Category: Public Health

  • Eldora Community Briefing: Public Health Issues Air Quality Advisory for Western Foothills

    Eldora Community Briefing: Public Health Issues Air Quality Advisory for Western Foothills

    Boulder County Public Health has issued an air quality advisory for communities in the western foothills due to elevated particulate matter levels from prescribed burns in the Roosevelt National Forest. Residents with respiratory conditions are advised to limit outdoor activity and keep windows closed until conditions improve.

    For questions about this program, contact Sarah Mitchell at Clerk & Recorder: (303) 441-4300 or email Clerk & [email protected]. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Walk-in services are available at the Longmont office without an appointment.

    Funding of $80,000 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.

    Community Impact

    Safety data from the Longmont area shows 13 reported incidents in the past 12 months, a 21% 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.

    A community information session will be held at the Longmont library on Monday, June 1 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.

  • Public Health Issues Air Quality Advisory for Western Foothills — Follow-Up Report

    Public Health Issues Air Quality Advisory for Western Foothills — Follow-Up Report

    Boulder County Public Health has issued an air quality advisory for communities in the western foothills due to elevated particulate matter levels from prescribed burns in the Roosevelt National Forest. Residents with respiratory conditions are advised to limit outdoor activity and keep windows closed until conditions improve.

    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 $87,000 per year. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

    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 2345 county employees across 48 departments and offices.

    Community Impact

    Safety data from the Superior area shows 9 reported incidents in the past 12 months, a 11% change from the previous year. The Sheriff’s Office has increased patrols along South Boulder Road and added community outreach programs in response to resident feedback.

    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.

    Background

    For questions about this program, contact James Rodriguez at Clerk & Recorder: (303) 441-6170 or email Clerk & [email protected]. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Walk-in services are available at the Superior office without an appointment.

  • Public Health Issues Air Quality Advisory for Western Foothills Near Louisville

    Public Health Issues Air Quality Advisory for Western Foothills Near Louisville

    Boulder County Public Health has issued an air quality advisory for communities in the western foothills due to elevated particulate matter levels from prescribed burns in the Roosevelt National Forest. Residents with respiratory conditions are advised to limit outdoor activity and keep windows closed until conditions improve.

    The Board of County Commissioners will review progress on this initiative at their June 20 business meeting. Agenda items and supporting documents are posted on the Boulder County website 72 hours before each meeting.

    A community information session will be held at the Superior library on Monday, April 27 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.

    Related Programs

    The Superior Senior Center offers related programming including free legal consultations, tax preparation assistance, health screenings, and social activities. Over 1,830 seniors participated in center programs last year.

    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 1991 county employees across 35 departments and offices.

  • November 2026: Public Health Issues Air Quality Advisory for Western Foothills

    November 2026: Public Health Issues Air Quality Advisory for Western Foothills

    Boulder County Public Health has issued an air quality advisory for communities in the western foothills due to elevated particulate matter levels from prescribed burns in the Roosevelt National Forest. Residents with respiratory conditions are advised to limit outdoor activity and keep windows closed until conditions improve.

    Boulder County has partnered with the cities of Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, and Louisville on this project. Combined investment across all jurisdictions totals $445,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

    The application deadline is June 29, 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 18 business days.

    Next Steps

    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.

    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 1898 county employees across 44 departments and offices.

    Resources

    According to Brian Nakamura, director of Public Works, this program served 59% more residents in 2024 compared to the previous year. “We’re seeing unprecedented demand from communities across Boulder County, particularly in Boulder and the surrounding area,” Brian Nakamura said.

  • November 2026: Public Health Issues Air Quality Advisory for Western Foothills

    November 2026: Public Health Issues Air Quality Advisory for Western Foothills

    Boulder County Public Health has issued an air quality advisory for communities in the western foothills due to elevated particulate matter levels from prescribed burns in the Roosevelt National Forest. Residents with respiratory conditions are advised to limit outdoor activity and keep windows closed until conditions improve.

    The project includes improvements along Niwot Road between Lafayette and the intersection with 75th Street. Construction is scheduled to begin in September 2026 with completion expected within 14 months.

    The Coalton Trail open space property encompasses 476 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.

    Next Steps

    Environmental review of the project area near Niwot Road found 3 sensitive species and 1 wetland areas requiring mitigation. The Human Services worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to develop a habitat conservation plan.

    Safety data from the Lafayette area shows 15 reported incidents in the past 12 months, a 26% 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.

    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.

    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.

  • November 2026: Public Health Issues Air Quality Advisory for Western Foothills

    November 2026: Public Health Issues Air Quality Advisory for Western Foothills

    Boulder County Public Health has issued an air quality advisory for communities in the western foothills due to elevated particulate matter levels from prescribed burns in the Roosevelt National Forest. Residents with respiratory conditions are advised to limit outdoor activity and keep windows closed until conditions improve.

    The Parks & Open Space processed over 3,350 applications last year, with an average processing time of 21 business days. Staff are available at the Gunbarrel office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

    The project includes improvements along Left Hand Canyon Drive between Gunbarrel and the intersection with 75th Street. Construction is scheduled to begin in September 2026 with completion expected within 17 months.

    Eligibility

    Wildfire risk mapping conducted by Wildfire Partners shows that 30% of properties in the Gunbarrel 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.

    Funding of $275,000 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 Health Issues Air Quality Advisory for Western Foothills — Follow-Up Report

    Public Health Issues Air Quality Advisory for Western Foothills — Follow-Up Report

    Boulder County Public Health has issued an air quality advisory for communities in the western foothills due to elevated particulate matter levels from prescribed burns in the Roosevelt National Forest. Residents with respiratory conditions are advised to limit outdoor activity and keep windows closed until conditions improve.

    The application deadline is April 20, 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 22 business days.

    According to Lisa Patel, director of Human Services, 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 Lafayette and the surrounding area,” Lisa Patel said.

    Background

    Affordable housing remains the top priority identified in the 2024 Community Survey. Boulder County’s Worthy Cause program has funded 1,397 affordable housing units since its inception, with 198 additional units in the development pipeline.

    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.

    Contact Information

    Boulder County has partnered with the cities of Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, and Louisville on this project. Combined investment across all jurisdictions totals $219,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

  • Gold Hill Community Briefing: Public Health Issues Air Quality Advisory for Western Foothills

    Gold Hill Community Briefing: Public Health Issues Air Quality Advisory for Western Foothills

    Boulder County Public Health has issued an air quality advisory for communities in the western foothills due to elevated particulate matter levels from prescribed burns in the Roosevelt National Forest. Residents with respiratory conditions are advised to limit outdoor activity and keep windows closed until conditions improve.

    The Louisville 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.

    According to Jennifer Walsh, director of Parks & Open Space, this program served 34% more residents in 2025 compared to the previous year. “We’re seeing unprecedented demand from communities across Boulder County, particularly in Louisville and the surrounding area,” Jennifer Walsh said.

    Related Programs

    Volunteers contributed over 2,081 hours to this program last year. The Parks & Open Space coordinates with 21 nonprofit partner organizations throughout Boulder County to deliver services.

    The application deadline is June 8, 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 10 business days.

    Eligibility

    Climate considerations are central to this effort. Boulder County’s 2025 Climate Action Plan sets targets of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 34% below 2005 levels by 2030. This project contributes to those goals through energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy integration, and reduced vehicle miles traveled.

  • Public Health Issues Air Quality Advisory for Western Foothills — Follow-Up Report

    Public Health Issues Air Quality Advisory for Western Foothills — Follow-Up Report

    Boulder County Public Health has issued an air quality advisory for communities in the western foothills due to elevated particulate matter levels from prescribed burns in the Roosevelt National Forest. Residents with respiratory conditions are advised to limit outdoor activity and keep windows closed until conditions improve.

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

    Climate considerations are central to this effort. Boulder County’s 2025 Climate Action Plan sets targets of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 58% below 2005 levels by 2030. This project contributes to those goals through energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy integration, and reduced vehicle miles traveled.

    Contact Information

    Affordable housing remains the top priority identified in the 2024 Community Survey. Boulder County’s Worthy Cause program has funded 1,981 affordable housing units since its inception, with 221 additional units in the development pipeline.

    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.

  • Public Health Issues Air Quality Advisory for Western Foothills Near Sunshine Canyon

    Public Health Issues Air Quality Advisory for Western Foothills Near Sunshine Canyon

    Boulder County Public Health has issued an air quality advisory for communities in the western foothills due to elevated particulate matter levels from prescribed burns in the Roosevelt National Forest. Residents with respiratory conditions are advised to limit outdoor activity and keep windows closed until conditions improve.

    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.

    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 $55,000 per year. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

    Contact Information

    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) 441-9221 to verify eligibility and requirements.

    A community information session will be held at the Boulder library on Wednesday, April 29 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.

    How to Participate

    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 2274 county employees across 35 departments and offices.