Boulder County’s Office of Sustainability, Climate Action, and Resilience (OSCAR) manages and contributes to projects across the spectrum of climate action. Learn more about OSCAR’s projects and programs.
Sustainability Projects and Programs
4 Corners Carbon Coalition
The 4 Corners Carbon Coalition (4C) is a partnership of local governments that accelerate community-based carbon dioxide removal (CDR). The coalition was started in the Four Corners region of the Western United States by Boulder County and the City of Flagstaff, AZ. Coalition members are Albuquerque, NM; Boulder County, Flagstaff, AZ; Salt Lake City, UT; and Santa Fe, NM.
Through grant campaigns, 4C members collectively support first-of-a-kind CDR projects that deliver durable carbon removal and local environmental and economic benefits. Through this model—where local partners co-fund and select projects—4C helps communities demonstrate what high-quality, locally anchored carbon removal looks like in practice.
Boulder County Carbon Conscious Certification
This voluntary program for licensed Boulder County commercial cannabis cultivators recognizes commitments to reducing carbon emissions and energy use. The certification process follows a framework that includes energy assessment and monitoring, cultivation plan development, energy optimization, and electrification.
Climate Accountability Lawsuit
Boulder County, San Miguel County, and the City of Boulder filed a lawsuit against two oil companies with significant responsibility for climate change. The communities are demanding that Suncor and ExxonMobil pay their fair share of the costs associated with climate change impacts so that the costs do not fall disproportionally on taxpayers.
Climate Innovation Fund
The Climate Innovation Fund supports local projects focused on carbon dioxide removal (CDR) and landscape resilience and restoration. Through a series of grants, OSCAR is supporting local projects that respond to and mitigate climate change impacts in recognition of the fact that local government resources need to be mobilized in order to advance carbon drawdown, emissions reduction objectives, and climate adaptation strategies for increased resilience.
Climate Risks Mapping
Boulder County is building a detailed map that visualizes the risks related to climate impacts including high heat, poor air quality, wildfire, flooding, and drought alongside demographics like household income, language, race, age, and reliance on public transportation. The map will help government stakeholders prioritize climate programming resources to protect the most vulnerable communities from climate related impacts.
Colorado Communities for Climate Action (CC4CA)
Boulder County is a founding member of CC4CA, a coalition of 40 local governments advocating for progressive state and federal climate policies. CC4CA directly engages on bills at the Colorado state legislature, often securing desired outcomes. CC4CA accomplishments include creating a producer responsibility system to reduce solid waste and improve recycling, improved local government wildfire/natural disaster funding, creation of a new circular economy development center, expanded affordable housing and building efficiency, funding for coal community transition programs, air toxics reductions, improved building codes, and establishing free transit during two months of the state’s peak ozone season.
Energy Impact Offset Fund
The Boulder County Energy Impact Offset Fund (EIOF) collects fees from commercial cannabis cultivators who do not offset their electricity use with local renewable energy. The fees are used to support carbon reduction initiatives, such as investing in solar energy for low-income families.
Environmental Sustainability Grants
Environmental Sustainability Grants provide funding to municipalities in Boulder County for policies or projects that significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and/or have meaningful climate resiliency. The program has provided millions for projects spanning heat pumps for homes, renewable energy, and neighborhood cooling solutions.
Homeowners Association (HOA) Heat Pump Adoption Program
This program aims to support HOAs and their residents in transitioning communities to efficient, electric heat pump HVAC systems. Boulder County recognizes the unique barriers often faced by multifamily buildings/communities and provide cost savings through bulk purchasing and/or installation. The pilot program addresses these challenges through: dedicated project management and community engagement; HOA board and homeowner support for architectural review compliance; a highly qualified contractor vetted through a County-led competitive RFP process; competitive pricing and quality installation with cost savings via a coordinated purchase model.
Rebuilding Better
Rebuilding Better connects Marshall Fire-impacted residents and builders participating in reconstruction to resources for planning, designing, and constructing high-performance homes that are cleaner, more comfortable, and more resilient to climate change impacts. Rebuilding Better serves as a model for sustainable post-disaster rebuilding in the U.S.
Restore Colorado
In partnership with Mad Agriculture and Zero Foodprint, and with grant support from the USDA’s Department of Urban Agriculture, Boulder County helped launch Restore Colorado in 2021. The pilot aimed to foster a more circular and resilient food system by connecting food businesses to nearby farms and ranches. Participating restaurants and food businesses collect a few cents from each food purchase. These proceeds get distributed to local farmers and ranchers through “Restore Colorado grants” which support regenerative agriculture projects that improve soil health and draw down carbon. This pilot was extremely successful and garnered support from Governor Jared Polis. Now, Restore Colorado is expanding across the state in partnership with the state’s Department of Agriculture. Read more: Colorado Public Radio article – farms and restaurants fight climate change, Food Tank article – farm to table movement, US News & World Report article – restaurants fight climate change, and Westword article – Restore Colorado program.
Sustainable Food and Agriculture Fund
This Fund accelerates and launches sustainability projects that benefit food and agriculture in Boulder County. These projects increase soil nutrient levels, foster healthy ecosystems, sequester carbon, and help crops adapt to climate change. 2022 recipients are using their grants to serve their communities through developing educational programs and providing food and safety equipment to farm workers. These projects will also support local food production, help implement regenerative practices, preserve heirloom grain seeds, and create pollinator habitats. Read more about grant recipients from previous years.
Switch Together
Boulder County Switch Together, a partnership between Boulder County and Solar United Neighbors, helps county residents install home solar for less cost and less hassle, with free educational tools and advising. Switch Together uses a group buy model to provide high-quality solar installations at a discounted rate. Previously, the county ran similar programs called Solar Switch and the Boulder County Solar Co-op.
Transportation Electrification
OSCAR believes in an accessible, multi-modal, fossil fuel-free transportation future. Working across departments and levels of government, OSCAR helps Boulder County residents access EVs, eBikes, and more. Additionally, our team has completed projects installing charging stations at locations across the county, and supported the electrification of buses, carshare, and ride-share services.