Good Wednesday morning, Boulder. Today’s BRL Today is sponsored by MahlerFest. Get your tickets for the May 13 performance of The Who’s Tommy at the Boulder Theater, part of MahlerFest 39, exploring how artists from Bach to Pete Townshend turned personal crises into pivotal musical moments.
First: Wet snow tapers off this afternoon after causing slushy roads, downed branches and outages, with all BVSD schools closed today and a hard freeze tonight.
Leading today: After our reporting on months of canceled meetings that raised concerns about public input, Boulder County is now limiting comment at the Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee (POSAC) and the Historic Preservation Advisory Board to agenda items. The change aligns the boards with most others in the county. Officials say it helps focus feedback on decisions at hand, while some former and current members say it could limit a key avenue for raising concerns. Brooke Stephenson reports on what changed, why it happened and what it means for residents.
Also today, in Local History: We covered Mustard’s Last Stand this week, but before it, the site was home to Boulder’s early drive-in culture, from root beer stands to burger joints. Silvia Pettem looks back at what came before as demolition looms.
In BRL Opinion: Dr. Stuart Lord argues Boulder cannot treat recent Supreme Court rulings weakening voting rights as a distant issue.
And it may be snowing in May, but summer will be here before you know it. John Lehndorff in Nibbles this week (sign up for free!) takes you on a curated tour of Colorado’s best food and drink festivals. Many sell out, so it’s worth planning now.
More, Below the Fold:
- BoulderCAST: Freeze tonight, 60s by tomorrow.
- Fallen branches: What the city will remove, what you should.
- Pool hours: No cuts to early, late swim times.
- Tipped wages: Hearing set as council remains divided.
Thanks, as always, for reading,
– The BRL team
Get ready for The Who’s Tommy at the Boulder Theater! MahlerFest 39 explores how musicians from Bach to Beethoven to Pete Townshend transformed personal crises into turning points in music history. Tommy is presented alongside Haydn’s final symphony, two masterpieces from gifted, creative composers. The festival also features a performance of Mahler’s version of Beethoven’s famous Ninth Symphony, and closes with Elgar’s Cello Concerto and Mahler’s Ninth Symphony. More than Mahler, more than you expect.
Boulder County limits public comment at key advisory boards, narrowing input to agenda items
Residents can still raise broader concerns with county commissioners, who take general comment twice a month. Continue reading…
Before Mustard’s Last Stand, there was Bush’s Drive-In — a look at Boulder’s fading roadside past
Mustard’s Last Stand carries the legacy of Boulder’s earliest drive-ins, from Bush’s Drive-In to the Twinburger era. Continue reading…
Pearl Street attack suspect expected to plead guilty to murder and other charges
Court filings indicate the defendant intends to change his plea at a hearing this week in state court. Continue reading…
Wet snow ends this afternoon, plan for a hard freeze tonight
Our May snowstorm rolls on across Boulder and the broader Front Range today. Overnight brought heavy, wet snow, leaving many neighborhoods with slushy roads, downed branches, and some power outages. The worst snowfall rates are likely behind us, but snow will continue through the morning — occasionally heavy — before tapering this afternoon as the storm pulls away.
Roads will improve quickly through the morning, though early commuters may encounter some messy spots. Tree damage remains a concern through midday as additional wet falling snow clings to branches. Temperatures will only reach the mid‑30s, though that will be warm enough to melt a good chunk of today’s accumulation by sunset.
Skies will clear tonight as temperatures plunge into the low to mid‑20s under a Freeze Warning. Be sure to protect your plants, pipes, and hoses.
In true Boulder fashion, rapid warming will follow the snow, with 60s returning tomorrow and 70s by Friday.
This late-season snowstorm has left its mark, but in the process delivered more than 1 inch of moisture at a time we badly need it.
How to report and remove fallen tree limbs after the snowstorm
The City of Boulder is urging caution around damaged trees after the storm, as dry conditions have made branches more likely to snap under the weight of snow.
For limbs on public trees (along sidewalks and medians), the city’s forestry team will remove branches that are 10 inches in diameter or larger. Residents can report these through Inquire Boulder.
Smaller limbs can be composted or disposed of by residents.
On private property, cleanup is the homeowner’s responsibility. If a branch is affecting power or utility lines, contact the utility company. For help with removal, residents can hire a city-licensed arborist. More information on branch disposal is available through Western Disposal Services.
Correction: Boulder clarifies no changes to early and late pool hours this summer
In Monday’s newsletter, we reported that early morning and evening swim times might be reduced this summer. That information came from a memo prepared by City of Boulder Parks and Recreation staff.
The city has since clarified that the memo included language in error. While staff had considered reducing morning and evening hours at Spruce Pool due to low attendance and budget constraints, that change was not adopted.
Both Scott Carpenter and Spruce pools are expected to maintain their current operating hours through Aug. 11, when the school year begins.
City officials said no decisions have been made about potential adjustments later in the season, which could depend on attendance, revenue and weather. Boulder Parks and Recreation is encouraging residents to visit outdoor pools. A summer peak season pool pass is on sale through May 8.
Boulder City Council sets July hearing on tipped wage change
The City Council Agenda Committee this week scheduled a public hearing on possible changes to the city’s minimum wage policy for tipped workers for July 30. The committee includes Mayor Aaron Brockett, Mayor Pro Tem Tara Winer and Councilmember Ryan Schuchard.
In Colorado, tipped workers’ base wage can be lower than the standard minimum wage under a policy known as the tip offset. That gap is currently $3.02 per hour. The council is considering increasing the offset, which would allow employers to pay tipped workers a lower base wage, as long as tips bring their total pay up to the local minimum. The issue is among the most controversial facing the council and has divided members.
The hearing date itself prompted debate among councilmembers. Some pushed for a fall hearing to gather more economic data on the effects of the city’s minimum wage, which took effect in 2025. Others said CU Boulder students make up part of the city’s tipped workforce and wanted to ensure they were in town to participate.
Schuchard supported a later date when students would be back in school. Brockett and Winer said students could attend remotely.
Dr. Stuart C. Lord: Boulder cannot pretend the voting rights fight is happening elsewhere
A series of Supreme Court rulings has steadily eroded voting rights nationwide. Continue reading…
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