Welcome back, Boulder.

We hope your holiday was filled with good food, quality moments with friends and family — and maybe some fresh powder if you headed to the mountains.

We’ve long been reporting on Boulder’s social safety net and the ongoing challenges of obtaining essentials like housing and childcare as costs remain high. Since Covid, reporter John Herrick has been tracking one key measure: evictions. Today, he has the latest figures. Eviction filings in Boulder County this year have already surpassed last year’s total, reaching their highest level since the Great Recession. More than 1,477 cases have been filed — a nearly 6% increase from 2023. Rising housing costs and living expenses are the main drivers, with unpaid rent the leading cause.

We cover these issues to highlight how precarious economic security has become for many and to hold local governments and officials accountable. Fortunately, the city’s eviction assistance program has helped most tenants who connect with local aid avoid having an eviction on their record.

Also in today’s edition:

A mandatory recount in the HD-19 race even after one candidate declared victory.
Boulder loses another vegan restaurant.
Upcoming holiday markets and more things to do.
New water billing requirements.
A string of business burglaries.
Over $6 million in nonprofit grants awarded by the city.

Finally, a quick heads-up: Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday — or, as we call it in the nonprofit news world, Giving News Day. It’s the perfect opportunity to support BRL and help keep Boulder informed, connected and supported by fact-based journalism. We’re already nearly halfway to our ambitious end-of-year fundraising goal, and with your help, we can cross the finish line early.

Enjoy the sunny start to December!

— the BRL team

In other news

All sun, all week

We’re kicking off December with a string of sunny days and highs in the mid-50s — perfect for getting outside, if you can dodge the snowmelt mud. We may even be pushing 60 on Tuesday, so enjoy the unseasonably warm start to the month.

Mandatory recount ordered in tight HD-19 race covering Boulder, Weld counties

Republican Dan Woog declared victory after the final unofficial vote count showed him leading by 123 votes, and his Democratic opponent, Jillaire McMillan, conceded. However, Secretary of State Jena Griswold has ordered a mandatory recount in the race for the 2024 General Election State House District 19 (HD-19) seat because the margin falls within Colorado’s 0.5% recount threshold.

Woog, a former Erie trustee and state representative, expressed confidence earlier this month, calling the result “a great day” in a Facebook post and saying he looks forward to representing HD-19, which includes parts of Boulder and Weld counties. McMillan, a co-founder of Blue Trail Engineering, congratulated Woog and praised election officials for their work.

The recount, set to conclude by Dec. 6, requires counties in HD-19 to perform logic and accuracy tests on tabulation equipment with bipartisan canvas boards before recounting all ballots. While recounts rarely alter outcomes, this race is pivotal. Democrats are fighting to retain their supermajority in the Colorado House, which allows veto overrides and ballot referrals without Republican support. If Woog’s lead holds, the supermajority is likely lost.

Boulder loses Meta Burger and its last exclusively vegan restaurant

Boulder will lose its last exclusively vegan restaurant this month as Meta Burger closes its location on Nov. 29, following the Nov. 11 closure of Thrive, a raw vegan spot, Westword reported.

The closure of Meta Burger marks the end of the plant-based fast-casual chain, as its Edgewater location also shut down on the same day. The original Meta Burger in Denver ceased operations last December. Co-founder Michael Reeves attributed the closures to a 50% drop in sales since 2021, pandemic-related economic challenges, and limited investor opportunities.

Reeves voiced concern about the future of vegan dining in Boulder, urging support for the remaining plant-based eateries as the industry grapples with declining sales and rising costs.

Shop local at Boulder County Farmers Markets’ Winter Market this weekend

The Boulder County Farmers Markets’ Winter Market takes place Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 7-8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Boulder County Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall, 595 Nelson Road, Longmont.

Although technically in Longmont, the event features many vendors from the Boulder Farmers Market in a joint-market collaboration. The free, family-friendly event will host over 150 Colorado vendors and artisans — the most ever — selling holiday food, gifts and more.

Event highlights include:

An ugly sweater competition on Dec. 7
60 local artisans
36 farmers
Seven food court options
Live music
Children’s crafts

The Studio to host annual Holiday Market with local artists

The Studio in Boulder will host its annual Holiday Market on Thursday, Dec. 5, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 3550 Frontier Ave., Suite A2.

The free event will feature curated gifts from local creators, including BGOLD Glass, Beelieve Candles, Fout Jewelry Design, Moksha Chocolate and more.

Attendees can enjoy complimentary drinks and hors d’oeuvres while mingling with artisans and browsing handcrafted goods. This year, the market is partnering with the Boulder-based nonprofit The Catamounts to celebrate the community’s vibrant arts scene. More information here.

Reminder: Set up your water bill with the city’s new system

On Nov. 25, Boulder launched a new self-service billing portal. Residents must re-register for an account using the customer and account numbers from their current water bills.

AutoPay users will have their payment information transferred automatically, but all customers must register to manage their accounts online. This video walks residents through how to re-register.

Important dates:

January 2025: Last month the city will issue paper water bills.
Drop-in sessions: Utility billing staff will assist residents at the West Age Well Center on Dec. 10 and the East Age Well Center on Dec. 12, both from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Boulder police seek public’s help after string of business burglaries

The Boulder Police Department is asking for help identifying suspects in a series of burglaries targeting businesses on Pearl St. and Arapahoe Ave. between Oct. 29 and Nov. 14.

Police say suspects removed exterior lockboxes, broke them open to access business keys and stole cash drawers, which were later opened at an unknown location. The burglaries occurred on different nights during overnight hours.

Curtis Gardner, owner of Blofish Sushi — one of 10 businesses burglarized — described to 9News how thieves entered his restaurant, ripped away the register and left with empty gift cards. “My margins are really tight… this is my business, this is how I feed my kids,” Gardner said, noting the loss was especially tough just before Thanksgiving.

City awards over $6 million in nonprofit grants

The City of Boulder Housing and Human Services Department has awarded $3.95 million from its Health Equity Fund (HEF) and $2.5 million from its Human Services Fund (HSF) to local nonprofit agencies for 2025.

The HEF, funded by Boulder’s Sugar Sweetened Beverage Product Distribution Tax, aims to reduce chronic disease rates and improve health equity. While most nonprofits will receive the same funding as in 2024, notable exceptions include:

Meals on Wheels of Boulder: Received $10,000 more.
PLAY Boulder Foundation: Saw an $80,000 increase to support low-income youth.

The HSF focuses on economic stability, housing access and mental health. Although most recipients will receive less than requested, a larger share will see funding increases. The largest grant, $450,000, was awarded to EFAA for rental assistance, providing a buffer against evictions. Read the full list of HEF and HSF recipients.

Celebrate the spirit of the season with Sphere Ensemble’s unique family-friendly holiday concert, including music from “The Nutcracker, Joni Mitchell’s “River,” a Christmas sing-along, a Hanukkah medley, a Christmas tango and other seasonal favorites performed by Sphere string ensemble, plus voice.

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.

Complementary Visions Exhibit at the Museum of Boulder: Friday, Nov. 29, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; Monday, Dec. 2, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; Wednesday, Dec. 4, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; Thursday, Dec. 5, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., 2205 Broadway. Read More

Clinica Art, Jewelry, and Gift Sale: Tuesday, Dec. 3, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., 1000 Alpine Ave. Read More

Holiday Pop-Up Shop at Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art: Tuesday, Dec. 3, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; Wednesday, Dec. 4, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; Thursday, Dec. 5, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 7, 11 a.m.–5 p.m., 1750 13th St. Read More

Carnegie Library History Day Open House: Interviews as a Primary Source Presentation at Carnegie Branch Library: Tuesday, Dec. 3, 4:30–6:30 p.m., 1125 Pine St. Read More

Ugly Sweater Party Benefiting KGNU at The Velvet Elk Lounge: Thursday, Dec. 5, 5–11 p.m., 2037 13th St. Read More

Candlelight: Holiday Special Featuring “The Nutcracker” and More: Thursday, Dec. 5, 8:15–9:30 p.m., 1535 Spruce St. Read More

First Friday in the NoBo Art District: Friday, Dec. 6, 6–9 p.m., 4929 Broadway #E. Read More

Frequent Flyers® Aerial Dance presents Ways to See Snow at Dairy Arts Center: Friday, Dec. 6, 7:30–9 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 7, 7:30–9 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 8, 2–3:30 p.m., 2590 Walnut St. Read More

The Delta Sonics (Blues Dance Party) at Roots Music Project: Friday, Dec. 6, 7:30–10 p.m., 4747 Pearl St., Suite V3A. Read More

Holiday Festival 2024 at Macky Auditorium: Friday, Dec. 6, 7:30–9 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 7, 1–2:30 p.m. and 4–5:30 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 8, 4–5:30 p.m., 1595 Pleasant St. Read More

Ky-Mani Marley at The Fox Theatre: Friday, Dec. 6, 8 p.m., 1135 13th St. Read More

Lights of December Parade at Pearl Street Mall: Saturday, Dec. 7, 6–7:30 p.m., 1200 Pearl St. Read More

King Buffalo at The Fox Theatre: Saturday, Dec. 7, 8 p.m., 1135 13th St. Read More

📈 Eviction cases in Boulder County hit post-pandemic high

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Boulder County eviction filings hit post-pandemic high, driven by housing costs and rental assistance policies

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