Two women sit on the banks of a Colorado creek in a forested canyon

Office of Sustainability, Climate Action, and Resilience (OSCAR)

“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.“

Colorado communities are feeling the effects of climate change. They’re dealing with reduced snowpack, earlier snowmelt, and dangerous air quality. Additionally, they face more extreme weather events, severe wildfires, and “high heat” days. In response, Boulder County has stepped up to take action. We’ve initiated bold measures to slash greenhouse gas emissions and remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Our goal is to help our communities adapt and thrive in the face of these challenges. Learn more about our efforts, programs, and more below.

What’s the Latest?

April 2, 2025 | Solar purchasing program, Switch Together, is now open to county residents until June 18. The program makes it easier and more affordable for Boulder County residents to install rooftop solar, home batteries, and EV chargers at home. Read more in the Switch Together press release.
March 21, 2025 | Applications are now open for the 2025 Community Forestry Corps. This program provides paid summer jobs for three age groups (14-17, 18+, and 21+), supporting forestry efforts throughout several Boulder County communities. Read more in the Community Forestry Corps press release.
February 11, 2025 | Boulder County and the City of Boulder argued before the Colorado Supreme Court that ExxonMobil Corporation and several Suncor entities should be held financially responsible for their contributions to the climate crisis. The arguments centered around the community’s ability to seek damages for climate-related harms knowingly caused by the deceptive and reckless conduct of Exxon and the Suncor entities. Read more in the Climate Accountability Case press release.
February 4, 2025 | The Keep It Clean Partnership has announced 12 winners of the 2024 Boulder St. Vrain Watershed Art Contest, which invited students to explore Colorado’s waterways through art and storytelling. The contest, now in its third year, set a record with 215 students from 50 schools submitting artwork. Read more in the Art Contest press release.
December 10, 2024 | The Soil Health Initiative is back for its second year, offering grants to Boulder County farmers and ranchers to implement regenerative practices that improve soil health, enhance agricultural resilience, and address the impacts of climate change. Read more in the Soil Health Initiative press release.
October 28, 2024 | Low- and middle-income households in Boulder County can now access up to $4,000 in new rebates for home energy upgrades, including heat pumps, electric cooking appliances, and more. Read more in the Income-Qualified Rebates press release.

Resources

Our Programs

PACE advisor shakes hands with a client in front of a local business.

Business Sustainability – Partners for a Clean Environment (PACE)

PACE provides free advising, financial incentives, and certifications to help county businesses decrease emissions and environmental impact, save money, and gain recognition for their work.

Two horses pull a red compost cart across a field at Light Root Community Farm in Boulder. A man drives the cart, holding the reins as the horses move away from the camera.

Nature Based Solutions

Nature-Based Solutions (or, NBS) are strategies that combat climate change with natural resources like vegetation, soils, and watersheds. Frequently, NBS overlap with farming and other land management practices already used across the world.

A Boulder County resident poses in front of her home's air source heat pump.

Residential Sustainability – EnergySmart

EnergySmart, Boulder County’s residential sustainability program, helps residents decarbonize their homes. As buildings are the county’s #1 source of greenhouse gas emissions, decarbonizing homes is critical to achieving our climate goals.

A safe youth e-bike bicycle rider wearing a helmet at a school in the fall season.

Sustainable and Electric Transportation

Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Colorado, and the second largest in Boulder County. Boulder County aims to decrease transportation emissions through supporting efforts including multi-modal transportation, electric vehicles (EVs), and electric bicycles (e-Bikes).

A couple walks along the banks of a wetland on a cloudy day, with the Rocky Mountains visible in the distance

Watershed Health – Keep it Clean Partnership (KICP)

KICP facilitates collaboration on water quality issues between our partner communities and with other organizations with the goal of improving watershed health. By working together with local governments and other organizations throughout the Boulder St. Vrain basin, we can increase our impact and make progress towards a healthier watershed.

Newsroom Highlights

Visit our newsroom for an archive of press releases and media coverage of our work.

Clean Energy Is Booming in the U.S. The Election Could Change That. (New York Times, October 30, 2024): Trump has suggested he would dismantle the Inflation Reduction Act, which has reshaped America’s energy landscape. It won’t be easy.
Opinion: Coloradans should charge forward to cleaner buildings (Daily Camera, October 15, 2024): Beyond innovation, inclusion, comfort and convenience, electrifying our lives is essential to combat and build resilience to climate change in Colorado. It’s not only a personal upgrade to better technology; it’s a community revolution that will make the future better and brighter for everyone.
The Soil Under Your Feet Affects You More Than You Think. Here’s Why (Forbes, August 30, 2024): From the food on our plates and the water in our rivers to the air we breathe, soil quality influences everything.
How carbon removal can help curb wildfires and build houses (High Country News, August 30, 2024): Local governments in the Four Corners back homegrown carbon-removal projects.
A big idea for small farms: How to link agriculture, nutrition and public health (NPR, February 3, 2024): Boulder County invests in sustainable farming, supporting local produce purchases. This initiative benefits consumers, farmers, and the economy, creating a “triple win.”

About OSCAR

Boulder County’s leaders and employees have long held a commitment to stewardship of our land, environment, and community. The Boulder County Commissioners believe that by prioritizing environmental sustainability, we can achieve higher economic vitality in our communities, ensure cleaner air and water for the well-being and public health of residents, and combat major environmental issues, such as climate change. By striving to become as environmentally sustainable as possible, we are supporting countless human and environmental benefits for our county and beyond.

Learn more about OSCAR and meet the team here.