City of Boulder · department
Climate Initiatives
“The Climate Initiatives Department drives the city's efforts to slow climate change and build a more resilient community for all.” source source as of 2026-10-30
Who runs it
AI-read · unreviewed read by a model from the city's pages, the Charter, the code and the budget books; every quote checked against its saved source; not reviewed by a person. Hover a source for its words.Researcher's note: Formed in November 2018 by joining the Local Power / Electric Utility Development project with the Climate, Sustainability & Resilience division of the Planning Department (2020 Approved Budget). Nature-Based Climate Solutions has its own page under /government/departments/, but it is a Climate Initiatives program: the FY2026 budget's Climate Initiatives program table and pie chart include it, and the department's home page names it as one of its three action areas. It is listed here as a division, not a separate department.
- Head
- Jonathan Koehn, Director of Climate Initiatives as of 2026-10-30 source source source
- Answers to
- City Manager. A department under the City Manager. The Charter has the city manager appoint and remove department directors; the city's 2022 release records the City Manager promoting the current director. Head appointed by City Manager. source source source as of 2026-10-30
- Legal basis
- Contact
- 303-441-3262 · ContactClimateInitiatives@bouldercolorado.gov · 1300 Canyon Blvd. Boulder , CO 80302 · contact page source as of 2026-10-30
Boards and commissions it staffs
- Environmental Advisory Board · staff liaison and board support (the department director is the board contact) source source source
- Xcel Energy Partnership Advisory Panel · city staff contact for the panel source source
Budget
from the city's approved budget books; each figure printed, to the dollar, in its source (hover a source for its words). A year may come from a different book or table than the next: the table says what each covers| Year | Basis | Amount | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | approved | $6,376,516 | Department total as printed on the Climate Initiatives page of the 2020 Approved Budget (Wayback copy), the department's first full budget year. source |
| 2024 | approved | $10,949,963 | Department total as printed on the Climate Initiatives overview page of the 2024 Approved Budget ('2024 Budget'). source |
| 2025 | approved | $11,292,008 | Department total as printed on the Climate Initiatives overview page of the 2025 Approved Budget ('2025 Budget'). source |
| 2026 | approved | $9,603,696 | Department total as printed on the Climate Initiatives overview page of the 2026 Annual Budget ('Total 2026 Budget'); the same figure is the program pie chart's 'Total (FY2026 Budget)'. Covers all its programs, including Transfers & Cost Allocation. source source |
Divisions
in the city's own words; heads only where an official source names them- Administration
“The Climate Initiatives Administration program oversees key administrative functions that ensure the department runs smoothly.” source - Circular Economy
“The Circular Economy (CE) program works to move from a traditional “take-make-waste” model to a circular system that preserves resources and reduces greenhouse gas emissions from producing goods and services.” source - Community Wildfire Resilience
“The Community Wildfire Resilience program is a cross-departmental initiative that prioritizes planning, preparedness, response and recovery efforts to address the growing wildfire risks intensified by climate change.” source - Cross-Cutting Climate Programs
“Cross-Cutting Climate Programs strengthen the city’s capacity to address climate change through a focus on equity, resilience and climate justice.” source - Energy Systems
“The Energy Systems program works with Boulder businesses, community members and key partners to cut greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen resilience through energy efficiency, local renewable energy and the electrification of buildings and transportation.” source - Nature-Based Climate Solutions
“The Nature-Based Solutions program (NBS) works with public and private land stewards to make landscapes healthier and more resilient to climate change and other challenges.” source source source page
What a resident can do here
services and programs, linked to the city's pages- Energy Rebates & Resources “There are many resources available to help with energy efficiency, solar, natural gas appliance replacement and other energy upgrades.” source
- How to Go Solar “There are many options to choose from to power your home with renewables.” source source
- Solar Grants “Grants for income-qualified homeowners and qualified nonprofits are available.” source source
- Building Performance Ordinance “Program aims to reduce energy use and improve the quality of Boulder’s commercial and industrial building stock.” source
- SmartRegs “SmartRegs requires all licensed rental housing in the City of Boulder to meet a basic energy efficiency standard.” source
- Universal Zero Waste Ordinance “The city’s Universal Zero Waste Ordinance requires all properties in Boulder to have waste services that provide separated compost, recycling and trash.” source
- Disposable Bag Fee “On Jan. 1, 2024, the City of Boulder’s Disposable Bag Fee expanded to all retail stores in the city.” source
- Construction and Deconstruction Zero Waste Requirements “The city regulates waste reuse and recycling for all full structure deconstruction and new construction projects” source
- Sustainable Yard and Pest Management “This page will provide you with practical methods to manage your lawn organically and deal with common pests.” source source
- Electric Vehicle Charging Stations “You can find 48 public charging ports at city facilities like Chautauqua, the recreation centers and downtown parking garages, as well as many more operated by businesses across town.” source source