themselves and their families against the health related risks associated with poor air quality.

Air Quality Data:

Take a look at the Air Quality Data for Weld County and get a rundown on what the associated health, environmental, and economic impact of the data shows us.

Previous Events:

Creating Change through Community Power! – Crear el cambio a través del poder comunitario!

Held on Saturday, May 17th from 12-3pm for our workshop Creating Change through Community Power

**Lunch and childcare was provided, as well as interpretation services**

This workshop helped build important advocacy skills, like giving effective public comment and using your story as a tool to create positive change in your community. It gave people the skills to become a leader in your community to protect our health and clean up our air!

This workshop helped people learn about air monitoring in Greeley, green solutions to move towards clean air and thriving communities, and get a chance to practice using your story to inspire meaningful change!

Whether you’re new to things or have been involved before, the Greeley Clean Air work welcomed everyone!

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¡Únase a nosotros el sábado 17 de mayo a 12-3pm por nuestro taller Crear el cambio a través del poder comunitario!

**Se proporcionará almuerzo y cuidado de niños, así como servicios de interpretación**

Este taller le ayudará a desarrollar importantes habilidades de defensa, como hacer comentarios públicos eficaces y utilizar su historia como una herramienta para crear un cambio positivo en su comunidad. ¡Conviértete en un líder en tu comunidad para proteger nuestra salud y limpiar nuestro aire!

Infórmese sobre la vigilancia del aire en Greeley, las soluciones ecológicas para avanzar hacia un aire limpio y unas comunidades prósperas, y tenga la oportunidad de practicar el uso de su historia para inspirar un cambio significativo.

Tanto si eres nuevo como si ya has participado antes, el trabajo de Greeley Clean Air da la bienvenida a todo el mundo.

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Community Art Showcase – Exposición de Arte

This casual and fun event celebrated people power and community strength through art! The showcase featured art pieces (such as pictures, poems, short stories, paintings, drawing, etc.!) from community members in the Greeley and wider Weld County area, and also included light refreshments, cool giveaways, a photo booth, and local leaders from Greeley to connect with. They uplifted environmental justice and clean air in Greeley through the power of community and art! Questions?

Acompáñanos en un evento informal y divertido para celebrar el poder de la gente y la fuerza de la comunidad a través del arte. La exposición contará con obras de arte (como fotos, poemas, cuentos, pinturas, dibujos, etc.) de los miembros de la comunidad en el área de Greeley y Weld County más amplio, y también incluirá refrescos, regalos fresco, una cabina de fotos, y los líderes locales de Greeley para conectar con. ¡Vamos a elevar la justicia ambiental y el aire limpio en Greeley a través del poder de la comunidad y el arte!

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GCA Community Showcase

GCA reached out to ask for help for a community clean air showcase that we are doing in April as a continuation of the Greeley Clean Air work! The goal of this effort within the project was to demonstrate people power and community strength through art. They did this by collecting submissions of pictures, poems, short stories, paintings, drawings, and anything else that people would like to share with the community.

Here is what they asked from you: they would love it if you submitted art or media of some sort that fits one of the following themes:

How do we want clean air to look or feel for future generations?
Why is clean air important for a thriving community?
What/who inspires you to fight for healthy air?
What do you feel is the source of air pollution in Greeley?
What do you love about living in Greeley?
How do you feel about the state of the climate right now?
How has air pollution in Greeley impacted your life?

This art was collected and showcased in April. Anyone was welcome to submit, and stipends for submissions and participation were available. You didn’t have to be an artist to submit and all works are welcomed! They hoped to highlight community perspectives so the more art, the merrier!

The showcase included light refreshments, giveaways, and possibly some important figures in Greeley.

The deadline to submit was April 25th.

Queremos pedirle su ayuda para una exposición comunitaria sobre aire limpio que celebraremos en abril como continuación de la campaña Aire Limpio Greeley. El objetivo de este esfuerzo dentro del proyecto es demostrar el poder de la gente y la fuerza de la comunidad a través del arte. Para ello, recopilaremos fotografías, poemas, relatos cortos, pinturas, dibujos y cualquier otra cosa que la gente quiera compartir con la comunidad.

Esto es lo que le pedimos: nos encantaría que nos enviara obras de arte o algún tipo de soporte que se ajuste a uno de los siguientes temas:

¿Cómo queremos que sea el aire limpio para las generaciones futuras?
¿Por qué es importante un aire limpio para una comunidad próspera?
¿Qué o quién te inspira para luchar por un aire sano?
¿Cuál crees que es la fuente de contaminación del aire en Greeley?
¿Qué te encantas sobre viviendo en Greeley?
¿Qué opinas del estado actual del clima?
¿Cómo ha afectado a tu vida la contaminación atmosférica de Greeley?

Este arte será recogido y expuesto en abril. Así es, tu obra se expondrá en una galería de la comunidad. Cualquier persona es bienvenida a presentar, y los estipendios para las presentaciones y la participación estarán disponibles. No hay que ser artista profesional, queremos mostrar el punto de vista de miembros comunitarios, entonces queremos mucho arte para visualizar. Por favor, siéntase libre de compartir que pueda estar interesado en participar!

La exposición también incluirá refrescos, regalos, y posiblemente algunas figuras importantes en Greeley. Mantente al tanto para más información.

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March 1st, 2025 – Community Day of Action for Healthy Air

On Saturday, March 1st, we came together as a community to take action for cleaner air in Colorado, and we couldn’t have done it without you! Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Community Day of Action for Healthy Air in Greeley.

Air pollution from oil and gas operations continued to impact our health, but by standing together, learning, and advocating for change, we made a difference. Our event was an opportunity to not only witness the effects of fracking firsthand but also to equip ourselves with the tools and knowledge to push for cleaner air.

We kicked off the day outdoors with Earthworks, using their special optical gas imaging camera to see the invisible pollution from local oil and gas sites. This powerful experience underscored the urgent need for stronger air quality protections.

Afterward, we gathered indoors to connect, share experiences, and build skills for effective advocacy. Over a delicious lunch, we discussed our shared commitment to environmental justice. Then, during our workshop, we learned about advocating for policies that promoted clean air and even built our own homemade air filtration systems—practical tools to help protect our families from harmful pollutants.

“I loved getting the practical and on-site visit, and then the follow-up classes regarding the site really tied things together. Also, having child care was a great way to make these events more accessible to parents,” said one participant.

A huge thank you to our partners, volunteers, and everyone who made this event possible. Your dedication to the fight for clean air inspired us to keep pushing for systemic change. If you weren’t able to make it this time, don’t worry—there were more opportunities to get involved!

We kept up the momentum! We stayed connected with Greeley Clean Air and 350 Colorado for future events, actions, and ways to advocate for a healthier future. Together, we were a powerful force for change.

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La contaminación del aire en Colorado afecta la salud de nuestra comunitaria, ¡pero tenemos el poder de cambiar eso!

¡Gracias por tomar acción en favor de un aire saludable!

El sábado 1 de marzo, nos unimos como comunidad para actuar por un aire más limpio en Colorado, ¡y no lo habríamos logrado sin ustedes! Gracias a todos los que nos acompañaron en nuestro Día de Acción Comunitaria por Aire Saludable en Greeley.

La contaminación atmosférica causada por las operaciones de petróleo y gas continúa afectando nuestra salud, pero al permanecer juntos, aprender y promover el cambio, estamos marcando la diferencia. Nuestro evento nos brindó la oportunidad de presenciar de primera mano los efectos del fracturación hidráulica, y también de recibir las herramientas y el conocimiento necesarios para luchar por un aire más limpio.

Comenzamos el día al aire libre con Earthworks, usando su cámara óptica de imágenes de gas para observar la contaminación invisible de las yacimientos locales de petróleo y gas. Esta experiencia impactante subrayó la necesidad urgente de fortalecer la protección de la calidad del aire.

Después, nos reunimos para conectar, compartir experiencias, y aprender competencias para la defensa de derechos. . Durante un delicioso almuerzo, conversamos sobre nuestro compromiso compartido con la justicia ambiental. Después, durante nuestro taller, aprendimos sobre la defensa de políticas que promuevan un aire limpio, y también construimos nuestros propios sistemas de filtración de aire: herramientas prácticas para proteger a nuestras familias de los contaminantes dañinos.

“Me gustó saber el impacto que tiene la extracción de petróleo y gas en nuestra salud corporal y salud mental también”, dijo un participante.

Muchísimas gracias a nuestros colaboradores, voluntarios y a todos los que hicieron posible este evento. Su dedicación a la lucha por un aire limpio nos inspira a seguir luchando por un cambio sistémico. Si no pudieron asistir esta vez, no se preocupen, ¡habrá más oportunidades para participar!

¡Mantengamos el movimiento fuerte! Manténganse conectados con Greeley Clean Air y 350 Colorado para futuros eventos, acciones y maneras de abogar por un futuro más saludable. Juntos, somos una fuerza poderosa para el cambio.

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Nov. 16th, 2024 – Air Quality Workshop

What: On Saturday, November 16th from 1:30–3:30pm, we gathered at the LINC Library in Greeley for an interactive workshop!

Led by community members, health experts, and members of 350 Colorado, we covered a lot of important topics, such as resources for those who had asthma and upper respiratory issues, information about air quality in Greeley, and how we could work together to breathe cleaner air and have a healthier environment.

We focused on building advocacy skills that made a difference!

Lunch and childcare were provided, so participants could bring their families. Interpretation services were also available so people could participate in the way they felt most comfortable.

Plus, there were giveaways and stipends for those who attended and participated!

When: Saturday, Nov. 16th from 1:30-3:30pm.

Sept. 28th 2024 – Community Event

What: Greeley Clean Air hosted a free, family-friendly event to kick off our air quality education and community empowerment project! The event featured free food, activities for children, music, giveaways, and more. Participants did not have to sign anything or commit to anything—we just wanted to introduce ourselves and our project.

Vamos a tener comida, música, actividades para los niños, y premios, todo completamente gratis. Como parte de un proyecto nuestra organización llamada trescientos cincuenta Colorado también compartirá recursos sobre cómo podemos trabajar juntos para limpiar nuestro aire y proteger nuestra salud.

Where and when: East Memorial Park, Greeley, CO 2044 Balsam Ave, Greeley, CO 80631

Saturday, September 28th, 2024 from 12-2pm