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.
Leading today’s edition: Boulder City Council last night approved a 427-unit student housing project at the Dark Horse site, clearing the way for a major redevelopment of the strip mall and parking lot near Williams Village. The plan adds new commercial space and a potential grocery site, while raising questions about the future of the Dark Horse. John Herrick reports.
Also today: 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: Brooke Stephenson spent yesterday morning watching the Boulder County commissioners’ hearing on minimum wage. Commissioners voted 2-1 to pause upcoming minimum wage increases, under pressure from Niwot business owners and local farmers who warned they could be priced out of the county. Workers and advocates urged commissioners to stick with the original wage schedule, arguing the county’s minimum wage already falls well below the local living wage. Stephenson also reports on Colorado FriendShip being forced to leave the courthouse lot downtown after 27 years of serving weekly meals, as Boulder County apparently begins enforcing a permitting requirement.
Lastly: It’s finally getting cold — perfect timing for some indoor golf. McKenzie Watson-Fore checks out Birdie Factory, Boulder’s first indoor golf bar and part of a growing Front Range trend blending sports, data-driven simulators and cocktails under one roof.
Plus much more, Below the Fold:
- BoulderCAST: Gray, chilly Friday; sunny Saturday; light rain/snow possible Sunday.
- Farewell Folkerts: Outgoing councilmember honored at final meeting.
- 19th Street: Two-way traffic returns to N. 19th; work continues.
- County grants: County awards $6.3M to nonprofits and housing.
- Tribal Nations: Boulder gets $215K for Indigenous heritage research.
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.
Boulder City Council approves student housing project that will replace the Dark Horse
The infill plan replaces what is largely a strip mall and parking lot with 427 housing units and new commercial space. Continue reading…
Boulder County walks back minimum wage increases, will soon be outpaced by City of Boulder
Boulder County had one of the most ambitious minimum wage schedules in the state, but walked it back after hearing from farmers and business owners who said the wages were unsustainable. Continue reading…
Boulder County orders 27-year-old homeless meal program to leave Justice Center lot over permitting issue
Colorado FriendShip says it was blindsided by the enforcement decision, leaving dozens without their weekly hot meal as the group searches for a new location. 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…
Birdie Factory brings Boulder its first indoor golf bar and simulator lounge
With five simulator bays, a full bar and games beyond golf, the new hangout aims to be Boulder’s next social hotspot. Continue reading…
A gloomy Friday, much nicer Saturday
Friday’s shaping up to be a gray and chilly one around Boulder. Clouds hang on, highs only reach the 40s, and there could be a few leftover showers early before things dry out.
Saturday looks much better. Sunshine breaks through and temps climb into the upper 50s. A nice window to get outside before the next system arrives.
By Sunday, another weak storm slides in. Down here, we’re expecting just a chance for light rain, but above about 7,000 feet, some snow may fall. The timing isn’t nailed down yet, but Sunday afternoon into Sunday night is the best bet for a couple showers.
Frost and/or light freezes will be possible nightly, but still no snow.
Looking past the weekend, colder northwest flow takes over across Colorado. That pattern could deliver a couple rounds of light snow to the Mountains, and maybe even Boulder. Details are still fuzzy, but one thing’s clear: colder weather is set to stick around through Thanksgiving and beyond. Goodbye endless unseasonable warmth.
Councilmember Lauren Folkerts honored at her final council meeting
Mayor Pro Tem Lauren Folkerts, the youngest member of Boulder City Council, was honored by council and community members at her final council meeting on Nov. 20. Councilmembers shared personal stories and gratitude for Folkerts’ four years on council. Following a declaration recognizing her tenure, Folkerts received a standing ovation from the room.
Folkerts ran for reelection this year after serving one term, and lost her seat to Rob Kaplan.
Before being elected to council, Folkerts, an architect, served on the city’s Design Advisory Board. During her council tenure, she worked closely with city staff on major projects, including the East Boulder Subcommunity Plan and plans for Boulder Junction. Colleagues credited her technical expertise with shaping conversations over affordable housing, land-use barriers and climate-focused building standards. Read more on BRL.
North 19th Street finally reopens both lanes; construction continues into 2026
North 19th Street is officially open to two-way traffic again. The northbound lane between Sumac and Upland avenues closed in early 2024 for construction, forcing detours for all northbound vehicles, including RTD’s 204 bus route. However, RTD told Boulder Reporting Lab that the stops won’t reopen for several weeks while finishing touches, including ADA compliance work, are completed. Service is expected to be restored by Jan. 4, 2026.
While work continues on North 19th Street and occasional lane impacts may still occur, two-way travel should remain in place for the rest of the construction period, Senior Transportation Manager John McFarlane told Boulder Reporting Lab. All construction and landscaping are scheduled to wrap up in spring 2026.
Two major projects are underway in the area. The Fourmile Canyon Creek Underpass Project is building a new bike-and-pedestrian underpass connecting Tamarack and Upland avenues, widening the 19th Street bridge over Fourmile Canyon Creek, upgrading bike lanes and adding a new sidewalk. The 19th Street Multimodal Improvements Project between Norwood and Sumac includes new sidewalks, gap closures, speed cushions and upgraded transit stops.
Boulder County awards $6.3M to nonprofits and housing projects
Boulder County has awarded $6.3 million to dozens of nonprofits and housing partners through the Human Services Fund and the Worthy Cause program, supporting food access, affordable housing and other community services. Recipients include Coal Creek Meals on Wheels, Colorado Legal Services, Harvest of Hope Pantry, Rise Against Suicide, Boulder Housing Partners, Boulder Valley Women’s Health Center, TEENS, Inc. and others.
The Human Services Fund provides operational support to nonprofits offering basic-needs services. The Worthy Cause program is a 15-year initiative funded by a voter-approved 0.05% sales and use tax that supports capital projects for local human services organizations.
New $215K grant will expand Boulder’s work with Tribal Nations
The Colorado State Historical Fund has awarded Boulder a $215,000 grant, to be disbursed between 2026 and 2028, to continue field interviews and research in collaboration with Boulder Valley’s Tribal Nations. The funding will expand ongoing work to produce ethnographic and educational reports documenting tribal history in Boulder County.
Living Heritage Anthropology, which leads the effort, has already visited five tribes, with reports expected to be publicly available in early 2026. The additional grant funding will support more site visits and deeper collaboration with additional tribes connected to the region.
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