Radon Information

Radon Awareness, Mitigation, and Resources

Radon comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water Infographic about radon Opens in new window and is released into the air. Radon can be found all over the U.S. and is prevalent in Colorado where an estimated 50% of homes have unhealthy radon levels. This compares with only 6% of homes having unhealthy radon levels across the rest of the country. It can be detected in any type of building - homes, offices, and schools - but people are most likely to experience the greatest exposure at home.

You can’t see, smell, or taste radon. But it is estimated to cause thousands of deaths each year from subsequent lung cancer after exposure to radon. The Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.

Learn more about how you can reduce your exposure inside your home by clicking on the resources below:

Take action today 

The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) provides one free radon testing kit per household in Colorado. If your household has already received your free kit, and you wish to complete a follow-up test, reduced-price kits are also available.  

Reducing Radon

If your home has radon levels above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) recommended action level of 4.0 picocuries of radon per liter of air (pCi/L), then a radon reduction system (often referred to as a mitigation system) should be installed.

The method of mitigation depends on the type of foundation your home has. Methods differ for basements, crawl spaces, engineered floors, slab on grade, or any combination of these foundations. Interested in installing a mitigation system yourself? Visit Boulder County's Public Health's website for more information. Some homeowners may wish to install a mitigation system on their own, or work with a contractor to complete the work. If you choose to find a contractor, use a certified radon mitigation contractor who is trained in proper and effective radon mitigation.

Fortunately, most mitigation systems cost no more than other common home repairs. Most systems range from $800 to $1,200.

NEW Rebates Available Now!

Step 1: Research qualified fixtures or appliances and the limitations below. 

Step 2: Purchase and install qualified fixtures or appliances, and 

Step 3: Complete the rebate application!

Requirements

To qualify for a rebate, residents must meet all of the following:

  • Applicants must be a Town of Erie water utility customer with a current, non-delinquent account.
  • Must be purchased between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023.
  • Indoor air purifiers and radon mitigation systems must be installed and used at an Erie service address.
  • Residents can receive both a Radon Mitigation System (1) and Indoor Air Purifier (2) rebates.

Qualified Air Purifier & Radon Mitigation Systems

  • Radon Mitigation Systems - $250 Rebate: Limit 1 system per address. Radon mitigation system installation requires a permit and inspection from the Town of Erie. Please submit approved permit along with final paid invoice of installation. Installers are required to possess a current Town of Erie contractor's license. 
  • Stand-alone Indoor Air Purifier - $50 Rebate per unit: Limit 2 units per address. Air purifiers must meet the minimum requirements below:
  • Recommended: HEPA Plus provides 99.97% efficiency rate of capturing particles as small as 0.3 microns. In addition to HEPA filters, activated carbon filters can be incorporated to address VOCs and odors, and UV light can deal with a range of germs in the air and prevent their growth in the unit. Neither activated carbon or UV are substitute for HEPA filtration.
    • HEPA filters will address the majority of indoor air pollutants. EPA Energy Star Certification will insure energy efficiency and reduce the cost to operate. UL or ETL listing gives an assurance of safety.
    • The Town will not rebate any ionizing air purification units. Ionizing units also go by names like "ionizer air purifiers", "negative ion generators", "ionic air purifiers", "elastic air purifiers", "needlepoint bipolar", and "electrostatic precipitators". No reliable data has been found to demonstrate the effectiveness of said technology and many actively produce ozone - the very air pollutant that is Colorado Front Range's biggest air quality issue.

Apply Today!

Applications are now digital so to be environmentally conscientious! Gather your water utility billing account number, scanned receipts, permit and inspection documentation (if applicable), and specifications and Submit the Rebate Application.

Radon Mitigation Systems in Erie

Radon mitigation system installation requires a permit and inspection from the Town of Erie. Visit the Planning & Development page to learn more about permitting and inspection of radon mitigation systems.

More Resources