Good Monday morning, Boulder. Today’s BRL Today is sponsored by the Chautauqua Association – donations to Chautauqua support preservation of the historic site, local programming, fire mitigation, free public art and plans to make the Historic Auditorium a year-round venue.
Leading today’s edition: A new survey conducted as part of the update to the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan reveals that residents across Boulder and surrounding areas are more open to housing density than local politics often suggest. The results show strong support for duplexes and other multi-unit homes in neighborhoods long reserved for single-family housing. The findings come as city and county officials work to update the foundational land-use plan that has guided growth for decades, and after city staff told the Boulder City Council and Planning Board last week that they intend to loosen longstanding density restrictions and draft a new plan with a commitment to increasing the city’s housing supply. John Herrick reports.
To explore what those results could mean in practice, two Boulder Reporting Lab columnists take on the question from different perspectives. In their latest Across the Aisle conversation, Brian Keegan and Bob Yates examine where the survey data aligns with Boulder’s long-running housing debates, where it complicates those debates, and how it could influence the next phase of the Comp Plan update.
Also today: The Dark Horse will stay open into spring 2026 after city staff found a code-compliant solution, giving employees and the community time for a proper farewell. In BRL Opinion, Petur Williams, whose family company is developing the Williams Village II project, writes about the decision and the bar’s place in Boulder’s history.
And finally: Ask us anything! As the year comes to a close, we want to hear from you. Curious how we decide what to report, what stood out this year, how we’re growing and why, or what’s on our radar for 2026? Ask us anything, big or small. Hit reply, and we’ll answer your questions in a special year-end edition of BRL Today.
More, Below the Fold:
- Herbicide pause: County halts drone spraying after public backlash.
- Shelter shift: Turnaways decline at All Roads, reasons unclear.
- Service honored: Neguse awards Rocky Mountain Equality CEO.
- History online: Museum of Boulder puts 45,000 artifacts on the web.
- Things to Do: Chanukah on Pearl, caroling downtown, the Santa Claus Run, a senior hike, model trains, jingle jam, winter yoga + more.
Thanks, as always, for reading,
– The BRL team
For over 125 years, the Colorado Chautauqua has been Boulder’s heart and soul of art, music, culture and the outdoor lifestyle. Your gift helps protect and preserve Boulder’s first National Historic Landmark and supports our sustainability, fire mitigation, local programming and free public art projects that enrich and benefit our entire community. This year, you can also be part of a historic project to transform our Historic Auditorium into a year-round venue! Donate today!
Boulder survey finds strong support for higher housing density as city plans major policy shift
The survey will shape an update to the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan, a long-term land-use document that is expected to loosen density restrictions with the goal of boosting housing supply. Continue reading…
Across the Aisle: Boulder’s new survey shows shifting attitudes on housing. Now what?
BRL columnists break down surprising findings from the city’s new public opinion survey, and how the results could shape the next Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan. Continue reading…
Petur Williams: Boulder’s Dark Horse will stay open until spring — and it’s thanks to the city
A solution within existing code requirements gives employees and patrons time to say goodbye. Continue reading…
Warm, dry and feeling nothing like December
Boulder starts the week with more sunshine and unseasonable warmth. Monday reaches the mid-60s under clear skies, with temperatures dipping to the upper 30s overnight. Tuesday brings a few passing clouds but stays mostly sunny, warming again to the low 60s before a mild, partly cloudy night.
By Wednesday, a bit of breeze moves in, but the pattern largely holds. Highs remain in the low 60s, continuing a December that has felt more like October. The Front Range stays bone dry for now, and forecasters say the stretch of warm, mostly snowless weather could linger into late week, edging the region closer to a brown Christmas.
County commissioners pause drone herbicide spraying at Red Hill Open Space area
Boulder County commissioners voted 2-1 last week to pause a planned drone application of herbicide across roughly 800 acres of the Red Hill Open Space area, west of U.S. 36 near the intersection of St. Vrain and Hygiene roads, pending more information on possible alternatives from county staff.
The pause followed strong opposition from local agricultural producers and other residents, who raised concerns in a wave of emails to county commissioners about soil health, seed germination and impacts to post-fire recovery.
Commissioner Claire Levy voted against the pause, while Commissioners Ashley Stolzmann and Marta Loachamin voted in favor of halting the spraying.
“It’s not just the hundreds of emails, but it’s some of the questions that people are having in regards to the concerns around food production and the farms,” Commissioner Loachamin said.
The spraying was intended to control invasive cheatgrass and help restore native biodiversity, according to Boulder County Deputy Director of Parks and Open Space Land Stewardship Stefan Reinold. Reinold said drone application was chosen because the area’s steep terrain makes tractor use and manual application dangerous. Goat grazing was ruled out to protect vulnerable bighorn sheep in the area, and cattle would not have been effective enough at reducing cheatgrass, a fast-spreading invasive grass that crowds out native plants and significantly increases wildfire risk by drying out early in the season. Read more on BRL.
Shelter turnaways unusually low after a summer of high demand
Turnaways at All Roads, Boulder’s largest homeless shelter, have “basically disappeared” since November, a sharp contrast to last year, when turnaways neared record levels.
All Roads turned away 12 people in November due to lack of capacity, and nine so far in December, according to Andy Schultheiss, a spokesperson for the shelter, which operates in North Boulder. Last year, the shelter turned away more than 300 people in November, peaking on Nov. 6, when 27 people were denied entry.
On Nov. 1, All Roads increased its winter bed capacity from 160 to 180 beds, as it did last year. “That explains some of the decline in turnaways in November, but far from all of it,” Schultheiss said.
“We’ve looked at different possible correlations with our turnaway rate and so far have found nothing that sticks,” he said. “It’s a genuine mystery.” Schultheiss said the shelter may work with CU Boulder to research the trend further.
Earlier this year, the shelter experienced record turnaways, with 33 people turned away in a single day in both May and August after bed capacity was reduced in April following Boulder County cuts to a grant program that supports local safety-net providers. All Roads’ county funding dropped about 30%, from $900,000 to $653,500. Read more on BRL.
Congressman Joe Neguse honors Rocky Mountain Equality CEO at CU Boulder awards ceremony
U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse hosted his annual Congressional Service Awards on Saturday, Dec. 13, on the CU Boulder campus. Among this year’s honorees was Mardi Moore, CEO of Rocky Mountain Equality, who received the Josie Heath Community Service Award.
The award, named for former Boulder County Commissioner Josie Heath, recognizes community members for sustained service and contributions to the public good. Moore has led Rocky Mountain Equality for more than three decades, advocating locally and nationally for LGBTQ+ rights and inclusion.
The Congressional Service Awards recognize individuals and organizations across the district for their community leadership and civic engagement.
Museum of Boulder puts 45,000 artifacts online with new searchable catalog
The Museum of Boulder has launched a new online catalog giving the public access to more than 45,000 artifacts spanning nearly a century of local history. The searchable collection includes everything from historic clothing, tools and trade signs to protest posters, Boulder Strong artifacts, climate research instruments and even a buffalo head.
Users can explore the collection through keyword searches, advanced filters or by browsing a rotating selection of objects. Many items are currently on display at the museum or on loan to other institutions, while others are stored at the museum’s off-site collections facility.
The collection traces Boulder’s past from the 1920s to today and continues to grow, with the museum also accepting donations of historically significant objects, documents and photographs related to Boulder.
And if you’re into local history: BRL local history writer Silvia Pettem recently joined KGNU for an interview about Boulder history, the Museum of Boulder and several of her BRL stories. You can listen to the conversation online.
☀️ Explore events in Boulder and use the self-submission form on our events page to reach thousands in our community — for free! To have your event featured on our Monday to-do list, make sure to submit it to our events calendar.
Boulder Opera Company: The Elixir of Love by Donizetti: Monday, Dec. 15, 5:00-7:00 p.m., Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St. Read More
Chanukah on Pearl: Flames of Love: Monday, Dec. 15, 5:30 p.m., Pearl Street Mall, 3100 Block of Pearl Street. Read More
A Jazzy Hanukkah with the Domi Edson Trio: Wednesday, Dec. 17, 7:00 p.m., Muse Performance Space, 200 E South Boulder Rd, Lafayette. Read More
Face Vocal Band ROCK THE HALLS! Holiday Concert: Wednesday, Dec. 17, 7:30-9:30 p.m., Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St. Read More
Hikes for Seniors: Winter in the Foothills: Thursday, Dec. 18, 1:00-3:00 p.m., Heil Valley Ranch, 1188 Geer Canyon Rd, Boulder. Read More
Boulder Model Railroad Club Monthly Meeting: Thursday, Dec. 18, 7:00-9:00 p.m., Tri-City Elks Club Lodge, 525 Main Street, Louisville. Read More
Caroling in Downtown Boulder: Friday, Dec. 19, 4:30-6:00 p.m., Pearl Street Mall, 1301 Pearl Street. Additional date: Tuesday, Dec. 23, 4:30-6:00 p.m. Read More
PiCatsso Paint Night – Paint with Cats!!!: Friday, Dec. 19, 6:00-8:00 p.m., Purrfect Pause Cat Cafe, 5290 Arapahoe Avenue, Unit E. Read more.
Santa Claus Run 5k/10k/Mile: Saturday, Dec. 20, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Louisville Community Park, 955 Bella Vista Drive, Louisville. Read More
Avanti Boulder Holiday & Craft Show: Saturday, Dec. 20, 12:00 p.m., Avanti Food & Beverage, 1401 Pearl St. Read More
4th Annual Boulder County Jingle Jam: Saturday, Dec. 20, 6:00 p.m., Roots Music Project, 4747 Pearl St, Suite V3A. Read More
Sax Syndicate: A Very Saxy Christmas: Saturday, Dec. 20, 7:00 p.m., Muse Performance Space, 200 E South Boulder Rd, Lafayette. Read More
Candlelight: Queen vs. ABBA: Saturday, Dec. 20, 8:45-10:00 p.m., St. John’s Episcopal Church of Boulder, 1419 Pine Street. Read More
Rocky Mountain Revels: The Extremely Wonderful New York Holiday Radio Show: Sunday, Dec. 21, 2:00-4:00 p.m., Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St. Additional dates: Dec. 21: 7:00-9:00 p.m.; Monday Dec. 22 2:00-4:00 p.m. and 7:00-9:00 p.m. Read More
Winter Solstice: Nourishing in the Dark, Gathering in the Light: Sunday, Dec. 21, 5:00-7:30 p.m., Rembrandt Yard, 1301 Spruce St. Read More