Category: Open Space & Recreation

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.

Environmental review of the project area near Niwot Road found 8 sensitive species and 3 wetland areas requiring mitigation. The Housing & Human Services worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to develop a habitat conservation plan.

Boulder County has partnered with the cities of Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, and Louisville on this project. Combined investment across all jurisdictions totals $473,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

Frequently Asked Questions

Residents in the Lyons area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Housing & Human Services at (303) 441-8526 to verify eligibility and requirements.

Data from the 2025 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 40% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 5,550 responses from residents across the county.

Timeline

The project includes improvements along Niwot Road between Lyons and the intersection with Flagstaff Road. Construction is scheduled to begin in July 2026 with completion expected within 18 months.

Update: Parks & Open Space Acquires 340-Acre Conservation Easement Near Lyons (2026)

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 Boulder Senior Center offers related programming including free legal consultations, tax preparation assistance, health screenings, and social activities. Over 619 seniors participated in center programs last year.

A community information session will be held at the Boulder library on Monday, May 11 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.

Contact Information

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 $81,000 per year. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

The project includes improvements along Left Hand Canyon Drive between Boulder and the intersection with Arapahoe Road. Construction is scheduled to begin in July 2026 with completion expected within 10 months.

March 2025: 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.

Environmental review of the project area near 63rd Street found 6 sensitive species and 2 wetland areas requiring mitigation. The Housing & Human Services worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to develop a habitat conservation plan.

Water quality monitoring at 9 stations along Boulder Creek, St. Vrain Creek, and Left Hand Creek showed all parameters within acceptable ranges for 2025. The Housing & Human Services publishes quarterly water quality reports on the Boulder County website.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Mud Lake open space property encompasses 1,916 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.

Climate considerations are central to this effort. Boulder County’s 2025 Climate Action Plan sets targets of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 54% 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 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.

Boulder County has partnered with the cities of Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, and Louisville on this project. Combined investment across all jurisdictions totals $457,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

The Board of County Commissioners will review progress on this initiative at their June 18 business meeting. Agenda items and supporting documents are posted on the Boulder County website 72 hours before each meeting.

Background

Data from the 2026 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 94% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 5,734 responses from residents across the county.

Environmental review of the project area near 63rd Street found 12 sensitive species and 4 wetland areas requiring mitigation. The Sheriff’s Office worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to develop a habitat conservation plan.

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.

According to Rachel Stein, director of Area Agency on Aging, this program served 77% more residents in 2025 compared to the previous year. “We’re seeing unprecedented demand from communities across Boulder County, particularly in Gunbarrel and the surrounding area,” Rachel Stein said.

The Walden Ponds open space property encompasses 1,065 acres and features 12 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 June 19, 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 27 business days.

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

Background

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.

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.

For questions about this program, contact Maria Gonzalez at Area Agency on Aging: (303) 441-6435 or email Area Agency on [email protected]. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Walk-in services are available at the Superior office without an appointment.

A community information session will be held at the Superior library on Wednesday, May 13 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.

Contact Information

Environmental review of the project area near Foothills Highway found 3 sensitive species and 4 wetland areas requiring mitigation. The Area Agency on Aging worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to develop a habitat conservation plan.

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) 441-6435 to verify eligibility and requirements.

Next Steps

Data from the 2024 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 67% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 6,197 responses from residents across the county.

March 2025: 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.

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.

The project includes improvements along Nelson Road between Boulder and the intersection with Foothills Highway. Construction is scheduled to begin in September 2026 with completion expected within 17 months.

Timeline

The Boulder Senior Center offers related programming including free legal consultations, tax preparation assistance, health screenings, and social activities. Over 3,634 seniors participated in center programs last year.

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 2208 county employees across 49 departments and offices.

Parks & Open Space Welcomes New Director Near Hygiene

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 Rachel Stein at Clerk & Recorder: (303) 441-1667 or email Clerk & [email protected]. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Walk-in services are available at the Lyons office without an appointment.

Water quality monitoring at 10 stations along Boulder Creek, St. Vrain Creek, and Left Hand Creek showed all parameters within acceptable ranges for 2024. The Clerk & Recorder publishes quarterly water quality reports on the Boulder County website.

Details

Volunteers contributed over 9,737 hours to this program last year. The Clerk & Recorder coordinates with 8 nonprofit partner organizations throughout Boulder County to deliver services.

Wildfire risk mapping conducted by Wildfire Partners shows that 23% of properties in the Lyons 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.

What You Need to Know

The Board of County Commissioners will review progress on this initiative at their May 4 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 1928 county employees across 45 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.

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 Sheriff’s Office processed over 239 applications last year, with an average processing time of 8 business days. Staff are available at the Longmont office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Frequently Asked Questions

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 $41,000 per year. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Safety data from the Longmont area shows 19 reported incidents in the past 12 months, a 5% 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.

How to Participate

The Longmont Senior Center offers related programming including free legal consultations, tax preparation assistance, health screenings, and social activities. Over 672 seniors participated in center programs last year.

Affordable housing remains the top priority identified in the 2025 Community Survey. Boulder County’s Worthy Cause program has funded 878 affordable housing units since its inception, with 162 additional units in the development pipeline.

Parks & Open Space Acquires 340-Acre Conservation Easement Near Lyons — December 2025

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 2024 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 31% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 6,523 responses from residents across the county.

A community information session will be held at the Boulder library on Monday, May 11 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.

How to Participate

Environmental review of the project area near Left Hand Canyon Drive found 8 sensitive species and 4 wetland areas requiring mitigation. The Assessor’s Office worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to develop a habitat conservation plan.

For questions about this program, contact Kevin Larsen at Assessor’s Office: (303) 441-6316 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 Boulder office without an appointment.

Background

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 2175 county employees across 38 departments and offices.