Good Friday morning, Boulder. And what a morning it is…
It’s official — and unless you were completely offline yesterday, you’ve likely heard the news: Boulder will host the Sundance Film Festival starting in 2027, and for at least a decade to come.
There are plenty of questions that will surface in the months and years ahead. And when the initial buzz fades, we’ll be here to cover the implications of this monumental decision — a major cultural and infrastructure shift that’s sure to ripple through our community.
It’s a big win, and city leaders are over the moon. They gathered at the Boulder Theater yesterday to celebrate. Here’s what we learned.
Also: It’s a great time to support Boulder’s truly local, nonprofit newsroom. We’re committed to covering this story — and everything that follows.
City council was off this week, so no meeting to report today.
And in local food news: A new burger joint with big ambitions and Boulder roots. The team behind Oak and Corrida has opened C Burger on Pearl Street, serving up regeneratively raised Colorado beef at fast-casual prices. It’s their first standalone location.
More Below the Fold:
- Federal cuts: Colorado loses $250M in health grants with no warning.
- Boulder hit-and-run: Cyclist injured, driver arrested hours later.
- Trail link: New underpass connects Boulder, Gunbarrel and Longmont paths.
- Prescribed burns: Today is the last day of a week of burns.
- Public lands push: Boulder leaders sign letter urging federal protections for Western public lands.
- Library card contest: Submit your artwork to help design Boulder’s next library card.
Plus: Celebrate Persian New Year at the Teahouse.
Have a wonderful weekend,
— The BRL team
Boulder lands Sundance Film Festival, promising economic boost and cultural spotlight
In its announcement, the Sundance Institute cited Boulder’s proximity to the Rocky Mountains, arts scene and welcoming environment as reasons for selecting the city as its next host. Continue reading…
C Burger opens in Boulder with premium Colorado beef at fast-casual prices
The team behind Boulder fine-dining spots Oak at Fourteenth and Corrida launches C Burger on Pearl Street, serving regeneratively raised Colorado beef in a casual, affordable setting. Continue reading…
A cooler, wetter weekend ahead
Today stays warm and mostly cloudy, with highs reaching the mid-70s — close to a record for this date. Rain moves in tonight and continues through Saturday, with temps dipping into the upper 50s. By Sunday, things get colder, with highs in the mid-40s and a chance of snow showers in the morning, especially as overnight lows fall to near freezing.
Colorado loses $250M in federal health funding after sudden cuts by Trump
The Trump administration has abruptly cut more than $250 million in federal health grants to Colorado, eliminating funding for 60 public and behavioral health programs, CPR reported. The money had supported crisis response teams, mental health and addiction services, and pandemic-era disease tracking systems.
State officials say they received no advance warning. The cuts are part of a nationwide rollback of more than $12 billion in grants originally authorized through Covid relief legislation. Colorado leaders say they are now scrambling to assess the impact and explore legal options.
Lawmakers, already contending with a $1.2 billion state budget shortfall, say there’s no clear way to backfill the loss. State budget writers were already considering cuts to a number of social programs. “There will be very real consequences to real people in Colorado,” said Rep. Emily Sirota.
It’s unclear how the cuts will affect Boulder and Boulder County, but the city released an analysis showing that at least $55 million in committed federal grants is at risk — much of it tied to Covid-era programs.
Natalie Springett, the commissioners’ deputy for Boulder County, told Boulder Reporting Lab they are working with the Office of Financial Management and Boulder County Public Health to determine which programs will be impacted by the resulting stop-work order from the state.
Driver arrested after hit-and-run that injured cyclist in Northeast Boulder
A cyclist was seriously injured Wednesday morning after a pickup driver struck him at the intersection of 63rd Street and Spine Road in Northeast Boulder. The driver fled the scene, but Boulder Police identified and arrested him within hours.
The cyclist, an adult man, was eastbound on Spine with a green light when he was hit by a northbound Ford F150 just before 11 a.m., police said. He was transported to the hospital with serious injuries.
The driver, 46-year-old Dustin Kelsey of Parker, was booked into jail on multiple charges, including felony hit-and-run, careless driving causing injury and running a red light.
Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact Crash Investigations Specialist Joe Fischer at (303) 503-0406 or FischerJ@bouldercolorado.gov (Case 25-02724).
Prescribed burns continue in Boulder County
Fire crews are expected to carry out more prescribed burns today across Boulder County, following several earlier this week. The operations are intended to clear vegetation, control weeds, improve water delivery in agricultural areas and help prevent wildfires from spreading.
Burn sites include fields and irrigation ditches near Longmont, Erie and Lafayette. All activity is weather-dependent and closely monitored.
Josephine Roche, near Arapahoe Road and 119th Street, and Faul and Kragh Ditch, along 115th Street between Vermillion Road and Wasatch Road, are still listed as scheduled through today. Check for updates and the full list of burn areas.
Boulder leaders join call to protect public lands
Boulder County commissioners and Boulder city officials are joining more than 300 local leaders across the West in urging the Trump Administration and Congress to protect and fully fund public lands.
In a letter organized by the Mountain Pact, the group calls on federal leaders to oppose selling off public lands, rolling back protections for national monuments or changing the Antiquities Act — all of which would harm local economies, public health and the climate.
“Mountain communities depend on healthy and accessible public lands to survive,” the letter states.
Boulder signers include Mayor Aaron Brockett, Mayor Pro Tem Lauren Folkerts, Councilmember Taishya Adams and former Mayor Suzanne Jones, along with County Commissioners Ashley Stolzmann and Marta Loachamin and former commissioner Elise Jones.
The letter also highlights how public lands support clean water, outdoor recreation and jobs in places like Boulder County.
New underpass closes key trail gap in Boulder County’s LoBo system
A long-planned underpass beneath the BNSF Railway is now complete and open, connecting the Fourmile Canyon Creek Path to the Cottonwood and LoBo trails. The new link creates a safer, uninterrupted route for pedestrians and cyclists traveling between Boulder, Gunbarrel and Longmont.
The project eliminates a hazardous at-grade rail crossing near Spine Road and completes a critical segment of the regional LoBo Trail system. BNSF finished its portion of the work last year, and Boulder County recently wrapped up construction of the underpass, trail connection and landscaping.
A public ribbon-cutting is expected later this summer.
Celebrate Persian New Year at the Teahouse next weekend
Ring in the Persian New Year with Boulder Dushanbe Sister Cities and the Colorado Tajik community on Sunday, April 6, from 1-4 p.m. at the Dushanbe Teahouse Plaza (1730 13th St). This free Navruz celebration will feature traditional food, music, dance, poetry, art and fashion. Everyone’s invited.
Reminder: Help design Boulder’s next library card by March 31
The Boulder Public Library District is inviting residents to submit original artwork for its new library cards. Entries are due this month and can be submitted at any library location or online.
Adults and teens (15+) will have two winners chosen by public vote the week of April 7. For kids under 15, library staff will select one winner from each of three age groups: under 5, ages 6-9, and 10-14.
Art can include digital work, photography, or fine art like drawings and watercolors. Size: 6.75 x 4.25 inches. Questions? Contact Tim McClelland at mcclellandt@boulderlibrary.org.
☀️ Explore 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 our Monday to-do list, make sure to submit it to our events calendar.