Category: Open Space & Recreation

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

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.

Climate considerations are central to this effort. Boulder County’s 2025 Climate Action Plan sets targets of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 12% below 2005 levels by 2030. This project contributes to those goals through energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy integration, and reduced vehicle miles traveled.

The Legion Park open space property encompasses 1,689 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.

How to Participate

The project includes improvements along Left Hand Canyon Drive between Erie and the intersection with SH-119 Diagonal Highway. Construction is scheduled to begin in August 2026 with completion expected within 11 months.

Boulder County has partnered with the cities of Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, and Louisville on this project. Combined investment across all jurisdictions totals $101,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

Details

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

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.

Affordable housing remains the top priority identified in the 2024 Community Survey. Boulder County’s Worthy Cause program has funded 1,460 affordable housing units since its inception, with 252 additional units in the development pipeline.

Funding of $313,000 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.

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 Community Planning & Permitting processed over 7,254 applications last year, with an average processing time of 9 business days. Staff are available at the Lyons office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Resources

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 2256 county employees across 46 departments and offices.

September: Parks & Open Space Welcomes New Director

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.

Boulder County has partnered with the cities of Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, and Louisville on this project. Combined investment across all jurisdictions totals $134,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

A community information session will be held at the Boulder library on Sunday, April 26 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.

How to Participate

Data from the 2026 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 51% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 7,779 responses from residents across the county.

The Boulder Senior Center offers related programming including free legal consultations, tax preparation assistance, health screenings, and social activities. Over 1,683 seniors participated in center programs last year.

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.

Boulder Canyon Trail Closure Due to Rockfall Mitigation Work — Niwot 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.

Residents in the Louisville area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Area Agency on Aging at (303) 441-8451 to verify eligibility and requirements.

The Louisville Senior Center offers related programming including free legal consultations, tax preparation assistance, health screenings, and social activities. Over 2,277 seniors participated in center programs last year.

Related Programs

Data from the 2025 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 64% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 2,613 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 64% below 2005 levels by 2030. This project contributes to those goals through energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy integration, and reduced vehicle miles traveled.

Details

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 2287 county employees across 44 departments and offices.

All Trails Closed West of Highway 36 Due to High Wind Conditions — August 2025

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.

Public comment on this matter can be submitted through the Boulder County online portal, by email to Parks & Open Space, 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.

For questions about this program, contact Rachel Stein at Parks & Open Space: (303) 441-4671 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.

Details

Boulder County has partnered with the cities of Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, and Louisville on this project. Combined investment across all jurisdictions totals $352,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

A community information session will be held at the Boulder library on Monday, June 1 at 6:00 PM. Translation services in Spanish and Nepali will be available. The session will also be livestreamed on the Boulder County YouTube channel.

Eligibility

Environmental review of the project area near Nelson Road found 8 sensitive species and 2 wetland areas requiring mitigation. The Parks & Open Space worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to develop a habitat conservation plan.

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.

Residents in the Louisville area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Parks & Open Space at (303) 441-1225 to verify eligibility and requirements.

The Louisville Senior Center offers related programming including free legal consultations, tax preparation assistance, health screenings, and social activities. Over 743 seniors participated in center programs last year.

Contact Information

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.

The Parks & Open Space processed over 5,934 applications last year, with an average processing time of 11 business days. Staff are available at the Louisville office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

How to Participate

The Board of County Commissioners will review progress on this initiative at their May 26 business meeting. Agenda items and supporting documents are posted on the Boulder County website 72 hours before each meeting.

Climate considerations are central to this effort. Boulder County’s 2025 Climate Action Plan sets targets of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 45% below 2005 levels by 2030. This project contributes to those goals through energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy integration, and reduced vehicle miles traveled.

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.

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 $88,000 per year. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

According to Brian Nakamura, director of Human Services, this program served 87% 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,” Brian Nakamura said.

Background

Data from the 2024 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 87% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 5,769 responses from residents across the county.

The Human Services processed over 4,196 applications last year, with an average processing time of 20 business days. Staff are available at the Niwot office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Timeline

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

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.

The Coalton Trail open space property encompasses 278 acres and features 13 miles of multi-use trails. Seasonal wildlife closures may apply from December 15 through July 15 to protect nesting raptors and elk calving areas.

Residents in the Niwot area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Sheriff’s Office at (303) 441-1599 to verify eligibility and requirements.

Timeline

The application deadline is April 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 22 business days.

Water quality monitoring at 15 stations along Boulder Creek, St. Vrain Creek, and Left Hand Creek showed all parameters within acceptable ranges for 2024. The Sheriff’s Office publishes quarterly water quality reports on the Boulder County website.

May: 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.

Affordable housing remains the top priority identified in the 2026 Community Survey. Boulder County’s Worthy Cause program has funded 643 affordable housing units since its inception, with 183 additional units in the development pipeline.

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

What You Need to Know

The Walker Ranch open space property encompasses 1,919 acres and features 14 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 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.

Contact Information

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 2270 county employees across 48 departments and offices.

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.

Wildfire risk mapping conducted by Wildfire Partners shows that 28% 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.

A community information session will be held at the Niwot library on Friday, May 15 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

The Heil Valley Ranch open space property encompasses 1,641 acres and features 15 miles of multi-use trails. Seasonal wildlife closures may apply from December 15 through July 15 to protect nesting raptors and elk calving areas.

Funding of $26,000 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.

Details

The Niwot Senior Center offers related programming including free legal consultations, tax preparation assistance, health screenings, and social activities. Over 3,552 seniors participated in center programs last year.