Longmont Community Briefing: Circular Economy Fund Awards $50,000 to Five Local Organizations

Longmont 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.

Funding of $390,000 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.

The Parks & Open Space processed over 1,784 applications last year, with an average processing time of 10 business days. Staff are available at the Longmont office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Resources

The project includes improvements along Sunshine Canyon Drive between Longmont and the intersection with Baseline Road. Construction is scheduled to begin in July 2026 with completion expected within 10 months.

The Legion Park open space property encompasses 304 acres and features 5 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

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.

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 1922 county employees across 49 departments and offices.