This map shows modeled outdoor noise across 80131 at 100-meter resolution, combining road, aviation, and rail sources. Green areas measure below 45 dBA. Orange and red exceed the EPA's 55 dBA outdoor threshold linked to long-term health effects. Use the layer toggles to view each source on its own or all together.
What the numbers sound like
- 30 dBAWhisper
- 40 dBASoft rainfall
- 45 dBAQuiet suburban street at night
- 50 dBAQuiet office
- 55 dBAEPA outdoor threshold: light traffic 100 ft away
- 60 dBANormal conversation an arm's length away
- 65 dBABusy restaurant
- 70 dBAHighway traffic 50 ft away
- 80 dBACity bus interior
Population Above the EPA Outdoor Threshold
The EPA's 55 dBA outdoor reference level is a common benchmark for residential noise exposure, especially for activity interference, annoyance, and long-term community noise concerns. About 67 80131 residents, or 38.1%, live above that level. By land area, 45.9% of 80131 is above 55 dBA.
See how noise in 80131 compares to similar-sized zip codes.
Noise by Part of 80131
Average noise levels for 80131 residents, grouped by direction from the center of 80131. Central 80131 carries the highest population-weighted average; Northern 80131 carries the lowest. Just 0% of residents in Northern 80131 live in blocks above the EPA's 55 dBA threshold, a fifth of the share in Central 80131.
Central 80131
50% of people above 55 dBA
Northern 80131
0% of people above 55 dBA
Southern 80131
3% of people above 55 dBA
Central 80131 sounds about 203% louder than Northern 80131 to the human ear, a 16.0 dBA gap. Every 10 dBA roughly doubles perceived loudness. Within any of these directions, two homes a quarter mile apart can still differ by 10 or more dBA depending on how close they sit to a major highway.
How far back from Waterton Rd do you need to be?
Waterton Rd produces an estimated 55 dBA at its loudest centerline points. Noise drops logarithmically with distance, with the exact rate depending on what's between you and the road. Tree cover, walls, terrain, and pavement type all matter. At roughly a quarter mile back, traffic fades into the noise level of a soft rainfall.
Calculated from the model's calibrated attenuation formula. About 15% of 80131 sits under tree canopy (lighter than most zip codes) and roughly 23% is impervious surface like pavement and rooftops. Both are folded into the per-place decay rate above. Heavier canopy pulls noise down faster with distance; impervious surfaces slow the drop.