Welcome to Science Matters Colorado, the podcast that dives deep into the environmental issues affecting our beautiful state. Each episode, I talk with experts to help you better understand the environmental challenges we face and celebrate the natural wonders we strive to protect.

Today, we're focusing on algal blooms—an issue that has recently caught the attention of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). These blooms are most common in summer, spurred on by high temperatures and abundant sunlight, and they pose a growing concern for water quality and public health.

In this episode, I sit down with Sarah Erickson, a water quality specialist from CDPHE. We’ll discuss the causes and impacts of toxic algae, how these blooms are monitored, and the steps you can take to protect yourself and help reduce their spread.

Though algal blooms are most prevalent in the summer months, the nutrients that fuel them—compounds like nitrogen and phosphorus—are found year-round in many household products. Sarah also shares resources that you can use to check the water quality before heading out for a swim and to report suspected blooms.

CDPHE Resources:

Toxic Algae Dashboard: https://cdphe.colorado.gov/toxic-algae

Report blooms: Tox call number: 303-692-2606 OR email: cdphe_toxcall@state.co.us

If you found today’s episode insightful, please share this episode with friends and family. Special thanks to John Michael from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for coordinating this interview today. The music for this podcast is Siesta by Ikson and is a part of the “Tell Your Story” project, a library of free music for content creators. Go to ikson.com to explore the full catalogue.