Boulder County's commitment to a sustainable future is not just pie-in-the-sky idealism, it's backed by solid funding and clearly defined goals. Five local organizations have been announced as the latest beneficiaries of the county's Circular Economy Fund, which has, as Boulder County’s news release puts it, provided a boost to initiatives designed to reduce waste and foster a community that thrives on sustainability. Among the recipients, the Latino Chamber of Commerce of Boulder County has snagged a cool $50,000 to spearhead a Zero Waste Initiative for businesses that are often overlooked, according to Boulder County.
This year's selection also includes Green Girl Recycling, which is taking home $25,000 for an 11-foot Hydraulic Stake Bed Truck to up its recycling ante. Eco-Cycle's efforts in Erie schools and Bridge House's creative soup from scraps endeavor each received $10,000, and Pig & Pearl Secondhand is renewing circular economy efforts with a New $5,000 grant. Boulder County's vision of zero waste is inching closer to reality, with these projects as some of the vehicles driving the change.
Since its inception, the Circular Economy Fund has doled out upwards of $1.5 million spread across numerous projects intent on nudging Boulder County towards a sustainable and waste-free existence. As stated by Boulder County, these innovative grants serve not just as financial support but as affirmations of Boulder's commitment to environmental stewardship.
Those eyeing a piece of next year's funding pie, should mark their calendars, the 2026 grant cycle will open for applications later this summer. Funded by the county's Sustainability Tax, which was given the green light back in 2019 through to 2034, the program is a nod to the public's expectation that local government not just maintain, but actively improve community resilience and environmental well-being. Interested parties can reach out to [email protected] to get a reminder when the application period commences.
