Despite a moderately high-altitude location near the Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs, on average, gets less snow than Denver, Salt Lake City, or Minneapolis. The mountains capture most of the precipitation from east moving weather systems, giving the Pikes Peak region dry and sunny weather during most of the year. Air Quality Colorado Springs' air is clean.
Automobile exhaust is a major source of air pollution for most cities.
But Colorado Springs is able to cut down on the amount of exhaust put into the air by use of oxygenated fuels, requiring motor vehicle inspections, and encouraging car pooling and public transit use. The Air Quality Control Commission of the Colorado Department of Health manages many programs to continue to improve the state's air quality. The natural geographical location of Colorado Springs is also a great aid in keeping air quality high. Gentle breezes provide a natural cleansing effect as they blow along the Front Range.