It’s Monday, August 12, 2024.
Happy Monday, Boulder. It’s good to be back.
Today, John Herrick reports on a little-known city program conducting sting operations in Boulder. To intensify liquor law enforcement, the city has been sending undercover, underage operatives into liquor stores, bars and restaurants to ensure employees check IDs. Herrick found that this has resulted in about twice as many liquor license suspensions this year as in the past three years combined. While the issue is complicated, these suspensions can financially harm businesses that depend on alcohol sales to maintain their slim profit margins.
Also, Por Jaijongkit covered yesterday’s “Ride for Magnus: Ride for Your Life” event, which honored young cycling champion Magnus White, killed by a reckless driver one year ago in Boulder. Cyclists from all 50 states and more than 20 countries participated to advocate for increased road safety measures.
Finally, during efforts to extinguish the Stone Canyon Fire, fire retardant was released into Boulder Reservoir. We are examining the environmental and public health implications, as the retardant contains ammonia and other chemicals unsuitable for water supplies. The city was already concerned about the rapid growth of an invasive plant in the reservoir. For the first time, Boulder plans to apply herbicide directly to the reservoir, while acknowledging that the plant is now a permanent presence. Jaijongkit reports.
Have a tremendous day.
— Tim, reporter
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Downtown is for Everyone! The pad above the parking structure east of the St. Julien was designated as “civic space” over 20 years ago, but the St. Julien plans a monolithic building with a massive ballroom and 39 extended-stay hotel rooms. That’s not “civic space.” Boulder deserves input!
Featured stories
Boulder cracks down on liquor licenses with undercover stings, leading to more suspensions
The city is sending in underage operatives into establishments to test whether employees are checking IDs. Continue reading…
Thousands rally in Boulder for ‘Ride for Your Life’ honoring Magnus White, demanding safer cycling roads
“We closed the Diagonal and filled it with cyclists. I think we did something special.” Continue reading…
Boulder plans herbicide use to combat invasive plant spreading at reservoir since 2022
Eurasian watermilfoil is harming biodiversity by displacing native plants and threatening drinking water infrastructure. This would mark the first use of any herbicide at Boulder Reservoir. Continue reading…
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In other news
Low 80s all week
The end of last week gave us our first hint of fall, and that hint will continue through Friday with temperatures staying in the low 80s. Next week will see a return to the 90s, but we’re marching ever closer to witches, pumpkins and apple cider.
Shooting on the Hill under investigation
Boulder police are investigating a shooting that occurred at a party near Euclid Avenue and 14th Street on University Hill on Friday, Aug. 9, just before 11:30 p.m. Three people, ages 17 and 18, were injured with gunshot wounds to their legs or arms and are in stable condition. Police believe they were in Boulder attending a party and that there is no ongoing risk to the community, but they are seeking information from anyone who attended the party or has relevant video footage. Tips can be submitted to the Boulder Police Department tip line at 303-441-1974, to Detective Max Neuzil at NeuzilM@BoulderColorado.gov, or anonymously via Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867, referencing case number 24-07866.
A conversation about wildfires and schools
Superior Mayor Pro Tem Neal Shah has invited BVSD officials to a Superior trustees meeting to discuss school evacuation plans in case of a fire, a concern raised by Marshall Fire survivors. The meeting will include presentations by BVSD, the Boulder County Office of Disaster Management, the Sheriff’s Office and various fire disricts, and will take place on Aug. 12 at 8:15 p.m. at Superior Town Hall. You can find the meeting agenda here, and the Zoom link will be available here on Aug. 12. A video of the meeting will be available afterward at the same location. To submit questions in advance, email townboard@superiorcolorado.gov.
Wyoming representative mocks Boulder’s climate efforts
During an Aug. 6 town hall in Jackson, Wyoming, Republican U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman mockingly proposed a pilot project to strip Boulder of all its fossil fuel infrastructure and replace it with windmills and solar panels to test renewables, WyoFile reported. Hageman was extolling her strong support for Wyoming’s coal, oil and gas industries and jabbed at Boulder to criticize its science-based approach to fossil fuels, which aims to phase them out to prevent the worst effects of climate change. Her suggestion drew criticism from Boulder City Councilmember Mark Wallach, who called it “bizarre and grotesque.” Wallach emphasized Boulder’s urgent efforts to combat climate change, referencing the Marshall Fire as evidence of the real threats posed by global warming.
“If she doesn’t understand the actual serious nature of the threat posed by climate change, I’m afraid she’s going to be living in a very warm state in the next decade,” Wallach said.
Boulder revises fire rules, allows welding with permit
The City of Boulder has revised its emergency fire regulations to allow welding with a “hot work” permit from Boulder Fire-Rescue. Initially, welding was temporarily banned under an emergency rule announced on Aug. 1 to prevent more wildfires. The updated rule permits welding and similar work in low-risk areas, provided they are done in an enclosed space or a cleared area with a permit. These adjustments aim to support local businesses while maintaining fire safety.
Boulder County to fund opioid crisis initiatives
Boulder County is accepting grant applications from Aug. 15 to Oct. 10 for programs addressing substance use and related mental health challenges. Eligible organizations must align with the county’s opioid abatement plan, which focuses on prevention, harm reduction, treatment support and recovery. Two online help sessions will be held on Aug. 12 and 26. Funding comes from opioid settlement dollars, which are the result of lawsuits against manufacturers, distributors and pharmacies responsible for marketing and overprescribing opioid painkillers.
More tennis and pickleball for Boulder
The Boulder Parks and Recreation Department has completed a court system plan plan to address the demand for tennis and pickleball courts. Key recommendations include investing $400,000 annually for six years to renovate existing courts and add 22 new tennis and 22 new pickleball courts. Potential sites for the new courts include East Boulder Community Park and Valmont City Park. The city will also explore indoor facility options.
Over the past decade, structural support for tennis in Boulder has significantly declined, with courts repurposed for pickleball or other uses. The only publicly accessible, privately owned courts, leased by the Rocky Mountain Tennis Center from the Millennium Harvest House Hotel, were demolished along with the hotel for CU student housing. The CU South courts are also expected to be removed. Additionally, a proposal to build a new Tennis Center of the Rockies in Gunbarrel at 79th Street and Lookout Road was put on hold amid opposition from nearby residents.
Boulder wants feedback on Baseline Road safety improvements
The City of Boulder is seeking community feedback on the next phase of its Baseline Road safety project, which spans from 30th Street to Foothills Parkway. This section of Baseline is one of the city’s top 10 crash sites for pedestrians and cyclists and is a priority corridor within the core arterial network, or CAN. The designs for this phase include completing the tall-curb protected bike lanes started in 2023 and improving pedestrian and cyclist crossings. Features include “floating” bus stops to provide more separation between bicycles and buses, protected intersection upgrades, better signal timing and improved visibility for all road users, especially at intersections.
Residents can participate by attending an in-person open house on Monday, Aug. 19, at the Boulder Public Library Meadows Branch or providing input online through the project website from Aug. 19 to Sept. 16.
Meadowlark Trail closes for cattle grazing to reduce wildfire risk
A section of the Meadowlark Trail will be closed from Monday, Aug. 12, to Friday, Sept. 13, for cattle grazing. The closure is for safety, as some cattle can be protective of their young. The Coalton Trailhead and all other trails will remain open during this period. The goal is to reduce wildfire risk through the bovines’ appetite for wildfire fuel.
Annual Mapleton Hill Rummage Sale returns Aug. 24
The annual Mapleton Hill Rummage Sale returns on Saturday, Aug. 24, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Attendees can explore the historic Mapleton Hill neighborhood in Boulder while discovering unique treasures. With over 60 homes participating, visitors will find yard sales, bake sales, lemonade stands and more. Stroll the tree-lined streets, enjoy the community atmosphere and snag some deals.
BRL’s to-do list: What’s happening this week and weekend?
Explore ALL upcoming events in Boulder. If you have something to promote, use the self-submission form on our events page, for free.
Monday | Joss Stone at Chautauqua Auditorium | 7:30 p.m.
“Joss Stone is a Grammy and Brit award-winning artist who released her star-making critically acclaimed debut album, The Soul Sessions, in 2003, aged just 16. Since then, she has released nine studio albums which have sold over 15 million copies worldwide.”
Tuesday | Disaster Preparedness Basics – Boulder Office of Disaster Management | 6 p.m.
“Join us to learn about disaster preparedness basics – from alert and warning to creating your own preparedness plan!”
Tuesday, Wednesday | BoMA x BMoCA Pop-Up Shop | 11 a.m.
“Boulder Metalsmithing Association (BoMA) in North Boulder is teaming up with BMoCA for a special pop-up shop in our Museum Shop for a limited time, August 6-18, 2024. This is a great opportunity to see (& buy!) some unique and beautiful work by these dedicated and talented local artists.”
Saturday | Lafayette Peach Festival 25th Annual | 9 a.m.
“24th Annual Peach Festival centers around world famous all natural Palisade, Colorado peaches. Enjoy peach pies and peach cobbler! Food vendors, crafters, antique dealers along with some of the finest artists from the Front Range and Western States will be showcased.”
Saturday | Moms Unhinged Standup Comedy Show | 7 p.m.
“Join us for a night of laughter as we explore everything from motherhood, midlife crisis, marriage, divorce, online dating, and other things that irritate us. Men are welcome to the show, too.”
Sunday | Outdoor Divas Triathlon | 7 a.m.
“The Coeur Sports Outdoor Divas Sprint Triathlon on August 18th, annually awarded best women’s event in Colorado by Competitor Magazine, is the all women’s triathlon you’ve been waiting for!”
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