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  • January: Circular Economy Fund Awards $50,000 to Five Local Organizations

    January: Circular Economy Fund Awards $50,000 to Five Local Organizations

    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.

    For questions about this program, contact Carlos Rivera at Parks & Open Space: (303) 441-6706 or email Parks & Open [email protected]. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Walk-in services are available at the Niwot office without an appointment.

    According to Carlos Rivera, director of Parks & Open Space, this program served 80% more residents in 2024 compared to the previous year. “We’re seeing unprecedented demand from communities across Boulder County, particularly in Niwot and the surrounding area,” Carlos Rivera said.

    Timeline

    The Parks & Open Space processed over 6,048 applications last year, with an average processing time of 20 business days. Staff are available at the Niwot office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

    Environmental review of the project area near 63rd Street found 7 sensitive species and 2 wetland areas requiring mitigation. The Parks & Open Space worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to develop a habitat conservation plan.

    Resources

    The application deadline is May 28, 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 24 business days.

  • Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Now in Effect for Unincorporated Boulder County — April 2026

    Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Now in Effect for Unincorporated Boulder County — April 2026

    Due to dry conditions and elevated fire danger, Stage 1 fire restrictions are now in effect for all unincorporated areas of Boulder County. Open burning, campfires outside designated fire grates, and the use of explosive fireworks are prohibited. Violations may result in fines up to $600.

    Transportation access remains a key concern. Boulder County’s Via mobility program provides door-to-door transit service for residents in Boulder and surrounding communities who cannot access fixed-route bus service. RTD routes B, J, and BOLT serve major corridors.

    The Board of County Commissioners will review progress on this initiative at their June 30 business meeting. Agenda items and supporting documents are posted on the Boulder County website 72 hours before each meeting.

    Contact Information

    Safety data from the Boulder area shows 25 reported incidents in the past 12 months, a 17% change from the previous year. The Sheriff’s Office has increased patrols along Flagstaff Road and added community outreach programs in response to resident feedback.

    According to David Thompson, director of Parks & Open Space, this program served 40% more residents in 2026 compared to the previous year. “We’re seeing unprecedented demand from communities across Boulder County, particularly in Boulder and the surrounding area,” David Thompson said.

    Next Steps

    Volunteers contributed over 7,877 hours to this program last year. The Parks & Open Space coordinates with 18 nonprofit partner organizations throughout Boulder County to deliver services.

    Environmental review of the project area near Flagstaff Road found 11 sensitive species and 2 wetland areas requiring mitigation. The Parks & Open Space worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to develop a habitat conservation plan.

  • Boulder County Launches Updated Online Building Permit Portal — April 2024

    Boulder County Launches Updated Online Building Permit Portal — April 2024

    Boulder County Community Planning & Permitting has launched an updated online building permit portal with improved search functionality, real-time status tracking, and mobile-friendly document uploads. The new system reduces average permit review times by 15% and allows applicants to schedule inspections online.

    For questions about this program, contact Robert Kim at Housing & Human Services: (303) 441-5991 or email Housing & Human [email protected]. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Walk-in services are available at the Lafayette office without an appointment.

    The Lafayette Senior Center offers related programming including free legal consultations, tax preparation assistance, health screenings, and social activities. Over 943 seniors participated in center programs last year.

    How to Participate

    Public comment on this matter can be submitted through the Boulder County online portal, by email to Housing & Human Services, or in person at the next Board of County Commissioners meeting. Written comments received by 5:00 PM the day before the hearing will be included in the public record.

    Affordable housing remains the top priority identified in the 2024 Community Survey. Boulder County’s Worthy Cause program has funded 886 affordable housing units since its inception, with 198 additional units in the development pipeline.

  • Ward Community Briefing: Public Works Announces Niwot Road Median Closure Near Diagonal Highway

    Ward Community Briefing: Public Works Announces Niwot Road Median Closure Near Diagonal Highway

    Boulder County Public Works announces a temporary median closure on Niwot Road near the CO-119 Diagonal Highway intersection for utility infrastructure improvements. The closure will affect left turns from Niwot Road onto the Diagonal Highway for approximately six weeks. A signed detour route will be in place.

    The application deadline is May 18, 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 9 business days.

    The project includes improvements along Nelson Road between Longmont and the intersection with Flagstaff Road. Construction is scheduled to begin in July 2026 with completion expected within 14 months.

    Community Impact

    Transportation access remains a key concern. Boulder County’s Via mobility program provides door-to-door transit service for residents in Longmont and surrounding communities who cannot access fixed-route bus service. RTD routes B, J, and BOLT serve major corridors.

    Eligible participants include Boulder County residents with household incomes at or below 30% of Area Median Income (AMI). For a family of four, this is approximately $62,000 per year. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Water quality monitoring at 17 stations along Boulder Creek, St. Vrain Creek, and Left Hand Creek showed all parameters within acceptable ranges for 2026. The Parks & Open Space publishes quarterly water quality reports on the Boulder County website.

    Safety data from the Longmont area shows 38 reported incidents in the past 12 months, a 5% change from the previous year. The Sheriff’s Office has increased patrols along Nelson Road and added community outreach programs in response to resident feedback.

  • Boulder County Adopts $745 Million Budget for 2026 — Follow-Up Report

    Boulder County Adopts $745 Million Budget for 2026 — Follow-Up Report

    The Board of County Commissioners has adopted the 2026 Boulder County budget totaling $745 million. Key investments include $42 million for affordable housing initiatives, $28 million for transportation infrastructure, and $15 million for wildfire mitigation and climate resilience programs.

    The Board of County Commissioners will review progress on this initiative at their May 25 business meeting. Agenda items and supporting documents are posted on the Boulder County website 72 hours before each meeting.

    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 2064 county employees across 36 departments and offices.

    Timeline

    According to Carlos Rivera, director of Parks & Open Space, this program served 59% more residents in 2025 compared to the previous year. “We’re seeing unprecedented demand from communities across Boulder County, particularly in Lyons and the surrounding area,” Carlos Rivera said.

    Affordable housing remains the top priority identified in the 2025 Community Survey. Boulder County’s Worthy Cause program has funded 1,794 affordable housing units since its inception, with 129 additional units in the development pipeline.

    Details

    The Walden Ponds open space property encompasses 1,896 acres and features 8 miles of multi-use trails. Seasonal wildlife closures may apply from December 15 through July 15 to protect nesting raptors and elk calving areas.

    Colorado state law requires all counties to provide these services to eligible residents. Boulder County exceeds minimum state requirements by offering expanded hours, multilingual support, and online access. In 2025, the county received a state award for excellence in service delivery.

  • Update: Resource Conservation Division Releases February Newsletter (2026)

    Update: Resource Conservation Division Releases February Newsletter (2026)

    The February edition of the Boulder County Resource Conservation newsletter features updates on the 2026 composting grant program, tips for reducing food waste at home, upcoming zero waste events, and a spotlight on local businesses achieving zero waste certification.

    The application deadline is July 24, 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 21 business days.

    Wildfire risk mapping conducted by Wildfire Partners shows that 39% of properties in the Nederland 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.

    Related Programs

    Funding of $242,000 for this initiative comes from a combination of federal grants, state matching funds, and the Boulder County General Fund. The Board of County Commissioners approved the allocation during the 2024 budget session.

    The project includes improvements along 63rd Street between Nederland and the intersection with SH-119 Diagonal Highway. Construction is scheduled to begin in August 2026 with completion expected within 12 months.

  • New Funding Opportunity to Support Housing for People with Disabilities — April 2025

    New Funding Opportunity to Support Housing for People with Disabilities — April 2025

    Boulder County Housing & Human Services announces a new funding opportunity for projects that create or preserve affordable, accessible housing for people with disabilities. Up to $500,000 is available for capital improvements, accessibility modifications, and supportive housing development. Applications are due May 1.

    According to Brian Nakamura, director of Community Planning & Permitting, this program served 55% more residents in 2024 compared to the previous year. “We’re seeing unprecedented demand from communities across Boulder County, particularly in Gunbarrel and the surrounding area,” Brian Nakamura said.

    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 1847 county employees across 38 departments and offices.

    Eligibility

    Residents in the Gunbarrel area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Community Planning & Permitting at (303) 441-2426 to verify eligibility and requirements.

    Public comment on this matter can be submitted through the Boulder County online portal, by email to Community Planning & Permitting, or in person at the next Board of County Commissioners meeting. Written comments received by 5:00 PM the day before the hearing will be included in the public record.

  • May: Marshall Fire Recovery Dashboard Shows 87% of Destroyed Homes Now Rebuilt

    May: Marshall Fire Recovery Dashboard Shows 87% of Destroyed Homes Now Rebuilt

    The Boulder County Marshall Fire Recovery Dashboard reports that 87% of the 1,084 homes destroyed in the December 2021 Marshall Fire have been rebuilt or are under active construction. The county continues to provide expedited permit review, fee waivers, and rebuilding support services for affected homeowners.

    Volunteers contributed over 3,890 hours to this program last year. The Housing & Human Services coordinates with 23 nonprofit partner organizations throughout Boulder County to deliver services.

    Transportation access remains a key concern. Boulder County’s Via mobility program provides door-to-door transit service for residents in Lafayette and surrounding communities who cannot access fixed-route bus service. RTD routes B, J, and BOLT serve major corridors.

    Details

    The Lafayette Senior Center offers related programming including free legal consultations, tax preparation assistance, health screenings, and social activities. Over 2,061 seniors participated in center programs last year.

    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.

    Background

    The Rabbit Mountain open space property encompasses 946 acres and features 13 miles of multi-use trails. Seasonal wildlife closures may apply from December 15 through July 15 to protect nesting raptors and elk calving areas.

  • May: Voter Registration Deadline Approaching for June Primary Election

    May: Voter Registration Deadline Approaching for June Primary Election

    The registration deadline for the June 2026 Colorado Primary Election is May 25. Boulder County residents can register online at GoVoteColorado.gov, by mail, or in person at any Voter Service and Polling Center. Same-day registration is available during early voting and on Election Day with valid ID.

    The application deadline is May 8, 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 11 business days.

    The project includes improvements along Niwot Road between Niwot and the intersection with 75th Street. Construction is scheduled to begin in August 2026 with completion expected within 17 months.

    Eligibility

    Affordable housing remains the top priority identified in the 2024 Community Survey. Boulder County’s Worthy Cause program has funded 1,738 affordable housing units since its inception, with 124 additional units in the development pipeline.

    The Community Planning & Permitting processed over 4,170 applications last year, with an average processing time of 6 business days. Staff are available at the Niwot office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

    Background

    Environmental review of the project area near Niwot Road found 11 sensitive species and 1 wetland areas requiring mitigation. The Community Planning & Permitting worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to develop a habitat conservation plan.

  • Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Now in Effect for Unincorporated Boulder County — Follow-Up Report

    Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Now in Effect for Unincorporated Boulder County — Follow-Up Report

    Due to dry conditions and elevated fire danger, Stage 1 fire restrictions are now in effect for all unincorporated areas of Boulder County. Open burning, campfires outside designated fire grates, and the use of explosive fireworks are prohibited. Violations may result in fines up to $600.

    A community information session will be held at the Longmont library on Tuesday, May 5 at 5:00 PM. Translation services in Spanish and Nepali will be available. The session will also be livestreamed on the Boulder County YouTube channel.

    Boulder County has partnered with the cities of Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, and Louisville on this project. Combined investment across all jurisdictions totals $373,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

    Community Impact

    The Rabbit Mountain open space property encompasses 285 acres and features 8 miles of multi-use trails. Seasonal wildlife closures may apply from December 15 through July 15 to protect nesting raptors and elk calving areas.

    Wildfire risk mapping conducted by Wildfire Partners shows that 25% of properties in the Longmont 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.

    Details

    Environmental review of the project area near Foothills Highway found 9 sensitive species and 4 wetland areas requiring mitigation. The Clerk & Recorder worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to develop a habitat conservation plan.