Highlights climate-focused planning strategies for local governments in Boulder County.

A creek-side landscape with nature based solutions that support healthy flood management and improved recreational opportunties.

Key Points

• Boulder County has published a new toolkit, designed for local governments, that offers urban planning strategies for addressing climate change using nature.
• The report recommends strategies to decrease climate impacts that are specific to the local environment.
• To receive this information in another language, please contact Sabina Maniak at smaniak@bouldercounty.gov.

Boulder County, CO — Boulder County, in partnership with Colorado-based landscape architecture firm Superbloom, has published a new toolkit to help local governments improve climate resilience and minimize carbon emissions. Designing Resilient Urban Landscapes: Nature-Based Solutions for Local Governments provides practical guidance for local governments on using sustainable, ecosystem-driven approaches. These Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) are specific to the local geography and climate.

“As climate challenges grow, the way we design and care for our communities matters more than ever,” said Commissioner Ashley Stolzmann. “By working with nature, we can reduce risks, improve resilience, and create healthier places to live. Because Boulder County spans diverse environments, the strategies in the county’s new toolkit are flexible and responsive to each community’s needs. We’re prioritizing the areas most at risk—not just to address climate impacts, but as part of our commitment to racial equity and equitable climate action.”

“Nature-Based Solutions are a critical climate strategy for any region. Our specific needs in the urban Intermountain West, which include high-altitude, arid conditions, require a tailored approach,” said Dede Croissant, Natural Climate Solutions Specialist for Boulder County. “This toolkit brings together the most impactful strategies for our region, identified through research on local ecologies, interviews with regional experts, and contributions from local municipalities, making them more accessible for decision makers to implement in their communities.”

Improving Climate Resilience

This new resource focuses on urban areas in Boulder County, prioritizing benefits to neighborhoods that are the most vulnerable to negative climate impacts. The goal is to improve climate resilience through several strategies, including:

• growing urban shade forests
• restoring floodplains and streams
• managing and capturing urban stormwater
• transforming turf
• creating cool and living roofs
• developing urban farms and gardens
• managing urban boundaries

Maximizing Green Infrastructure

This toolkit represents Boulder County’s first comprehensive effort to maximize green infrastructure across all of the county’s diverse landscapes, which span three different ecological zones: High Prairie (4,800–6,000 ft), Montane Foothills (6,000–8,500 ft), and Alpine (8,500–12,000 ft). Each zone comes with specific needs that influence how these solutions can be used.

A majority of county residents live in areas with elevated climate risks, such as wildland-urban interfaces or areas with elevated flood hazard. The toolkit addresses these unique needs and associated vulnerabilities with targeted strategies. For example, Miyawaki microforests, which grow ten times faster than conventional plantings; xeriscaping techniques that reduce water usage by 60%; and fire-resistant landscaping in new build and reconstruction areas.

Access the full toolkit on the Boulder County website.

A lot featuring transformed turf, which minimizes water use, supports pollinators, and helps mainatain cooler temperatures.

About Nature-Based Solutions (NBS)

NBS use natural systems—such as urban forests, green spaces, and waterways—to reduce climate impacts. These systems create benefits that protect, conserve, restore, and sustainably manage ecosystems, while delivering measurable benefits to both people and nature. These approaches help draw down carbon, manage stormwater, and reduce risks like flooding and extreme heat.

​​About Superbloom

Superbloom is an award-winning landscape architecture practice located in Denver, Colorado committed to dynamic design, environmental stewardship, and deep research. Inspired by the dynamic landscape of the American West, Superbloom’s design practice lays the groundwork for flourishing ecologies and resilient communities. Visit the Superbloom website to learn more.

Boulder County Sustainability Tax

This project was funded by the voter-approved Boulder County Sustainability Tax, a 0.125% sales and use tax that runs through the end of 2034. Learn more about the programs supported by the Sustainability Tax.

###

Mission of the Office of Sustainability, Climate Action & Resilience

Our mission is to advance policies and programs that conserve resources, protect the environment, and safeguard our climate in order to build a sustainable, just, and resilient community.

Facebook | Instagram | X