Growing up in Boulder, Colorado, nature was never just scenery; it was part of my daily life and identity. My summers were filled with afternoons biking along Boulder Creek, climbing the steep steps of the Chautauqua trails, and exploring Wonderland Lake with friends. I remember the pine-scented air of late-summer hikes, thunderstorms rolling over the Flatirons, and the quiet stillness at sunrise when the city felt paused and the mountains came alive. The mountains were teachers, showing me resilience through tough hikes, humility while standing beneath high ridgelines, and responsibility for fragile alpine ecosystems. They also instilled a sense of community. Seeing families, hikers, and friends share these spaces made me realize that caring for nature is a shared responsibility. Even after moving to California, Boulder remains a place I feel protective of. The creeks, trails, and open spaces shaped not only my love for the outdoors but also my sense of environmental duty.

Environmental Challenges

• Trail overuse at Chautauqua, Mount Sanitas, and NCAR has led to litter, erosion, and habitat disturbance

• Strong winds can scatter trash across open spaces, creeks, fences, and meadows

• Debris entering Boulder Creek and local watersheds includes microplastics and small plastics that threaten aquatic life

• Urban–wildland interface pressures exist where neighborhoods blend into wildlife habitat, creating risks for both animals and humans

• Post-winter uncovered trash emerges after snow melts, including cans, snack wrappers, and other debris

Statewide Cleanup Spots

• Front Range trails including Herman Gulch, St. Mary’s Glacier, and Chautauqua require regular attention to maintain trail integrity and protect wildlife

• Creek systems and watersheds feeding the Colorado River need care to prevent microplastics and chemical pollutants from spreading downstream

• Ski-resort adjacent forests experience trash dispersal from lift areas and parking lots

• Campgrounds and dispersed-use camping corridors accumulate debris from overnight visitors

• Popular 14er summit zones across the Sawatch, Front Range, and San Juan Mountains require cleanup to protect fragile alpine ecosystems

Personal Cleanup Spots in Boulder

• Boulder Creek Path from Eben G. Fine Park to downtown collects lost tubing items, cans, food wrappers, fishing line, and microplastics after storms

• Chautauqua Park and Base Trails benefit from cleanup around picnic lawns, trailheads, parking areas, lower trails, and benches

• Wonderland Lake requires attention to plastic bags, bottle caps, and wrappers that threaten bird and amphibian habitats

• Valmont Bike Park accumulates sports drink bottles, snack packaging, and microtrash in shaded rest areas

• CU Boulder Campus edges, including creekside trails and amphitheater zones, need debris removal because even small items can travel far if not picked up