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?

• 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 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 press release.
• October 7, 2024 | The Keep It Clean Partnership has announced that submissions are now open for the 2024 Boulder St. Vrain Watershed Art Contest. Read more in the press release.
• August 9, 2024 | Established in 2022, the Climate Innovation Fund supports local projects focused on carbon dioxide removal, enhancing landscape resilience, and restoring ecosystems. This year, the county allocated $531,950 to these initiatives. Read more in the press release.
• July 23, 2024 | EPA Awards $199.7 Million to Denver Metro Region to Cut Climate Pollution. This federal funding will accelerate the shift from gas to electric in buildings. Read more in the press release.
• July 12, 2024 | Boulder County has released our 2023 Sustainability Tax Report. This report highlights work from 25+ programs funded by the Boulder County Sustainability Tax in 2023, featuring snapshots of community experiences, earned media coverage, and more. Read the report.

Our Programs

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.”