Learn about Boulder County’s efforts to conserve our precious natural resources and promote healthy lifestyles. Adopt sustainable ways of living by recycling, composting, and commuting in ways that protect our air, land and water. Defend yourself and your family against environmental health risks. Read about Boulder County’s guiding principles in the Comprehensive Plan.
Critical Issues — Air Quality and Respiratory Health
As Boulder County residents, we cherish the outdoors. But unfortunately, we don’t have clean air in our county, particularly in the summer, when outdoor recreation is at its peak. In recent years, the American Lung Association Report Card gave Boulder County an “F” due to unhealthy levels of ground-level ozone, a lung-burning pollutant that contributes to asthma and other respiratory diseases, which are a major risk factor for severe illness or death from COVID-19.
Ozone is formed during Colorado’s famously sunny days when the sun “cooks” volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides – air pollutants from vehicles and industry, including oil and gas. Boulder County and Boulder County Public Health are fighting to uphold the air quality rules we need to clean up our air and protect our climate.
Featured Programs
Forest Health Outreach Program
Boulder County’s Forest Health program promotes forest sustainability and stewardship of the land through outreach and education with private landowners. Learn more about upcoming trainings and workshops, bark beetle management, the community chipping reimbursement program, and the forestry sort yards and slash disposal.
Animal-borne Disease
Some animals and insects carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans. Boulder County works to prevent these diseases and minimize their transmission. Learn more about these diseases, including West Nile virus, rabies, plague, and hantavirus.
Hazardous Materials Management Facility
The new facility, located next to the recycling center on 63rd street in Boulder includes an increase in the amount and types of materials accepted, business waste management, increased all-weather operation, improved safety, and longer operating hours. Learn more about hazardous and business waste (CESQG).
Boulder County works to improve water quality, prevent waterborne illness, and reduce negative environmental and public health impacts to our local water sources.