Category: Environment & Sustainability

Sunshine Canyon Community Briefing: Wildfire Partners Opens Free Countywide Community Chipping Program for 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.

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.

Residents in the Gunbarrel area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Clerk & Recorder at (303) 441-8325 to verify eligibility and requirements.

Background

Boulder County has partnered with the cities of Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, and Louisville on this project. Combined investment across all jurisdictions totals $298,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

Data from the 2025 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 38% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 6,455 responses from residents across the county.

May: 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.

According to Lisa Patel, director of Transportation, this program served 68% more residents in 2026 compared to the previous year. “We’re seeing unprecedented demand from communities across Boulder County, particularly in Longmont and the surrounding area,” Lisa Patel said.

The Board of County Commissioners will review progress on this initiative at their June 16 business meeting. Agenda items and supporting documents are posted on the Boulder County website 72 hours before each meeting.

Next Steps

Climate considerations are central to this effort. Boulder County’s 2025 Climate Action Plan sets targets of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 68% below 2005 levels by 2030. This project contributes to those goals through energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy integration, and reduced vehicle miles traveled.

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

Details

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 $46,000 per year. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Volunteers contributed over 7,106 hours to this program last year. The Transportation coordinates with 23 nonprofit partner organizations throughout Boulder County to deliver services.

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.

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.

A community information session will be held at the Superior library on Wednesday, April 15 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

The Superior Senior Center offers related programming including free legal consultations, tax preparation assistance, health screenings, and social activities. Over 2,588 seniors participated in center programs last year.

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.

Eldorado Springs Community Briefing: Resource Conservation Division Releases February Newsletter

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 Carolyn Holmberg Preserve open space property encompasses 1,139 acres and features 6 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 Arapahoe Road between Niwot and the intersection with South Boulder Road. Construction is scheduled to begin in October 2026 with completion expected within 13 months.

Eligibility

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 54% below 2005 levels by 2030. This project contributes to those goals through energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy integration, and reduced vehicle miles traveled.

January: 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.

Water quality monitoring at 13 stations along Boulder Creek, St. Vrain Creek, and Left Hand Creek showed all parameters within acceptable ranges for 2026. The Human Services publishes quarterly water quality reports on the Boulder County website.

Volunteers contributed over 13,824 hours to this program last year. The Human Services coordinates with 15 nonprofit partner organizations throughout Boulder County to deliver services.

Eligibility

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 Walden Ponds open space property encompasses 2,237 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.

Details

For questions about this program, contact David Thompson at Human Services: (303) 441-9940 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 Louisville office without an appointment.

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 Human 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 project includes improvements along CO-72 Peak-to-Peak Highway between Louisville and the intersection with SH-7 / Ute Highway. Construction is scheduled to begin in June 2026 with completion expected within 14 months.

Eligibility

Funding of $193,000 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.

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 2048 county employees across 50 departments and offices.

Timeline

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

Environmental review of the project area near CO-72 Peak-to-Peak Highway found 7 sensitive species and 2 wetland areas requiring mitigation. The Human Services 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.

Residents in the Superior area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Public Health at (303) 441-9221 to verify eligibility and requirements.

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.

Next Steps

Safety data from the Superior area shows 5 reported incidents in the past 12 months, a 5% change from the previous year. The Sheriff’s Office has increased patrols along Arapahoe Road and added community outreach programs in response to resident feedback.

Data from the 2025 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 20% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 3,900 responses from residents across the county.

Community Impact

The project includes improvements along Arapahoe Road between Superior and the intersection with Niwot Road. Construction is scheduled to begin in October 2026 with completion expected within 16 months.

Resource Conservation Division Releases February Newsletter Near Louisville

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.

Data from the 2024 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 91% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 6,984 responses from residents across the county.

Residents in the Boulder area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Transportation at (303) 441-2569 to verify eligibility and requirements.

Next Steps

Boulder County has partnered with the cities of Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, and Louisville on this project. Combined investment across all jurisdictions totals $349,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

A community information session will be held at the Boulder 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.

July 2024: Circular Economy Fund Awards $50,000 to Five Local Organizations

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 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.

Boulder County has partnered with the cities of Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, and Louisville on this project. Combined investment across all jurisdictions totals $161,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

Timeline

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.

The Board of County Commissioners will review progress on this initiative at their May 14 business meeting. Agenda items and supporting documents are posted on the Boulder County website 72 hours before each meeting.

Eligibility

Funding of $161,000 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.

Update: Wildfire Partners Opens Free Countywide Community Chipping Program for 2026 (2025)

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 2026 Community Survey. Boulder County’s Worthy Cause program has funded 1,115 affordable housing units since its inception, with 155 additional units in the development pipeline.

The Erie Senior Center offers related programming including free legal consultations, tax preparation assistance, health screenings, and social activities. Over 3,399 seniors participated in center programs last year.

What You Need to Know

Environmental review of the project area near 63rd Street found 9 sensitive species and 4 wetland areas requiring mitigation. The Assessor’s Office worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to develop a habitat conservation plan.

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