Transportation
The quality of the air impacts human health, agriculture, and visibility, and is also an important consideration for transportation planning.
-North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization
Larimer County participates in regional transportation planning and is currently working on funding strategies to improve transit and road capacity. For more information, look at our current Transportation Master Plan.
Additionally, Larimer County is a Community Partner member of the Drive Clean Colorado coalition. We are committed to accelerating the equitable adoption of clean transportation alongside other coalition members.
If you are wanting to learn more about installing an Electric Vehicle charger on your public property, check out our informational guide.
To learn more about the health impacts due to changes in the climate and our environmental impact, please visit this Larimer County page.
Our contributions to the region’s air emissions are largely transportation based, at over 70% of the NOx and more than 50% of the VOCs. Larimer County is part of a nine county nonattainment area in which the oil and gas industry is the largest overall contributor to NOx and VOCs. To learn more about Larimer County oil & gas status and initiatives, visit the regulations and information page.
Since transportation is such a large contributor to the air pollution originating in Larimer County, we can make the biggest improvements to the air quality of our region by looking at how we utilize transportation.
Watch this video from the Regional Air Quality Council to learn simple steps for better air.
Larimer county is going idle free, join us!
Idling the engine of your vehicle when you’re not driving it literally gets you nowhere. Idling for more than 10 seconds uses more fuel and produces more emissions that contribute to smog and climate change than stopping and restarting your engine does. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, idling a vehicle for more than ten seconds uses more fuel and creates more harmful emissions than turning off and restarting your engine.
Unnecessary vehicle idling isn't good for our air, wallets, or cars. So what can we do about it? Easy ways to reduce idling include:
- Turn off your ignition if you're waiting more than 30 seconds.
- Stop idling while the train is passing.
- Stop idling at school drop-off zones.
- Park and go inside instead of using the drive-thru lane.
- Warm up your engine by driving slowly, not by idling.
When we choose transportation methods near the top of this triangle, we’re making significant impacts on the pollution in our area.
The EPA estimates that if Americans opted to bike or walk instead of driving half the time when the trip was less than 1 mile, we'd drive 5 billion fewer miles annually. If it's a short trip, walk or bike instead of driving when you can.
E-Bike Tax Credits are Here!
Starting April 1st, 2024, Coloradans will get a $450 discount off of a qualifying e-bike purchase (at the point-of-sale) from a participating retailer across the state. Go to the State's website to find out more information.
Finding another way to commute or go from point A to Point B sounds like a daunting task, but there might be an option you haven't considered! Look below on this page to learn about local alternative transportation methods. Also check out RideNOCO for bus routes and trails to your destination.
Reasons to change your transportation habits:
- Gas savings
- Making new friends
- May not have to find a parking spot
- Ability to use HOV lanes
- Save car wear and tear
- Burn fat, not fuel
- Fight carbon pollution
- Can reduce stress
