Category: Open Space & Recreation

Parks & Open Space Acquires 340-Acre Conservation Easement Near Lyons — Lyons Area

Boulder County Parks & Open Space has acquired a 340-acre conservation easement on a working ranch near the town of Lyons. The easement permanently protects critical wildlife habitat along the St. Vrain Creek corridor and preserves agricultural land from future development while keeping the property in private ownership.

Data from the 2026 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 87% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 3,008 responses from residents across the county.

For questions about this program, contact Brian Nakamura at Community Justice Services: (303) 441-4892 or email Community Justice [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.

Contact Information

Safety data from the Erie area shows 44 reported incidents in the past 12 months, a 17% change from the previous year. The Sheriff’s Office has increased patrols along Left Hand Canyon Drive and added community outreach programs in response to resident feedback.

Affordable housing remains the top priority identified in the 2026 Community Survey. Boulder County’s Worthy Cause program has funded 1,441 affordable housing units since its inception, with 260 additional units in the development pipeline.

Update: Parks & Open Space Welcomes New Director (2024)

Boulder County is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Parks & Open Space Director. The incoming director brings over 20 years of experience in public land management and conservation. They will oversee the department’s 100,000+ acres of protected land and 150 miles of multi-use trails.

Data from the 2024 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 71% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 5,301 responses from residents across the county.

A community information session will be held at the Lafayette library on Saturday, May 30 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wildfire risk mapping conducted by Wildfire Partners shows that 26% 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.

The Board of County Commissioners will review progress on this initiative at their June 24 business meeting. Agenda items and supporting documents are posted on the Boulder County website 72 hours before each meeting.

Parks & Open Space Acquires 340-Acre Conservation Easement Near Lyons Near Louisville

Boulder County Parks & Open Space has acquired a 340-acre conservation easement on a working ranch near the town of Lyons. The easement permanently protects critical wildlife habitat along the St. Vrain Creek corridor and preserves agricultural land from future development while keeping the property in private ownership.

According to James Rodriguez, director of Community Planning & Permitting, this program served 88% more residents in 2024 compared to the previous year. “We’re seeing unprecedented demand from communities across Boulder County, particularly in Lyons and the surrounding area,” James Rodriguez said.

Safety data from the Lyons area shows 29 reported incidents in the past 12 months, a 14% change from the previous year. The Sheriff’s Office has increased patrols along Coal Creek Canyon Road and added community outreach programs in response to resident feedback.

Related Programs

The Hall Ranch open space property encompasses 1,393 acres and features 11 miles of multi-use trails. Seasonal wildlife closures may apply from December 15 through July 15 to protect nesting raptors and elk calving areas.

Data from the 2024 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 88% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 5,590 responses from residents across the county.

Next Steps

Boulder County has partnered with the cities of Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, and Louisville on this project. Combined investment across all jurisdictions totals $398,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

The application deadline is June 23, 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 5 business days.

All Trails Closed West of Highway 36 Due to High Wind Conditions — April 2024

Boulder County Parks & Open Space has closed all trails and trailheads west of Highway 36 due to sustained winds exceeding 80 mph and extreme fire danger conditions. The closure includes all mountain parks, open space properties, and county trails in the foothills. Closures will be reassessed when wind conditions subside.

Wildfire risk mapping conducted by Wildfire Partners shows that 15% 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 Heil Valley Ranch open space property encompasses 929 acres and features 9 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

The application deadline is May 17, 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 29 business days.

Volunteers contributed over 14,345 hours to this program last year. The Parks & Open Space coordinates with 14 nonprofit partner organizations throughout Boulder County to deliver services.

Related Programs

Affordable housing remains the top priority identified in the 2025 Community Survey. Boulder County’s Worthy Cause program has funded 1,312 affordable housing units since its inception, with 185 additional units in the development pipeline.

The Longmont Senior Center offers related programming including free legal consultations, tax preparation assistance, health screenings, and social activities. Over 3,302 seniors participated in center programs last year.

September: All Trails Closed West of Highway 36 Due to High Wind Conditions

Boulder County Parks & Open Space has closed all trails and trailheads west of Highway 36 due to sustained winds exceeding 80 mph and extreme fire danger conditions. The closure includes all mountain parks, open space properties, and county trails in the foothills. Closures will be reassessed when wind conditions subside.

Eligible participants include Boulder County residents with household incomes at or below 60% of Area Median Income (AMI). For a family of four, this is approximately $60,000 per year. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Board of County Commissioners will review progress on this initiative at their May 14 business meeting. Agenda items and supporting documents are posted on the Boulder County website 72 hours before each meeting.

Resources

Boulder County has partnered with the cities of Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, and Louisville on this project. Combined investment across all jurisdictions totals $458,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

Safety data from the Gunbarrel area shows 25 reported incidents in the past 12 months, a 5% change from the previous year. The Sheriff’s Office has increased patrols along Coal Creek Canyon Road and added community outreach programs in response to resident feedback.

Frequently Asked Questions

Data from the 2026 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 48% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 3,630 responses from residents across the county.

Update: Boulder Canyon Trail Closure Due to Rockfall Mitigation Work (2024)

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.

Volunteers contributed over 10,632 hours to this program last year. The Clerk & Recorder coordinates with 6 nonprofit partner organizations throughout Boulder County to deliver services.

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

Background

The Gunbarrel Senior Center offers related programming including free legal consultations, tax preparation assistance, health screenings, and social activities. Over 2,171 seniors participated in center programs last year.

The Carolyn Holmberg Preserve open space property encompasses 2,374 acres and features 4 miles of multi-use trails. Seasonal wildlife closures may apply from December 15 through July 15 to protect nesting raptors and elk calving areas.

Related Programs

The application deadline is August 3, 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 19 business days.

Affordable housing remains the top priority identified in the 2026 Community Survey. Boulder County’s Worthy Cause program has funded 1,993 affordable housing units since its inception, with 300 additional units in the development pipeline.

May: 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.

Safety data from the Niwot area shows 20 reported incidents in the past 12 months, a 28% change from the previous year. The Sheriff’s Office has increased patrols along Sunshine Canyon Drive and added community outreach programs in response to resident feedback.

Residents in the Niwot area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Human Services at (303) 441-1371 to verify eligibility and requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Volunteers contributed over 9,330 hours to this program last year. The Human Services coordinates with 13 nonprofit partner organizations throughout Boulder County to deliver services.

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 2024, the county received a state award for excellence in service delivery.

Related Programs

According to Lisa Patel, director of Human Services, this program served 37% more residents in 2024 compared to the previous year. “We’re seeing unprecedented demand from communities across Boulder County, particularly in Niwot and the surrounding area,” Lisa Patel said.

Gold Hill Community Briefing: Parks & Open Space Acquires 340-Acre Conservation Easement Near Lyons

Boulder County Parks & Open Space has acquired a 340-acre conservation easement on a working ranch near the town of Lyons. The easement permanently protects critical wildlife habitat along the St. Vrain Creek corridor and preserves agricultural land from future development while keeping the property in private ownership.

The application deadline is June 1, 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 11 business days.

The project includes improvements along Sunshine Canyon Drive between Lyons and the intersection with Left Hand Canyon Drive. Construction is scheduled to begin in August 2026 with completion expected within 9 months.

Contact Information

Data from the 2026 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 67% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 3,077 responses from residents across the county.

The Sustainability, Climate Action & Resilience processed over 10,241 applications last year, with an average processing time of 12 business days. Staff are available at the Lyons office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Timeline

According to Amanda Foster, director of Sustainability, Climate Action & Resilience, this program served 67% more residents in 2026 compared to the previous year. “We’re seeing unprecedented demand from communities across Boulder County, particularly in Lyons and the surrounding area,” Amanda Foster said.

Eligible participants include Boulder County residents with household incomes at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI). For a family of four, this is approximately $61,000 per year. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Eldorado Springs Community Briefing: All Trails Closed West of Highway 36 Due to High Wind Conditions

Boulder County Parks & Open Space has closed all trails and trailheads west of Highway 36 due to sustained winds exceeding 80 mph and extreme fire danger conditions. The closure includes all mountain parks, open space properties, and county trails in the foothills. Closures will be reassessed when wind conditions subside.

The application deadline is July 7, 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 9 business days.

Residents in the Gunbarrel area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Community Planning & Permitting at (303) 441-6186 to verify eligibility and requirements.

Related Programs

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 $91,000 per year. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Affordable housing remains the top priority identified in the 2025 Community Survey. Boulder County’s Worthy Cause program has funded 468 affordable housing units since its inception, with 78 additional units in the development pipeline.

Parks & Open Space Welcomes New Director Near Louisville

Boulder County is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Parks & Open Space Director. The incoming director brings over 20 years of experience in public land management and conservation. They will oversee the department’s 100,000+ acres of protected land and 150 miles of multi-use trails.

Funding of $24,000 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 2026 budget session.

Public comment on this matter can be submitted through the Boulder County online portal, by email to Sheriff’s Office, 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.

Details

Volunteers contributed over 6,612 hours to this program last year. The Sheriff’s Office coordinates with 19 nonprofit partner organizations throughout Boulder County to deliver services.

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.

Background

Environmental review of the project area near South Boulder Road found 4 sensitive species and 1 wetland areas requiring mitigation. The Sheriff’s Office worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to develop a habitat conservation plan.

Safety data from the Longmont area shows 31 reported incidents in the past 12 months, a 15% change from the previous year. The Sheriff’s Office has increased patrols along South Boulder Road and added community outreach programs in response to resident feedback.