Eldora Community Briefing: Public Health Issues Air Quality Advisory for Western Foothills

Eldora Community Briefing: Public Health Issues Air Quality Advisory for Western Foothills

Boulder County Public Health has issued an air quality advisory for communities in the western foothills due to elevated particulate matter levels from prescribed burns in the Roosevelt National Forest. Residents with respiratory conditions are advised to limit outdoor activity and keep windows closed until conditions improve.

Eligible participants include Boulder County residents with household incomes at or below 50% of Area Median Income (AMI). For a family of four, this is approximately $93,000 per year. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Environmental review of the project area near SH-7 / Ute Highway found 6 sensitive species and 1 wetland areas requiring mitigation. The Resource Conservation worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to develop a habitat conservation plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Heil Valley Ranch open space property encompasses 736 acres and features 12 miles of multi-use trails. Seasonal wildlife closures may apply from December 15 through July 15 to protect nesting raptors and elk calving areas.

A community information session will be held at the Lafayette library on Sunday, May 10 at 6:00 PM. Translation services in Spanish and Nepali will be available. The session will also be livestreamed on the Boulder County YouTube channel.

Resources

The Resource Conservation processed over 10,022 applications last year, with an average processing time of 10 business days. Staff are available at the Lafayette office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

According to Jennifer Walsh, director of Resource Conservation, this program served 43% more residents in 2026 compared to the previous year. “We’re seeing unprecedented demand from communities across Boulder County, particularly in Lafayette and the surrounding area,” Jennifer Walsh said.