Boulder County Community Survey: Some residents will receive a text message over the next two weeks asking them to take a survey.

Boulder County government offices closed Thursday, Nov. 27, and Friday, Nov. 28, for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Climate Equity Fund

Climate Equity Fund

Program Summary

The Boulder County Climate Equity Fund is a new grant program designed to advance climate justice in our community. The fund distributed more than $2 million in 2025.

The Boulder County Climate Equity Fund advances Boulder County’s racial equity goals, support those most impacted by the climate crisis, and enable grassroots and neighborhood leaders to implement impactful climate action.

Announcing the 2025 Grant Recipients

The Board of County Commissioners has selected recipients of 2025 Climate Equity Fund Grants. 15 organizations will receive more than $2 million in funding to advance equitable climate action in Boulder County. Read about the grant recipients.

Program Timeline

  • May and June 2025: Climate Equity Fund Design
  • June 8, 2025: Board of County Commissioners approves Climate Equity Fund Design
  • Aug. 1, 2025: Application opens for Climate Equity Fund
  • Fall 2025: Community Evaluation Committee reviews applications, recommends awards
  • Fall 2025: Board of County Commissioners approves grant awards
  • Fall 2025: Contracting with awardees
  • Late 2025 and beyond: Projects begin
  • 2026: Program evaluation

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.

Other Grant Opportunities

Boulder County offers a variety of grant programs. Visit the grants webpage to learn more.

Contact Us

More Information

For more information on the Climate Equity Fund, please email climateequityfund@bouldercounty.gov.

Location

Boulder County Courthouse
First Floor
1325 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO 80302
Map and Directions

Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Monday-Friday

Office of Sustainability, Climate Action and Resilience

OSCAR Webpage