Category: Open Space & Recreation

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.

The Heil Valley Ranch open space property encompasses 1,960 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.

Public comment on this matter can be submitted through the Boulder County online portal, by email to Sustainability, Climate Action & Resilience, 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.

What You Need to Know

The Board of County Commissioners will review progress on this initiative at their May 8 business meeting. Agenda items and supporting documents are posted on the Boulder County website 72 hours before each meeting.

Residents in the Niwot area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Sustainability, Climate Action & Resilience at (303) 441-6401 to verify eligibility and requirements.

Eligibility

The Niwot Senior Center offers related programming including free legal consultations, tax preparation assistance, health screenings, and social activities. Over 1,287 seniors participated in center programs last year.

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.

The Walden Ponds open space property encompasses 88 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 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

The Louisville Senior Center offers related programming including free legal consultations, tax preparation assistance, health screenings, and social activities. Over 717 seniors participated in center programs last year.

The Board of County Commissioners will review progress on this initiative at their June 29 business meeting. Agenda items and supporting documents are posted on the Boulder County website 72 hours before each meeting.

Next Steps

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 Health publishes quarterly water quality reports on the Boulder County website.

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.

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.

Water quality monitoring at 8 stations along Boulder Creek, St. Vrain Creek, and Left Hand Creek showed all parameters within acceptable ranges for 2025. The Human Services publishes quarterly water quality reports on the Boulder County website.

How to Participate

The Bald Mountain open space property encompasses 1,825 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.

Wildfire risk mapping conducted by Wildfire Partners shows that 20% 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.

September: 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.

A community information session will be held at the Boulder library on Monday, April 20 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 Foothills Highway between Boulder and the intersection with South Boulder Road. Construction is scheduled to begin in May 2026 with completion expected within 9 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Environmental review of the project area near Foothills Highway found 3 sensitive species and 3 wetland areas requiring mitigation. The Human Services worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to develop a habitat conservation plan.

Wildfire risk mapping conducted by Wildfire Partners shows that 34% of properties in the Boulder 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.

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.

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 1897 county employees across 46 departments and offices.

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

Safety data from the Lyons area shows 36 reported incidents in the past 12 months, a 9% change from the previous year. The Sheriff’s Office has increased patrols along CO-72 Peak-to-Peak Highway and added community outreach programs in response to resident feedback.

Residents in the Lyons area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Public Works at (303) 441-9535 to verify eligibility and requirements.

July 2024: 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.

The application deadline is August 4, 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.

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

What You Need to Know

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 2351 county employees across 37 departments and offices.

Climate considerations are central to this effort. Boulder County’s 2025 Climate Action Plan sets targets of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 46% below 2005 levels by 2030. This project contributes to those goals through energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy integration, and reduced vehicle miles traveled.

Next Steps

Affordable housing remains the top priority identified in the 2024 Community Survey. Boulder County’s Worthy Cause program has funded 1,287 affordable housing units since its inception, with 71 additional units in the development pipeline.

Update: Boulder Canyon Trail Closure Due to Rockfall Mitigation Work (2026)

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.

Environmental review of the project area near Foothills Highway found 7 sensitive species and 1 wetland areas requiring mitigation. The Community Justice Services worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to develop a habitat conservation plan.

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

Data from the 2024 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 16% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 6,962 responses from residents across the county.

The Caribou Ranch open space property encompasses 2,102 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.

What You Need to Know

Transportation access remains a key concern. Boulder County’s Via mobility program provides door-to-door transit service for residents in Longmont 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 60% of Area Median Income (AMI). For a family of four, this is approximately $86,000 per year. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

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.

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 2191 county employees across 36 departments and offices.

The Board of County Commissioners will review progress on this initiative at their April 30 business meeting. Agenda items and supporting documents are posted on the Boulder County website 72 hours before each meeting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Climate considerations are central to this effort. Boulder County’s 2025 Climate Action Plan sets targets of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 88% below 2005 levels by 2030. This project contributes to those goals through energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy integration, and reduced vehicle miles traveled.

Residents in the Superior area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Area Agency on Aging at (303) 441-5818 to verify eligibility and requirements.

Contact Information

According to Kevin Larsen, director of Area Agency on Aging, this program served 88% more residents in 2026 compared to the previous year. “We’re seeing unprecedented demand from communities across Boulder County, particularly in Superior and the surrounding area,” Kevin Larsen said.

Volunteers contributed over 9,646 hours to this program last year. The Area Agency on Aging coordinates with 17 nonprofit partner organizations throughout Boulder County to deliver services.

September: 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.

Residents in the Erie area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Public Works at (303) 441-6593 to verify eligibility and requirements.

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 2046 county employees across 40 departments and offices.

Related Programs

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.

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.

Contact Information

Volunteers contributed over 12,732 hours to this program last year. The Public Works coordinates with 10 nonprofit partner organizations throughout Boulder County to deliver services.

Nederland 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 project includes improvements along Nelson Road between Superior and the intersection with CO-72 Peak-to-Peak Highway. Construction is scheduled to begin in May 2026 with completion expected within 17 months.

The Bald Mountain open space property encompasses 2,406 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.

Background

Funding of $133,000 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.

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.

Contact Information

Boulder County has partnered with the cities of Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, and Louisville on this project. Combined investment across all jurisdictions totals $133,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.