NEW - 2008 Fort Collins Lawn Mower Rebate Program

Now there are two ways to clean up your lawn care and help reduce ozone pollution at the same time! Older gas lawn mowers contribute to ground level ozone and can emit many times more hydrocarbons than electric mowers. High ozone levels can harm health, cause summertime smog, and reduce mountain views. For more information on the 2008 Lawn Mower Rebates, please click HERE.

1. $25 Lawn Mower Rebates
   Are you tired of hassling with your old, messy gasoline lawn mower? Now's the time to purchase a cleaner, quieter reel or electric mower! Beginning April 4, Fort Collins residents can receive $25 when you purchase an electric or reel lawn mower from one of the following retailers:
   • Clay's Ace Hardware - 1001 E. Harmony (extra $10 in-store coupon)
   • Downtown Ace Hardware - 227 S. College (extra $10 in-store coupon)
   • Drake Hardware - 2160 W. Drake, #A5 (extra $10 in-store coupon)
   • Home Depot - 4502 JFK Parkway (extra in store equipment specials)
   • Home Depot - 1251 East Magnolia (extra in-store equipment specials)
   • Sears - 205 East Foothills Parkway
   Download the rebate form and details (PDF 111KB)

   Note: An additional $25 rebate is available if you also recycle your old mower at Colorado Iron and Metal. Mowers must be properly drained of oil and gas before recycling. For details on proper disposal of oil and gas in old mowers before recycling, please click HERE. (PDF 29KB)

2. Up to $70 Off Annual Clean Lawn Care Service
   Clean Air Lawn Care
   is a locally based lawn mowing service that uses quiet, clean electric lawn equipment powered through renewable energy (wind/solar).
   1. $50 off mowing annual service
      Clean Air Lawn Care will offer $50 off annual service if you mention the Fort Collins Lawn Mower Rebate Program when you sign up for a new annual service contract. Call (970) 224-4855 to go clean and green this summer!
   2. additional $20 RAQC mail-in rebate available directly from the Regional Air Quality Council, if you sign up for annual lawn care service with Annual Clean Lawn Care Service.

Air Quality Report

July 9, 2007 "Air Quality Report to the Community" video clip

Summer Time Ozone

Let's Take Care of Our Summer Air

Summer is the season for ozone pollution. It is formed when volatile organic compounds (such as auto emissions) combine and "bake" in the sunshine. This ground-level ozone is very unstable and can cause breathing problems and respiratory infections, particularly for the elderly, the young, and those with pre-existing aliments. Ground level ozone can also, however, affect perfectly healthy people who exercise outdoors.

Sign Up for Ozone Action Alerts!

The Colorado Department of Public Health issues alerts when elevated ozone levels are expected. Daily air quality advisories are available on-line or by calling 1-888-484-3247. Alerts will also be published in the Coloradoan on the weather page and on City Cable 14.

For more information or to sign up for an automatic e-mail Ozone Action Alert, click here.

Some Simple Things YOU can do to Reduce Ozone Pollution

• Stop at the Click don't overfill your gas tank
• Tight is Alright-Tighten your gas cap
• Keep your car tuned up
• Refuel in the evening on hot sunny days
• Walk to lunch and run errands in the evening
• Invest in new earth friendly lawn equipment
• Use gas-powered lawn equipment after 5pm on hot, sunny days
• Avoid painting and staining projects in the heat of the day
• Tightly cap solvents; store in a cool place.
• Limit driving, combine trips, or use other modes
• Learn how you can save money and time by carpooling or joining a vanpool.

What are the Ozone Levels in Fort Collins?

Ozone levels in Fort Collins are about 2% below the federal health standard. For more recent ozone measurements in Fort Collins and other Colorado locations, see the Air Pollution Division Site. Click on the Air Quality Index link on the left side of the page.

Just Say No to Idling

The brown cloud - infamously ugly with the potential to cause health problems. Motor vehicles are the number one contributor to the brown cloud in Fort Collins, emitting more than 110 tons of pollutants EVERY DAY. We can do something about it by decreasing automotive engine idling. If your car is running but you're not moving, you're idling. Idling for more than 10 seconds consumes more gas than restarting the engine, so you'll save money too.

A recent survey suggests that almost half of Fort Collins drivers warm up their vehicles unnecessarily on cold winter mornings (engines warm up most efficiently while being driven, not while idling!) This adds up to 3,000 hours of idling each morning! Over one winter season, this adds up to 100,000 gallons of gasoline burned worth over $200,000, all while going nowhere!

Easy Action Steps to Reduce Unnecessary Idling

• Warm up your car in the morning for less than 30 seconds before you start driving.
• Turn off the engine for waits longer than 10 seconds.