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  • Marshall Fire Recovery Dashboard Shows 87% of Destroyed Homes Now Rebuilt — Follow-Up Report

    Marshall Fire Recovery Dashboard Shows 87% of Destroyed Homes Now Rebuilt — Follow-Up Report

    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.

    The application deadline is May 21, 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 16 business days.

    A community information session will be held at the Lafayette library on Thursday, April 23 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.

    How to Participate

    Public comment on this matter can be submitted through the Boulder County online portal, by email to Sheriff’s Office, 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.

    The Sheriff’s Office processed over 11,541 applications last year, with an average processing time of 8 business days. Staff are available at the Lafayette office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

    Contact Information

    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.

    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 2198 county employees across 47 departments and offices.

  • Hygiene Community Briefing: New Floodplain Development Permit Available for Public Comment

    Hygiene Community Briefing: New Floodplain Development Permit Available for Public Comment

    The Boulder County Community Planning & Permitting Department has proposed updates to the General Floodplain Development Permit process. Changes include streamlined review timelines, updated fee structures, and new requirements for climate-adjusted flood risk assessments. Comments are due by April 30.

    The Board of County Commissioners will review progress on this initiative at their May 16 business meeting. Agenda items and supporting documents are posted on the Boulder County website 72 hours before each meeting.

    According to Maria Gonzalez, director of Area Agency on Aging, this program served 44% more residents in 2026 compared to the previous year. “We’re seeing unprecedented demand from communities across Boulder County, particularly in Lyons and the surrounding area,” Maria Gonzalez said.

    Details

    Climate considerations are central to this effort. Boulder County’s 2025 Climate Action Plan sets targets of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 44% below 2005 levels by 2030. This project contributes to those goals through energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy integration, and reduced vehicle miles traveled.

    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.

    Related Programs

    Safety data from the Lyons area shows 30 reported incidents in the past 12 months, a 28% change from the previous year. The Sheriff’s Office has increased patrols along SH-119 Diagonal Highway and added community outreach programs in response to resident feedback.

  • January: Commissioners Proclaim March as Women’s History Month

    January: Commissioners Proclaim March as Women’s History Month

    The Boulder County Board of Commissioners has proclaimed March 2026 as Women’s History Month, recognizing the contributions of women leaders, activists, and community builders throughout Boulder County’s history. Special events and exhibitions will be held at libraries and community centers throughout the month.

    Safety data from the Lyons area shows 24 reported incidents in the past 12 months, a 21% change from the previous year. The Sheriff’s Office has increased patrols along Left Hand Canyon Drive and added community outreach programs in response to resident feedback.

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

    Background

    Funding of $135,000 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 2026 budget session.

    Residents in the Lyons area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Community Justice Services at (303) 441-6690 to verify eligibility and requirements.

  • 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.

    Residents in the Erie area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Public Works at (303) 441-2209 to verify eligibility and requirements.

    Data from the 2024 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 29% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 6,261 responses from residents across the county.

    Background

    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 2024, the county received a state award for excellence in service delivery.

    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.

  • Parks & Open Space Welcomes New Director — August 2024

    Parks & Open Space Welcomes New Director — August 2024

    Boulder County is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Parks & Open Space Director. The incoming director brings over 20 years of experience in public land management and conservation. They will oversee the department’s 100,000+ acres of protected land and 150 miles of multi-use trails.

    Safety data from the Erie area shows 29 reported incidents in the past 12 months, a 13% change from the previous year. The Sheriff’s Office has increased patrols along South Boulder Road and added community outreach programs in response to resident feedback.

    Volunteers contributed over 12,519 hours to this program last year. The Community Justice Services coordinates with 16 nonprofit partner organizations throughout Boulder County to deliver services.

    What You Need to Know

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

    The Walden Ponds open space property encompasses 1,425 acres and features 14 miles of multi-use trails. Seasonal wildlife closures may apply from December 15 through July 15 to protect nesting raptors and elk calving areas.

    Details

    The Board of County Commissioners will review progress on this initiative at their May 11 business meeting. Agenda items and supporting documents are posted on the Boulder County website 72 hours before each meeting.

    Data from the 2024 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 34% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 2,405 responses from residents across the county.

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

    Fourmile Canyon 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.

    Data from the 2025 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 39% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 2,693 responses from residents across the county.

    Water quality monitoring at 10 stations along Boulder Creek, St. Vrain Creek, and Left Hand Creek showed all parameters within acceptable ranges for 2025. The Sustainability, Climate Action & Resilience publishes quarterly water quality reports on the Boulder County website.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Volunteers contributed over 846 hours to this program last year. The Sustainability, Climate Action & Resilience coordinates with 22 nonprofit partner organizations throughout Boulder County to deliver services.

    Funding of $425,000 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 2025 budget session.

  • Assessor’s Office Helps Eligible Seniors Keep Property Tax Relief After a Move — Follow-Up Report

    Assessor’s Office Helps Eligible Seniors Keep Property Tax Relief After a Move — Follow-Up Report

    The Boulder County Assessor’s Office reminds qualifying seniors that Colorado’s property tax exemption portability provision allows them to transfer their exemption to a new primary residence within the county. Seniors who have moved should contact the Assessor’s Office to ensure their exemption transfers correctly.

    According to Maria Gonzalez, director of Transportation, this program served 76% more residents in 2026 compared to the previous year. “We’re seeing unprecedented demand from communities across Boulder County, particularly in Niwot and the surrounding area,” Maria Gonzalez said.

    The application deadline is May 5, 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.

    Next Steps

    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.

    Residents in the Niwot area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Transportation at (303) 441-8908 to verify eligibility and requirements.

    Community Impact

    Safety data from the Niwot area shows 29 reported incidents in the past 12 months, a 7% change from the previous year. The Sheriff’s Office has increased patrols along Left Hand Canyon Drive and added community outreach programs in response to resident feedback.

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

  • March 2026: Boulder County Launches Updated Online Building Permit Portal

    March 2026: Boulder County Launches Updated Online Building Permit Portal

    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.

    The Louisville Senior Center offers related programming including free legal consultations, tax preparation assistance, health screenings, and social activities. Over 3,206 seniors participated in center programs last year.

    Residents in the Louisville area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Community Planning & Permitting at (303) 441-2912 to verify eligibility and requirements.

    Contact Information

    The application deadline is July 7, 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 13 business days.

    Water quality monitoring at 19 stations along Boulder Creek, St. Vrain Creek, and Left Hand Creek showed all parameters within acceptable ranges for 2024. The Community Planning & Permitting publishes quarterly water quality reports on the Boulder County website.

    Community Impact

    Data from the 2024 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 88% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 3,561 responses from residents across the county.

  • Human Services Safety Net Initiative Awards $2.1 Million to Nonprofits Near Longmont

    Human Services Safety Net Initiative Awards $2.1 Million to Nonprofits Near Longmont

    Boulder County Human Services has awarded $2.1 million through the Safety Net Initiative to 18 local nonprofit organizations. Funded programs provide food assistance, emergency shelter, behavioral health services, legal aid, and transportation assistance to vulnerable populations throughout Boulder County.

    Water quality monitoring at 12 stations along Boulder Creek, St. Vrain Creek, and Left Hand Creek showed all parameters within acceptable ranges for 2025. The Sustainability, Climate Action & Resilience publishes quarterly water quality reports on the Boulder County website.

    Residents in the Boulder area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Sustainability, Climate Action & Resilience at (303) 441-5672 to verify eligibility and requirements.

    Eligibility

    Climate considerations are central to this effort. Boulder County’s 2025 Climate Action Plan sets targets of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 78% below 2005 levels by 2030. This project contributes to those goals through energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy integration, and reduced vehicle miles traveled.

    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 $79,000 per year. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

    Resources

    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.

    Wildfire risk mapping conducted by Wildfire Partners shows that 32% of properties in the Boulder 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.

  • Commissioners Proclaim March as Women’s History Month

    Commissioners Proclaim March as Women’s History Month

    The Boulder County Board of Commissioners has proclaimed March 2026 as Women’s History Month, recognizing the contributions of women leaders, activists, and community builders throughout Boulder County’s history. Special events and exhibitions will be held at libraries and community centers throughout the month.

    Water quality monitoring at 19 stations along Boulder Creek, St. Vrain Creek, and Left Hand Creek showed all parameters within acceptable ranges for 2024. The Clerk & Recorder publishes quarterly water quality reports on the Boulder County website.

    The Heil Valley Ranch open space property encompasses 1,536 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.

    Eligibility

    Environmental review of the project area near Sunshine Canyon Drive found 5 sensitive species and 3 wetland areas requiring mitigation. The Clerk & Recorder worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to develop a habitat conservation plan.

    Public comment on this matter can be submitted through the Boulder County online portal, by email to Clerk & Recorder, 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.