Good morning, Boulder.

We’re eager to be back after our one-week respite. We’re debuting our revamped BRL Today newsletter today — and it’s chock-full to catch you up. Tim Drugan reports on the Shadow Canyon Hand Crew, where Boulder firefighters learn to be wildland firefighters. John Herrick talks with Boulder City Councilmember Junie Joseph, who’s expected to win the seat for Boulder’s House District 10 in November. We have an exciting announcement about our new collaboration with CU Boulder journalism students to examine the health impacts of the Marshall Fire. Plus so much more, including an update on outdoor dining (and drinking) on Pearl Street. Thanks for reading. See you Wednesday.

— Stacy, publisher

Support our Boulder journalism

What to know today

  • Mostly sunny, much of the day: 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2:00 p.m. High near 82.
  • Boulder sued over gun measures: Rocky Mountain Gun Owners, a conservative gun-rights group, filed a lawsuit in federal court last Thursday to overturn Boulder’s ban on assault-style weapons and large-capacity magazines. It filed similar, separate lawsuits against the City of Louisville and Boulder County. In June, Boulder joined communities across the region in passing gun-violence protection measures. Since then, pro-gun activists, emboldened by the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision that struck down a New York gun-control law, also sued the Town of Superior, arguing such restrictions violate their Second Amendment rights.
  • Bye-bye to outdoor dining? Some downtown Boulder restaurants may no longer be serving food and/or alcohol outdoors come Aug. 31, when a new city-led outdoor dining pilot program takes effect. That’s due to the rocky rollout of new permitting requirements imposed by the city under the program. City officials told councilmembers last week that more than a dozen outdoor dining permits are still incomplete, just days away from the program’s launch. They said some restaurants may have to wait a month or more to get approved for licenses to serve alcohol outdoors, too. So even if they’re OK’d to serve food, they may be forced to have “dry” dining — during busy Labor Day and other weekends.
  • Bad timing, with restaurants at ‘razor’s edge’: Notably frustrated, councilmembers called on city staff to pull out all the stops to continue outdoor service. “We have restaurants that are literally at a razor’s edge,” Councilmember Matt Benjamin said. “We have to own this as a city and we have to find the most expeditious path forward to reconcile this.” The city’s attorney raised concerns that allowing alcohol and food outdoors without proper permits could create legal liability. Benjamin responded: “I would take on more legal risk as a city to not watch more restaurants and small businesses go under — especially for something that we’ve had a hand in creating.”
  • Monkeypox in Boulder County: According to the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment’s new data dashboard, there have been five reported cases of monkeypox in the county. Statewide, 182 cases have been reported. A list of testing locations is here. There are no walk-in sites in Boulder County.
  • 3 Boulder ballot measures advance: City councilmembers moved closer last week to placing several measures on the Nov. 8, 2022 ballot that would (1) move city elections to even years (2) create a new tax on electricity and gas to pay for climate change projects and (3) help create a property-tax funded library district. Stay tuned: A final vote to approve the measures is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 1.
  • Fight over CU South to be on the ballot, too: City council is still finalizing ballot language for a measure that would repeal the city’s agreement with CU Boulder to annex the CU South property for student and faculty housing and a flood mitigation project. The city opposes the measure to repeal the annexation agreement. But community organizers who want to block development on the former gravel mine in South Boulder have collected enough signatures to place the measure on November’s ballot.
  • More deets on the library district: Boulder County commissioners voted last week to place a “3.5 mill” property tax increase on the November ballot to pay for the new library district. The district would encompass much of Boulder County. The vote was a formality required under state law. (County commissioners opposed raising property taxes to pay for the district.) Proponents of the measure collected the 100 signatures needed to put the question to voters. They argue it would create a more stable source of money for the library system and help expand services and maintain building infrastructure. Separately, an issue committee, Keep Our Libraries, has formed to oppose the measure. It’s being backed by two former city councilmembers, Lisa Morzel and Crystal Gray. Gray told county commissioners the group is concerned about creating a new governmental entity and higher property taxes.
  • Milling on Olde Stage Road starts today: Via Boulder County: “Work will start from the southern end at Lee Hill Drive and proceed north, then crews will flip around at Lefthand Canyon Drive and work on milling the southbound lane.” It will take all week. Expect delays. Cyclists are advised to avoid Olde Stage for the next four to six weeks. The roadway is expected to be completely repaved sometime in October.

Go deeper

The Shadow Canyon Hand Crew: Where Boulder firefighters learn to be wildland firefighters

By Tim Drugan

When living in a valley surrounded by flammable landscape, where climate change is lengthening and intensifying fire season, having local firefighters with actual wildland firefighting experience can help deter disaster. But as with most things, wildland firefighting is a craft best learned by doing. Boulder County buttresses this skill by sending its employees to where fires are currently burning on a “hand crew” called Shadow Canyon.

“If we’re waiting for fires [in Boulder] to get people [wildland firefighting] experience and qualifications, we’re doing a disservice to the community,” said Brian Oliver, Boulder Fire-Rescue’s wildland division chief.

Continue reading…

Boulder Councilmember Junie Joseph is poised to make history with election to state Capitol

By John Herrick

On Monday, Aug. 15, Councilmember Junie Joseph was elected by members of the Boulder County Democratic Party to be their nominee for House District 10 in the November 2022 election. Joseph is all but certain to win the Nov. 8 election, given that the district leans solidly Democratic. House District 10 includes the City of Boulder mostly east of Broadway.

Continue reading…

New course created by Boulder Reporting Lab and CU Boulder’s Center for Environmental Journalism will examine Marshall Fire health impacts at a critical time

By Stacy Feldman

During this special projects course – called Marshall Fire as Living Lab – CU Boulder graduate students will report on the effects on water, air, soil and more from the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history, as residents rebuild their homes and lives. Public radio station KUNC in northern Colorado and The Conversation, a global nonprofit news organization that brings academic research to the public, will be collaborating partners.

Continue reading…

TOGETHER WITH Comprise
A BRL Community Leader sponsor

By combining the messaging with the math, we’re multiplying our clients’ media coverage through an integrated fusion of PR, content, social media, SEO, web design and creative. Learn more at Comprise.

BRL picks

🇮🇳 Jaipur Literary Fest: Mark your calendars – The free Jaipur Literary Festival is coming back to the Main Boulder Public Library Sept. 17-18, in a celebration of literature and its contributions to society. “This year, we will celebrate the beauty of the Rockies and the prairies and the unique energy, excitement, and intellect of Boulder.” The library is now recruiting volunteers for the event. More than 200 people are needed.

🌷 Free tulips this Wednesday: Boulder’s annual tulip bulb giveaway is here! The city is working with eight downtown businesses to hand out the free bulbs: Pedestrian Shops, Old Tibet, Savvy on Pearl, R Gallery + Wine Bar, Terracotta, Ramble on Pearl, Two Hands Paperie, and Jones + CO. Visit any of the locations when they open to pick up your bulbs on Wednesday, Aug. 24. First come, first served.

🎭 An evening of homegrown one acts: After delays due to Covid and the Marshall Fire, the Coal Creek Theater is putting on its anticipated performance of three, one-act plays on Aug. 25-27, all written by Colorado playwrights. “Mystery and deception, humor and pathos, all in one delightful evening to be enjoyed in the intimate setting of the Louisville Center for the Arts in Louisville.” Tickets here.

🚗 Free catalytic converter anti-theft kits: The Boulder Police Department is partnering with the CU Police Department to give away catalytic converter anti-theft kits. Stop by the event on Thursday, Aug. 25, from 2 to 4 p.m., at the Boulder Engineering Center across from the CU Police Department (1050 Regent Drive) to get a kit (while supplies last) and instructions on how to apply and register your anti-theft sticker. Learn more here.

Covid in Boulder County: Aug. 22, 2022

  • 83 daily new cases (7-day avg.) ⬇Down 39% over preceding 7-day avg.
  • 9 patients hospitalized with Covid (7-day avg.) ⬇Down from high of 13 last week.
  • 37% percent of ICU is occupied. ⬇Down from avg. of 67% since July 2020.
  • Note: Boulder County has moved into the “low community level” for transmission, per CDC guidelines.

What else we’re reading

  • A vigil was held last night for the 13-year-old boy who was shot and killed over the weekend at Kingston Park in Longmont. A second boy, 15, was injured. A 19-year-old man has been charged for the drive-by shooting.

ICYMI

Stacy Feldman is the founder and publisher of Boulder Reporting Lab. She previously co-founded and was executive editor of Inside Climate News, a Pulitzer Prize-winning nonprofit newsroom covering the climate emergency. She was a 2020-21 Ted Scripps Fellow in Environmental Journalism at the University of Colorado Boulder, where she developed the concept for BRL. Email: stacy@boulderreportinglab.org.