The Grey to Green Fund aims to increase nature-based climate solutions in Boulder County. The $150,000 grant program supports projects that replace “grey” features, like parking lots and concrete, with “green” landscaping, like rain gardens, native plants and community gardens.
By planting more native plants and reducing the amount of concrete, we can reduce flood risk, improve water quality and recharge groundwater. Image courtesy of Superbloom.
Hard surfaces like roads and sidewalks contribute to problems that are being made worse by climate change. These hard surfaces don’t let water soak into the ground, which causes problems like:
By 2050, Boulder County expects 43 days per year with temperatures exceeding 92.5ºF
Urban and suburban areas are most susceptible to increased warming because sparse vegetation, concrete, and asphalt create urban heat islands.
Adding green spaces like trees, gardens, and green roofs can help make our communities stronger and healthier. These green features help with things like:
If multiple organizations are collaborating on a project, one must serve as the Lead Applicant.
Costs directly associated with the design, planning, and implementation of a grey to green project, including but not limited to:
Scoring Committee members will be comprised of three internal and three external experts in urban landscape NBS. In 2025, this includes the following seats:
Transform 27,845 sq ft of underutilized recreational and landscape space into a greener, more resilient community area serving 77 households in a DI census block in Boulder. The project includes removing approximately 866 square feet of impervious surface, including a defunct basketball court and replacing it with waterwise native plantings, wildfire resistant shade trees, pollinator plants, and a small vegetable garden. These improvements aim to reduce urban heat, improve stormwater infiltration, enhance biodiversity, and strengthen neighborhood connection.
Convert 400 square feet of underutilized landscaping into a Living Land Acknowledgement Garden that celebrates Indigenous culture and ecological stewardship. Developed in collaboration with Indigenous community members and landscape professionals, the garden will feature culturally significant, drought-tolerant native plants that support pollinators, conserve water, and enhance biodiversity. The publicly accessible space will connect the Dairy’s Creative Nations Gallery with the surrounding landscape, providing cultural, educational, and environmental benefits.
Restore 85,000 square feet of an existing stormwater detention basin in Lafayette through invasive species management, native vegetation restoration, and ecological enhancements. Partnering with the Trails at Coal Creek HOA, the organization will engage community volunteers in restoration and monitoring, creating a potential model for improving stormwater infrastructure through the watershed. By increasing infiltration capacity and reducing pollutant loads in stormwater entering Coal Creek, the restored basin will improve downstream water quality for nearby DI communities.
Replace 17,200 square feet of nonfunctional turf within a 58-household DI community in Longmont with drought-tolerant native plants, pollinator gardens, shade trees and shrubs, and improved stormwater features, including bioswales and a raingarden. The project aims to significantly reduce irrigation demand, improve stormwater infiltration, and increase biodiversity.
Transform approximately 2,500 square feet of underutilized turf and hardscape into a native rain garden, bioswale, and pollinator habitat, including the removal of 300 square feet of impervious surface. The space will also serve as an outdoor classroom for approximately 330 students, providing hands-on environmental education and a replicable model for sustainable school landscapes. The project aims to improve stormwater infiltration, reduce irrigation demand, increase biodiversity, and mitigate heat. Outside of school hours, the space remains accessible to neighborhood groups and community members, allowing it to function as a shared outdoor resource on evenings and weekends.
This project will turn a neglected two‑acre parcel at 55th and Valmont into a community food forest. The site will be redesigned to mimic natural ecosystems, improving biodiversity, soil health, and water management. Located in an underserved area, the project will also expand access to green space, local food, and community‑led ecological education.
PLAY Boulder will partner with residents of the San Lazaro Mobile Home Community to remove non‑functional turf from ten front yards and replace it with native trees, shrubs, and pollinator‑friendly gardens. The project will reduce water use, improve soil health, increase biodiversity, and create cooler microclimates. Residents will be hired to assist with installation and early maintenance.
This project will install a 19,646‑square‑foot agrivoltaic green roof on a new net‑zero commercial building. The roof integrates vegetation with raised solar panels, reducing heat, improving stormwater retention, supporting urban biodiversity, and enhancing solar performance. It will serve as a demonstration site for combining renewable energy with green infrastructure.
The Grey to Green Fund is administered by Boulder County’s Office of Sustainability, Climate Action, and Resilience (OSCAR).
Funding for this project comes from the Boulder County Sustainability Tax.
