Background Information
Climate Change’s Disproportionate Impact
Climate change disproportionately affects those who contribute least to its causes, and racial and ethnically diverse communities are most intensely impacted by climate change. Racism, economic inequality, and class discrimination are some of the root causes of climate injustice, and Boulder County recognizes a long history of harmful practices and institutional racism that have further perpetuated climate injustices
Strategic Priority
In 2024, the Boulder County Office of Sustainability, Climate Action & Resilience (OSCAR) conducted a comprehensive review of climate justice best practices. Informed by recommendations from external environmental justice consultants, OSCAR staff—together with Commissioner Loachamin—began developing a vision for a Climate Equity Fund. The intent of the fund is to expand access to climate-related funding for frontline communities and individuals disproportionately impacted by climate change. In July 2025, Boulder County Commissioners directed OSCAR to launch the Climate Equity Fund.
Boulder County is committed to advancing equitable solutions to the climate crisis. Climate action and environmental stewardship is one of the Boulder County Commissioners’ Strategic Priorities.
Fund Administration
The Boulder County Office of Sustainability, Climate, and Resilience (OSCAR) manages the Climate Equity Fund. Owing to the innovative nature, size, and community-involvement goals of this fund, the County underwent a competitive procurement process to select a vendor to co-create the fund with key community members and fiscally administer the fund. The county has selected JSI for this work.
Sources of Funding
The Boulder County Commissioners allocated $3 million from three funding sources for the Climate Equity Fund grants and administration in the 2025 budget. The Climate Equity Fund is supported by $1 million each from the Sustainability Tax, the Boulder County general fund, and the Gross Reservoir Settlement Fund.