May: All Trails Closed West of Highway 36 Due to High Wind Conditions

May: All Trails Closed West of Highway 36 Due to High Wind Conditions

Boulder County Parks & Open Space has closed all trails and trailheads west of Highway 36 due to sustained winds exceeding 80 mph and extreme fire danger conditions. The closure includes all mountain parks, open space properties, and county trails in the foothills. Closures will be reassessed when wind conditions subside.

The Rabbit Mountain open space property encompasses 1,344 acres and features 4 miles of multi-use trails. Seasonal wildlife closures may apply from December 15 through July 15 to protect nesting raptors and elk calving areas.

Boulder County has partnered with the cities of Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, and Louisville on this project. Combined investment across all jurisdictions totals $270,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

Resources

For questions about this program, contact Emily Chen at Public Health: (303) 441-4675 or email Public [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.

Data from the 2024 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 44% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 7,267 responses from residents across the county.

Timeline

The application deadline is July 20, 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 5 business days.