Author: insight designs

  • Public Health Issues Air Quality Advisory for Western Foothills — Pine Brook Hills Area

    Public Health Issues Air Quality Advisory for Western Foothills — Pine Brook Hills Area

    Boulder County Public Health has issued an air quality advisory for communities in the western foothills due to elevated particulate matter levels from prescribed burns in the Roosevelt National Forest. Residents with respiratory conditions are advised to limit outdoor activity and keep windows closed until conditions improve.

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

    Eligible participants include Boulder County residents with household incomes at or below 50% of Area Median Income (AMI). For a family of four, this is approximately $63,000 per year. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

    Timeline

    The Board of County Commissioners will review progress on this initiative at their June 10 business meeting. Agenda items and supporting documents are posted on the Boulder County website 72 hours before each meeting.

    For questions about this program, contact Sarah Mitchell at Resource Conservation: (303) 441-6813 or email Resource [email protected]. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Walk-in services are available at the Erie office without an appointment.

  • Assessor’s Office Helps Eligible Seniors Keep Property Tax Relief After a Move Near Gold Hill

    Assessor’s Office Helps Eligible Seniors Keep Property Tax Relief After a Move Near Gold Hill

    The Boulder County Assessor’s Office reminds qualifying seniors that Colorado’s property tax exemption portability provision allows them to transfer their exemption to a new primary residence within the county. Seniors who have moved should contact the Assessor’s Office to ensure their exemption transfers correctly.

    Data from the 2024 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 80% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 5,390 responses from residents across the county.

    Safety data from the Niwot area shows 9 reported incidents in the past 12 months, a 15% change from the previous year. The Sheriff’s Office has increased patrols along Niwot Road and added community outreach programs in response to resident feedback.

    What You Need to Know

    The Board of County Commissioners will review progress on this initiative at their May 16 business meeting. Agenda items and supporting documents are posted on the Boulder County website 72 hours before each meeting.

    A community information session will be held at the Niwot library on Tuesday, May 19 at 5:00 PM. Translation services in Spanish and Nepali will be available. The session will also be livestreamed on the Boulder County YouTube channel.

  • 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.

    Climate considerations are central to this effort. Boulder County’s 2025 Climate Action Plan sets targets of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 17% below 2005 levels by 2030. This project contributes to those goals through energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy integration, and reduced vehicle miles traveled.

    Safety data from the Longmont area shows 15 reported incidents in the past 12 months, a 26% change from the previous year. The Sheriff’s Office has increased patrols along Niwot Road and added community outreach programs in response to resident feedback.

    Community Impact

    For questions about this program, contact Rachel Stein at Human Services: (303) 441-5002 or email Human [email protected]. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Walk-in services are available at the Longmont 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 $464,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

    Contact Information

    A community information session will be held at the Longmont library on Saturday, May 2 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.

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

    Hazardous Waste Collection Event Scheduled for April 19 at Fairgrounds — Erie Area

    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.

    Environmental review of the project area near SH-119 Diagonal Highway found 11 sensitive species and 2 wetland areas requiring mitigation. The Public Works worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to develop a habitat conservation plan.

    The Coalton Trail open space property encompasses 1,581 acres and features 3 miles of multi-use trails. Seasonal wildlife closures may apply from December 15 through July 15 to protect nesting raptors and elk calving areas.

    Contact Information

    Water quality monitoring at 19 stations along Boulder Creek, St. Vrain Creek, and Left Hand Creek showed all parameters within acceptable ranges for 2025. The Public Works publishes quarterly water quality reports on the Boulder County website.

    Safety data from the Louisville area shows 19 reported incidents in the past 12 months, a 24% change from the previous year. The Sheriff’s Office has increased patrols along SH-119 Diagonal Highway and added community outreach programs in response to resident feedback.

  • March 2026: Boulder Canyon Trail Closure Due to Rockfall Mitigation Work

    March 2026: Boulder Canyon Trail Closure Due to Rockfall Mitigation Work

    Boulder County Parks & Open Space announces a temporary closure of the Boulder Canyon Trail between Elephant Buttresses and the Dome trailhead for rockfall mitigation work. Crews will be scaling loose rock and installing mesh netting along a 400-foot section of cliff face above the trail. The closure is expected to last approximately three weeks, weather permitting.

    Data from the 2025 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 21% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 5,712 responses from residents across the county.

    Climate considerations are central to this effort. Boulder County’s 2025 Climate Action Plan sets targets of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 21% below 2005 levels by 2030. This project contributes to those goals through energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy integration, and reduced vehicle miles traveled.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Public comment on this matter can be submitted through the Boulder County online portal, by email to Housing & Human Services, or in person at the next Board of County Commissioners meeting. Written comments received by 5:00 PM the day before the hearing will be included in the public record.

    Volunteers contributed over 10,409 hours to this program last year. The Housing & Human Services coordinates with 19 nonprofit partner organizations throughout Boulder County to deliver services.

  • New Floodplain Development Permit Available for Public Comment — Gold Hill Area

    New Floodplain Development Permit Available for Public Comment — Gold Hill Area

    The Boulder County Community Planning & Permitting Department has proposed updates to the General Floodplain Development Permit process. Changes include streamlined review timelines, updated fee structures, and new requirements for climate-adjusted flood risk assessments. Comments are due by April 30.

    Boulder County has partnered with the cities of Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, and Louisville on this project. Combined investment across all jurisdictions totals $166,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

    The application deadline is April 30, 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 6 business days.

    Eligibility

    The Human Services processed over 3,481 applications last year, with an average processing time of 19 business days. Staff are available at the Nederland office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

    The project includes improvements along Coal Creek Canyon Road between Nederland and the intersection with Nelson Road. Construction is scheduled to begin in September 2026 with completion expected within 16 months.

  • Boulder County Receives Grant for Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure — Follow-Up Report

    Boulder County Receives Grant for Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure — Follow-Up Report

    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.

    For questions about this program, contact Lisa Patel at Area Agency on Aging: (303) 441-7454 or email Area Agency on [email protected]. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Walk-in services are available at the Nederland office without an appointment.

    Residents in the Nederland area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Area Agency on Aging at (303) 441-7454 to verify eligibility and requirements.

    Resources

    The Board of County Commissioners will review progress on this initiative at their June 5 business meeting. Agenda items and supporting documents are posted on the Boulder County website 72 hours before each meeting.

    Funding of $359,000 for this initiative comes from a combination of federal grants, state matching funds, and the Boulder County General Fund. The Board of County Commissioners approved the allocation during the 2024 budget session.

  • Update: Assessor’s Office Helps Eligible Seniors Keep Property Tax Relief After a Move (2025)

    Update: Assessor’s Office Helps Eligible Seniors Keep Property Tax Relief After a Move (2025)

    The Boulder County Assessor’s Office reminds qualifying seniors that Colorado’s property tax exemption portability provision allows them to transfer their exemption to a new primary residence within the county. Seniors who have moved should contact the Assessor’s Office to ensure their exemption transfers correctly.

    Residents in the Boulder area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Assessor’s Office at (303) 441-6838 to verify eligibility and requirements.

    Affordable housing remains the top priority identified in the 2024 Community Survey. Boulder County’s Worthy Cause program has funded 230 affordable housing units since its inception, with 56 additional units in the development pipeline.

    Related Programs

    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 2285 county employees across 48 departments and offices.

    Boulder County has partnered with the cities of Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, and Louisville on this project. Combined investment across all jurisdictions totals $192,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

  • Update: Commissioners Approve Accessory Dwelling Unit Code Amendment (2024)

    Update: Commissioners Approve Accessory Dwelling Unit Code Amendment (2024)

    The Board of County Commissioners has approved amendments to the Boulder County Land Use Code to streamline the process for building Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) on residential properties in unincorporated areas. Changes include reduced setback requirements, simplified design standards, and by-right approval for units under 800 square feet.

    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 2486 county employees across 41 departments and offices.

    A community information session will be held at the Niwot library on Sunday, May 24 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.

    Background

    Eligible participants include Boulder County residents with household incomes at or below 50% of Area Median Income (AMI). For a family of four, this is approximately $118,000 per year. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

    The Anne U. White open space property encompasses 1,466 acres and features 10 miles of multi-use trails. Seasonal wildlife closures may apply from December 15 through July 15 to protect nesting raptors and elk calving areas.

    Next Steps

    Volunteers contributed over 13,482 hours to this program last year. The Clerk & Recorder coordinates with 5 nonprofit partner organizations throughout Boulder County to deliver services.

  • Commissioners Call for Strengthened Community Immigrant Protections — Louisville Area

    Commissioners Call for Strengthened Community Immigrant Protections — Louisville Area

    The Boulder County Board of Commissioners has issued a resolution reaffirming the county’s commitment to protecting immigrant community members and ensuring equal access to county services regardless of immigration status. The resolution directs county staff to review and strengthen existing policies.

    Data from the 2025 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 38% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 6,657 responses from residents across the county.

    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.

    Resources

    Climate considerations are central to this effort. Boulder County’s 2025 Climate Action Plan sets targets of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 38% below 2005 levels by 2030. This project contributes to those goals through energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy integration, and reduced vehicle miles traveled.

    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 2381 county employees across 38 departments and offices.