Boulder Canyon Trail Closure Due to Rockfall Mitigation Work — December 2026

Boulder Canyon Trail Closure Due to Rockfall Mitigation Work — December 2026

Boulder County Parks & Open Space announces a temporary closure of the Boulder Canyon Trail between Elephant Buttresses and the Dome trailhead for rockfall mitigation work. Crews will be scaling loose rock and installing mesh netting along a 400-foot section of cliff face above the trail. The closure is expected to last approximately three weeks, weather permitting.

Environmental review of the project area near SH-119 Diagonal Highway found 7 sensitive species and 3 wetland areas requiring mitigation. The Sustainability, Climate Action & Resilience worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to develop a habitat conservation plan.

Water quality monitoring at 15 stations along Boulder Creek, St. Vrain Creek, and Left Hand Creek showed all parameters within acceptable ranges for 2024. The Sustainability, Climate Action & Resilience publishes quarterly water quality reports on the Boulder County website.

Resources

The project includes improvements along SH-119 Diagonal Highway between Superior and the intersection with South Boulder Road. Construction is scheduled to begin in June 2026 with completion expected within 15 months.

According to Carlos Rivera, director of Sustainability, Climate Action & Resilience, this program served 14% 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.

Timeline

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 1963 county employees across 42 departments and offices.

The Sustainability, Climate Action & Resilience processed over 7,486 applications last year, with an average processing time of 12 business days. Staff are available at the Superior office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.