It’s Friday, May 26, 2023.
Ah, the day before a long weekend, when we all pretend to work for a few hours and still cut off early. Here’s the news.
For today, Jessica Mordacq covers a new facility that will hopefully satisfy the desires of Boulderites who have caught the pickleball bug. A cross between tennis, badminton and ping pong, pickleball has exploded in popularity over the last half decade. Scott Fliegelman, a former professional tennis player and now professional pickleballer, founded Boulder Pickleball with his wife, Kari Holden Fliegelman. Now they’ve opened a 19,000-square-foot facility that includes five full courts and a few singles and practice courts.
Also for today, there is yet another code of conduct complaint involving the Police Oversight Panel. In a developing story, Boulder Police reported early this morning that officers shot and killed a man after responding to a report of domestic violence. And last night, meanwhile, city council gave initial approval for a proposal to revise the city’s benefits program to allow seasonal and part-time city workers to take paid time off for family and medical emergencies.
Finally, Monday is Memorial Day, which means it’s time for the BOLDERBoulder. If you’re running or walking, I hope you feel fast and supple. If you’re not participating, I still hope you feel fast and supple.
Have a great weekend. I’ll see you back here on Wednesday: the final day of May.
— Tim, reporter
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Featured stories
Boulder eyes paid leave program for seasonal and part-time workers
The paid leave proposal comes after the city council opted out of the state’s paid family leave program, which would have provided 12 weeks of paid time off to all employees. Continue reading…
Boulder’s first dedicated pickleball facility opens to meet surging local demand
Even with 19,000 square feet and seven coaches, Boulder Pickleball — whose official launch event is on June 1 — has a waitlist for lessons. Continue reading…
Boulder Reporting Lab is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization that empowers our community through non-partisan, locally focused journalism that informs and connects.
In other news
A lovely weekend, hopefully smoke-free
Wednesday’s thunderstorm seemed to push away the smoke that grossly overstayed its welcome. Should lady luck be on our side, the smoke will stay away. With weather in the 70s and afternoon thunderstorms coming daily, things should stay green and gorgeous for some time.
Boulder Police reports officers shot and killed a man
The information was released in a tweet by the Boulder Police Department around 2:00 a.m. on Friday morning. “The Boulder Police Department is currently investigating an officer-involved shooting in the 1700 block of Baseline. One adult male is dead at the scene. No officers are injured,” the department wrote.
The department said officers were called to a home for a report of domestic violence late Thursday night, and they were on scene when the suspected man arrived. “There was a confrontation and the man pulled out a gun. Two officers fired their weapons,” it said.
“The Boulder County Investigation Team (BCIT) has been requested to respond and investigate,” the department wrote. This is a developing story.
Yet another code of conduct complaint filed
Max Weller, a Boulder resident, has filed a code of conduct complaint against eight members of the Police Oversight Panel after the panel suspended part of its work to instead focus on reforming the 2020 ordinance that created the panel. (Read more about the panel’s decision here.)
The complaint, filed on May 22, alleges that panelists are “staging a ‘strike’ against the citizens of Boulder they are obligated to serve.” In a previous email to city officials, Weller said the Police Oversight Panel is being influenced by “progressive advocates with an inherent anti-law enforcement bias.”
Weller’s complaint against the panel is the 11th conduct complaint filed this year, as some residents have started using the legal process to voice a wide range of grievances. According to city records, that is more code of conduct complaints filed in the past five months than in all of the last decade combined. Read more about the latest complaint on BRL.
City Police Monitor application closes May 30
The job includes monitoring investigations into complaints of alleged officer misconduct and working with the aforementioned Police Oversight Panel on recommendations for disciplinary action and policy reforms. In February, the city reopened the application after determining that three publicly announced finalists lacked the skills and experience required for the job. It pays about $109,000 to $133,000. People can apply here.
Conversation with Boulder’s reps and mayor
Next Saturday, June 3, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 pm at the Meadows Branch Library, Representatives Judy Amabile and Junie Joseph, along with Mayor Aaron Brockett, will chat about their recent legislative session, future goals and the state of the City of Boulder with members of the community. Utility rates and housing are slated for possible discussion amidst provided snacks.
Memorial Day closures and the BOLDERBoulder
City of Boulder administrative facilities, public libraries, and Age Well Centers will be closed on Monday, May 29, in observance of Memorial Day. Some facilities and services will remain open: North Boulder Recreation Center, Scott Carpenter Pool, Boulder Reservoir, Flatirons Golf Course and Open Space and Mountain Parks trails.
Thanks to the holiday, parking will be free on city streets and in city-owned lots and downtown garages, except for Chautauqua Park. Anticipate traffic and road closures during the BOLDERBoulder. Course map here. (Next up for summer races: Ironman, and then The Pearl Street Mile.)
Boulder County government offices, including the 20th Judicial District Court and the District Attorney’s Office, will also be closed Monday. Public safety and road maintenance operations, however, will continue as usual.
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ICYMI
City of Boulder starts talks with neighbors over proposed homeless services center location. The drop-in day center seeks to fill a gap in homelessness services. City officials reviewed more than a dozen locations before selecting Folsom Street as the preferred location for the site.
Boulder’s $40 million flood project is a possible preview of dozens more battles to come. As the city moves into the design phase for the Upper Goose Creek and Two Mile Creek flood plan, it has to negotiate with homeowners who feel communication has been inadequate. What has transpired might be an indication of what’s to come as the city seeks to make Boulder more flood resilient.
Boulder County considers timed-entry system at Hessie Trailhead, following national park reservation trend. For the first time, Boulder County is looking at using a reservation system to manage congestion from exponential growth in visitation to the popular trailhead.