The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe’s Air Quality Program measures air pollutants at two permanent sites on the Reservation. In Towaoc, the air quality station monitors particulate pollution, 2.5 micrometers and smaller (pm 2.5), and ozone; both air pollution concentrations are measured instantaneously and continuously. The White Mesa air quality station measures total suspended particulate, 100 micrometers and smaller, with a filter based method. The filter is sent out to a laboratory for analyses and results are reported back to the program. There is also a portable ozone monitor which is currently located at White Mesa.

In addition, the program has two purple air sensors that measure particulate in the outside air at each of the communities, Towaoc and White Mesa. The link to those sensors is available on the Purple Air Sensor Map https://map.purpleair.com/1/mAQI/a60/p604800/cC5#8.16/37.121/-109.1

The air quality program updates the Air Quality Index which is a health risk color coded system from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and is posted daily to Channel 99 and the Weenuche Smoke Signals Facebook page.

Air Quality Program Manager – Janice Archuleta, jarchuleta@utemountain.org (970)564-5433

Air Quality Program Technician – Arlyssia Sells, asells@utemountain.org