Good Monday morning, Boulder. Today’s BRL Today is sponsored by Bank of Colorado, a family-owned community bank serving Coloradans since 1978, with 45 locations statewide. Learn more.
Leading today: With ballots due Tuesday, we’ve spent the past several weeks helping you navigate the primary’s two competitive local races — CU regent and Boulder County treasurer — through detailed candidate questionnaires and reporting on the issues, candidates and campaigns.
If you haven’t voted yet, we hope you’ll take a look. In the CU regent race, the Democratic candidates share many similar policy positions. In the treasurer’s race, what matters most is less about policy than experience, temperament and approach to managing the office. In both contests, the candidates bring different backgrounds and approaches, and because the Democratic nominees are likely to prevail in November, these primaries carry added significance.
Also today: An endorsement switch has renewed attention on conflicting accounts surrounding a fake Reddit post in the CU regent race. We also have the latest on campaign spending, including new spending by a dark money group.
We’ll be reporting live as Boulder County election results come in Tuesday night. Look for updates on our website and in your inbox Tuesday evening.
Also today: Lead pollution from Boulder Municipal Airport has become a sticking point in the once-a-decade update to the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan. John Herrick explains why the debate matters. The airport sits near residential neighborhoods, and studies have linked leaded aviation fuel to elevated blood lead levels in children living near similar airports.
Plus more, Below the Fold:
- Smoke and fire danger: Heat and haze settle over Boulder County.
- November election: Two tax proposals inch toward the November ballot.
- Trails: The future of the trail-use pilot could be decided Tuesday.
- State Patrol: Man suffers life-threatening injuries in U.S. 36 crash.
- Open Space: Foothills North Trail gets a new route.
- Nonprofits: $4 million in county grants is up for grabs.
Thanks, as always, for reading,
– The BRL team
Bank of Colorado is a family-owned, community focused bank that has been serving the needs of Coloradans since 1978. Throughout our 45 locations across the state, our values of honesty, integrity and clarity guide our every decision. We’re deeply rooted in Colorado’s history and fully invested in its future. Strong, Stable & Local Community Banking – reach out today to experience the best service in banking 303-476-7282.
Boulder airport lead pollution emerges as sticking point in land-use plan
The Planning Board and Boulder County commissioners approved language for the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan acknowledging lead pollution and other airport impacts on nearby communities. The Boulder City Council rejected it. Continue reading…
Boulder CU regent race sees endorsement switch, apology after Reddit controversy
The developments come days before the Democratic primary, as questions remain about what happened before the fake Reddit post was published. Continue reading…
Heat, wildfire smoke and high fire danger to start the week
Expect sunny skies with highs near 85 Monday and 88 on Election Day Tuesday. An Action Day for ozone and fine particulate pollution remains in effect through at least 4 p.m. Monday, with air quality potentially reaching unhealthy levels for sensitive groups during heavier smoke.
Hot, dry and windy weather continues to fuel rapid fire growth across Colorado, with little rain in the forecast. A slight chance of showers Tuesday evening is unlikely to provide much relief, and forecasters warn gusty winds and possible dry lightning later this week could spark new wildfires. Now is also a good time to make sure you’re signed up for local emergency alerts and have the Watch Duty app installed with notifications enabled.
Boulder City Council advances ballot measures for rec center bonds, vacant home tax
Boulder City Council last week moved ahead with two potential November ballot measures: one that would authorize up to $400 million in bonds to pay for recreation centers and other city facilities, and another that would impose a tax on homes that sit vacant for most of the year.
The measures come as the city works to chip away at a $400 million backlog of unfunded building renovations and replacements and reduce its reliance on sales taxes, which fluctuate with economic swings and hit lower-income residents hardest. The decisions followed a survey of 400 likely voters conducted June 2-9 by Probolsky Research, a California-based firm.
The vacancy tax drew the strongest support in the survey, with 64% of likely voters backing the idea. Support climbed further when respondents learned the tax would apply only to people with a second or third home in Boulder. The details are still being worked out. Mayor Aaron Brockett said he wants to see an exemption for property owners trying to rent out their homes.
The bond measure fared worse. About 45% of likely voters said they would support it. Under the measure, the owner of a $1 million home would pay roughly $400 a year in additional property taxes to help retire the debt. Read more on BRL.
Boulder County commissioners could decide fate of controversial trails pilot Tuesday
Boulder County Commissioners will hold a work session Tuesday, June 30, that could determine the future of the county’s controversial alternative trails pilot.
The pilot would test allowing certain trail uses, such as hiking and biking, on different days or at different times, instead of allowing all uses at all times. The goal, county officials say, is to improve visitor safety and reduce conflicts on crowded trails.
The pilot has drawn strong opposition, particularly from mountain bikers concerned that the effort is rushed and would further limit cycling access despite cyclists having fewer trail options than hikers. Opponents have referred to the proposal as a “bike ban.”
A county survey received over 7,500 responses. Analysis by Boulder Reporting Lab found that just over half of respondents identified themselves as primarily mountain bikers, 70% opposed the pilot and 17% supported it. On June 15, the Town of Lyons unanimously adopted a resolution opposing the pilot, arguing it could reduce visitation to the town.
The June 30 session begins at 1 p.m. in the commissioners’ hearing room at 1325 Pearl St. Residents can attend in person, virtually or by phone. Although public comment will not be taken, commissioners could decide whether to move forward with the pilot.
Pedestrian suffers life-threatening injuries after stopping to help stranded driver on U.S. 36
A 24-year-old Castle Rock man suffered life-threatening injuries Saturday after he was struck by an SUV while walking toward a vehicle that had broken down in the center lane of westbound U.S. 36 east of Boulder, according to the Colorado State Patrol.
Investigators said the man had stopped to help the driver of the Mercury Mountaineer when a Honda CR-V swerved to avoid the vehicle, struck a concrete barrier, then hit him before coming to rest against a guardrail. Neither driver was injured, including the Mountaineer’s driver, a Boulder woman. Westbound U.S. 36 reopened Saturday evening after about three hours, and the crash remains under investigation.
Foothills North Trail rerouting underway; expect temporary closures through December
Construction has begun to reroute the Foothills North Trail just north of Boulder, with work expected to continue through December.
The new alignment will better follow the natural contours of the landscape, making the trail more resistant to erosion and widening. The project will also improve connections to the North Sky and Western Boulder Valley Ranch trails, along with drainage and accessibility. The existing trail alignment will be permanently closed and restored with native vegetation.
Visitors should expect temporary trail closures during construction and are asked to stay on designated routes to protect restoration areas.
Boulder County opens applications for $4 million in nonprofit capital grants
Boulder County is accepting applications for the 2027 Worthy Cause IV program, which will award $4 million in capital funding to local nonprofits, housing authorities and other eligible organizations.
Funded through a voter-approved 0.05% sales and use tax, the program has invested tens of millions of dollars in nonprofit facilities and infrastructure since 2000. Between 2019 and 2026, nearly 60% of funding supported affordable housing projects, while human services and child care projects received about 25% and 17%, respectively.
Applications are due by 4 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5. The county will host an online question-and-answer session at 10 a.m. July 16. Questions may be submitted through 4 p.m. July 13.
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