Boulder CountyThere's an invisible force guiding actions, decisions, and implementation at Boulder County Parks and Open Space. When it's present, we move with more alignment, care, and integrity. These are our values.

In this first of a three-part series, host Elisabeth Rios-Brooks explores two of the seven core values that guide Boulder County Parks & Open Space: Innovation and Engagement.

Wildlife Supervisor Mac Kobza, Historic Preservation Field Supervisor Mike Lohr, and Forestry Specialist Scott Golden share how curiosity, collaboration, and creativity shape their work. Later, Amanda Hatfield and Jim Drew reflect on how meaningful engagement builds trust, community, and connection to the land.

This episode brings together diverse voices and stories that show how our values aren’t just ideals—they’re lived every day.

In This Episode

• What it means to live your values at Boulder County Parks & Open Space
• How Innovation shows up in wildlife management, historic preservation, and forestry
• Collaborating with youth and schools (e.g., St. Vrain Innovation Center)
• Development of the solar-powered tool trailer
• Innovation through cross-boundary wildfire mitigation
• Deep reflections on privilege, allyship, and inclusive community building
• Why Engagement is more than outreach—it’s relationship-building
• Volunteerism as a form of connection, service, and belonging
• The impact of intentional community involvement across programs
• Personal reflections from staff on how values shape their daily work

Links and Resources Mentioned:

• The Innovation Center of St. Vrain Valley Schools (https://innovation.svvsd.org)
• Northern Leopard Frog (https://innovation.svvsd.org/programs/student-project-teams/data-science-team/northern-leopard-frog)
• Prairie Dog Management (boco.org/PrairieDogManagement)
• Middle Boulder Creek Fuels Reduction Partnership Project (boco.org/MiddleBoulderCreek)
• The Boulder Watershed Collective (https://www.boulderwatershedcollective.com)
• The Watershed Center (https://watershed.center)
• BCPOS Volunteer Opportunities (boco.org/POSVolunteerOpportunities)
• Harvest of All First Nations and the Corn Festival at (https://hafnco.org)
• Agricultural Heritage Center (boco.org/AHC)
• 3-D model of the LHOC solar trailer (https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/lhoc-solar-trailer-concept-31e27786fe9d4ec3a4446e5a240bb0de)
• library of historic structures within Boulder County (https://sketchfab.com/Michael.Lohr/collections/boulder-county-8d23290bb35c40e28f45839e29362537)

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Original music, including the theme song and all transitional pieces, was composed and performed by Tim Ostdiek.