Resource Conservation Division funds five projects supporting the local circular economy

Key Points

• Boulder County recently awarded a total of $50,000 to five organizations to support their circular economy work
• The program is funded by the County's Sustainability Tax, which was re-approved by voters in 2019
• Learn more on the Circular Economy webpage, or contact Michal Duffy (they) at mduffy@bouldercounty.gov

Boulder County, Colo. - The Circular Economy Funding Program has been in place for the past 28 years and has provided over $1.5 million to local groups seeking to advance the Circular Economy and make a real impact on climate change through innovative and progressive projects that enhance resource conservation and foster circularity in Boulder County. Circular Economy Funding projects provide an opportunity for organizations and businesses to participate in Boulder County’s vision of becoming a zero waste community and closing the waste loop through circular economy practices.

Circular Economy Funds may support education programs and infrastructure required to support resource diversion programs and the circular economy in three main categories: consumer behavior and practices, collection and/or processing; and, manufacturing and/or design.

A total of five grants were approved for funding in 2026. Recipients include:

• Community Fruit Rescue
  • $20,000 for the Roots to Fruits Initiative to develop workshops and materials about fruit tree care and fruit preservation, expand fruit harvesting operations, and establish a tool library.
• Growing Gardens
  • $13,050 for Reducing Single Use Plastics in Greenhouses by purchasing necessary equipment to convert operations to use bulk soil and reusable planting trays.
• Cal-Wood Education Center
  • $8,700 for Zero Waste Food Scrap Hauling Initiative for animal-safe storage infrastructure, educational signage, and initial hauling costs to start diverting their commercial kitchen food scraps for animal feed and compost.
• Harvest of Hope
  • $5,600 for Increased Efficiency in Rescue Food Operations for food handling equipment including carts and a pallet jack that will double their food rescue capacity.
• Coal Creek Meals on Wheels
  • $2,650 to Transition to a Zero-Plastic-Waste, Reusables-Only Café System by purchasing durable, reusable serviceware alternatives and reduce operational waste.

View more detailed information on each project on the Circular Economy Fund webpage.

2027 Grant Cycle

The next grant cycle will open to applicants in late summer 2026. Grants are reimbursement-based and distributed on an annual basis. The Circular Economy Fund Program is funded by the county’s Sustainability Tax, which was approved by voters in 2019. To be notified when the application period opens, please reach out to Michal Duffy (they), Zero Waste Program Manager, at mduffy@bouldercounty.gov.

To learn more about the grant program, visit the Circular Economy Fund webpage, or contact Michal Duffy (they) at mduffy@bouldercounty.gov.

About the Sustainability Tax

In 2019, Boulder County residents approved a 15-year extension of the Boulder County Sustainability Tax, a 0.125% sales and use tax, that runs through the end 2034.