Study centers tribal knowledge in the stewardship of public lands
Holiday Closures
In observance of the Juneteenth Holiday on June 19, the City of Boulder is adjusting its operations schedules.
The City of Boulder is pleased to announce the release of the first part of its Tribal ethnographic-education report documenting current and enduring connections these Tribal Nations have to the Boulder area, now available on the city website. This report marks a significant milestone in Boulder's ongoing commitment to honoring tribal connections and fostering a more inclusive, historically grounded community.
The report documents the cultural and ecological connections of Tribal Nations to the Boulder Valley. By centering Tribal perspectives, it provides guidance for education, land stewardship, public interpretation, and community engagement — integrating Tribal knowledge into the contemporary management of Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) lands. It also seeks to strengthen collaborative partnerships and advance efforts to incorporate Tribal knowledge systems into environmental management, education, and policy.
“This work represents more than research or documentation — it reflects enduring cultures and the ongoing presence of Tribal Nations whose connections to this land long predate the City of Boulder and continue today,” said Boulder City Manager Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde. “We are deeply grateful to the Tribal Nations, elders, and knowledge holders who chose to share their stories, perspectives, and wisdom. This report is a gift, and we receive it with respect and responsibility.”
Developed in partnership with Tribal Nations, the report is part of a continuing collaboration with the City of Boulder that began in the 1990s, renewed through the 2016 Indigenous Peoples' Day Resolution and subsequent consultations. Grounded in the City-Tribal Memorandum of Understanding, it provides accurate, respectful educational content about each Tribe's connection to Boulder and Jefferson Counties and is intended as a resource for city staff and the community at large.
This work was led by Living Heritage Anthropology, LLC (LHA), a woman-owned small business specializing in ethnographic research and Tribal consultation. LHA's Community-Based Participatory Research approach ensures Tribal voices and goals are central to every stage of the process. Additional reports representing more Tribes who share a connection in the Boulder Valley are forthcoming.
Read the report and learn more about the city's Tribal consultation work on the city website.