Funding is from DOLA with match funding from Boulder County

Boulder County, Colo. - Boulder County and Gold Hill have been notified of an award from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) to assist the community of Gold Hill in the planning toward a 100% renewable energy future and improved resiliency in the face of increasing climate-driven threats such as wildfire. The grant funding will provide a total of $65,000 to Gold Hill. Of that total, DOLA is providing $48,750 and Boulder County is providing a 25% match of $16,250.

“Gold Hill residents are actively seeking solutions in the face of climate change impacts, and we are thrilled to partner with Boulder County and DOLA on this innovative approach,” says Marcus Moench from the Gold Hill Sustainability Advisory Board.

Gold Hill embarked on a path towards climate adaptation planning in partnership with Boulder County and Boulder-based Adaptation Services Group (ASG) nearly a year ago. The townsite has been creating an adaptation plan that looks at their climate-related threats and vulnerabilities, and also adaptation strategies. One of the key strategies identified by the community and ASG was the potential for increased renewable energy and micro-grids in and around Gold Hill, eventually enabling the community to generate their own electricity. This work already performed was noted by DOLA when awarding the grant.

The grant funding will be used to develop a renewable and resilient vision for the community, defining possibilities and goals that addresses the short-term needs of the community and sets a course for the long term. The planning document will be used to help inform future phases and source out grant opportunities to apply for funding to support future implementation phases.

“What’s powerful about this work is the potential for replication in other mountain and remote communities experiencing similar climate change impacts, and the county is excited to play a role in helping connect the lessons learned from the project to other communities,” says Susie Strife, Boulder County’s Sustainability Coordinator.

For more information about Gold Hill’s sustainability and resilience efforts, contact Tony Vrba at tonyvrba@gmail.com. For more information about Boulder County’s sustainability and resilience efforts, contact Susie Strife and sstrife@bouldercounty.org.