Good Friday morning, Boulder.
Leading today’s edition: Boulder may allow renters to sublet their homes during the 2027 Sundance Film Festival as the city prepares for tens of thousands of expected visitors. The proposed ordinance would let tenants, with landlord permission, rent out the homes they lease during the 11-day event, expanding a festival lodging program that currently only applies to property owners. Supporters say the change could unlock hundreds of additional units without forcing landlords to remove long-term rentals from the market. John Herrick reports.
Also today: In many Boulder County races, the real decision may come before voters weigh in. With most local contests uncontested, Democratic Party delegates will decide who advances to the June primary at a March 14 assembly. A handful of races, including the Boulder County treasurer race and two state House seats, are competitive. Brooke Stephenson reports.
Plus more, Below the Fold:
- BoulderCAST: Snowy Friday; minor grassy accumulation.
- Sundance hub: Chamber launches business matchmaking site.
- Metro districts: Financing tool proposed for Pearl Arts District.
- Heil Fire: 7.6 acres burn near Heil Valley Ranch.
- Bluebell Fire: Cause still undetermined.
Thanks, as always, for reading,
– The BRL team
Boulder considers letting renters sublease homes during the Sundance Film Festival
The proposal would allow tenants, with landlord permission, to rent out the homes they lease during the January 2027 festival to help accommodate the tens of thousands of expected visitors. Continue reading…
Most Boulder County races are already decided. A few will be settled by Democratic delegates this month.
County treasurer and state House seats for Longmont and the area between Longmont and Lafayette are the only locally contested races. Key decisions will be made at party caucuses and assemblies in March, before voters weigh in. Continue reading…
A snowy Friday with minor grassy accumulations and wet roads
A quick burst of winter greets Boulder today as a chilly storm settles in. Snow will continue for much of the day, occasionally moderate, before tapering off later this afternoon or evening. Temperatures will hold in the low to mid‑30s, cold enough for steady flakes but warm enough to keep most roads just wet, with a few slushy spots. Accumulation will favor grassy and elevated surfaces, with totals varying sharply across the city: Northeast Boulder and Gunbarrel may see little accumulation due to slightly warmer air, while the western fringes of town could pick up a couple of inches. Up to a foot of snow may blanket the higher Foothills, including Eldora.
The storm pulls away late tonight with clearing skies and temperatures falling to near 20 degrees, an abrupt jolt for our trees which are already budding weeks ahead of schedule.
Sunshine returns Saturday with highs in the low 50s, quickly melting whatever snow sticks. Sunday brings a full spring rebound with mostly sunny skies and temperatures soaring into the 60s.
It’s refreshing to finally see snowflakes again, even if they aren’t sticking around for long.
Boulder Chamber launches ‘Sundance partner hub’ for businesses
In John Herrick’s story today on a proposed ordinance to change rental rules for Sundance housing, he also reports on a new effort aimed at helping local businesses benefit from the festival.
The Boulder Chamber has launched a “Sundance partner hub,” an online matchmaking platform where businesses can list spaces available for short-term leasing by festival sponsors, film teams and event producers during the event.
In Park City, similar arrangements reportedly generated tens of thousands of dollars for local businesses.
Some Boulder businesses may face permitting hurdles depending on how their space is classified. City officials say businesses hosting large catered events may need a special-use permit, though the city is working on an “easy button” to streamline approvals for certain spaces.
Boulder City Council allows concept plan for Pearl Arts District to proceed
A proposed mixed-use development in East Boulder that includes a 2,500-seat performing arts venue, 500 housing units and a hotel will proceed through the city review process without a city council public hearing for now, after councilmembers declined to call up the project’s concept plan.
Conscience Bay Company, a Boulder-based developer, has pitched the “Pearl Arts District” at the corner of Pearl Parkway and Foothills Parkway. The project also includes more than 55,000 square feet for arts and cultural uses and 30,000 square feet of ground-floor retail and restaurant space. A call-up would have required a public hearing before the council at this stage.
The project’s finances hinge on a public-private partnership that would allow the developer to secure lower-cost debt paid back through property taxes.
The proposal comes as Boulder prepares to host Sundance. The project team has said the venue is intended to serve as a film screening and event space during the festival.
Boulder explores metro districts, a key tool for the Pearl Arts District
Boulder is considering allowing metropolitan districts, a financing tool widely used elsewhere in Colorado but not currently used in the city, as part of its efforts to address long-term financial pressures.
Under draft ordinances released this week, property owners could propose districts that finance infrastructure such as roads, water lines and sewer systems through bonds repaid by property taxes within the district itself, rather than by the broader public. The city would set limits on debt and taxation through a required service plan.
The idea is gaining attention as Boulder reviews financing options for large projects. The proposed Pearl Arts District in East Boulder (above) relies in part on creating such a district. It is the only publicly known project in Boulder currently proposing one.
Public feedback on the proposal is open through March 16, with city council tentatively set to consider the ordinance in April.
Heil Fire burns 7.6 acres in Heil Valley Ranch before containment
A vegetation fire near Heil Valley Ranch north of Boulder burned about 7.6 acres in the 2020 CalWood Fire burn scar before being reported 100% contained around 8 p.m. Wednesday, according to officials.
The blaze, known as the Heil Fire, ignited near Geer Canyon Drive, prompting park rangers to close the park and clear visitors from trailheads and parking areas. Fire crews made strong progress with helicopter water drops, and officials said no structures were ever threatened. Multiple agencies responded to the fire in steep terrain with heavy downed timber. No information about the cause has been released.
Cause of Feb. 28 Bluebell Fire remains undetermined
City of Boulder officials said this week that the cause of the Bluebell Fire near Chautauqua remains undetermined, though investigators have ruled out powerlines, weather and foul play. The city’s Open Space and Mountain Parks department is leading the investigation.
The fire broke out Feb. 28 and burned about 1.5 acres before being contained later that evening. More than 100 firefighters responded, along with state helicopters carrying water. No injuries were reported and no structures were damaged.
The fire came after weeks of unusually warm, dry conditions along the Front Range. Boulder has experienced one of its warmest winters on record, with far fewer snowstorms than normal and multiple days reaching the 60s and even near 70 degrees. Seasonal snowfall in Boulder sits at about 46% of normal, and Colorado’s statewide snowpack is around 61% of average, according to BoulderCAST.
Those conditions are raising concerns among forecasters about an earlier and potentially more intense wildfire season if the pattern continues into spring.
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