Good Monday morning, Boulder. Fall is well underway, and that means local governments are facing their annual budgeting challenges.
We’ve been tracking how the end of federal Covid stimulus money is affecting the city’s and county’s ability to provide crucial safety net services.
Today, Brooke Stephenson examines the impact of Boulder County’s childcare funding freeze on local families. After giving birth, teen mom April Morales depended on the county’s Child Care Assistance Program for daycare support, which allowed her to stay in high school and pursue her career goals. However, a minor paperwork error caused her benefits to be canceled, and with Boulder County pausing CCAP applications indefinitely, she can’t reapply.
This funding freeze — driven by the end of federal stimulus support and rising daycare costs — has led Morales and other local parents to put their education and career plans on hold as affordable childcare options dwindle.
“It doesn’t suck being a teen mom,” Morales told us. “It sucks just having to pause everything because you can’t find childcare.”
In other news, Boulder County is expanding its Vote Early Day events with new partners and free RTD rides, the city is outlining plans for aging recreation centers, Wildfire Partners’ mitigation efforts helped protect homes during the Stone Canyon Fire, Pi Kappa Alpha will ride 8,423 minutes in memory of Magnus White, and more.
Lastly, two corrections from our Friday edition: Stephenson’s story on converting Boulder offices into housing mentioned a meeting set for this week, which has been postponed to next year. We also omitted the word “creek” in referring to the Fourmile Canyon Creek-Cottonwood Trail underpass construction. Thanks to our eagle-eyed readers for pointing these out!
Have a wonderful day, and thanks for reading,
— The BRL team
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Featured stories
Boulder County’s childcare funding freeze leaves families and teen parents struggling to stay in school and work
Without Colorado Child Care Assistance Program support, families face difficult choices as Boulder County pauses new applications amid expiring federal stimulus funding and rising costs. Continue reading…
In other news
Another beautiful day before rain and cooler temps roll in
Today’s forecast, much like the past few days, is pure bliss: sunny, warm and a perfect mid-70s. Enjoy it while it lasts — clouds, cooler temperatures in the 60s, and rain are expected to roll in tomorrow. By Wednesday, highs will drop to around 40.
Boulder County expands Vote Early Day events
Boulder County Elections is expanding its Vote Early Day events for 2024, partnering with four local organizations. Returning hosts include Intercambio, Emergency Family Assistance Association (EFAA) and Avery Brewing, with the Association for Community Living joining as a new partner. All events will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 29.
Voters can drop off ballots, register to vote and pick up “I Voted Early” stickers at the events. Nonperishable food donations for EFAA will also be collected. RTD is offering Zero Fare to Vote on both Vote Early Day and Election Day to make transportation easier for voters.
Event locations and times:
9-11 a.m.: Intercambio, 1715 Iron Horse Dr, Longmont
12-2 p.m.: EFAA, 1575 Yarmouth Ave, Boulder
4-6 p.m.: ACL, 624 Coffman St, Longmont
4:30-6:30 p.m.: Avery Brewing, 4910 Nautilus Ct N, Gunbarrel
Need a primer on local ballot measures? Check out our Boulder voter guide.
City to share its future plans for aging recreation centers
The City of Boulder will share updates on its Future of Recreation Centers project with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) today, Oct. 28, at 6 p.m. The project aims to determine which services to prioritize as Boulder’s rec centers age. The city says that the South Boulder rec center, in particular, is nearing the end of its life and could partially close if the boiler or sewer system fails — a distinct possibility. We reported earlier this month that the city is still deciding how — or if — to replace the South Boulder rec center.
Next month, the city will share findings from its September engagement window, where over 1,800 community members weighed in on their top rec center priorities. This information will be posted on the project webpage and presented at the Monday, Nov. 18, PRAB meeting at 6 p.m.
Mitigation efforts helped homes survive Stone Canyon Fire, Wildfire Partners says
Wildfire Partners, a program offering home fire mitigation assessments to residents in parts of Boulder County, has shared data on its impact during the Stone Canyon Fire. The fire, which began on July 30, near Lyons, killed one person, destroyed five properties and burned 1,500 acres.
Of the 35 homes in the burn area, 12 had undergone a Wildfire Partners assessment, with seven earning certification. All seven certified homes survived. Additionally, six homes met the county’s mitigation requirements through building codes, and all survived. This means that 13 mitigated homes had a 100% survival rate, compared to a 77% survival rate for unmitigated homes, Wildfire Partners said.
One homeowner credited the survival of her home to clearing and pruning trees near the structure, describing mitigation as a “moral thing to do.”
West Boulder County residents can contact Wildfire Partners at info@wildfirepartners.org or 303-441-1420 to learn how to get an assessment.
Also, until Oct. 31, a rebate program offers up to $500 for removing junipers, covering vents, removing wooden fences or creating five feet of defensible space around homes for all county residents. For the first time, the City of Boulder is also offering residents up to $1,000 to start fire mitigation work around their homes, with applications due by Nov. 30.
Pi Kappa Alpha to ride 8,423 minutes in memory of Magnus White, other road victims
From Nov. 2-8, Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity members at CU Boulder will ride a stationary bike for 8,423 minutes straight. The ride honors each of the 8,423 cyclists and pedestrians killed by drivers in 2023. The event begins at 5:05 p.m. on Nov. 2 and ends at 12:28 p.m. on November 8, the exact time young Boulder cycling champion Magnus White was fatally struck by a driver last year. The fraternity aims to raise $100,000 for The White Line Foundation, a nonprofit run by White’s parents focused on road safety.
“This year our fraternity has chosen to partner with The White Line, remembering all of these 8,423 lives that are too often forgotten,” said Sebastian Edwards, a member of Pi Kappa Alpha, in a news release. “We also ride to remember our dear friend and teammate, Magnus White, as his story and legacy act as an emissary around the world fighting for safer roads.”
Boulder Chamber Orchestra celebrates Italian Baroque with ‘L’estro Armonico’
The Boulder Chamber Orchestra will host a special concert, L’estro Armonico, featuring Baroque masterworks by Vivaldi and Pergolesi on Saturday, Nov. 2 at the Boulder Adventist Church. The program includes guest violinist Zachary Carrettin, music director of the Boulder Bach Festival, performing selections from Vivaldi’s L’estro Armonico, Op. 3, including the Concerto in B Minor for 4 Violins. The evening will also feature a performance of Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater. This concert is part of BCO’s 20th anniversary season.
Halloween and Día de los Muertos events
Boulder County has a packed schedule of Halloween and Día de los Muertos events, including upcoming fall festivals, trick-or-treating and cultural celebrations. Highlights include Boulder’s Munchkin Masquerade on Oct. 31, ofrenda displays and workshops at the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art from Oct. 27 to Nov. 2, and the Longmont Museum’s Día de los Muertos concert on Nov. 2. Other events feature a dog-friendly trick-or-treat at Chautauqua on Nov. 3, as well as Halloween parties and performances across Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, Louisville and Superior. Check out our guide and more below.
BRL’s to-do list: What else is happening this week and weekend
☀️ Explore more 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 this list, make sure to submit it to our events calendar.
Scary Halloween Gingerbread Decorating Class at Full Cycle Cafe & Bar: Monday, Oct. 28, 5-7 p.m., 2355 30th St. Read More
Musical Vanguards at the Dairy: Bandonegro at Dairy Arts Center: Tuesday, Oct. 29, 7 p.m., 2590 Walnut St. Read More
Moon Colorado Hiking: Best Hikes Plus Beer, Bites, and Campgrounds Nearby by Joshua Berman at Trident Booksellers & Cafe: Tuesday, Oct. 29, 7-8 p.m., 940 Pearl St. Read More
Bewitching: Halloween Extravaganza at Macky Auditorium: Wednesday, Oct. 30, 6-7:30 p.m., 1595 Pleasant St. Read More
The Ballot of Paola Aguilar: Thursday, Oct. 31, 7:30-9 p.m., Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St. Additional dates: Friday, Nov. 1, 7:30-9 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 2, 2-3:30 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 3, 2-3:30 p.m. Read More.
Halloween Night at License No. 1: Thursday, Oct. 31, 5 p.m.-11:59 p.m., 2115 13th St. Read More
Queer Horror Cinema: The Babadook In-Person at Boulder Public Library: Thursday, Oct. 31, 6:30-9 p.m., 1001 Arapahoe Ave. Read More
A Grateful Dead Halloween with Tumbledown Shack at Nissi’s: Thursday, Oct. 31, 7:30 p.m., 1455 Coal Creek Dr., Unit T, Lafayette. Read More
The Ballot of Paola Aguilar at Dairy Arts Center: Thursday, Oct. 31 – Sunday, Nov. 3, 7:30-9 p.m. (Oct. 31 & Nov. 1), 2-3:30 p.m. (Nov. 2 & Nov. 3), 2590 Walnut St. Read More
Complementary Visions Exhibit Opening Reception at Museum of Boulder: Friday, Nov. 1, 5-7 p.m., 2205 Broadway. Read More
Cabaret Diosa at Boulder Theater: Friday, Nov. 1, 8 p.m., 2032 14th St. Read More
Flatirons History Hike at Chautauqua Park: Saturday, Nov. 2, 1:30-3:30 p.m., 900 Baseline Rd. Read More
Fall Curiosity Concert: The Creative Spirit at Grace Commons: Saturday, Nov. 2, 3-4 p.m., 1820 15th St. Read More
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