Tourists talk about what they’re NOT seeing

The Health Department says that the air quality in Southern Colorado is better this afternoon than it has been over the past few days.

But thanks to the haze, the views around the region are not as pristine as usual.

Tourists aren’t the only travelers in Southern Colorado.

Smoke from the fires in the Pacific Northwest is hanging around too.

“I’m glad it’s not any closer,” said Rena LaCroix, a visitor from Michigan.

It’s a sentiment that many people in our area share. But the fires there are still having an effect here.

LaCroix said, “I expected to it to be a little clearer.”

Katie Molander, a visitor from Rogers, Minnesota said, “You can’t see as clear as you could normally.”

After all, mountain vistas are why people came here.

“I never usually get to see the mountains so I think they’re really cool and kind of fun to look at,” said Ethan Shiff, a visitor from Michigan.

Noelle Shiff said, “I think they’re pretty cool. I mean, they’re very high.”

Normally when you come to Garden of the Gods, the kind of things that you see are the stuff of picture postcards. Blue skies, just a few clouds and plenty of pretty scenery.

But if you look at the garden Monday, there’s still plenty of pretty scenery but the blue skies have been replaced by a persistent haze.

The smoke and haze hasn’t emptied out the parking lots at Garden of the Gods, but some people will have to take it easy if they’re outside.

Becca Kyllonen, a recent transplant to the state from Minnesota said, “Garden of the Gods is really pretty. It’s an easy hike for visitors who aren’t used to the elevation.”

For them, it may be time to climb the mountains like Pikes Peak, but in a slightly different way.

“Because I don’t have to hike it,” said Ethan Shiff.

The air quality alert was lifted this morning, but people with breathing issues are still being advised to be careful while outside.