Boulder County Circular Economy Funding

Boulder County’s Circular Economy Funding, formerly known as Zero Waste Funding, is administered by the Resource Conservation Division (RCD) of Boulder County Public Works. This grant program reflects the County’s long-standing commitment to advancing environmental sustainability, particularly in waste reduction and resource conservation. Now in its 27th year, the program has distributed over $1.5 million to support innovative projects aimed at bolstering circular economy initiatives within Boulder County. The rebranding from "Zero Waste" to "Circular Economy" emphasizes a systemic shift toward waste-free practices that are regenerative by design and focused on keeping resources in use as long as possible. The program is designed to support projects that advance Boulder County’s Zero Waste Action Plan, a document outlining strategic goals and actions to divert waste from landfills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Funded projects may include educational initiatives, infrastructure development, and other programs that help local communities, schools, nonprofits, and businesses implement circular economy practices. The grant is especially aligned with the County’s environmental goals, including increased recycling, composting, reuse, and policy innovations that support sustainable materials management. All funded efforts must be aligned with the service area of Boulder County, and projects must directly impact the local circular economy. For the 2026 funding cycle, a total of $50,000 is available for all projects combined. Individual project requests must fall within the range of $1,000 to $30,000. Applications will be available beginning Monday, August 18, 2025. Interested applicants may submit questions until Tuesday, September 2, 2025. Answers will be issued by Tuesday, September 9, 2025. Completed proposals must be received by the Resource Conservation Division no later than Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. Evaluation of applications and funding decisions will occur from October through November 2025, with award announcements scheduled for December 2025. Approved projects will receive funding beginning in March 2026. Project timelines are expected to extend through the 2026 calendar year, with midterm reports due in July 2026 and final invoices and project reports due by Tuesday, December 15, 2026. The grant places a strong emphasis on projects that align with the County’s broader climate goals and demonstrate long-term environmental benefits, measurable outcomes, and community impact. All proposed projects must align with the framework of the Boulder County Zero Waste Action Plan, which guides programming, planning, and policy related to waste diversion and circular systems. Eligible applicants include local governments, nonprofit organizations, school districts, individual schools, and private companies, provided their project scope lies within the Boulder County service area. This inclusive eligibility is intended to ensure wide participation across sectors that have influence over waste generation and materials flow. The program encourages cross-sector collaboration and seeks proposals that bring innovative strategies to reduce landfill dependency, promote product stewardship, or build local infrastructure for reuse and recycling. Inquiries about the program may be directed to the Resource Conservation Division at circulareconomyfund@bouldercounty.gov. Further background on the strategic context for this grant program is available via the Boulder County Zero Waste Action Plan, which can be accessed at https://assets.bouldercounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/zero-waste-action-plan.pdf. This plan outlines the County’s comprehensive approach to building a circular economy, from composting and construction material recovery to extended producer responsibility legislation and end market development.