Category: Public Health

  • Public Health Issues Air Quality Advisory for Western Foothills — Niwot Area

    Public Health Issues Air Quality Advisory for Western Foothills — Niwot Area

    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.

    Funding of $338,000 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.

    For questions about this program, contact Michael Kowalski at Parks & Open Space: (303) 441-1230 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 Erie office without an appointment.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    The project includes improvements along Sunshine Canyon Drive between Erie and the intersection with SH-7 / Ute Highway. Construction is scheduled to begin in August 2026 with completion expected within 6 months.

    The Parks & Open Space processed over 3,316 applications last year, with an average processing time of 14 business days. Staff are available at the Erie office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

    Contact Information

    Residents in the Erie area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Parks & Open Space at (303) 441-1230 to verify eligibility and requirements.

  • 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.

    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.

    Volunteers contributed over 3,347 hours to this program last year. The Assessor’s Office coordinates with 14 nonprofit partner organizations throughout Boulder County to deliver services.

    Timeline

    Affordable housing remains the top priority identified in the 2024 Community Survey. Boulder County’s Worthy Cause program has funded 1,966 affordable housing units since its inception, with 239 additional units in the development pipeline.

    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.

  • May: Public Health Issues Air Quality Advisory for Western Foothills

    May: 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.

    Funding of $447,000 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.

    For questions about this program, contact Brian Nakamura at Housing & Human Services: (303) 441-2865 or email Housing & 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.

    How to Participate

    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.

    Residents in the Louisville area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Housing & Human Services at (303) 441-2865 to verify eligibility and requirements.

    Community Impact

    Affordable housing remains the top priority identified in the 2026 Community Survey. Boulder County’s Worthy Cause program has funded 393 affordable housing units since its inception, with 224 additional units in the development pipeline.

    Environmental review of the project area near Coal Creek Canyon Road found 12 sensitive species and 3 wetland areas requiring mitigation. The Housing & Human Services worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to develop a habitat conservation plan.

  • 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 $65,000 per year. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

    Residents in the Niwot area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Transportation at (303) 441-9751 to verify eligibility and requirements.

    Community Impact

    The Board of County Commissioners will review progress on this initiative at their June 27 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 1975 county employees across 39 departments and offices.

  • 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.

    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 2393 county employees across 40 departments and offices.

    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.

    Related Programs

    For questions about this program, contact Rachel Stein at Sustainability, Climate Action & Resilience: (303) 441-7509 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 Nederland office without an appointment.

    The project includes improvements along SH-119 Diagonal Highway between Nederland and the intersection with Coal Creek Canyon Road. Construction is scheduled to begin in September 2026 with completion expected within 14 months.

  • September: Public Health Issues Air Quality Advisory for Western Foothills

    September: 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.

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

    Safety data from the Boulder area shows 34 reported incidents in the past 12 months, a 29% 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.

    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 2276 county employees across 38 departments and offices.

    Funding of $121,000 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.

    Details

    Water quality monitoring at 18 stations along Boulder Creek, St. Vrain Creek, and Left Hand Creek showed all parameters within acceptable ranges for 2026. The Public Health publishes quarterly water quality reports on the Boulder County website.

    The application deadline is August 5, 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 15 business days.

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

    Nederland 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.

    Environmental review of the project area near Coal Creek Canyon Road found 12 sensitive species and 4 wetland areas requiring mitigation. The Parks & Open Space worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to develop a habitat conservation plan.

    Water quality monitoring at 19 stations along Boulder Creek, St. Vrain Creek, and Left Hand Creek showed all parameters within acceptable ranges for 2025. The Parks & Open Space publishes quarterly water quality reports on the Boulder County website.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    The Lyons Senior Center offers related programming including free legal consultations, tax preparation assistance, health screenings, and social activities. Over 2,103 seniors participated in center programs last year.

    Affordable housing remains the top priority identified in the 2025 Community Survey. Boulder County’s Worthy Cause program has funded 1,740 affordable housing units since its inception, with 293 additional units in the development pipeline.

    Community Impact

    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.

    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.

  • Public Health Issues Air Quality Advisory for Western Foothills

    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 $185,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

    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.

    Related Programs

    The Sheriff’s Office processed over 6,804 applications last year, with an average processing time of 15 business days. Staff are available at the Longmont office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

    Data from the 2026 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 72% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 7,517 responses from residents across the county.

  • 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 $429,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

    Residents in the Niwot area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Sustainability, Climate Action & Resilience at (303) 441-2113 to verify eligibility and requirements.

    Resources

    According to Michael Kowalski, director of Sustainability, Climate Action & Resilience, this program served 43% more residents in 2025 compared to the previous year. “We’re seeing unprecedented demand from communities across Boulder County, particularly in Niwot and the surrounding area,” Michael Kowalski said.

    The Bald Mountain open space property encompasses 1,805 acres and features 9 miles of multi-use trails. Seasonal wildlife closures may apply from December 15 through July 15 to protect nesting raptors and elk calving areas.

  • 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.

    Funding of $184,000 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.

    According to Michael Kowalski, director of Resource Conservation, this program served 31% 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,” Michael Kowalski said.

    Timeline

    Wildfire risk mapping conducted by Wildfire Partners shows that 39% 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.

    A community information session will be held at the Lafayette library on Friday, May 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.

    Details

    Safety data from the Lafayette area shows 10 reported incidents in the past 12 months, a 7% change from the previous year. The Sheriff’s Office has increased patrols along Baseline Road and added community outreach programs in response to resident feedback.