Good Friday morning, Boulder. Today’s BRL Today is sponsored by All Roads — help Boulder’s unhoused residents find shelter, support and a path home by supporting the organization this holiday season.
Leading today’s edition: A Boulder developer has unveiled early plans for a major new project in East Boulder: a 2,500-seat performing arts venue, 500 homes, a hotel and new cultural space on the Sanitas Brewing site. The proposal arrives as the city prepares to host Sundance in 2027 and would rely on a new public-private financing district that needs city council approval. John Herrick breaks down what’s being proposed, what it could mean for the neighborhood and what comes next.
Also today: A reminder that BRL’s 2025 Holiday Giving Guide is live, with dozens of specific ways to support Boulder County nonprofits — from food and housing assistance to arts, equity and environmental groups. The guide is based on a survey of local organizations. You can still be added. Fill out this quick survey, or reach out to por@boulderreportinglab.org.
And lastly, we’re publishing a Spanish translation of our story on San Lazaro’s long-running water issues and the community effort to improve Cline Pond using solar aerators, biochar and beneficial bacteria.
Plus more, Below the Fold:
- BoulderCAST: Boulder stays mostly dry after midweek storm.
- Council reset: Members sworn in; Winer named mayor pro tem.
- Caregiver cuts: County ends program amid budget gap.
- Owl boost: Burrowing owls log best season since 2019.
- Clean energy aid: County launches 2026 business rebates.
- Holiday market: Superior bazaar returns Dec. 6.
- Toy drive: City opens holiday gift drive for youth.
Thanks, as always, for reading,
– The BRL team
Help Boulder’s homeless find shelter, food, warmth, treatment and most importantly a home, by supporting All Roads generously this season. We rely on private gifts now more than ever, and we know how to find the way home even for our most challenging clients. Every $5,000 donated means another chronically homeless adult can spend the holidays – and the rest of the year – under a roof instead of on the street.
Plans emerge for major East Boulder project: performing arts venue, housing and hotel
Conscience Bay Company has proposed a 2,500-seat venue, 500 new homes and a hotel as part of the four-block “Pearl Arts District.” Continue reading…
Where to give in 2025: Boulder Reporting Lab’s holiday guide to local nonprofits, volunteering and community support
From food assistance to housing, seniors, arts and environmental causes, here are dozens of ways to support Boulder County nonprofits. Continue reading…
Feet of mountain snow to the west, but largely dry in Boulder
After 9 inches of midweek snow, calmer weather settles into Boulder to end the week. Expect partly sunny skies with highs around 40 degrees today.
The main weather story unfolds in the High Country the next several days. A series of Pacific moisture pulses will bring heavy snow to the northern and central mountains beginning today and intensifying Saturday. Strong northwest flow sets up classic orographic lift, with 1-2 feet of accumulation likely along and north of I-70 by Saturday night, and locally higher totals near Steamboat. Gusty winds will combine with snowfall to create hazardous travel at times, with road closures possible. This will be a great shot of life to Colorado’s ski resorts which barely have enough snow to be open right now.
Here in Boulder, we’ll stay largely dry with downslope flow, though we could see a couple spotty rain/snow showers tonight and tomorrow. Highs this weekend will be in the 40s with lows in the middle 20s. Saturday will also feature some gusty winds, which could create blowing snow issues in favored spots like Highway 93 between Boulder and Golden.
New Boulder City Council seated; Tara Winer named Mayor Pro Tem
A new Boulder City Council was sworn in last night following a city election in which Rob Kaplan, a former captain with Boulder Rural Fire-Rescue, unseated incumbent former Mayor Pro Tem Lauren Folkerts, who had served on the council since 2021.
Folkerts helped pass new land-use rules aimed at making housing more affordable and led the effort to enact a city minimum wage.The 2025 city council race was widely viewed as a referendum on Boulder’s progressive majority, and the results suggest voters remain divided.
The nine-member city council now includes Mayor Aaron Brockett, Taishya Adams, Matt Benjamin, Kaplan, Tina Marquis, Ryan Schuchard, Nicole Speer, Mark Wallach and Tara Winer.
Councilmembers also selected Tara Winer, who was first elected in 2021, to serve as mayor pro tem. The mayor pro tem presides over meetings when the mayor is absent and acts as another representative for the city.
“I am eager to take part in the discussion and contribute to the continued success of our community,” she wrote in an email to her colleagues ahead of Thursday’s meeting. Read on BRL.
County ends Caregiver Initiative program amid budget cuts
Boulder County Area Agency on Aging’s Caregiver Initiative Program will be discontinued as of Dec. 15, 2025, citing impacts from budget cuts. The program offers assistance, advice and support groups for caregivers across the county on topics including in-home support, legal help, training and emergency planning. The Caregiving Corner of the Aging Well in Boulder newsletter and the Dealing with Dementia class will also end. The BCAAA will continue to offer one-on-one conversations with caregivers.
“It has been a pleasure working with caregivers in our community over the years. You do important work; and wherever you are on this path, please remember that you are doing something profoundly meaningful,” Rebekah van Sweden, lead caregiver program resource specialist, said in a news release.
The county is facing a $13 million budget shortfall as expenses continue to outpace property tax revenue, leading to the elimination of 90 positions, about a third of them filled.
City’s efforts to protect burrowing owls yields successful breeding season
Every year, the City of Boulder closes certain areas — including the Cosslett/Knaus, Jafay/Lynch properties and part of Boulder Reservoir — from March through October to protect burrowing owls. These owls make their nests in prairie dog burrows and can abandon nest sites if they sense human activity, such as recreation and cars. Due to habitat loss, burrowing owls are listed as threatened in Colorado.
City of Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks announced that the owls had a particularly successful breeding season this year, with seven pairs raising 21 fledglings on city open space, the highest number since 2019.
Since burrowing owls use prairie dog burrows to nest, the city says it watches prairie dog removals closely to keep populations in balance. Leash rules, nest buffers and habitat preserves also help give the owls safe spots to raise their young.
County rolls out 2026 grants to help businesses cut energy costs
Boulder County’s Partners for a Clean Environment (PACE) has announced its 2026 grant and rebate programs for commercial and institutional organizations. A new energy efficiency rebate for businesses of all sizes will be available starting Jan. 1 to help cover the cost of HVAC upgrades, building electrification, hot water systems and other improvements.
Several grants are directed specifically to small businesses. These include a restaurant equipment grant to help replace older appliances with modern, energy-efficient refrigeration and electric cooking equipment; a food truck electrification grant; and a landscaping equipment grant to support the transition from gas-powered tools to electric alternatives.
Standard rebates are capped at $40,000 per building and $80,000 per owner. An equity-priority rebate — intended for buildings that house businesses serving communities most vulnerable to climate impacts — increases those limits to $80,000 per building and $160,000 per owner. PACE rebates are funded by Boulder County’s sustainability tax, the City of Boulder’s climate tax and the City of Louisville.
Superior’s 5th Annual Holiday Bazaar returns Dec. 6
Superior’s Khandbari Sister City Project is hosting its 5th Annual Superior Bazaar on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Superior Community Center.
The event will feature more than 60 local vendors selling handmade gifts, jewelry, crafts and food, along with holiday decorations, family-friendly activities and photos with the event’s resident Yeti. A portion of sales will support the Superior Khandbari Sister City Project, which promotes cultural exchange, education and community partnerships between Superior and Khandbari, Nepal.
The bazaar takes place at 1500 Coalton Road. For more information, contact Michelle Batey at 303-356-2174 or Liz Oster at 303-931-7769.
Give a toy to a Boulder youth for the holidays
The City of Boulder’s Youth Services Initiative’s Holiday Toy Drive is now open. To participate, stop by any rec center and pick up a snowflake, each with a gift wish from an initiative participant. Gifts must be dropped off at the same rec center’s donation box by Wednesday, Dec. 17. The Youth Services Initiative provides recreational and educational opportunities for 150 youth from low-income families.
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