Every September, pediatric emergency rooms across the country see a spike in children's asthma attacks. Pediatric pulmonologists and the American Lung Association consistently identify September as the highest-risk month of the year for childhood asthma flares — and the convergence of factors that cause it hits all at once as school resumes.

For Colorado Springs families, those national factors stack on top of local ones that make the challenge more acute. Here's what to watch for and what to do.

The Colorado Springs Factor

Colorado Springs sits at 6,035 feet above sea level. The thinner, drier air at altitude means airways are working a little harder than at lower elevations, and dry air can irritate bronchial passages even without an allergen present. When ragweed, mold, viral illness, and wildfire smoke layer on top of that baseline, families in Colorado Springs face a meaningfully elevated asthma environment compared to lower-altitude cities.

This doesn't mean children with asthma can't thrive in Colorado Springs — many do well year-round. But September calls for extra awareness and preparation.

Quick Checklist for Parents

Asthma Action Plans

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that every child with asthma have a written asthma action plan — a document that outlines their medications, triggers, symptoms, and what to do in an emergency. If your child doesn't have one on file with their school nurse, ask their pediatrician to create one at the next visit, or request it now.

School nurses in D11, D20, and D49 can work with families to ensure they have the right information on file. Contact your child's school directly to confirm the nurse has the plan and the right medications available.

What's Next

September's elevated asthma risk typically tapers by mid-October as ragweed season ends and temperatures drop. In the meantime, stay consistent with controller medications, monitor air quality through airnow.gov, and don't hesitate to contact your child's pediatrician at the first sign of increasing symptoms. Colorado Springs families with questions about local air quality or health resources can contact El Paso County Public Health at 719-578-3199. COS Parenting will track air quality alerts throughout September.