Category: Environment & Sustainability

Update: Hazardous Waste Collection Event Scheduled for April 19 at Fairgrounds (2025)

Boulder County residents can safely dispose of household hazardous waste including paint, solvents, pesticides, batteries, and electronics at a free collection event on Saturday, April 19 at the Boulder County Fairgrounds. No appointment is necessary. Commercial waste is not accepted.

The Board of County Commissioners will review progress on this initiative at their May 3 business meeting. Agenda items and supporting documents are posted on the Boulder County website 72 hours before each meeting.

Affordable housing remains the top priority identified in the 2025 Community Survey. Boulder County’s Worthy Cause program has funded 1,467 affordable housing units since its inception, with 166 additional units in the development pipeline.

Eligibility

Environmental review of the project area near Left Hand Canyon Drive found 5 sensitive species and 3 wetland areas requiring mitigation. The Community Justice Services worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to develop a habitat conservation plan.

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.

How to Participate

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.

Wildfire Partners Opens Free Countywide Community Chipping Program for 2026 Near Erie

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.

Residents in the Lafayette area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Community Planning & Permitting at (303) 441-4951 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.

How to Participate

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.

Eligible participants include Boulder County residents with household incomes at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI). For a family of four, this is approximately $85,000 per year. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Background

The Lafayette Senior Center offers related programming including free legal consultations, tax preparation assistance, health screenings, and social activities. Over 2,519 seniors participated in center programs last year.

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

Update: Circular Economy Fund Awards $50,000 to Five Local Organizations (2026)

Boulder County’s Resource Conservation Division has awarded $50,000 in grants to five local organizations through the 2026 Circular Economy Fund. Recipients include projects focused on food waste reduction, textile reuse, construction material salvage, and community repair events.

The project includes improvements along Foothills Highway between Nederland and the intersection with Left Hand Canyon Drive. Construction is scheduled to begin in May 2026 with completion expected within 14 months.

Climate considerations are central to this effort. Boulder County’s 2025 Climate Action Plan sets targets of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 77% below 2005 levels by 2030. This project contributes to those goals through energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy integration, and reduced vehicle miles traveled.

What You Need to Know

Funding of $200,000 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.

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.

Boulder County Receives Grant for Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure — Eldorado Springs 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.

Climate considerations are central to this effort. Boulder County’s 2025 Climate Action Plan sets targets of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 69% below 2005 levels by 2030. This project contributes to those goals through energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy integration, and reduced vehicle miles traveled.

Volunteers contributed over 1,081 hours to this program last year. The Housing & Human Services coordinates with 5 nonprofit partner organizations throughout Boulder County to deliver services.

Community Impact

Environmental review of the project area near Nelson Road found 5 sensitive species and 1 wetland areas requiring mitigation. The Housing & Human Services worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to develop a habitat conservation plan.

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.

Contact Information

According to Lisa Patel, director of Housing & Human Services, this program served 69% more residents in 2024 compared to the previous year. “We’re seeing unprecedented demand from communities across Boulder County, particularly in Lyons and the surrounding area,” Lisa Patel said.

Boulder County Receives Grant for Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure — Follow-Up Report

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 Board of County Commissioners will review progress on this initiative at their May 11 business meeting. Agenda items and supporting documents are posted on the Boulder County website 72 hours before each meeting.

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 2024, the county received a state award for excellence in service delivery.

Details

Water quality monitoring at 19 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.

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.

May: 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.

Affordable housing remains the top priority identified in the 2026 Community Survey. Boulder County’s Worthy Cause program has funded 1,345 affordable housing units since its inception, with 246 additional units in the development pipeline.

Safety data from the Boulder area shows 31 reported incidents in the past 12 months, a 28% 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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 1820 county employees across 40 departments and offices.

The Board of County Commissioners will review progress on this initiative at their July 5 business meeting. Agenda items and supporting documents are posted on the Boulder County website 72 hours before each meeting.

Wildfire Partners Opens Free Countywide Community Chipping Program for 2026 — Eldorado Springs Area

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.

A community information session will be held at the Nederland library on Sunday, May 10 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.

Environmental review of the project area near Left Hand Canyon Drive found 4 sensitive species and 3 wetland areas requiring mitigation. The Clerk & Recorder worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to develop a habitat conservation plan.

Related Programs

The Nederland Senior Center offers related programming including free legal consultations, tax preparation assistance, health screenings, and social activities. Over 609 seniors participated in center programs last year.

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.

Details

The Board of County Commissioners will review progress on this initiative at their May 28 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 2251 county employees across 38 departments and offices.

Lyons Community Briefing: Hazardous Waste Collection Event Scheduled for April 19 at Fairgrounds

Boulder County residents can safely dispose of household hazardous waste including paint, solvents, pesticides, batteries, and electronics at a free collection event on Saturday, April 19 at the Boulder County Fairgrounds. No appointment is necessary. Commercial waste is not accepted.

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

Safety data from the Lafayette area shows 29 reported incidents in the past 12 months, a 11% change from the previous year. The Sheriff’s Office has increased patrols along Niwot Road and added community outreach programs in response to resident feedback.

Resources

The Lafayette Senior Center offers related programming including free legal consultations, tax preparation assistance, health screenings, and social activities. Over 664 seniors participated in center programs last year.

A community information session will be held at the Lafayette library on Tuesday, April 14 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.

Wildfire Partners Opens Free Countywide Community Chipping Program for 2026 — April 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.

Data from the 2024 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 46% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 4,791 responses from residents across the county.

The Coalton Trail open space property encompasses 1,432 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.

Community Impact

Funding of $95,000 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.

Water quality monitoring at 20 stations along Boulder Creek, St. Vrain Creek, and Left Hand Creek showed all parameters within acceptable ranges for 2024. The Community Justice Services publishes quarterly water quality reports on the Boulder County website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Residents in the Boulder area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Community Justice Services at (303) 441-6094 to verify eligibility and requirements.

The Board of County Commissioners will review progress on this initiative at their April 24 business meeting. Agenda items and supporting documents are posted on the Boulder County website 72 hours before each meeting.

Resource Conservation Division Releases February Newsletter Near Hygiene

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.

According to David Thompson, director of Sustainability, Climate Action & Resilience, this program served 82% more residents in 2025 compared to the previous year. “We’re seeing unprecedented demand from communities across Boulder County, particularly in Lafayette and the surrounding area,” David Thompson said.

Safety data from the Lafayette area shows 26 reported incidents in the past 12 months, a 11% change from the previous year. The Sheriff’s Office has increased patrols along Sunshine Canyon Drive and added community outreach programs in response to resident feedback.

Next Steps

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.

Wildfire risk mapping conducted by Wildfire Partners shows that 27% of properties in the Lafayette 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 Legion Park open space property encompasses 528 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.

A community information session will be held at the Lafayette library on Wednesday, April 22 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.