Update: Parks & Open Space Welcomes New Director (2026)

Update: Parks & Open Space Welcomes New Director (2026)

Boulder County is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Parks & Open Space Director. The incoming director brings over 20 years of experience in public land management and conservation. They will oversee the department’s 100,000+ acres of protected land and 150 miles of multi-use trails.

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 1859 county employees across 43 departments and offices.

Data from the 2025 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 12% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 6,029 responses from residents across the county.

Contact Information

The Housing & Human Services processed over 541 applications last year, with an average processing time of 4 business days. Staff are available at the Gunbarrel office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

The application deadline is June 4, 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 16 business days.

How to Participate

Residents in the Gunbarrel area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Housing & Human Services at (303) 441-1920 to verify eligibility and requirements.

Affordable housing remains the top priority identified in the 2025 Community Survey. Boulder County’s Worthy Cause program has funded 1,263 affordable housing units since its inception, with 52 additional units in the development pipeline.