Good Friday morning, Boulder. Today’s BRL Today is sponsored by the team behind Preserved — check out a special screening of the film at the Dairy Arts Center on Jan. 13, featuring live music and post-film panel conversations.
Leading today’s edition: Boulder City Council heads into a critical retreat to set its agenda, with dozens of ideas and little time. From housing affordability and downtown office vacancies to transportation safety, permitting reform and climate priorities, city boards and commissions are urging action as the council faces a compressed one-year term due to the shift to even-year elections. That timeline is further tightened by preparations for Sundance’s arrival. Some proposals are labeled urgent or essential, leaving councilmembers to decide what can realistically move forward, and what will have to wait. John Herrick reports.
Also today: Nederland is moving closer to local ownership of Eldora ski resort after trustees approved a $120 million purchase agreement, but several major steps remain. The deal hinges on securing revenue bonds, federal approval from the U.S. Forest Service and final operating agreements. Among the items still being worked out: continued access to the Ikon Pass. If completed, the town would take over Eldora through a two-year transition. Jenna Sampson reports.
Plus much more, Below the Fold:
- BoulderCAST: Weekend warm-up follows return of winter.
- Landscaping code: City council approves major overhaul.
- Fuel alert: Possible contaminated gas reported at Boulder stations.
- Xcel shutoffs: Golden West residents with medical needs were put at risk.
- State lawsuit: Colorado sues Trump administration over alleged retaliation.
- Right to Repair: New law takes effect, Boulder fix-it clinic planned.
- MLK Day of Service: Boulder seeks teen volunteers for Jan. 19.
Thanks, as always, for reading,
– The BRL team
Preserved explores one of the most ambitious conservation landscapes in America — where bison roam again, mountain lions are tracked, and wildlife is returning — alongside the people working to restore it. Join us Jan. 13 at the Dairy Arts Center for a special Boulder screening featuring live music by MILCK and a post-film conversation with author Craig Childs, Protect Our Winters, Great Range Bison, Western Landowners Alliance, Vermejo, and director Ben Clark.
Boulder City Council heads into retreat with many ideas and little time
The city’s boards and commissions are urging the council to take action on housing affordability, office vacancies, transportation safety and other priorities. Continue reading…
What comes next for Eldora: Nederland moves toward bond financing, a two-year transition and local control
The town must still secure bond financing, U.S. Forest Service approval and key operating agreements before taking control of Eldora ski resort. Continue reading…
A weekend warm-up awaits
Winter has finally decided to show up again in Boulder and it’s great to see moisture back in the mix. Snow bands hit hard overnight and continue to dump this morning, with more than 4 inches already on the ground. Conditions should taper off later today, leaving behind a chilly afternoon as clouds peel away toward sunshine.
Don’t expect much of a warm‑up, though. Temperatures will only make it into the low to mid‑30s across town. Tonight brings a clear, crisp drop into the lower teens.
From there, our weather quiets down in a hurry. Sunshine will take over for the weekend, and we’ll start climbing the temperature ladder again: 40s return on Saturday, and Boulder should be comfortably into the 50s by Sunday. A pretty pleasant rebound after our brief brush with winter.
City council approves major landscaping overhaul
On Jan. 8, the Boulder City Council voted unanimously to approve a set of changes to the city’s landscaping code aimed at strengthening water conservation and wildfire resilience. The ordinance is part of the city’s Waterwise Landscaping Project and is the first major overhaul of Boulder’s landscaping rules in more than two decades.
The approved measures were the result of several amendments to the original ordinance, following council comment on Oct. 16, 2025. Councilmembers raised concerns about restrictions on urban agriculture, mulch and landscape architect requirements, among other issues. City staff subsequently revised the proposal.
Under the amendments, applicants for landscaping permits will no longer be required to hire licensed architects, height limits on urban agriculture were eliminated, and processes for approving alternative plantings were simplified. Daytime watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. will be prohibited from May 1 through Sept. 30 to prevent evaporative water loss, though low-volume drip or subsurface irrigation systems will be allowed at any time. Read more on BRL.
Possible contaminated fuel reported at Boulder gas stations
Colorado regulators are investigating reports that diesel fuel was mistakenly delivered into regular gasoline tanks at dozens of gas stations statewide, including two locations in Boulder, 9NEWS reported.
The Colorado Division of Oil and Public Safety said drivers who filled up between about 2 p.m. Wednesday and 6 a.m. Thursday may be affected. Some motorists reported engine stalling shortly after refueling.
King Soopers confirmed that two Boulder locations — 3600 Table Mesa Drive and 1650 30th Street — were impacted.
State officials recommend that anyone who filled up during that window and is experiencing vehicle issues stop driving, contact the station where they purchased fuel, and file a complaint with the Division of Oil and Public Safety. A full statewide list of affected stations has not yet been released.
Xcel shutoffs put Golden West residents with medical needs at risk
A power outage at Golden West, an affordable housing complex for older adults, left 10 residents at risk of losing access to medical oxygen during December’s windstorms, city officials said Thursday.
That was one of several impacts Deputy City Manager Chris Meschuk highlighted in a briefing to the Boulder City Council about the Dec. 17 and Dec. 19 windstorms. Xcel Energy cut power to tens of thousands of customers during the storms to prevent downed powerlines from sparking wildfires. High winds also damaged infrastructure and triggered additional unplanned outages.
Meschuk said Golden West lost power and its generator failed. In addition to issues with oxygen access, he said three residents were unable to reach their apartments on upper floors. Meschuk said the city helped secure battery backups for oxygen and temporary bedding, and that the emergency operations center worked with Xcel to restore power to Golden West.
Meschuk said about 60% of the community lost power during the storms. City officials logged roughly 300 damage incidents, including downed poles, missing roofs and broken windows, he said. Read more on BRL.
Colorado sues Trump administration over alleged retaliation, including NCAR
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser has expanded an existing lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging a coordinated effort to punish the state for exercising its authority.
The updated complaint adds claims that the administration unlawfully threatened to dismantle NCAR in Boulder, cut federal transportation and energy funding, and impose new conditions on SNAP food assistance. Weiser argues the actions violate the Constitution by targeting Colorado over decisions related to elections and criminal justice.
The case began with Trump’s decision to move U.S. Space Command headquarters out of Colorado. The revised lawsuit cites additional December actions, including threats to more than $700 million in federal funding, new SNAP requirements affecting 100,000 households, and the denial of disaster relief after wildfires and flooding. Weiser is asking a court to block the actions and declare them unlawful.
Colorado’s expanded ‘Right to Repair’ law comes to Boulder with hands-on fix-it clinic
Colorado’s expanded Right to Repair law took effect Jan. 1, giving residents new rights to repair common household electronics, including cellphones, laptops and appliances.
The law now requires manufacturers of digital electronic equipment sold in Colorado since July 1, 2021 to provide parts, tools and repair information for independent fixes. Exemptions remain for motor vehicles, marine vessels and most medical devices.
To mark the change, repair advocates will host a free U-Fix-It Clinic on Sunday, Jan. 11, at the Boulder Public Library’s BLDG61 Makerspace from 1 to 4 p.m., helping attendees repair electronics, furniture and clothing.
A panel at 3 p.m. will feature state Rep. Brianna Titone, who represents parts of Arvada and Westminster in Jefferson County, and local repair advocates discussing how the law works and how Coloradans can take advantage of it.
Boulder seeks teen volunteers for MLK Jr. Youth Day of Service
The City of Boulder is looking for volunteers ages 13 to 18 to take part in its MLK Jr. Youth Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 19. Teens will be matched with local organizations for service projects honoring Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy as a “day on,” not a “day off.”
Volunteers must be available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and provide their own transportation. The day begins with a lunch and orientation at the city’s New Britain Building. Opportunities include maintaining a winter green house with Growing Gardens and helping with events during the day’s performances. Interested youth can apply through the city’s online form by Jan. 14.
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