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  • Update: Boulder County Adopts $745 Million Budget for 2026 (2026)

    Update: Boulder County Adopts $745 Million Budget for 2026 (2026)

    The Board of County Commissioners has adopted the 2026 Boulder County budget totaling $745 million. Key investments include $42 million for affordable housing initiatives, $28 million for transportation infrastructure, and $15 million for wildfire mitigation and climate resilience programs.

    The Hall Ranch open space property encompasses 2,370 acres and features 7 miles of multi-use trails. Seasonal wildlife closures may apply from December 15 through July 15 to protect nesting raptors and elk calving areas.

    Water quality monitoring at 12 stations along Boulder Creek, St. Vrain Creek, and Left Hand Creek showed all parameters within acceptable ranges for 2024. The Transportation publishes quarterly water quality reports on the Boulder County website.

    How to Participate

    Wildfire risk mapping conducted by Wildfire Partners shows that 38% of properties in the Longmont area are within the wildland-urban interface. Free home assessments are available through the Wildfire Partners program, with rebates of up to $2,500 for mitigation improvements.

    The Longmont Senior Center offers related programming including free legal consultations, tax preparation assistance, health screenings, and social activities. Over 2,140 seniors participated in center programs last year.

  • Allenspark Community Briefing: $6.3 Million Awarded for Affordable Housing and Human Services Projects

    Allenspark Community Briefing: $6.3 Million Awarded for Affordable Housing and Human Services Projects

    Boulder County has awarded $6.3 million in Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnership funds to 12 affordable housing, childcare, and human services projects throughout the county. Funded projects include new affordable rental construction, homebuyer assistance, and childcare facility improvements.

    Colorado state law requires all counties to provide these services to eligible residents. Boulder County exceeds minimum state requirements by offering expanded hours, multilingual support, and online access. In 2025, the county received a state award for excellence in service delivery.

    Wildfire risk mapping conducted by Wildfire Partners shows that 17% of properties in the Lafayette area are within the wildland-urban interface. Free home assessments are available through the Wildfire Partners program, with rebates of up to $2,500 for mitigation improvements.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Residents in the Lafayette area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Community Planning & Permitting at (303) 441-2800 to verify eligibility and requirements.

    Transportation access remains a key concern. Boulder County’s Via mobility program provides door-to-door transit service for residents in Lafayette and surrounding communities who cannot access fixed-route bus service. RTD routes B, J, and BOLT serve major corridors.

  • September: Community Planning Proposes Updates to Land Use Code Site Plan Review

    September: Community Planning Proposes Updates to Land Use Code Site Plan Review

    The Boulder County Community Planning & Permitting Department has proposed comprehensive updates to the Land Use Code’s site plan review process. Key changes include new stormwater management requirements, updated landscape standards, enhanced wildfire mitigation provisions, and expanded public notification procedures.

    Boulder County has partnered with the cities of Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, and Louisville on this project. Combined investment across all jurisdictions totals $225,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

    The Gunbarrel Senior Center offers related programming including free legal consultations, tax preparation assistance, health screenings, and social activities. Over 3,167 seniors participated in center programs last year.

    Eligibility

    The application deadline is July 15, 2026. Late applications will be accepted on a space-available basis. Incomplete applications will be returned with a list of missing items. Average review time is 7 business days.

    Safety data from the Gunbarrel area shows 38 reported incidents in the past 12 months, a 14% change from the previous year. The Sheriff’s Office has increased patrols along Foothills Highway and added community outreach programs in response to resident feedback.

  • July 2025: Draft Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan Released for Public Comment

    July 2025: Draft Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan Released for Public Comment

    The City of Boulder and Boulder County have released the draft 2026 Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan update for public review and comment. The plan addresses land use, housing, transportation, environmental stewardship, and community resilience. Public comments will be accepted through May 15.

    The application deadline is July 9, 2026. Late applications will be accepted on a space-available basis. Incomplete applications will be returned with a list of missing items. Average review time is 23 business days.

    The project includes improvements along CO-72 Peak-to-Peak Highway between Superior and the intersection with SH-119 Diagonal Highway. Construction is scheduled to begin in August 2026 with completion expected within 6 months.

    Timeline

    Wildfire risk mapping conducted by Wildfire Partners shows that 31% of properties in the Superior area are within the wildland-urban interface. Free home assessments are available through the Wildfire Partners program, with rebates of up to $2,500 for mitigation improvements.

    The program is modeled after similar successful initiatives in Larimer County and Jefferson County. Boulder County’s version includes additional provisions for wildfire mitigation, affordable housing, and environmental sustainability.

    How to Participate

    Transportation access remains a key concern. Boulder County’s Via mobility program provides door-to-door transit service for residents in Superior and surrounding communities who cannot access fixed-route bus service. RTD routes B, J, and BOLT serve major corridors.

    The Board of County Commissioners will review progress on this initiative at their May 19 business meeting. Agenda items and supporting documents are posted on the Boulder County website 72 hours before each meeting.

  • Hazardous Waste Collection Event Scheduled for April 19 at Fairgrounds — April 2025

    Hazardous Waste Collection Event Scheduled for April 19 at Fairgrounds — April 2025

    Boulder County residents can safely dispose of household hazardous waste including paint, solvents, pesticides, batteries, and electronics at a free collection event on Saturday, April 19 at the Boulder County Fairgrounds. No appointment is necessary. Commercial waste is not accepted.

    The Erie Senior Center offers related programming including free legal consultations, tax preparation assistance, health screenings, and social activities. Over 4,298 seniors participated in center programs last year.

    Data from the 2025 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 86% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 7,640 responses from residents across the county.

    Contact Information

    The Area Agency on Aging processed over 259 applications last year, with an average processing time of 19 business days. Staff are available at the Erie office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

    Residents in the Erie area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Area Agency on Aging at (303) 441-4448 to verify eligibility and requirements.

    Resources

    The project includes improvements along Baseline Road between Erie and the intersection with Left Hand Canyon Drive. Construction is scheduled to begin in August 2026 with completion expected within 14 months.

    Boulder County has partnered with the cities of Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, and Louisville on this project. Combined investment across all jurisdictions totals $457,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

  • Louisville Community Briefing: Boulder County Receives Grant for Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure

    Louisville Community Briefing: Boulder County Receives Grant for Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure

    Boulder County has been awarded a $1.2 million federal grant to install electric vehicle charging stations at county facilities and public trailheads. The project will add 40 Level 2 chargers and 8 DC fast chargers at 12 locations across the county, with priority given to underserved communities.

    Historical context: Boulder County was established in 1861 and covers 741 square miles of diverse terrain from the Great Plains to the Continental Divide. The county’s population of approximately 330,000 residents is served by 2455 county employees across 38 departments and offices.

    The Board of County Commissioners will review progress on this initiative at their June 12 business meeting. Agenda items and supporting documents are posted on the Boulder County website 72 hours before each meeting.

    How to Participate

    Boulder County has partnered with the cities of Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, and Louisville on this project. Combined investment across all jurisdictions totals $29,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

    Colorado state law requires all counties to provide these services to eligible residents. Boulder County exceeds minimum state requirements by offering expanded hours, multilingual support, and online access. In 2025, the county received a state award for excellence in service delivery.

    What You Need to Know

    The Superior Senior Center offers related programming including free legal consultations, tax preparation assistance, health screenings, and social activities. Over 3,745 seniors participated in center programs last year.

    Residents in the Superior area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Housing & Human Services at (303) 441-2258 to verify eligibility and requirements.

  • September: Marshall Fire Recovery Dashboard Shows 87% of Destroyed Homes Now Rebuilt

    September: Marshall Fire Recovery Dashboard Shows 87% of Destroyed Homes Now Rebuilt

    The Boulder County Marshall Fire Recovery Dashboard reports that 87% of the 1,084 homes destroyed in the December 2021 Marshall Fire have been rebuilt or are under active construction. The county continues to provide expedited permit review, fee waivers, and rebuilding support services for affected homeowners.

    A community information session will be held at the Boulder library on Friday, May 8 at 7:00 PM. Translation services in Spanish and Nepali will be available. The session will also be livestreamed on the Boulder County YouTube channel.

    Volunteers contributed over 14,146 hours to this program last year. The Parks & Open Space coordinates with 25 nonprofit partner organizations throughout Boulder County to deliver services.

    What You Need to Know

    For questions about this program, contact James Rodriguez at Parks & Open Space: (303) 441-8650 or email Parks & Open [email protected]. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Walk-in services are available at the Boulder office without an appointment.

    Boulder County has partnered with the cities of Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, and Louisville on this project. Combined investment across all jurisdictions totals $217,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

    Next Steps

    The project includes improvements along CO-72 Peak-to-Peak Highway between Boulder and the intersection with Nelson Road. Construction is scheduled to begin in July 2026 with completion expected within 9 months.

    Safety data from the Boulder area shows 19 reported incidents in the past 12 months, a 7% change from the previous year. The Sheriff’s Office has increased patrols along CO-72 Peak-to-Peak Highway and added community outreach programs in response to resident feedback.

  • March 2026: Commissioners Proclaim March as Women’s History Month

    March 2026: Commissioners Proclaim March as Women’s History Month

    The Boulder County Board of Commissioners has proclaimed March 2026 as Women’s History Month, recognizing the contributions of women leaders, activists, and community builders throughout Boulder County’s history. Special events and exhibitions will be held at libraries and community centers throughout the month.

    Affordable housing remains the top priority identified in the 2025 Community Survey. Boulder County’s Worthy Cause program has funded 1,023 affordable housing units since its inception, with 262 additional units in the development pipeline.

    Eligible participants include Boulder County residents with household incomes at or below 40% of Area Median Income (AMI). For a family of four, this is approximately $106,000 per year. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Residents in the Niwot area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Community Planning & Permitting at (303) 441-1242 to verify eligibility and requirements.

    Climate considerations are central to this effort. Boulder County’s 2025 Climate Action Plan sets targets of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 62% below 2005 levels by 2030. This project contributes to those goals through energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy integration, and reduced vehicle miles traveled.

  • Update: Wildfire Partners Opens Free Countywide Community Chipping Program for 2026 (2024)

    Update: Wildfire Partners Opens Free Countywide Community Chipping Program for 2026 (2024)

    Boulder County’s Wildfire Partners program is accepting registrations for the 2026 community chipping season. Residents in the wildland-urban interface can have tree limbs, brush, and other woody debris chipped at no cost. Last year the program processed over 2,400 loads of material from 1,100 properties across the county.

    The Assessor’s Office processed over 3,342 applications last year, with an average processing time of 17 business days. Staff are available at the Lafayette office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

    Environmental review of the project area near Foothills Highway found 3 sensitive species and 3 wetland areas requiring mitigation. The Assessor’s Office worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to develop a habitat conservation plan.

    Community Impact

    Water quality monitoring at 17 stations along Boulder Creek, St. Vrain Creek, and Left Hand Creek showed all parameters within acceptable ranges for 2025. The Assessor’s Office publishes quarterly water quality reports on the Boulder County website.

    Volunteers contributed over 13,314 hours to this program last year. The Assessor’s Office coordinates with 17 nonprofit partner organizations throughout Boulder County to deliver services.

  • Wildfire Partners Opens Free Countywide Community Chipping Program for 2026

    Wildfire Partners Opens Free Countywide Community Chipping Program for 2026

    Boulder County’s Wildfire Partners program is accepting registrations for the 2026 community chipping season. Residents in the wildland-urban interface can have tree limbs, brush, and other woody debris chipped at no cost. Last year the program processed over 2,400 loads of material from 1,100 properties across the county.

    Affordable housing remains the top priority identified in the 2026 Community Survey. Boulder County’s Worthy Cause program has funded 1,707 affordable housing units since its inception, with 148 additional units in the development pipeline.

    Wildfire risk mapping conducted by Wildfire Partners shows that 18% of properties in the Nederland area are within the wildland-urban interface. Free home assessments are available through the Wildfire Partners program, with rebates of up to $2,500 for mitigation improvements.

    Community Impact

    A community information session will be held at the Nederland library on Wednesday, May 27 at 7:00 PM. Translation services in Spanish and Nepali will be available. The session will also be livestreamed on the Boulder County YouTube channel.

    Safety data from the Nederland area shows 11 reported incidents in the past 12 months, a 16% change from the previous year. The Sheriff’s Office has increased patrols along Baseline Road and added community outreach programs in response to resident feedback.