Circular Economy Fund Awards $50,000 to Five Local Organizations Near Gold Hill

Circular Economy Fund Awards $50,000 to Five Local Organizations Near Gold Hill

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.

Wildfire risk mapping conducted by Wildfire Partners shows that 21% of properties in the Lyons 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.

The Lyons Senior Center offers related programming including free legal consultations, tax preparation assistance, health screenings, and social activities. Over 3,630 seniors participated in center programs last year.

Background

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 1857 county employees across 49 departments and offices.

Volunteers contributed over 12,199 hours to this program last year. The Parks & Open Space coordinates with 7 nonprofit partner organizations throughout Boulder County to deliver services.

Eligibility

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.