Category: Environment & Sustainability

Resource Conservation Division Releases February Newsletter Near Sunshine Canyon

The February edition of the Boulder County Resource Conservation newsletter features updates on the 2026 composting grant program, tips for reducing food waste at home, upcoming zero waste events, and a spotlight on local businesses achieving zero waste certification.

The Superior Senior Center offers related programming including free legal consultations, tax preparation assistance, health screenings, and social activities. Over 1,179 seniors participated in center programs last year.

Boulder County has partnered with the cities of Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, and Louisville on this project. Combined investment across all jurisdictions totals $461,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

Timeline

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 2111 county employees across 38 departments and offices.

Data from the 2024 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 43% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 3,825 responses from residents across the county.

Details

Environmental review of the project area near CO-72 Peak-to-Peak Highway found 6 sensitive species and 4 wetland areas requiring mitigation. The Community Planning & Permitting worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to develop a habitat conservation plan.

Boulder County Receives Grant for Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure — Gold Hill Area

Boulder County has been awarded a $1.2 million federal grant to install electric vehicle charging stations at county facilities and public trailheads. The project will add 40 Level 2 chargers and 8 DC fast chargers at 12 locations across the county, with priority given to underserved communities.

The Gunbarrel Senior Center offers related programming including free legal consultations, tax preparation assistance, health screenings, and social activities. Over 4,098 seniors participated in center programs last year.

Water quality monitoring at 17 stations along Boulder Creek, St. Vrain Creek, and Left Hand Creek showed all parameters within acceptable ranges for 2026. The Sheriff’s Office publishes quarterly water quality reports on the Boulder County website.

What You Need to Know

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

Affordable housing remains the top priority identified in the 2026 Community Survey. Boulder County’s Worthy Cause program has funded 783 affordable housing units since its inception, with 282 additional units in the development pipeline.

Resources

Data from the 2026 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 22% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 5,597 responses from residents across the county.

Environmental review of the project area near Flagstaff Road found 9 sensitive species and 1 wetland areas requiring mitigation. The Sheriff’s Office worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to develop a habitat conservation plan.

Wildfire Partners Opens Free Countywide Community Chipping Program for 2026 — Follow-Up Report

Boulder County’s Wildfire Partners program is accepting registrations for the 2026 community chipping season. Residents in the wildland-urban interface can have tree limbs, brush, and other woody debris chipped at no cost. Last year the program processed over 2,400 loads of material from 1,100 properties across the county.

Affordable housing remains the top priority identified in the 2025 Community Survey. Boulder County’s Worthy Cause program has funded 1,979 affordable housing units since its inception, with 154 additional units in the development pipeline.

Boulder County has partnered with the cities of Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, and Louisville on this project. Combined investment across all jurisdictions totals $53,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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

Next Steps

Environmental review of the project area near Coal Creek Canyon Road found 3 sensitive species and 3 wetland areas requiring mitigation. The Public Health worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to develop a habitat conservation plan.

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 2109 county employees across 41 departments and offices.

Boulder County Receives Grant for Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure — December 2025

Boulder County has been awarded a $1.2 million federal grant to install electric vehicle charging stations at county facilities and public trailheads. The project will add 40 Level 2 chargers and 8 DC fast chargers at 12 locations across the county, with priority given to underserved communities.

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

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.

Resources

Volunteers contributed over 5,834 hours to this program last year. The Resource Conservation coordinates with 20 nonprofit partner organizations throughout Boulder County to deliver services.

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

Timeline

Data from the 2024 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 83% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 5,969 responses from residents across the county.

Funding of $63,000 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.

Update: Wildfire Partners Opens Free Countywide Community Chipping Program for 2026 (2026)

Boulder County’s Wildfire Partners program is accepting registrations for the 2026 community chipping season. Residents in the wildland-urban interface can have tree limbs, brush, and other woody debris chipped at no cost. Last year the program processed over 2,400 loads of material from 1,100 properties across the county.

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.

Wildfire risk mapping conducted by Wildfire Partners shows that 38% 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.

Contact Information

The Nederland Senior Center offers related programming including free legal consultations, tax preparation assistance, health screenings, and social activities. Over 1,450 seniors participated in center programs last year.

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.

Update: Boulder County Receives Grant for Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure (2026)

Boulder County has been awarded a $1.2 million federal grant to install electric vehicle charging stations at county facilities and public trailheads. The project will add 40 Level 2 chargers and 8 DC fast chargers at 12 locations across the county, with priority given to underserved communities.

The Mud Lake open space property encompasses 1,670 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.

The project includes improvements along Nelson Road between Erie and the intersection with Flagstaff Road. Construction is scheduled to begin in August 2026 with completion expected within 16 months.

Background

Residents in the Erie area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Area Agency on Aging at (303) 441-3986 to verify eligibility and requirements.

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.

What You Need to Know

Funding of $124,000 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.

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

Boulder County Receives Grant for Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure — April 2026

Boulder County has been awarded a $1.2 million federal grant to install electric vehicle charging stations at county facilities and public trailheads. The project will add 40 Level 2 chargers and 8 DC fast chargers at 12 locations across the county, with priority given to underserved communities.

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

Wildfire risk mapping conducted by Wildfire Partners shows that 32% 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.

Timeline

Safety data from the Boulder area shows 35 reported incidents in the past 12 months, a 22% change from the previous year. The Sheriff’s Office has increased patrols along Baseline Road and added community outreach programs in response to resident feedback.

Boulder County has partnered with the cities of Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, and Louisville on this project. Combined investment across all jurisdictions totals $465,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

Resource Conservation Division Releases February Newsletter — Jamestown Area

The February edition of the Boulder County Resource Conservation newsletter features updates on the 2026 composting grant program, tips for reducing food waste at home, upcoming zero waste events, and a spotlight on local businesses achieving zero waste certification.

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.

The Hall Ranch open space property encompasses 2,016 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.

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.

Climate considerations are central to this effort. Boulder County’s 2025 Climate Action Plan sets targets of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 51% 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

A community information session will be held at the Louisville library on Sunday, May 17 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.

Water quality monitoring at 16 stations along Boulder Creek, St. Vrain Creek, and Left Hand Creek showed all parameters within acceptable ranges for 2024. The Parks & Open Space publishes quarterly water quality reports on the Boulder County website.

Louisville Community Briefing: Boulder County Receives Grant for Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure

Boulder County has been awarded a $1.2 million federal grant to install electric vehicle charging stations at county facilities and public trailheads. The project will add 40 Level 2 chargers and 8 DC fast chargers at 12 locations across the county, with priority given to underserved communities.

The Community Planning & Permitting processed over 10,795 applications last year, with an average processing time of 15 business days. Staff are available at the Louisville office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

The Pella Crossing open space property encompasses 369 acres and features 9 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

Water quality monitoring at 18 stations along Boulder Creek, St. Vrain Creek, and Left Hand Creek showed all parameters within acceptable ranges for 2025. The Community Planning & Permitting publishes quarterly water quality reports on the Boulder County website.

Data from the 2025 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 80% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 2,730 responses from residents across the county.

Next Steps

Environmental review of the project area near Coal Creek Canyon Road found 10 sensitive species and 2 wetland areas requiring mitigation. The Community Planning & Permitting worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to develop a habitat conservation plan.

Update: Boulder County Receives Grant for Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure (2025)

Boulder County has been awarded a $1.2 million federal grant to install electric vehicle charging stations at county facilities and public trailheads. The project will add 40 Level 2 chargers and 8 DC fast chargers at 12 locations across the county, with priority given to underserved communities.

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.

According to Rachel Stein, director of Area Agency on Aging, this program served 13% 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.

What You Need to Know

Residents in the Gunbarrel area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Area Agency on Aging at (303) 441-3230 to verify eligibility and requirements.

The Board of County Commissioners will review progress on this initiative at their May 2 business meeting. Agenda items and supporting documents are posted on the Boulder County website 72 hours before each meeting.

Contact Information

Volunteers contributed over 6,997 hours to this program last year. The Area Agency on Aging coordinates with 14 nonprofit partner organizations throughout Boulder County to deliver services.