Boulder County Cities Win Sustainability Grants

BOULDER COUNTY, CO -- The Boulder County Commissioners announced the recipients of the 2019 Environmental Sustainability Grants on Tuesday, Dec. 18, and every single Boulder County city made the cut.

The county's matching grant program was established in 2014 to help governmental organizations leverage community resources for a coordinated, county-wide approach to environmental sustainability. Each municipality had to be able to offer a match for the grant in order to apply for an award of as much as $15,000.

The 2019 grant recipients are pursuing diverse projects from recycling and yard waste drop-off events to strategies that promote equitable access to energy-related services.

“We are excited to see the variety of projects in the 2019 grant program and full participation by Boulder County cities and towns,” said Boulder County Commissioner Elise Jones in a statement. “The vision of the municipalities in Boulder County has resulted in many successful projects, and we’re looking forward to continued partnership to meet our shared goal of more sustainable communities.”

The 2019 recipients and projects are as follows:

• City of Boulder proposed funding of $15,000 to develop an equitable electrification strategy, roadmap, and pilot program. The project aims to increase accessibility to solar and electrification technology for low-income households.
• Town of Erie proposed funding of $15,000 to develop a community-wide sustainability master plan including but not limited to energy, waste reduction, transportation, and education. The project aims to promote renewable resources, and improve the quality of life and well-being of the entire community.
• Town of Jamestown proposed funding of $9,050 to support diversion of waste from the landfill through the continuation of recycling and hard-to-recycle material diversion, local food production through the expansion of the community garden, and development of a multi-year work plan.
• City of Lafayette proposed funding of $15,000 to improve the city planning and permitting processes to support community adoption of solar and electric vehicles. The project supports Lafayette’s climate action goals.
• City of Longmont proposed funding of $15,000 to develop a Just Transition Plan and ensure that all community members have equitable access to the benefits of energy-related services, as Longmont transitions to 100% renewable electricity by 2030.
• City of Louisville proposed funding of $15,000 to continue to support a part-time Sustainability Specialist position to implement the Sustainability Action Plan and manage and coordinate all projects and programs related to climate, energy, water, transportation, waste, and local food.
• Town of Lyons proposed funding of $15,000 to expand recycling and yard waste collection in the community and to continue to support a part-time Sustainability Coordinator to implement recommendations identified in the Lyons Environmental Sustainability Action Plan (LESAP). The project supports reducing the amount of materials going to the landfill and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• Town of Nederland proposed funding of $4,800 to provide incentives to Nederland community members for solar installations, in partnership with the EnergySmart program. The project aims to move the community towards its goal of achieving 100 percent renewable electricity by 2025.
• Town of Superior proposed funding of $15,000 to support Superior’s participation in a waste composition study and community engagement to increase waste diversion from the landfill. The project supports reducing the amount of materials going to the landfill and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• Town of Ward proposed funding of $10,500 to establish opportunities for community reuse and repurpose of household goods, continue efforts to increase local food security, increase access to ride sharing programs, encourage community engagement around longer-term sustainability planning, and provide stipends for community project coordinators.

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