Environmental News
Environmental News from Boulder, Colorado
Boulder starts cattle grazing to prevent wild land fires like Marshall
Sep 29th
Had the city of Boulder used cattle grazing on 36 up to Davidson Mesa , they might have prevented the Marshall Fire
City of Boulder welcomes cattle west of the Dakota Ridge neighborhood for grazing program
The City of Boulder is expanding targeted cattle grazing to reduce wildfire risk, which is recommended in the city’s Community Wildfire Protection Plan. This grazing project is the city’s second of the year and will occur September 29 – October 6 west of the Dakota Ridge neighborhood (between Lee Hill Drive and 10th Street).
Temporary electric fencing will be in place to contain the cattle. Visitors are asked to avoid the fences and cattle and keep pets under control while in the area. The city reminds visitors to respect cattle, which will be contained within temporary electric fencing. Visitors should not approach the fences or the cattle, and they should be mindful of their pets while recreating in the area.
“We are excited to partner again with our local cowboys and cattle for this program,” said Paul Dennison, Wildland Fire Senior Program Manager for the City of Boulder. “Observations and monitoring following the 2022 NCAR Fire indicated that targeted cattle grazing and other city-led mitigation work, including forest thinning, helped slow the fire’s spread and reduce its intensity.”
The City of Boulder has worked with local ranchers to bring cattle to city-managed land with the goal of reducing grass height and thatch fuel loads to minimize wildfire risks. The location, timing, and duration of grazing have been strategically planned to maximize wildfire risk reduction while minimizing impacts to sensitive natural areas.
“Cattle grazing is one of many city efforts identified in the Community Wildfire Protection Plan to remove hazardous fuels and reduce wildfire risks on both public and private lands, and is one of the most visual,” said City Manager Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde. “The work the city is doing is most successful when it happens alongside wildfire resilience work that members of our community also complete, like home hardening and creating defensible space.”
Trail Access and Safety During Grazing Operations
Upcoming grazing will occur east of the Four Mile Creek Trailhead and South Foothills Trail. Trails may be closed for short periods of time while the cattle are being moved, but otherwise no trail or area closures are planned. Please respect all closure signs.
Wildfire resilience in the City of Boulder is a shared responsibility. The pilot grazing program complements the city-wide Wildfire Ready Initiative which brings together projects identified within the CWPP and other city plans that prioritize wildfire resilience projects and programs.
You can find more information about cattle grazing and numerous other projects and programs that are helping to reduce our wildfire risk at bouldercolorado.gov/
Boulder Green Streets annual Sept. 27
Sep 22nd
Boulder Green Streets and the City of Boulder to host annual Boulder Ciclovia Sept. 27
Boulder Green Streets and the City of Boulder will present the fifth annual Boulder Ciclovia, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 27. The event features several miles of temporary car-free streets open for the community to engage in healthy, active and sustainable activities. http://www.bouldergreenstreets.org/
Two major activity zones connect the route: Pearl Street between 15th and 17th streets, and the North Boulder Recreation Center at 3170 Broadway. Activities will be free and include live music, dance, arts, fitness and recreation. There will also be opportunities to learn about local sustainability efforts, enjoy local and natural foods, and explore outdoor adventure gear and more. To get between the zones along the designated routes associated with this one-day event, visitors must walk, bike, or use other alternative modes of transportation.
For more information about Boulder Ciclovia and a full schedule of events, visitwww.BoulderGreenStreets.org. Road closures information is available atwww.BoulderConeZones.net.
Many U.S. cities have adopted this concept, calling them Sunday Parkways, Summer Streets and various other names.
The most famous Ciclovia occurs in Bogota, Colombia, every Sunday, where 70 miles of major arterials are shut down and 2 million people take to the street to walk, bike and play.
