Lead paragraph
Like many cities across the country, Longmont, Colorado has begun to feel the effects of a
warming planet through rising summertime temperatures. Urban areas are susceptible to a
phenomenon known as the urban heat island (UHI) effect, whereby highly developed, paved
environments absorb solar radiation and heat throughout the day. Concentrated human
activities like driving cars and running air conditioners also add heat to the environment and
exacerbate UHI conditions. This means that urban environments are typically hotter than rural
or vegetated surroundings. The effect is exacerbated by climate change and rising summer
temperatures. Urban heat kills more people each year in the US than any other weather-related hazard. Heat can also cause non-lethal but disruptive symptoms including headache
and fatigue; keep people indoors and away from daily activities; produce stress and anxiety;
and interfere with quality of life. Potential impacts on local ecosystems, economies and
infrastructure create additional layers of risk.
The City of Longmont is taking steps to better understand heat risk locally, to examine heat
mitigation and adaptation strategies, and to build community resilience. This Heat Action Plan
reflects the results of multiple assessments conducted internally by the City of Longmont and
through collaborations with the climate adaptation consultancy CAPA Strategies. The plan
summarizes and characterizes available options to manage urban heat (including strategies
that have and have not been tried in Longmont previously) and offers directions for the future.
Systems like bioswales and rain gardens combine water management and cooling. The Stormwater Master Plan – Integrates bioswales, green streets, and natural drainage.
Priority Locations: Flood-prone areas, urban streetscapes
Benefits: Reduces flood risk, cools surfaces, improves water quality
Practical Guidance: Design with multifunctional use and local hydrology in mind
Special Considerations: Upfront costs, cross-departmental coordination needed