Good Friday morning, Boulder.
Leading today: Chautauqua is racing to winterize and upgrade its historic auditorium before Sundance arrives in Boulder next January, compressing what leaders say would normally be a three-year project into just 13 months. That accelerated timeline collided with Boulder’s permitting process this spring after the organization began construction work without required permits, prompting a stop-work order, fines and a nearly eight-week shutdown. The project is now permitted and back on schedule for the festival.
The episode has become an early example of a broader tension surrounding Sundance’s arrival in Boulder: the pressure institutions face to move quickly on major projects while navigating the city’s deliberate permitting, preservation and review processes. Brooke Stephenson reports.
Also today: Two Boulder residents have filed a proposed class action lawsuit challenging Boulder police’s network of 31 Flock Safety surveillance cameras, arguing the system unlawfully tracks and stores information about the movements of drivers, cyclists and pedestrians around the clock without a warrant. Stephenson reports.
Plus much more, Below the Fold:
- BoulderCAST: Stormy Friday, quieter weekend.
- Resource Central: Create a more resilient Colorado yard with discounted lawn removal (sponsored).
- CU South: Appeals court hears flood financing fight.
- Cash aid: Boulder County doubles payments for low-income families.
- Neighborhood art: Boulder opens $5K community grant applications.
- Beetles: Sort yards now taking infested wood.
Thanks, as always, for reading,
– The BRL team
My name is Edie Hooton, and I’m running for CU Regent because I believe CU is critical to Colorado’s future, and its success depends on steady leadership, strong community relationships, and serious fiscal oversight. As a former state legislator whose district included CU Boulder, I have experience working on budget and policy issues affecting the university and the experience from day one to protect CU from attacks on higher education, research, and public institutions.
Boulder’s Chautauqua raced to winterize its historic auditorium for Sundance. A stop-work order followed.
The Colorado Chautauqua Association performed construction work without required permits as it raced to prepare the historic auditorium for Sundance. After a stop-work order and thousands of dollars in fines, the project is now back on schedule. Continue reading…
Boulder residents sue police chief over alleged ‘mass surveillance’ by Flock cameras
The lawsuit challenges Boulder police’s use of automatic license plate reader cameras that track vehicle movements and store data for 30 days without a warrant. Continue reading…
An unsettled weekend, but not too bad overall
As we head into Friday, the big‑picture pattern stays largely the same as we’ve seen all week, with a weakening disturbance wobbling through the Rockies producing conditions in Boulder just unsettled enough to keep us on our toes.
Today brings our best storm potential of the next several days, thanks to a bump in moisture and instability. Today’s storms carry a small threat of damaging winds, though the greatest risk is north and east of Boulder. Cloud cover and limited shear should keep storms from organizing too much, but a few stronger cells could still pop.
Lows tonight cool into the mid-50s.
The weekend ahead looks somewhat decent. The main storm drifts into Wyoming Saturday and then Montana Sunday, leaving us with only isolated, mostly late‑day storms and plenty of dry hours. Storm chances sit around 10 to 20% through the weekend, with highs holding steady in the mid‑70s to low‑80s.
By Monday night, much of Boulder County could pick up .25 inches of rain, though the hit‑or‑miss nature of storms means some neighborhoods will see more and others very little.
Replace your lawn and save water (sponsored)
Ready to create a more waterwise yard? Resource Central’s Lawn Removal Service helps homeowners remove traditional grass to make way for a landscape better suited for Colorado’s climate. Participants may qualify for discounted lawn removal services to help reduce outdoor water use and build a more resilient outdoor space. City of Boulder residents may qualify for up to $750 in discounts, with additional eligibility available in nearby communities. See if you qualify and apply today.
Colorado appeals court weighs challenge to CU South flood project financing
The Colorado Court of Appeals this week heard oral arguments in a lawsuit challenging the financing of the South Boulder Creek flood mitigation project at CU South.
The lawsuit, brought by Save South Boulder in April 2025, alleges that Boulder’s stormwater utility fees require voter approval under the Taxpayer Bill of Rights. It also contests the Boulder City Council’s approval of an ordinance allowing the city to issue $66 million in bonds to help fund the project. The Boulder County District Court last year sided with the city and the plaintiffs appealed.
During the May 27 hearing, the three-judge panel questioned lawyers for both sides about the connection between the stormwater fee and the benefit to residents, the city’s role in billing and collecting fees through its stormwater enterprise, and broad language in a recent ordinance allowing fee revenue to be used for “any lawful purpose.” A decision is expected within the next few months. Read on BRL.
Boulder County doubles cash payments for low-income families with young children
Boulder County will double monthly payments for families enrolled in its Nurturing Futures cash assistance program, increasing support from $300 to $600 per household.
The program serves families earning less than 30% of the area median income with children younger than 4. Recipients can spend the money however they choose, including on rent, food, healthcare and childcare.
The pilot program launched in 2024. County survey results found the share of participating families worried about paying monthly bills dropped from 76% to 44% over two years.
Boulder County commissioners approved an extension of the program on May 26, backed by $4.2 million in interest earned from the county’s American Rescue Plan Act funds.
“The increase in costs for Boulder County families is stressful,” Commissioner Marta Loachamin said in a press release. “We hope to reduce the pressures by continuing to invest in the long-term health of our whole community.”
The expansion comes as many Boulder County families continue to struggle with childcare costs. The county’s Child Care Assistance Program has been frozen to new applicants since 2023.
Boulder opens neighborhood art grants offering up to $5,000 for community projects
The City of Boulder is now accepting applications for its Creative Neighborhoods Program, which provides up to $5,000 for community-based art projects in residential neighborhoods.
Applications opened early May 27 for six subcommunities: Palo Park, East Boulder, Southeast Boulder, Crossroads, University Hill and University. Applications for North Boulder, Central Boulder, South Boulder and Gunbarrel will open June 10.
Funding is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis within each community.
Projects can include murals, music performances and other public art initiatives, as long as they are publicly visible or accessible to the neighborhood. Applicants must also secure support from at least 75% of neighbors directly affected by the project. Applications will remain open until funding runs out.
County sort yards now accepting beetle-infested wood as outbreak worsens
Boulder County’s sort yards are now open for the season, with the Nederland and Meeker Park locations operating from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.
The yards will accept logs and chunk wood infected with mountain pine beetles through July 15, part of an effort to slow the spread of the destructive insects.
Officials expect mountain pine beetle activity to intensify across Boulder County this summer, raising concerns about forest health, wildfire risk and recreation impacts.
The Colorado State Forest Service recommends removing infested trees before beetles emerge and spread to healthy trees nearby. Trees already weakened by disease or other insects are especially vulnerable and should also be removed, officials said.
Dan West, an entomologist with the state forest service, also recommends pheromone packets designed to signal that a tree is already infested, helping deter beetles from attacking. Landowners seeking more information about pheromone treatments can contact the state Forest Health Team at CSFS_foresthealth@colostate.edu. More information for managing mountain pine beetles is available toward the end of the county’s sort yards page.
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