Colorado is urging residents not to use their cars for 24 hours in order to guard against poor air quality in the state.

The state’s “Ozone Action Day Alert” went into effect on Sunday at 4 p.m. and will remain in effect until at least 4 p.m. on Monday. It requested that Colorado residents “limit driving gas and diesel-powered vehicles” to reduce their effect on air quality.

“Hot and sunny weather may allow ozone concentrations to reach the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category on Sunday and Monday,” the alert said.

Ground-level ozone occurs when emissions from cars, power plants, and other industrial facilities chemically react in sunlight. Heat and sunlight can contribute to increased ozone levels.

The southwestern and western portions of the Denver metropolitan area were expected to have the highest ozone concentrations, according to the alert. Sunday’s air quality index for the area was deemed “unhealthy for sensitive groups.”

The alert also warned that some might experience an “increasing likelihood of respiratory symptoms and breathing discomfort.”

“Active children and adults, and people with lung disease, such as asthma, should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion,” it read.

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Beginning in July, the National Weather Service “will begin issuing Air Quality Alerts in partnership with Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment,” a press release read.

“When CDPHE issues an Ozone Action Day or other alert, the NWS will relay that information to the public via our Air Quality Alert,” it added.