Welcome to the (almost) weekend, everyone. We’ve got your must-read news roundup to kick off the first of several perfect weeks for Aspen viewing.
Boulder’s affordable housing crisis is well-known, but can it be quantified — and how might it be solved? The Denver Regional Council of Governments has taken a closer look, releasing a study that aims to quantify the housing shortage, John Herrick reports. The findings are significant: Boulder will need 10,700 new housing units by 2032 to meet growing demand and prevent rent and home prices from rising even further out of reach, it estimates, especially for essential workers who struggle to afford living in the city.
While this estimate isn’t a policy solution and may spark debate, it highlights the housing gap. Other Front Range cities also received projections, but Boulder stands out. According to the study, more than 60% of Boulder renters are cost-burdened — the highest rate in the region.
In other news, the Boulder City Council has allowed the Iris Avenue redesign to move forward to the final phase. Both sides have rested in the King Soopers trial, with closing arguments and jury deliberation next. We also have updates on the Ash House evictions (many have moved back, at least for the week) and the latest homelessness numbers from the city’s recent point-in-time count.
Until Monday. Thanks for reading.
— Brooke, reporter
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Featured stories
10,700 new homes: Study highlights Boulder’s housing shortage
The city needs to dramatically increase the number of new housing units by 2032, according to a new estimate by a regional government planning agency, with most needing to be affordable for low-income residents. Continue reading…
In other news
Brace for cooler temps as summer fades
Enjoy these last moments of summer, because she’s packing up her sunscreen and flip-flops. Today’s forecast brings sun with mid-80s, but by Saturday, things start to change. Expect possible rain and thunderstorms as temps drop to a fall-like high 60s. By Sunday, it’s basically sweater weather, with highs in the 50s and Mother Nature reminding you that summer is on its way out.
Boulder City Council greenlights Iris Avenue safety redesign
Last night, the Boulder City Council opted not to call up a proposed redesign for Iris Avenue, allowing the street safety project to move forward to the final design and construction phase.
The estimated $5 million plan would reduce Iris Avenue from four lanes to three, including a center turning lane. It also adds a 10-foot-wide, two-way bike lane on the north side of the street from Folsom to Broadway, separated from traffic by a vertical barrier, such as a tall concrete curb.
The project is part of a broader effort to make city streets safer for cyclists, pedestrians and other vulnerable road users. Transportation advocates have long supported adding a protected bike lane on Iris, where currently only a painted line separates cyclists from vehicles. The council has prioritized making the city’s core arterial network — the busiest streets where most crashes occur — safer for non-vehicle travelers. Read more on BRL.
King Soopers trial: Prosecution and defense rest, closing arguments today
Both sides have finished presenting their cases in the murder trial of Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa. As expected, Alissa chose not to testify. The defense argues he was insane when he shot and killed 10 people, while the prosecution insists he was sane, leaving the jury to decide. This week, the defense focused on Alissa’s fear of being followed by the FBI and possible delusions tied to schizophrenia. A psychologist, however, testified that his mental illness worsened over time, backing the prosecution’s claim that his family exaggerated how sick he was before the shooting. Closing statements are today, Sept. 20, with jury deliberations to follow. From Jenna Sampson’s latest dispatch from Boulder County District Court:
A natural question for jurors, in evaluating the extent of Alissa’s mental illness on the day of the shooting, is: Why didn’t the family do anything? Didn’t a household of nearly 10 people notice one of their family members deteriorating? And if they didn’t address it, was it really severe enough to justify an insanity defense? Read in full on BRL.
Legal battle heats up over Ash House evictions as students return
For those of you who have been following our coverage of what’s been happening at the Ash apartment complex on University Hill — and in Boulder County District Court — things have unfolded quickly. Here’s the TL;DR version to catch you up:
On Monday afternoon, Boulder Reporting Lab learned the city had shut down the Ash House student apartment complex, giving roughly 60 students hours to pack up and leave. The city cited safety concerns after the owner, 891 12th St LLC, added 15 bedrooms without permits. We visited the scene, where students were scrambling to move. Some ended up in hotels, while others crashed on friends’ couches.
The next day, 891 12th St LLC filed a civil complaint in Boulder County District Court, accusing the city of acting without proof of immediate danger and violating due process. A judge issued a temporary restraining order, halting the city’s eviction notices. The owner told students they could return to the apartments. We spoke to students moving back in, one of whom showed us a text from the owner claiming the apartments were safe. The injunction was set to expire on Oct. 1, with the assumption students could stay until then. Meanwhile, the City of Boulder filed a motion to lift the order and close Ash House again.
During the city council meeting last night, City Manager Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde defended the city’s decision to issue the abrupt closure notice. She said some safety concerns involved the fire suppression and alarm systems, electrical wiring and fire egress.
“As an organization, we are committed to protecting the life-safety of these students and holding the property owners accountable for the apparent violations,” Rivera-Vandermyde said. “Please know that we are looking at all possible options that include civil penalties, revocation of license and other possible charges.”
There’s a hearing set for today. Stay tuned.
AAPI coalition condemns Boulder hate crime
A coalition of more than two-dozen Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community organizations and leaders issued a joint statement on Thursday condemning the assault that occurred on University Hill on Sept. 6. Councilmember Tara Winer was physically assaulted by a man shouting racial slurs at a group of Asian youth who were performing at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Nana’s Dim Sum & Dumplings.
“We want to express our gratitude to Boulder City Councilmember Tara Winer for putting herself in harm’s way to stand with our community,” the statement read. “We also want to thank Boulder Chamber Ambassador Matt Jensen and the other people who quickly intervened and subdued the perpetrator before he could gravely injure Councilmember Winer.” The man accused of attacking Winer has been charged with multiple offenses, including hate crimes.
Boulder releases results from summer homelessness count
This month, we published a story on the annual point-in-time count conducted by the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative, a manual count of homeless people on a specific day in January across the region. The report included an aggregate number for all of Boulder County. Last year, the city began conducting its own count to track seasonal trends. In its second summer count, completed this July, 122 people were identified as experiencing unsheltered homelessness, compared to 103 in January — a discrepancy likely due in part to weather.
Of the 122 people, 79 participated in a survey, revealing that 36% first became homeless in Boulder, 68% reported chronic homelessness and 57% were living with a disabling condition. Kurt Firnhaber, director of Housing and Human Services, noted the decrease in unsheltered homeless people compared to last July but emphasized that homelessness remains a significant concern. Full findings are here.
Suspicious death under investigation in Boulder County
A body was discovered near the 8000 block of Overland Road in unincorporated Boulder County on the morning of Sept. 14. Rescue personnel pronounced the victim dead at the scene, and the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death as suspicious. Anyone with information is asked to contact the sheriff’s office at bcsotips@bouldercounty.gov or call 303-441-3674.
Colorado Brazil Fest returns to Boulder this weekend
The Colorado Brazil Fest, one of the largest Brazilian cultural festivals in the U.S., returns to Boulder this weekend. Hosted by the Boulder Samba School, the festival celebrates Brazilian music, dance and culture. It kicked off last night with Brazilian Jazz Night at the Roots Music Project. Today, there’s a free samba performance at Pearl Street Mall, followed by Choro and Forró Dance Night at FullCycle Cafe. The festival wraps up Sept. 21 with a Samba, MPB, and Carnaval Show at Wibby Brewing Pavilion in Longmont. For more information and tickets, visit the Colorado Brazil Fest website.
BRL’s to-do list: What else is happening this weekend
Explore ALL upcoming events in Boulder. If you have something to promote, use the self-submission form on our events page, for free.
Oktoberfest Friday Night BBQ: Friday, Sept. 20, 4:00 p.m., 3960 Broadway #104. Read More
International Day of Peace @ Boulder Bandshell: Saturday, Sept. 21, 4:00 p.m., 1212 Canyon Blvd. Read More
Mr. Mota with Better Hallway Vision: Saturday, Sept. 21, 8:00 p.m., 1135 13th St. Read More
Arts in the Open Presents “Wicked Wanderings:” Sunday, Sept. 22, 3:00 p.m., 900 Baseline Rd. Read More
Autumn Equinox at Sunrise Amphitheater: Sunday, Sept. 22, 6:00 p.m., 1198 Flagstaff Dr. Read More
Colorado Brazil Fest Samba Dance Workshops: Sunday, Sept. 23 1:00 p.m., 2590 Walnut St. Read More
Festival Del Sol: Sunday Sept. 22, 12:00 p.m., 198 Morning Glory Dr. Read More