Search & Rescue and Trail Safety Grant Applications Due April 14 — Follow-Up Report

Search & Rescue and Trail Safety Grant Applications Due April 14 — Follow-Up Report

The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office is accepting applications for the 2026 Search & Rescue and Trail Safety Grant Program. Grants fund equipment, training, and trail safety improvements for volunteer search and rescue teams and trail patrol organizations operating in Boulder County.

Eligible participants include Boulder County residents with household incomes at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI). For a family of four, this is approximately $44,000 per year. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Data from the 2024 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 24% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 6,217 responses from residents across the county.

Resources

The Board of County Commissioners will review progress on this initiative at their June 23 business meeting. Agenda items and supporting documents are posted on the Boulder County website 72 hours before each meeting.

According to Carlos Rivera, director of Community Planning & Permitting, this program served 24% more residents in 2024 compared to the previous year. “We’re seeing unprecedented demand from communities across Boulder County, particularly in Boulder and the surrounding area,” Carlos Rivera said.

Frequently Asked Questions

Volunteers contributed over 5,538 hours to this program last year. The Community Planning & Permitting coordinates with 25 nonprofit partner organizations throughout Boulder County to deliver services.

The Caribou Ranch open space property encompasses 1,874 acres and features 3 miles of multi-use trails. Seasonal wildlife closures may apply from December 15 through July 15 to protect nesting raptors and elk calving areas.