The Emergency Services Grant Program Advisory Committee (ESGPAC) provides recommendations to Boulder County regarding the grant program portion of the Emergency Services Sales and Use Tax.
Emergency Services Advisory Committee
Next Meeting Date:
The next Emergency Services Grant Program Advisory Committee (ESGPAC) is scheduled for 6 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 25, virtually via Teams.
Attend the Aug. 25 meeting virtually by Teams webinar.
Members of the public are invited to attend and observe all ESGPAC meetings.
Emergency Services Grant Program Advisory Committee
The Emergency Services Sales and Use Tax, approved by voters as County Issue 1B in 2022, provides funding to support underfunded or under-resourced emergency service organizations—such as fire departments and search and rescue agencies—serving Boulder County’s rural and mountain communities.
Grants are awarded annually to help enhance emergency services and trail & trailhead safety services in unincorporated Boulder County. The committee reviews two grant cycles each year.
One round of funding is dedicated to fire districts that serve the mountain and rural areas of unincorporated Boulder County. A second round of funding is offered to search and rescue organizations that provide services in Boulder County.
Makeup of the Nine-Member Advisory Committee
The nine-member committee gives input twice a year to the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office and the Board of County Commissioners on how the grant revenues should be spent. The committee consists of three at-large positions and six specific positions—based on experience, subject matter expertise, or residential location in Boulder County—as identified in the committee bylaws.
In addition to recruiting members with hands-on emergency services and search and rescue response, the county seeks the perspective of trail users, members of the accessibility community, and outdoor recreation enthusiasts. All committee members must be Boulder County residents.
Time Commitment
- The committee meets virtually via Zoom on the fourth Tuesday of each month from 6 to 8 p.m. during the winter, spring, and fall.
- Additional meetings are scheduled twice a year to review grant applications and make recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners. Meetings usually pause for the holidays from November-January, and again for at least one month in the summer. Occasionally, the committee meets in person (in Boulder).
- In addition to monthly meetings, members are expected to commit 8–10 hours twice a year to support the two annual grant award cycles.
Apply
- The county typically recruits for 2-3 new members in July as staggered 3-year terms expire.
- When there is a vacancy, you can apply at: Boards and Commissions Vacancies
- See: Emergency Services Grant Program for more information about the program and advisory committee.
- Contact Robin Valdez at ravaldez@bouldercounty.gov for help with the application process.
Staff Liaison
Email Barb Halpin at bhalpin@bouldercounty.gov or call 720-564-2830
For emergency services grant questions, please email ESgrants@bouldercounty.gov.
Committee Members
Three members-at-large:
- Lynette Anderson (Member-at-Large)
- Benjamin Hogan (Member-at-Large)
- Harry Ross (Member-at-Large)
Specific positions:
- Cynthia Bakke (Resident served by a mountain fire district)
- Emmi Laakso (Search and rescue organization representative)
- Rick Sheingold (Current or previous employee with a fire department)
- Jodie Silva(Outdoor recreation organization representative)
- Joe Zimmerman (Accessibility community resident)
- Doug Hurst (East county resident or resident served by a rural/plains fire district)