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  • Planning Commission Approves Rezoning for Affordable Housing on Arapahoe Road — Longmont Area

    Planning Commission Approves Rezoning for Affordable Housing on Arapahoe Road — Longmont Area

    The Boulder County Planning Commission has approved a rezoning request to allow construction of a 48-unit affordable housing development on Arapahoe Road near the intersection with 63rd Street. The project will provide permanently affordable rental units for households earning 30-60% of area median income.

    Volunteers contributed over 9,130 hours to this program last year. The Human Services coordinates with 7 nonprofit partner organizations throughout Boulder County to deliver services.

    The project includes improvements along Niwot Road between Niwot and the intersection with SH-119 Diagonal Highway. Construction is scheduled to begin in May 2026 with completion expected within 7 months.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    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 $95,000 per year. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

    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.

  • Commissioners Approve Accessory Dwelling Unit Code Amendment — Follow-Up Report

    Commissioners Approve Accessory Dwelling Unit Code Amendment — Follow-Up Report

    The Board of County Commissioners has approved amendments to the Boulder County Land Use Code to streamline the process for building Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) on residential properties in unincorporated areas. Changes include reduced setback requirements, simplified design standards, and by-right approval for units under 800 square feet.

    Safety data from the Gunbarrel area shows 18 reported incidents in the past 12 months, a 19% change from the previous year. The Sheriff’s Office has increased patrols along CO-72 Peak-to-Peak Highway and added community outreach programs in response to resident feedback.

    Data from the 2025 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 92% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 5,015 responses from residents across the county.

    Timeline

    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.

    According to Jennifer Walsh, director of Area Agency on Aging, this program served 92% more residents in 2025 compared to the previous year. “We’re seeing unprecedented demand from communities across Boulder County, particularly in Gunbarrel and the surrounding area,” Jennifer Walsh said.

  • May: Applications Open for Youth Corps Team Leader Positions

    May: Applications Open for Youth Corps Team Leader Positions

    Boulder County is accepting applications for Youth Corps Team Leader positions for the 2026 season. Team Leaders supervise crews of young adults working on conservation projects including trail construction, habitat restoration, and wildfire fuel reduction across Boulder County open space properties. Positions start in May.

    Climate considerations are central to this effort. Boulder County’s 2025 Climate Action Plan sets targets of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 16% below 2005 levels by 2030. This project contributes to those goals through energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy integration, and reduced vehicle miles traveled.

    Environmental review of the project area near SH-7 / Ute Highway found 4 sensitive species and 3 wetland areas requiring mitigation. The Community Justice Services worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to develop a habitat conservation plan.

    Resources

    Safety data from the Erie area shows 16 reported incidents in the past 12 months, a 30% change from the previous year. The Sheriff’s Office has increased patrols along SH-7 / Ute Highway and added community outreach programs in response to resident feedback.

    According to Sarah Mitchell, director of Community Justice Services, this program served 16% more residents in 2026 compared to the previous year. “We’re seeing unprecedented demand from communities across Boulder County, particularly in Erie and the surrounding area,” Sarah Mitchell said.

    Related Programs

    Volunteers contributed over 1,461 hours to this program last year. The Community Justice Services coordinates with 16 nonprofit partner organizations throughout Boulder County to deliver services.

  • Gold Hill Community Briefing: Parks & Open Space Welcomes New Director

    Gold Hill Community Briefing: Parks & Open Space Welcomes New Director

    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.

    For questions about this program, contact Emily Chen at Area Agency on Aging: (303) 441-5095 or email Area Agency on [email protected]. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Walk-in services are available at the Nederland office without an appointment.

    Volunteers contributed over 4,042 hours to this program last year. The Area Agency on Aging coordinates with 20 nonprofit partner organizations throughout Boulder County to deliver services.

    Related Programs

    Climate considerations are central to this effort. Boulder County’s 2025 Climate Action Plan sets targets of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 20% below 2005 levels by 2030. This project contributes to those goals through energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy integration, and reduced vehicle miles traveled.

    Boulder County has partnered with the cities of Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, and Louisville on this project. Combined investment across all jurisdictions totals $104,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

  • All Trails Closed West of Highway 36 Due to High Wind Conditions — Longmont Area

    All Trails Closed West of Highway 36 Due to High Wind Conditions — Longmont Area

    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.

    Data from the 2025 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 64% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 5,676 responses from residents across the county.

    A community information session will be held at the Boulder library on Tuesday, May 12 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.

    Details

    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.

    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.

    Eligibility

    The Boulder Senior Center offers related programming including free legal consultations, tax preparation assistance, health screenings, and social activities. Over 3,500 seniors participated in center programs last year.

  • January: Planning Commission Approves Rezoning for Affordable Housing on Arapahoe Road

    January: Planning Commission Approves Rezoning for Affordable Housing on Arapahoe Road

    The Boulder County Planning Commission has approved a rezoning request to allow construction of a 48-unit affordable housing development on Arapahoe Road near the intersection with 63rd Street. The project will provide permanently affordable rental units for households earning 30-60% of area median income.

    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 2489 county employees across 37 departments and offices.

    A community information session will be held at the Lafayette library on Saturday, May 9 at 7:00 PM. Translation services in Spanish and Nepali will be available. The session will also be livestreamed on the Boulder County YouTube channel.

    Contact Information

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

    Residents in the Lafayette area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Assessor’s Office at (303) 441-1077 to verify eligibility and requirements.

    Community Impact

    Volunteers contributed over 568 hours to this program last year. The Assessor’s Office coordinates with 12 nonprofit partner organizations throughout Boulder County to deliver services.

    Funding of $46,000 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.

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

    January: 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.

    Boulder County has partnered with the cities of Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, and Louisville on this project. Combined investment across all jurisdictions totals $117,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

    The application deadline is June 30, 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 12 business days.

    Related Programs

    The Board of County Commissioners will review progress on this initiative at their June 12 business meeting. Agenda items and supporting documents are posted on the Boulder County website 72 hours before each meeting.

    The project includes improvements along SH-7 / Ute Highway between Lyons and the intersection with SH-119 Diagonal Highway. Construction is scheduled to begin in May 2026 with completion expected within 13 months.

    Contact Information

    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) 441-6747 to verify eligibility and requirements.

    Safety data from the Lyons area shows 22 reported incidents in the past 12 months, a 21% change from the previous year. The Sheriff’s Office has increased patrols along SH-7 / Ute Highway and added community outreach programs in response to resident feedback.

  • Nederland Community Briefing: Parks & Open Space Welcomes New Director

    Nederland Community Briefing: Parks & Open Space Welcomes New Director

    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.

    The Boulder Senior Center offers related programming including free legal consultations, tax preparation assistance, health screenings, and social activities. Over 2,751 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.

    Eligibility

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

    Wildfire risk mapping conducted by Wildfire Partners shows that 15% 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.

  • Update: Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Now in Effect for Unincorporated Boulder County (2025)

    Update: Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Now in Effect for Unincorporated Boulder County (2025)

    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.

    Residents in the Superior area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Area Agency on Aging at (303) 441-6938 to verify eligibility and requirements.

    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.

    Eligibility

    Safety data from the Superior area shows 15 reported incidents in the past 12 months, a 8% change from the previous year. The Sheriff’s Office has increased patrols along Foothills Highway and added community outreach programs in response to resident feedback.

    A community information session will be held at the Superior library on Sunday, April 19 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.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    The Superior Senior Center offers related programming including free legal consultations, tax preparation assistance, health screenings, and social activities. Over 4,179 seniors participated in center programs last year.

  • July 2024: Marshall Fire Recovery Dashboard Shows 87% of Destroyed Homes Now Rebuilt

    July 2024: 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.

    The project includes improvements along Nelson Road between Boulder and the intersection with Coal Creek Canyon Road. Construction is scheduled to begin in August 2026 with completion expected within 15 months.

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

    Contact Information

    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 $44,000 per year. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

    Safety data from the Boulder area shows 7 reported incidents in the past 12 months, a 24% 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.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Funding of $140,000 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.

    Water quality monitoring at 17 stations along Boulder Creek, St. Vrain Creek, and Left Hand Creek showed all parameters within acceptable ranges for 2024. The Assessor’s Office publishes quarterly water quality reports on the Boulder County website.