Good Presidents’ Day morning, Boulder. Today’s BRL Today is sponsored by Boulder Bookstore’s February Reading Retreat — a weekend of book clubs, mountain time, author talks, performances and good food, happening Feb. 27-March 1.
Leading today: Boulder’s forests could look very different this summer. Experts warn a mountain pine beetle outbreak is expected to intensify across the Front Range, threatening ponderosa pines and potentially reshaping recreation, ecosystems and wildfire risk. With many trees already infested, officials say this spring is a critical window for landowners to check for damage, remove infected trees and protect healthy ones before beetles spread.
“It’s kind of this cake that’s already being baked,” said Colorado State Forest Service entomologist Dan West, noting the native beetle thrives in drought-stressed, overcrowded forests. Por Jaijongkit reports.
Also today: After 51 years, Boulder’s iconic Dark Horse will close March 14. Historic Boulder and the Museum of Boulder are hosting weekly drop-in gatherings to mark its legacy as redevelopment moves forward at the Baseline Road site.
And in BRL Opinion: Five current and former Boulder County commissioners weigh in on the ballot proposal to expand the commission from three to five members.
Plus more, Below the Fold:
- Weather: Fire Weather Watch Tuesday, dangerous winds expected.
- LED lights: Boulder to finish citywide conversion this spring.
- Sentencing: Longmont man gets probation in teen shooting.
- Emergency alerts: CU study targets language gaps in warnings.
- Preparedness: Free Boulder workshop offers supplies, training.
- Things to Do: Mountain films, Mardi Gras, Lunar New Year, capitalism talk, posture workshop, hunger fundraiser, STEM comedy + more.
Thanks, as always, for reading,
– The BRL team
Do you love reading, bookclubs, the mountains, meeting authors, and food? Join us for a Reading Retreat this February at Chautauqua! The weekend will feature book club conversations with Laura Pritchett and Ramona Ausubel, performances by Stories on Stage, an afternoon at Boulder Bookstore with publisher reps and booksellers, a live taping of the Radio Book Club featuring Thea Weiss, and dinner at Dushanbe Tea House. Find out more info and purchase tickets here.
Mountain pine beetle outbreak intensifies in Boulder County, threatening forests
As dry conditions weaken trees and beetles take hold, impacts could range from recreation danger to wildfire risk. Continue reading…
After 51 years, Boulder’s Dark Horse will close March 14 as community begins farewell gatherings
The longtime Boulder bar will close on its anniversary as redevelopment moves forward and weekly drop-in gatherings begin. Continue reading…
Five current and former Boulder County commissioners: Don’t expand the commission to five seats
Bigger government won’t improve accountability, representation or decision-making, but it will cost taxpayers and weaken countywide leadership. Continue reading…
Warm, sunny start — then wind, fire danger and a shot of snow
Forecasters warn critical fire weather conditions remain in place today due to dry fuels and warm temperatures. Conditions could worsen Tuesday, when a Fire Weather Watch takes effect as stronger west winds develop.
It’s warm again today, with partly sunny skies and a high near 67. Clouds move in tonight, bringing a chance of rain overnight and a low around 36.
Tuesday morning could bring a brief chance of snow before 11 a.m., changing to rain later in the day. It will be mostly cloudy and very windy, with highs in the mid-50s. Little or no accumulation is expected.The National Weather Service Boulder office warns that very low humidity and west winds gusting near 50 mph or higher could create conditions favorable for rapid fire spread. Temperatures drop to around 30 overnight as snow chances return on Wednesday.
After delays, Boulder set to finish LED streetlight conversion this spring
The city is expected to complete installation of LED streetlights by April, marking the completion of a yearslong acquisition project. The transition reduces operating costs and carbon emissions while granting the city greater control over its lighting. City-owned streetlights also notify staff when they go down, allowing for quicker repairs.
Work first began in 2021, just after the city reentered its franchise agreement with Xcel, said Carolyn Elam, the city’s senior manager for energy and air quality sustainability. Since then, the city has purchased more than 4,400 streetlights from Xcel, a process that took until 2024. Delays came from the need to create a proper inventory of the lights and the complexity of obtaining ownership, especially when the fixtures remain on Xcel power poles. During the conversion to LEDs, troubleshooting the infrastructure and separating it from Xcel’s systems was also difficult.
“So I think we originally thought we’d have it done more like 2023 or so,” Elam said.
As of Feb. 11, 94% of installations had been completed, said city electrical engineer Lex Telischak. The remaining work is expected to wrap up this spring. Read more on BRL.
Longmont man sentenced to two years of probation after shooting teenager in the face with birdshot
A Longmont man was sentenced last week to two years of probation following a January 2022 case in which he shot a 14-year-old in the face with birdshot as the teen attempted to break into his truck.
Patrick Gallagher shot the victim as he and two other people were attempting to open the door of Gallagher’s truck. After the teenager turned to run, Gallagher shot him again. The teen sustained injuries to his face and torso, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
Gallagher claimed that the teenager and those with him had shot at his house, but the DA’s Office said he provided no evidence to support that claim.
The probation department recommended a sentence of seven years in alternative sentencing. The DA’s office recommended a seven-year prison sentence, arguing the use of force was unjustified.
“This was a very serious case and could have resulted in more serious injuries,” District Attorney Michael Dougherty said.
In addition to two years of probation, the court sentenced Gallagher to 80 hours of community service, a substance abuse evaluation and treatment, and substance abuse monitoring.
CU Boulder project seeks to improve multilingual emergency alerts
Researchers at CU Boulder’s Natural Hazards Center have launched a new project aimed at making Colorado’s emergency alerts more inclusive for people who speak languages other than English and those with auditory or visual disabilities.
The effort follows findings that many residents did not receive alerts during major disasters such as the Marshall Fire, and that alerts often went out only in English. In a 2024 report, researchers described Colorado’s alert system as a “patchwork,” with sign-up rates below 40% in many areas.
The new project, funded by NOAA, will host 13 focus groups statewide, including sessions in Spanish, Chinese and Vietnamese, to better understand how communities receive and interpret emergency information.
Boulder County has expanded its system since the Marshall Fire, allowing residents to receive translated alerts in more than 130 languages through the ReachWell app. Here’s how to sign up for local alerts.
Emergency preparedness workshop set for Feb. 17
Boulder’s Office of Disaster Management will host a 90-minute Disaster Preparedness Basics workshop on Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 6 p.m. at Boulder Fire Rescue Station 3, 2967 Bluff St.
The session will cover local hazards, emergency alerts, personal risk assessment and how to build a disaster preparedness plan. Participants will receive a supply kit that includes a backup battery charger, water filter and headlamp or flashlight. Registration is required. Call 303-441-3647 for assistance.
☀️ Explore events in Boulder and use the self-submission form on our events page to reach thousands in our community — for free! To have your event featured on our Monday to-do list, make sure to submit it to our events calendar.
Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival: Monday, Feb. 16, 7:00 p.m., Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St. Event lasts three nights. Read More
Acoustic Jam Open Jam Session: Tuesday, Feb. 17, 6:00 p.m., Chautauqua Community House, 301 Morning Glory Dr. Read More
Everything Everywhere All at Once – Boulder Movie Club: Tuesday, Feb. 17, 6:00-9:00 p.m., Boulder Public Library, 1001 Arapahoe Ave. Read More
James H. Mittelman — “Runaway Capitalism”: Wednesday, Feb. 18, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Boulder Bookstore, 1107 Pearl St. Read More
Calvin Arsenia with Katie Wise: Wednesday, Feb. 18, 7:00-9:30 p.m., eTown, 1535 Spruce St. Read More
Boulder Empty Bowls 2026: Thursday, Feb. 19, 5:00-8:00 p.m., Watershed School, 5400 Spine Rd. Read More
Mardi Gras Beer and Brass: Friday, Feb. 20, 5:00-7:00 p.m., Wild Provisions Bear Project, 2209 Central Ave. Read More
Drawing Club: Friday, Feb. 20, 5:00-8:00 p.m., Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, 1750 13th St. Read more
VINTAGERuby – Elizabeth I: Words and Music: Friday, Feb. 20, 7:30 p.m., Mountain View Church, 355 Ponca Place. Read More
Science Riot: A STEM Comedy Show: Friday, Feb. 20, 7:30-9:30 p.m., Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St. Read More
Posture Workshop: Saturday, Feb. 21, 1:00-3:00 p.m., Avalon Ballroom, 6185 Arapahoe Rd. Read More
Lunar New Year Festival: Saturday, Feb. 21, 4:00-8:00 p.m., Yellow Barn Farm, 9417 N. Foothills Highway, Longmont. Read More
Pink Mammoth Presents ‘Til Midnight: Saturday, Feb. 21, 7:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m., Junkyard Social Club, 2525 Frontier Ave. Read More
Damien Jurado with St. Yuma: Saturday, Feb. 21, 7:00-9:30 p.m., eTown, 1535 Spruce St. Read More
Puzzle Competition: Sunday, Feb. 22, 12:00-1:30 p.m., NoBo Library, 4600 Broadway. Read More