Boulder County Parks & Open Space

10/15/2026

The Parks & Open Space Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday, Oct. 22, at 5:30 p.m.
Agenda items include:
• Capital and Stewardship Projects
• PVREA Power Line Work at Hall Ranch
• Overview of Native Seed Program
• POSAC Members Comment Period
• Director's Update
• Public Comment Period
Learn more at boco.org/posac

10/12/2026

Gold Panning
Sunday, Oct. 18, noon-2:30 p.m.
Nederland Mining Museum
Strike it rich! Try your hand at gold panning and learn how the search for treasure sparked the European settlement of Boulder County. Do you have what it takes to uncover gold like a 19th-century prospector? Fun for kids 5 and older and grown-ups, too. Registration required. boco.org/GoldPanning

10/11/2026

Coexisting with Cougars
Saturday, Oct. 17, 10 a.m. - noon
Hall Ranch
The same wild landscape that draws people to Boulder County to live and play also provides mountain lions with everything they need to call it home. Join us on a guided hike to learn more about mountain lion identification, habitat, and what to do in case of a close encounter. This program is great for all ages. Registration required. boco.org/CoexistingwithCougars

10/10/2026

Evening at the Museum: Cash Mine - 3rd Level Mining, Milling and Gold Ore Microscopy
Thursday, Oct. 15, 6-7 p.m.
Nederland Mining Museum, 200 N. Bridge St., Nederland

This gold‑silver telluride mine, located in the Gold Hill Mining District of Boulder County, has a rich history. Placer gold was first discovered in the area in 1859 at Gold Run, whose watershed includes Cash Gulch. The gold‑silver telluride veins were identified much later, with the claim staked in 1872. During the program, you’ll learn more about the mine’s history and the mineralogy of its ores. Space is limited, so sign up today! boco.org/EveningAtTheMuseumCashMine

10/10/2026

A prescribed burn is scheduled next week on the Josephine Roche open space property near Arapahoe Road and 119th Street. Crews could burn as early as Monday, Oct. 12, but may shift to another day of the week depending on weather and site conditions. This work will remove vegetation in the ditch to improve water conveyance and is expected to take one day to complete.

Burn projects depend on weather conditions, including relative humidity, precipitation, fuel moisture, and wind. Projects will only proceed when conditions are suitable. Fire managers will monitor all projects until they are called out. Please do not call 911 since these controlled burns are not emergencies.

For more information, and to sign up for burn notifications, visit boco.org/PrescribedBurns

10/09/2026

Owls of Boulder County
Thursday, Oct. 15, 6-7:30 p.m.
More than half of the owl species in the U.S. have been seen in Boulder County. These owls live here during parts of the year, and most will build their nests locally. Join volunteer naturalists for an indoor slide program to learn about these fascinating, diverse creatures, especially the adaptations that make them expert hunters. boco.org/OwlsofBoulderCounty

10/06/2026

Applications are now open!

Applications for Nurturing Futures are open!

Nurturing Futures gives monthly cash payments directly to Boulder County families with young children.

You may qualify if you:
✅ Live in Boulder County
✅ Have a child born on or after Nov. 3, 2022
✅ Are 18 or older
✅ Meet income limits (unless you're already in the program)

The deadline to apply is Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

Apply or learn more: boco.org/NurturingFutures

10/05/2026

A prescribed burn is scheduled this week on open space in Hygiene near Highway 66 and North 66th Street. Crews expect to burn on Wednesday, Oct. 7, if conditions allow. Operations may shift to Thursday or Friday depending on weather and site conditions. This work will remove vegetation from 15 field laterals to improve water conveyance.

Burn projects depend on weather conditions, including relative humidity, precipitation, fuel moisture, and wind. Projects will only proceed when conditions are suitable. Fire managers will monitor all projects until they are called out. Please do not call 911 since these controlled burns are not emergencies.

For more information, and to sign up for burn notifications, visit boco.org/PrescribedBurns

10/04/2026

Upcoming Tours of Las Barracas
Tuesday, Oct. 6, 4-5:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 10, 10-11:30 a.m. (Tour is in Spanish)
Adults (18 & Older)

Celebrate Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month with Boulder County Parks & Open Space and a guided tour of Las Barracas, a historic agricultural labor camp near Longmont. Learn about the Japanese American farmers who operated the farm, the Mexican and Mexican American families who lived and worked here, and ongoing efforts to document and preserve this important place. Registration required at boco.org/hikes. Space is limited to 20.

10/03/2026

Art in the Parks at Pella Crossing
Saturday, Oct. 10, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Pella Crossing, Longmont
Adults (18 & older)

We will learn the key principles and elements of art that comprise a successful picture. Principles include aesthetics such as balance, focus, and contrast while elements incorporate tools such as line, shape, and texture. We will explore how using a visual frame sets the boundaries for your picture, whether you are focusing on a small close-in object, or on a larger or more distant landscape. All materials will be provided, but if you prefer your own supplies, feel welcome to bring them. boco.org/ArtInThePark