Boulder County seeks proposals for climate projects

BOULDER — Boulder County is inviting potential Climate Equity Fund applicants to a series of in-person and online events designed to support applications and strengthen project proposals.

The Boulder County Climate Equity Fund will offer up to $2 million in grants to enable grassroots leaders to design and implement community-led climate action initiatives. The application will be open for proposals through Aug. 31.

Details about the program are available on the application web page.

“We want to help enable grassroots leaders to develop proposals that align with the goals of the grant program,” project lead Sabina Maniak said in a prepared statement. “These sessions will create space for potential applicants to meet other leaders and technical experts to network and refine their projects.”

Several resources are available for community members looking to apply to the fund, including a networking session, weekly virtual and in-person office hours and digital resources.

Boulder County will offer several office hours where interested community members can learn more about the Climate Equity Fund and the resources available to help applicants understand the application and the program. Some of the office hours will be available in Spanish.

Office hours will begin Tuesday and will take place both virtually and in-person each week until the application closes on Aug. 31. A schedule and registration are on the Boulder County website.

The county will host an in-person networking session from noon to 1:30 p.m. July 20 at the Boulder County Historic Courthouse, 1325 Pearl St. in Boulder. The session will open with a brief presentation, but the purpose of the event is to create space for interested applicants to get to know each other, connect and ask questions. Light snacks and Spanish interpretation services will be provided. Registration for the session in advance is encouraged.

Digital resources include an applicant guide, questions and answers, and an informational webinar recording.

In its first year in 2025,  the county awarded more than $2 million in grants to 15 community projects that support food justice, youth education, clean energy, emergency preparedness and culturally rooted climate leadership.

The funding sources for the 2026 CEF are $1 million from the Boulder County general fund, approximately $1.1 million from the Sustainability Tax, and about $370,000 in unspent CEF allocations from 2025. Boulder County voters in 2019 approved a 15-year extension of the Sustainability Tax, a 0.125% sales and use tax that funds local sustainability initiatives through 2034.

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