Living in Larimer or Weld County means living in one of the highest radon zones in the United States. Understanding this invisible threat is the first step to protecting your family.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that forms when uranium in soil and rock breaks down over time. This process, called radioactive decay, has been happening for billions of years and will continue indefinitely. What makes radon particularly dangerous is that it is completely invisible, odorless, and tasteless. You cannot see it, smell it, or taste it, yet it could be accumulating to dangerous levels in your home right now.
When radon gas seeps into your home through cracks in the foundation, gaps around pipes, or other openings, it can become trapped indoors where concentrations build up. As you breathe in radon, radioactive particles become lodged in your lung tissue, where they continue to decay and emit radiation that damages cells. Over time, this cellular damage can lead to lung cancer.
Critical Fact: Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, responsible for approximately 21,000 deaths annually according to the EPA. Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths.
Colorado consistently ranks as having the highest average radon levels in the nation. This is not a distinction any state wants to hold. The primary reason for our elevated radon levels comes down to geology: Colorado sits on vast deposits of granite bedrock that contain high concentrations of uranium.
The Rocky Mountain region was formed by intense geological activity that brought uranium-rich rock close to the surface. As this uranium decays, it produces radon gas that migrates upward through the soil. Our generally dry climate and well-drained soils make it easy for radon to move through the ground and into homes.
Colorado Department of Public Health: "All homes in Colorado should be tested for radon regardless of location, age of the home, or foundation type."
Both Larimer and Weld counties are designated as EPA Zone 1, meaning they have the highest potential for elevated indoor radon levels. However, radon levels can vary significantly even between neighboring homes due to differences in soil composition, foundation construction, and home ventilation.
| Location | Average Radon Level | % Above 4.0 pCi/L |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Collins | 5.8 pCi/L | 48% |
| Loveland | 6.2 pCi/L | 52% |
| Greeley | 5.4 pCi/L | 45% |
| Windsor | 5.9 pCi/L | 50% |
| Berthoud | 6.5 pCi/L | 55% |
| Wellington | 6.1 pCi/L | 51% |
These averages demonstrate why testing every home is essential. Your neighbor's radon level tells you nothing about your own home. The only way to know your radon exposure is to test.
The health risks of radon exposure are well-documented and severe. When you breathe radon gas, radioactive particles attach to dust and other airborne particles that become trapped in your lungs. These particles continue to release radiation, damaging the cells lining your lungs.
Comparison: Living in a home with radon levels of 4.0 pCi/L carries a similar lung cancer risk to smoking half a pack of cigarettes daily. At 10 pCi/L, the risk is comparable to smoking a full pack per day.
Unlike many health risks, radon exposure is entirely preventable. Testing identifies the problem, and mitigation systems effectively eliminate it. The tragedy of radon-related lung cancer is that it is almost entirely avoidable.
The EPA has established 4.0 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) as the action level for radon. This means the EPA recommends taking steps to reduce radon if your test results show levels at or above this threshold. However, this number requires context.
The World Health Organization actually recommends a lower action level of 2.7 pCi/L. Many health professionals advise considering mitigation at any level above 2.0 pCi/L, particularly for homes with children, pregnant women, or smokers.
What To Do If Your Levels Are High: Do not panic. High radon is common in Colorado and is easily fixed. A professional mitigation system can typically reduce radon levels by 80-99%, often bringing even very high levels down below 2.0 pCi/L.
Professional radon testing provides accurate, reliable results that can inform important decisions about your family's health. At Quality Home Inspections, we use continuous electronic radon monitors (CRMs) that provide hourly readings over a minimum 48-hour period.
Continuous monitoring is superior to charcoal canister tests because it shows how radon levels change throughout the day and can detect unusual patterns that might indicate ventilation issues or testing irregularities.
Professional 48-hour continuous monitoring for just $160
If your radon test reveals elevated levels, the good news is that effective mitigation solutions exist. The most common and effective method is sub-slab depressurization (SSD), also known as active soil depressurization.
A mitigation contractor installs a PVC pipe through your foundation slab that extends to the soil beneath your home. A specialized fan connected to this pipe creates negative pressure below your foundation, drawing radon gas from the soil before it can enter your living space. The gas is then vented safely above your roofline where it disperses harmlessly into the atmosphere.
Most mitigation systems can reduce radon levels by 80-99%. A home with levels of 20 pCi/L can often be brought down to below 2.0 pCi/L with proper mitigation. Systems typically last 15-25 years with minimal maintenance.
Important Note: Quality Home Inspections provides testing only. We do not perform mitigation work, ensuring our test results are completely objective and free from any conflict of interest. We can recommend reputable mitigation contractors in Northern Colorado.
One of the most common misconceptions about radon is that new homes are somehow immune. This is dangerously incorrect. New construction homes can have radon levels just as high, or even higher, than older homes. Radon comes from the soil beneath your foundation, and the age of the building is irrelevant.
Many new homes in Colorado are built with passive radon-resistant features, which may include:
However, these passive systems are often insufficient in high-radon areas like Northern Colorado. Many RRNC homes still test above the EPA action level and require activation of the system with a fan (converting the passive system to active mitigation).
Builder Tip: If your new home has a radon pipe already installed, ask your builder if it is passive (no fan) or active (with fan). Passive systems often need to be activated with a fan to effectively reduce radon levels. Testing will confirm whether activation is necessary.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment recommends that every home be tested for radon, regardless of age, location, or foundation type. Specific situations when testing is especially important include:
Professional 48-hour continuous monitoring. Just $160. Results you can trust.