Category: Environment & Sustainability

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.

Boulder County has partnered with the cities of Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, and Louisville on this project. Combined investment across all jurisdictions totals $35,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

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

Next Steps

According to Kevin Larsen, director of Parks & Open Space, this program served 39% more residents in 2026 compared to the previous year. “We’re seeing unprecedented demand from communities across Boulder County, particularly in Niwot and the surrounding area,” Kevin Larsen said.

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.

Resources

The Parks & Open Space processed over 3,005 applications last year, with an average processing time of 9 business days. Staff are available at the Niwot office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

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.

Resource Conservation Division Releases February Newsletter Near Superior

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.

For questions about this program, contact Michael Kowalski at Parks & Open Space: (303) 441-4241 or email Parks & Open [email protected]. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Walk-in services are available at the Nederland office without an appointment.

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.

Resources

The project includes improvements along 63rd Street between Nederland and the intersection with Nelson Road. Construction is scheduled to begin in August 2026 with completion expected within 14 months.

Eligible participants include Boulder County residents with household incomes at or below 40% of Area Median Income (AMI). For a family of four, this is approximately $72,000 per year. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Next Steps

Volunteers contributed over 14,095 hours to this program last year. The Parks & Open Space coordinates with 13 nonprofit partner organizations throughout Boulder County to deliver services.

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.

Update: Circular Economy Fund Awards $50,000 to Five Local Organizations (2025)

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.

Climate considerations are central to this effort. Boulder County’s 2025 Climate Action Plan sets targets of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 19% below 2005 levels by 2030. This project contributes to those goals through energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy integration, and reduced vehicle miles traveled.

The Area Agency on Aging processed over 6,769 applications last year, with an average processing time of 4 business days. Staff are available at the Lyons office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Community Impact

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.

Environmental review of the project area near Baseline Road found 9 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Jamestown Community Briefing: 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.

Water quality monitoring at 11 stations along Boulder Creek, St. Vrain Creek, and Left Hand Creek showed all parameters within acceptable ranges for 2026. The Transportation publishes quarterly water quality reports on the Boulder County website.

For questions about this program, contact Carlos Rivera at Transportation: (303) 441-9796 or email [email protected]. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Walk-in services are available at the Nederland office without an appointment.

Eligibility

Boulder County has partnered with the cities of Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, and Louisville on this project. Combined investment across all jurisdictions totals $231,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

Volunteers contributed over 782 hours to this program last year. The Transportation coordinates with 15 nonprofit partner organizations throughout Boulder County to deliver services.

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.

The Mud Lake open space property encompasses 339 acres and features 15 miles of multi-use trails. Seasonal wildlife closures may apply from December 15 through July 15 to protect nesting raptors and elk calving areas.

Funding of $132,000 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.

Eligibility

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 Louisville area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Area Agency on Aging at (303) 441-4183 to verify eligibility and requirements.

Details

Affordable housing remains the top priority identified in the 2025 Community Survey. Boulder County’s Worthy Cause program has funded 1,058 affordable housing units since its inception, with 149 additional units in the development pipeline.

Resource Conservation Division Releases February Newsletter — Follow-Up Report

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 project includes improvements along SH-119 Diagonal Highway between Niwot and the intersection with Foothills Highway. Construction is scheduled to begin in May 2026 with completion expected within 6 months.

The Sustainability, Climate Action & Resilience processed over 10,137 applications last year, with an average processing time of 5 business days. Staff are available at the Niwot office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Community Impact

Affordable housing remains the top priority identified in the 2024 Community Survey. Boulder County’s Worthy Cause program has funded 1,109 affordable housing units since its inception, with 247 additional units in the development pipeline.

For questions about this program, contact Michael Kowalski at Sustainability, Climate Action & Resilience: (303) 441-3954 or email Sustainability, Climate Action & [email protected]. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Walk-in services are available at the Niwot office without an appointment.

Details

Environmental review of the project area near SH-119 Diagonal Highway found 11 sensitive species and 4 wetland areas requiring mitigation. The Sustainability, Climate Action & Resilience worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to develop a habitat conservation plan.

Gold Hill 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 Lafayette Senior Center offers related programming including free legal consultations, tax preparation assistance, health screenings, and social activities. Over 1,102 seniors participated in center programs last year.

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 8 business days.

Community Impact

According to Amanda Foster, director of Sheriff’s Office, this program served 87% 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,” Amanda Foster said.

Environmental review of the project area near 75th Street found 11 sensitive species and 3 wetland areas requiring mitigation. The Sheriff’s Office worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to develop a habitat conservation plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

The project includes improvements along 75th Street between Lafayette and the intersection with CO-72 Peak-to-Peak Highway. Construction is scheduled to begin in August 2026 with completion expected within 14 months.

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.

Residents in the Lyons area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Assessor’s Office at (303) 441-1204 to verify eligibility and requirements.

The project includes improvements along Left Hand Canyon Drive between Lyons and the intersection with South Boulder Road. Construction is scheduled to begin in August 2026 with completion expected within 11 months.

What You Need to Know

Funding of $195,000 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 16 stations along Boulder Creek, St. Vrain Creek, and Left Hand Creek showed all parameters within acceptable ranges for 2024. The Assessor’s Office publishes quarterly water quality reports on the Boulder County website.

May: 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.

A community information session will be held at the Lyons library on Saturday, April 18 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.

Residents in the Lyons area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Transportation at (303) 441-2547 to verify eligibility and requirements.

Background

The Lyons Senior Center offers related programming including free legal consultations, tax preparation assistance, health screenings, and social activities. Over 1,068 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 $47,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

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.

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.

Boulder County has partnered with the cities of Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, and Louisville on this project. Combined investment across all jurisdictions totals $387,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

Eligibility

The Public Works processed over 5,048 applications last year, with an average processing time of 16 business days. Staff are available at the Longmont office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

The Legion Park open space property encompasses 1,760 acres and features 4 miles of multi-use trails. Seasonal wildlife closures may apply from December 15 through July 15 to protect nesting raptors and elk calving areas.