In response to ongoing drought concerns in Boulder County and throughout the state, Boulder County Public Works is reducing the number of roads that will receive dust control services this summer (2026). Previously, gravel roads that were traveled by an average of 150 vehicles each day received dust control at least once each summer. This year, only roads that are designated priority 1 by the county’s snow removal system will receive dust control. View the snow removal priority system map to learn more. The reduction dust control on dust control on gravel roads will take place throughout the county, from the mountains to the plains.
In 2025, dust control applications used approximately 2 million gallons of water, which is enough water to serve 20,000 households in one day. This year’s program will use approximately 260,000 gallons of water, which is an 87% reduction over last year’s use. Should drought conditions improve, the county will evaluate the situation to determine if we can return to previous dust control application routes and frequencies.