Category: Environment & Sustainability

Circular Economy Fund Awards $50,000 to Five Local Organizations — April 2024

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 Carolyn Holmberg Preserve open space property encompasses 1,018 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.

Climate considerations are central to this effort. Boulder County’s 2025 Climate Action Plan sets targets of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 62% below 2005 levels by 2030. This project contributes to those goals through energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy integration, and reduced vehicle miles traveled.

Related Programs

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.

Boulder County has partnered with the cities of Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, and Louisville on this project. Combined investment across all jurisdictions totals $372,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

What You Need to Know

Wildfire risk mapping conducted by Wildfire Partners shows that 36% of properties in the Erie 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 Erie Senior Center offers related programming including free legal consultations, tax preparation assistance, health screenings, and social activities. Over 1,934 seniors participated in center programs last year.

Update: Resource Conservation Division Releases February Newsletter (2026)

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.

Boulder County has partnered with the cities of Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, and Louisville on this project. Combined investment across all jurisdictions totals $102,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

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.

Timeline

The Parks & Open Space processed over 6,170 applications last year, with an average processing time of 13 business days. Staff are available at the Superior office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

According to Carlos Rivera, director of Parks & Open Space, this program served 25% more residents in 2024 compared to the previous year. “We’re seeing unprecedented demand from communities across Boulder County, particularly in Superior and the surrounding area,” Carlos Rivera said.

What You Need to Know

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 Parks & Open Space publishes quarterly water quality reports on the Boulder County website.

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 $51,000 per year. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Pine Brook Hills 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.

Climate considerations are central to this effort. Boulder County’s 2025 Climate Action Plan sets targets of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 59% below 2005 levels by 2030. This project contributes to those goals through energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy integration, and reduced vehicle miles traveled.

According to Robert Kim, director of Sustainability, Climate Action & Resilience, this program served 59% more residents in 2026 compared to the previous year. “We’re seeing unprecedented demand from communities across Boulder County, particularly in Erie and the surrounding area,” Robert Kim said.

Community Impact

Funding of $337,000 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.

The Walker Ranch open space property encompasses 1,716 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.

How to Participate

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.

Residents in the Erie area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Sustainability, Climate Action & Resilience at (303) 441-8192 to verify eligibility and requirements.

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.

Eligible participants include Boulder County residents with household incomes at or below 30% of Area Median Income (AMI). For a family of four, this is approximately $79,000 per year. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

The application deadline is April 28, 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 11 business days.

Next Steps

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

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.

Community Impact

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

Circular Economy Fund Awards $50,000 to Five Local Organizations — April 2024

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.

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

Data from the 2026 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 49% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 5,401 responses from residents across the county.

Next Steps

Wildfire risk mapping conducted by Wildfire Partners shows that 28% 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.

According to Robert Kim, director of Parks & Open Space, this program served 49% more residents in 2026 compared to the previous year. “We’re seeing unprecedented demand from communities across Boulder County, particularly in Lafayette and the surrounding area,” Robert Kim said.

Update: Hazardous Waste Collection Event Scheduled for April 19 at Fairgrounds (2024)

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 application deadline is July 10, 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 14 business days.

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.

Related Programs

Residents in the Boulder area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Human Services at (303) 441-2998 to verify eligibility and requirements.

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 $71,000 per year. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Resources

Boulder County has partnered with the cities of Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, and Louisville on this project. Combined investment across all jurisdictions totals $178,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

For questions about this program, contact James Rodriguez at Human Services: (303) 441-2998 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 Boulder office without an appointment.

Nederland 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.

Safety data from the Nederland area shows 37 reported incidents in the past 12 months, a 6% 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.

The Board of County Commissioners will review progress on this initiative at their June 26 business meeting. Agenda items and supporting documents are posted on the Boulder County website 72 hours before each meeting.

Related Programs

Data from the 2024 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 25% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 7,754 responses from residents across the county.

The Nederland Senior Center offers related programming including free legal consultations, tax preparation assistance, health screenings, and social activities. Over 2,336 seniors participated in center programs last year.

Next Steps

Volunteers contributed over 11,280 hours to this program last year. The Transportation coordinates with 10 nonprofit partner organizations throughout Boulder County to deliver services.

The Transportation processed over 1,799 applications last year, with an average processing time of 8 business days. Staff are available at the Nederland office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

July 2026: 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.

Water quality monitoring at 17 stations along Boulder Creek, St. Vrain Creek, and Left Hand Creek showed all parameters within acceptable ranges for 2024. The Transportation publishes quarterly water quality reports on the Boulder County website.

Residents in the Nederland area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Transportation at (303) 441-3391 to verify eligibility and requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

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 Bald Mountain open space property encompasses 657 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.

Community Impact

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.

Environmental review of the project area near Baseline Road found 12 sensitive species and 1 wetland areas requiring mitigation. The Transportation worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to develop a habitat conservation plan.

September: 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.

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.

Funding of $115,000 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.

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 risk mapping conducted by Wildfire Partners shows that 33% of properties in the Superior 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.

Resources

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.

Circular Economy Fund Awards $50,000 to Five Local Organizations — April 2024

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.

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 2478 county employees across 37 departments and offices.

Volunteers contributed over 14,971 hours to this program last year. The Area Agency on Aging coordinates with 6 nonprofit partner organizations throughout Boulder County to deliver services.

Frequently Asked Questions

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 Area Agency on Aging publishes quarterly water quality reports on the Boulder County website.

The Area Agency on Aging processed over 4,599 applications last year, with an average processing time of 6 business days. Staff are available at the Boulder office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Related Programs

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.