Category: Open Space & Recreation

All Trails Closed West of Highway 36 Due to High Wind Conditions Near Allenspark

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 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.

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

Community Impact

Funding of $287,000 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.

Water quality monitoring at 20 stations along Boulder Creek, St. Vrain Creek, and Left Hand Creek showed all parameters within acceptable ranges for 2024. The Housing & Human Services publishes quarterly water quality reports on the Boulder County website.

November 2024: 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 Pella Crossing open space property encompasses 2,048 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.

For questions about this program, contact Amanda Foster at Sheriff’s Office: (303) 441-5321 or email Sheriff’s [email protected]. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Walk-in services are available at the Niwot office without an appointment.

What You Need to Know

The Board of County Commissioners will review progress on this initiative at their May 20 business meeting. Agenda items and supporting documents are posted on the Boulder County website 72 hours before each meeting.

Wildfire risk mapping conducted by Wildfire Partners shows that 29% of properties in the Niwot 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.

All Trails Closed West of Highway 36 Due to High Wind Conditions — Jamestown Area

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.

Water quality monitoring at 11 stations along Boulder Creek, St. Vrain Creek, and Left Hand Creek showed all parameters within acceptable ranges for 2025. The Sheriff’s Office publishes quarterly water quality reports on the Boulder County website.

Funding of $202,000 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 2025 budget session.

Resources

Boulder County has partnered with the cities of Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, and Louisville on this project. Combined investment across all jurisdictions totals $202,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

A community information session will be held at the Superior library on Monday, May 4 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.

Background

The Superior Senior Center offers related programming including free legal consultations, tax preparation assistance, health screenings, and social activities. Over 1,388 seniors participated in center programs last year.

The application deadline is June 18, 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.

Eldora Community Briefing: 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.

Climate considerations are central to this effort. Boulder County’s 2025 Climate Action Plan sets targets of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 80% below 2005 levels by 2030. This project contributes to those goals through energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy integration, and reduced vehicle miles traveled.

Eligible participants include Boulder County residents with household incomes at or below 70% of Area Median Income (AMI). For a family of four, this is approximately $55,000 per year. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Contact Information

Affordable housing remains the top priority identified in the 2026 Community Survey. Boulder County’s Worthy Cause program has funded 589 affordable housing units since its inception, with 107 additional units in the development pipeline.

The Lafayette Senior Center offers related programming including free legal consultations, tax preparation assistance, health screenings, and social activities. Over 1,482 seniors participated in center programs last year.

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 $232,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

Parks & Open Space Welcomes New Director — Follow-Up Report

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.

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

The Coalton Trail open space property encompasses 2,392 acres and features 5 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

For questions about this program, contact Jennifer Walsh at Assessor’s Office: (303) 441-4190 or email Assessor’s [email protected]. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Walk-in services are available at the Lafayette office without an appointment.

Affordable housing remains the top priority identified in the 2026 Community Survey. Boulder County’s Worthy Cause program has funded 409 affordable housing units since its inception, with 166 additional units in the development pipeline.

Details

The Board of County Commissioners will review progress on this initiative at their June 28 business meeting. Agenda items and supporting documents are posted on the Boulder County website 72 hours before each meeting.

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 2347 county employees across 35 departments and offices.

November 2025: 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.

Residents in the Nederland area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Public Health at (303) 441-6929 to verify eligibility and requirements.

A community information session will be held at the Nederland library on Sunday, April 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wildfire risk mapping conducted by Wildfire Partners shows that 23% 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.

According to Carlos Rivera, director of Public Health, this program served 43% more residents in 2025 compared to the previous year. “We’re seeing unprecedented demand from communities across Boulder County, particularly in Nederland and the surrounding area,” Carlos Rivera said.

Contact Information

The Public Health processed over 3,360 applications last year, with an average processing time of 7 business days. Staff are available at the Nederland office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Parks & Open Space Welcomes New Director — August 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.

Funding of $320,000 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.

Volunteers contributed over 9,889 hours to this program last year. The Area Agency on Aging coordinates with 14 nonprofit partner organizations throughout Boulder County to deliver services.

Background

The Carolyn Holmberg Preserve open space property encompasses 608 acres and features 5 miles of multi-use trails. Seasonal wildlife closures may apply from December 15 through July 15 to protect nesting raptors and elk calving areas.

The project includes improvements along Flagstaff Road between Louisville and the intersection with South Boulder Road. Construction is scheduled to begin in August 2026 with completion expected within 14 months.

Community Impact

Safety data from the Louisville area shows 30 reported incidents in the past 12 months, a 25% change from the previous year. The Sheriff’s Office has increased patrols along Flagstaff Road and added community outreach programs in response to resident feedback.

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

Boulder Canyon Trail Closure Due to Rockfall Mitigation Work — Longmont Area

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.

Funding of $249,000 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 2025 budget session.

Volunteers contributed over 13,916 hours to this program last year. The Community Planning & Permitting coordinates with 23 nonprofit partner organizations throughout Boulder County to deliver services.

Details

Public comment on this matter can be submitted through the Boulder County online portal, by email to Community Planning & Permitting, 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.

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.

Next Steps

A community information session will be held at the Erie 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.

Parks & Open Space Welcomes New Director — Follow-Up Report

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.

Climate considerations are central to this effort. Boulder County’s 2025 Climate Action Plan sets targets of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 66% below 2005 levels by 2030. This project contributes to those goals through energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy integration, and reduced vehicle miles traveled.

The Longmont Senior Center offers related programming including free legal consultations, tax preparation assistance, health screenings, and social activities. Over 3,326 seniors participated in center programs last year.

Eligibility

Environmental review of the project area near Nelson Road found 11 sensitive species and 4 wetland areas requiring mitigation. The Public Health worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to develop a habitat conservation plan.

The Public Health processed over 11,556 applications last year, with an average processing time of 14 business days. Staff are available at the Longmont office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Frequently Asked Questions

The project includes improvements along Nelson Road between Longmont and the intersection with 75th Street. Construction is scheduled to begin in September 2026 with completion expected within 14 months.

Residents in the Longmont area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Public Health at (303) 441-7849 to verify eligibility and requirements.

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.

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 2026, the county received a state award for excellence in service delivery.

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 2157 county employees across 47 departments and offices.

Related Programs

The Board of County Commissioners will review progress on this initiative at their June 23 business meeting. Agenda items and supporting documents are posted on the Boulder County website 72 hours before each meeting.

The Carolyn Holmberg Preserve open space property encompasses 556 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.

Contact Information

Wildfire risk mapping conducted by Wildfire Partners shows that 25% of properties in the Gunbarrel 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.