Boulder Environment

Boulder's Spokes for Folks "Green Bikes Program"
In 1997, a fleet of more than 150 loaner bikes was launched to provide people with easy pedal power for errands around town. The donated bikes are fixed up by students and painted bright green, to assure they would not be mistaken for anything else. People simply pick up a bike, enjoy a free ride to their destination and leave the bike for the next person to ride. It has been successful in Boulder and those involved look forward to continued success.

No Smoking in Boulder Restaurants and Taverns
A no-smoking policy has been in effect in the workplace of Boulder's employees for quite some time. However, in September of 1995, Boulder took another step forward and included restaurants into the equation to protect employees and staff of Boulder's local restaurants. This has been a great success for Boulder and a great contribution to a cleaner environment!
For more information, please contact GASP (Group Against Smoking Pollution) at 303-444-9799 or call the City of Boulder's Environmental Enforcement Office at 303-441-3239.

The "Blue Line"
In 1910, it was the threat of an amusement park on the summit of Flagstaff Mountain, accessed by an inclined railway, that got people talking. Concerned citizens spoke out, creating long-range plans to protect Boulder's mountain backdrop from development. Among them was Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr., who wrote a self-titled report stating: "The scenery of Flagstaff Mountain is too noble, too magnificent, too precious, to be wasted (on)... roller coasters..." Once again in 1959, Boulder's mountain backdrop was threatened by subdivision and hotel plans. City Council was presented with a water bond issue that would have extended water distribution lines into the Flatirons. Again, Boulder citizens spoke out and created a charter amendment to prohibit water service above a stated contour of elevation, known as a "Blue Line." The definition of the "Blue Line" is the line above which the City of Boulder shall not supply water for domestic, commercial, or industrial uses. A few notable exceptions have been made, including the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and the Flagstaff House.

Boulder's Open Space Program
Realizing that the "Blue Line" was an important success, Boulder citizens decided to prevent further development by acquiring land before it was developed. In 1967, Boulder became the first city in the United States to tax itself for funds to be used specifically for the acquisition, management and maintenance of Open Space. An additional sales tax of one cent on the dollar was authorized, 40 percent of which went to open space lands. In 1989, voters expanded the revenue stream by the addition of another .33 cent sales tax! The Boulder Open Space Program, together with the City's Parks Program, has succeeded in protecting the essential scenic beauty and ecological integrity of the Boulder Valley. City Open Space now protects almost two-thirds of the Boulder Valley, commonly referred to as the "greenbelt." To this point, the City has acquired approximately 6,100 acres of Mountain Parks lands, approximately 2,700 acres of other park lands, approximately 29,000 acres of Open Space, approximately 480 acres of utility lands, for a total of 38,500 acres. The County Open Space Program now owns over 54,000 acres.

Boulder's Growth Management System
In 1976, Boulder instituted its first growth ordinance, called the Danish Plan, limiting population growth to two percent. Since then, four different versions of the plan were created and utilized until 1995, when the plan was fundamentally changed. The changes were in response to concerns that affordable housing was not available. Two major changes were made in 1995. The population growth limit decreased from two percent to less than one percent, and annual building permits were allocated equally between various affordability ranges. Because so much natural habitat has been preserved by this system, more than 1,200 deer share the environment with residents. In fact, deer grazing in neighborhood yards is a common and welcomed sight!

The Green Points Building Program
Green Points was designed to help homeowners find products and designs for building "green," while encouraging Boulder homeowners to include cost-effective and sustainable remodeling and building methods that conserve fossil fuels, water and other natural resources. Green Points promotes the recycling of construction materials, which reduces solid waste and promotes better indoor air quality. This program offers remodelers, do-it-yourselfers, and homebuyers great ideas, while allowing them flexibility to tailor their selections to specific designs or preferences. In fact, remodeling and small addition projects are encouraged to voluntarily use green building, while new home construction and additions over 500 square feet are required by city ordinances to participate in the Green Points program! For more information, please call 303-441-1964.

Reduced Pollution through Public Transportation: The HOP & SKIP
Boulder's convenient HOP and SKIP shuttles allow residents and visitors an alternative way to shop, see the sights, go to school, or commute to work! The HOP is a circulator shuttle that makes 40 stops along a loop through central Boulder, including Crossroads Mall, Pearl Street and the University Hill area. The SKIP runs north and south along Broadway seven days a week. You can catch the brightly colored buses Monday-Saturday, every 6 to 30 minutes. Both the HOP and SKIP are easy on your budget, too. A ride costs just 75¢, 25¢ for seniors, or free with your ECO, Neighborhood, CU or RTD pass. For HOP maps and information, call 447-8282. For SKIP schedules and information, call 299-6000 then speed dial 1-1-8-2. The HOP and SKIP combined are now servicing 10,000 trips per day during the week! Because of the HOP & SKIP's success, RTD and the Denver Regional Council of Governments recently approved funding for the JUMP, LEAP and BOUND, which are scheduled to start service in 2000. The addition of these services will form the foundation of a network transit system that will offer people the opportunity to use transit and make connections easily and without a schedule.