A New Chapter for Our Nonprofit

Since 1987, Boulder County Farmers Markets has been connecting neighbors with their local farmers, ranchers, and small food businesses. What began with a handful of farmers selling produce from their trucks has evolved into two highly regarded markets generating millions of dollars annually for Colorado producers. After a decade of strategic planning and two years of careful implementation, Boulder County Farmers Markets has officially transitioned from a 501(c)(4) to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization as of January 1, 2025. This transformation represents more than a technical reclassification—it fundamentally enhances the organization’s capacity to serve as a catalyst for regional food system change.

The transition arrives at a critical juncture for Colorado agriculture. Local farming faces mounting pressures: agricultural land values that outpace productive capacity, escalating input and operational costs, and intensifying climate volatility that threatens crop reliability. By shifting from a membership-based 501(c)(4) structure to a community-focused 501(c)(3), Boulder County Farmers Markets can now broaden its fundraising approaches and establish more robust partnerships with foundations, corporations, and individual donors committed to agricultural preservation. Charitable contributions to Boulder County Farmers Markets now qualify as tax-deductible, opening up a more sustainable funding model that extends beyond market operations.

With this strategic repositioning, the organization is poised to implement its comprehensive vision: advancing local agricultural policy, amplifying producer narratives, developing infrastructure for year-round market access, and expanding the Food Hub to create additional economic opportunities for local food entrepreneurs.

For nearly four decades, Boulder County Farmers Markets has served as more than a transaction point for local food—it has functioned as the connective tissue of our regional food community. Now, with its transition to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, it’s positioned to transform from market facilitator to movement leader, fostering an agricultural ecosystem that strengthens producer viability, enhances community food security, and cultivates environmental stewardship for generations to come.