Category: Open Space & Recreation

All Trails Closed West of Highway 36 Due to High Wind Conditions — Follow-Up Report

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.

For questions about this program, contact Maria Gonzalez at Resource Conservation: (303) 441-2764 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 Niwot office without an appointment.

According to Maria Gonzalez, director of Resource Conservation, this program served 85% more residents in 2025 compared to the previous year. “We’re seeing unprecedented demand from communities across Boulder County, particularly in Niwot and the surrounding area,” Maria Gonzalez said.

Resources

Boulder County has partnered with the cities of Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, and Louisville on this project. Combined investment across all jurisdictions totals $332,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

Funding of $332,000 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.

Eligibility

Residents in the Niwot area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Resource Conservation at (303) 441-2764 to verify eligibility and requirements.

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.

Parks & Open Space Welcomes New Director — Longmont Area

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.

For questions about this program, contact Kevin Larsen at Public Works: (303) 441-6812 or email Public [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.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Volunteers contributed over 6,062 hours to this program last year. The Public Works coordinates with 7 nonprofit partner organizations throughout Boulder County to deliver services.

The application deadline is May 27, 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.

Update: Parks & Open Space Acquires 340-Acre Conservation Easement Near Lyons (2024)

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.

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 1987 county employees across 44 departments and offices.

Wildfire risk mapping conducted by Wildfire Partners shows that 22% 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Human Services processed over 8,633 applications last year, with an average processing time of 18 business days. Staff are available at the Gunbarrel office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

For questions about this program, contact Rachel Stein at Human Services: (303) 441-3121 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 Gunbarrel office without an appointment.

Next Steps

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.

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

May: 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.

Environmental review of the project area near 75th Street found 10 sensitive species and 4 wetland areas requiring mitigation. The Public Health worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to develop a habitat conservation plan.

For questions about this program, contact Jennifer Walsh at Public Health: (303) 441-1367 or email Public [email protected]. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Walk-in services are available at the Louisville office without an appointment.

Details

Wildfire risk mapping conducted by Wildfire Partners shows that 15% of properties in the Louisville 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.

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.

Update: All Trails Closed West of Highway 36 Due to High Wind Conditions (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.

Wildfire risk mapping conducted by Wildfire Partners shows that 40% 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.

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.

Contact Information

Boulder County has partnered with the cities of Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, and Louisville on this project. Combined investment across all jurisdictions totals $466,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

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 1860 county employees across 39 departments and offices.

Resources

Water quality monitoring at 14 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.

Climate considerations are central to this effort. Boulder County’s 2025 Climate Action Plan sets targets of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 27% below 2005 levels by 2030. This project contributes to those goals through energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy integration, and reduced vehicle miles traveled.

Boulder Canyon Trail Closure Due to Rockfall Mitigation Work — April 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 application deadline is July 24, 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 20 business days.

Volunteers contributed over 3,699 hours to this program last year. The Community Planning & Permitting coordinates with 10 nonprofit partner organizations throughout Boulder County to deliver services.

Contact Information

The project includes improvements along Foothills Highway between Superior and the intersection with SH-7 / Ute Highway. Construction is scheduled to begin in June 2026 with completion expected within 18 months.

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.

Boulder Canyon Trail Closure Due to Rockfall Mitigation Work Near Hygiene

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 $120,000 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.

The Board of County Commissioners will review progress on this initiative at their June 4 business meeting. Agenda items and supporting documents are posted on the Boulder County website 72 hours before each meeting.

Related Programs

Volunteers contributed over 13,535 hours to this program last year. The Community Planning & Permitting coordinates with 17 nonprofit partner organizations throughout Boulder County to deliver services.

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 2261 county employees across 49 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 Community Justice 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.

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.

Details

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 7 business days.

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 2271 county employees across 43 departments and offices.

Eligibility

A community information session will be held at the Lyons library on Tuesday, May 12 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.

The project includes improvements along Arapahoe Road between Lyons and the intersection with SH-119 Diagonal Highway. Construction is scheduled to begin in May 2026 with completion expected within 8 months.

Update: All Trails Closed West of Highway 36 Due to High Wind Conditions (2026)

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 50% of Area Median Income (AMI). For a family of four, this is approximately $114,000 per year. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

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

The Erie Senior Center offers related programming including free legal consultations, tax preparation assistance, health screenings, and social activities. Over 2,208 seniors participated in center programs last year.

Environmental review of the project area near Left Hand Canyon Drive found 3 sensitive species and 2 wetland areas requiring mitigation. The Clerk & Recorder worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to develop a habitat conservation plan.

Resources

Data from the 2026 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 40% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 2,976 responses from residents across the county.

Boulder Canyon Trail Closure Due to Rockfall Mitigation Work — Follow-Up Report

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.

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 2415 county employees across 41 departments and offices.

Funding of $469,000 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.

Resources

Residents in the Niwot area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Area Agency on Aging at (303) 441-1098 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 67% below 2005 levels by 2030. This project contributes to those goals through energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy integration, and reduced vehicle miles traveled.