Good Monday morning, Boulder. Today’s BRL Today is sponsored by Boulder Bookstore’s February Reading Retreat — a weekend of book clubs, mountain time, performances, authors and food, happening Feb. 27-March 1.
Leading today’s edition: A familiar Boulder tension between housing needs and historic preservation is unfolding near the city’s main library. Presbyterian Manor is proposing a major expansion along Arapahoe Avenue that could add dozens of affordable homes for low-income seniors, a fast-growing population in Boulder facing a shortage of affordable housing, but only if it clears the city’s historic preservation process. The early-stage plan would replace parking and remove century-old houses, putting housing demand and preservation rules in direct conflict. Sally Bell reports.
Also today: After Boulder Reporting Lab reported exclusively earlier this month on the sudden closure of Frequency Dance amid allegations of financial misconduct, court filings show the fallout is deepening. A former employee has filed a wage theft lawsuit alleging months of unpaid work and misclassification, while the studio’s landlord is pursuing an eviction over more than $48,000 in unpaid rent. Brooke Stephenson reports.
And important coverage on NCAR: After Congress rejected protections for NCAR, the National Science Foundation sent a letter Friday asking how the Boulder-based climate hub could be dismantled or restructured, Stephenson reports. Scientists warn the move could be devastating for weather forecasting and climate research nationwide. A separate BRL commentary details NCAR’s history and the high stakes of what comes next.
Plus much more, Below the Fold:
- Fees denied: Judge blocks CU South legal fees bid.
- Cold response: All Roads weekend day shelter; no overflow beds.
- Power forum: Boulder hosts Xcel shutoff Q&A.
- Star power: Boulder seeks artist for 2026 Boulder Star.
- Things to Do: BMoCA exhibition opening, shadow theater, musical yoga, wellness market, queer cabaret, Patagonia documentary + more
Thanks, as always, for reading,
– The BRL team
Do you love reading, bookclubs, the mountains, meeting authors, and food? Join us for a Reading Retreat this February at Chautauqua! The weekend will feature book club conversations with Laura Pritchett and Ramona Ausubel, performances by Stories on Stage, an afternoon at Boulder Bookstore with publisher reps and booksellers, a live taping of the Radio Book Club featuring Thea Weiss, and dinner at Dushanbe Tea House. Find out more info and purchase tickets here.
Boulder affordable senior housing proposal runs into historic preservation debate
The early-stage plan near the main library would add dozens of homes for low-income seniors, but could require removing century-old houses. Continue reading…
Boulder’s Frequency Dance fallout deepens: Wage theft lawsuit, eviction now underway
Former employees allege months of unpaid work as parents seek refunds and the landlord moves to evict the studio. Continue reading…
NSF asks how to dismantle Boulder’s NCAR, opening door to privatization after Congress rejects protections
Letter seeks proposals to restructure Boulder-based climate and weather research center as scientists warn of national consequences. Continue reading…
One last really cold morning, then a warm-up
After a snowy, frigid weekend, conditions are improving across Boulder. Monday morning will be the coldest stretch left in this system, with a cold weather advisory in effect through 9 a.m.
Skies clear later Monday as temperatures begin a gradual rebound. Highs reach the mid-40s Monday and Tuesday, with overnight lows in the low 20s. By Wednesday, sunshine and highs near 50 degrees will feel noticeably milder for late January.
Judge rejects Boulder’s bid to make residents pay legal fees in CU South lawsuit
Boulder County District Court Judge Michael Kotlarczyk has denied the City of Boulder’s request to force a group of residents to pay tens of thousands of dollars in attorneys’ fees after they sued the city over the financing of the CU South flood mitigation project, according to court records.
The lawsuit, brought by Save South Boulder, challenges the city’s ability to finance the project and has prevented the city from issuing bonds to pay for construction. Although the judge previously dismissed the case, it is now under appeal.
The suit alleges that Boulder’s stormwater utility fees require voter approval under the Taxpayer Bill of Rights and contests the Boulder City Council’s approval of an ordinance authorizing the city to issue $66 million in bonds to help fund the project. The flood mitigation project includes the construction of a concrete spillway along U.S. 36 and the creation of a detention pond, which are intended to reduce the risk of flooding for about 2,300 people who live within the 100-year South Boulder Creek floodplain. Read more on BRL.
All Roads Shelter opened weekend day shelter during cold spell; no overflow beds were planned
All Roads Shelter opened its day services center over the weekend due to the cold weather conditions, defined by the city as daily highs of 20 degrees or lower. Typically, the day center operates only on weekdays.
The weather was not considered severe enough, however, to prompt the city to open its emergency extreme cold weather shelter, which only opens when nightly lows reach zero degrees, or when daily highs are 5 degrees or lower and accompanied by extreme winter weather. Conditions must also be expected to last at least three nights.
All Roads increased its winter capacity from 160 to 180 beds again this year. On Friday, shelter representatives said they were hopeful no one would need to sleep outside, as turnaways have been low in recent months.
In November 2025, the shelter turned away 12 people due to capacity limits, compared with more than 300 people during the same month the year before. Shelter officials said they do not yet have an explanation for the drop in turnaways.
Boulder to host virtual forum on Xcel power shutoffs
The City of Boulder will host a virtual community information session this week to discuss the Xcel Energy power shutoffs that left tens of thousands of Boulder residents without electricity during high winds last month.
The event, called Powering Boulder 101, is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 29, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. City staff say the session will focus on answering community questions, explaining how Boulder’s electric grid works, and outlining how decisions were made about which lines were shut off and how different neighborhoods were affected. Officials will also discuss wind-related damage and Xcel projects aimed at reducing wildfire and outage risks.
City staff say they will use the forum to listen to resident concerns, share what they have heard so far, and describe next steps related to preparedness and education. Community members can submit questions in advance, and interpretation services will be available. The session will be recorded and posted online afterward. Registration is required.
Call for artists: Design the 2026 Boulder Star holiday card
The Boulder Chamber, in collaboration with the Boulder County Arts Alliance, is seeking a local professional artist, illustrator or designer to create an original image for the 2026 Boulder Star Holiday Card. The selected artwork may also be licensed for other items, including a Liberty Puzzles design and a wine label.
The chosen artist will receive $1,000 under a licensing agreement. Applicants should have prior commissioned work experience, with finalists selected based on portfolio and application quality. The artist will work with the Chamber on the final design and be available to attend a summer reception promoting the project. Applications close Jan. 30.
☀️ 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.
Intro to Lindy Hop classes: Monday, Jan. 26, 8:00-9:00 p.m., Avalon Ballroom, 6185 Arapahoe Rd. Read More
Welcome to Night Vale: Murder Night in Blood Forest: Tuesday, Jan. 27, 8:00-11:59 p.m., Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St. Read More
Opening Reception for Yes &… Spring Exhibition: Thursday, Jan. 29, 6:00-8:00 p.m., Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, 1750 13th St. Read More
DUG with Nathaniel Riley: Thursday, Jan. 29, 7:00-9:30 p.m., eTown, 1535 Spruce St. Read More
Back to the 2000s: Nostalgic Dance Party Fundraiser: Thursday, Jan. 29, 8:00-11:00 p.m., Roots Music Project, 4747 Pearl, Suite V3A. Read More
PearlFlow with live music: Friday, Jan. 30, 12:00-1:00 p.m., Yoga Pearl Downtown, 900 Pearl St, Suite 4. Read More
The Gentlethem’s Club: A Mystic Moonlit Cabaret: Friday, Jan. 30, 7:00 p.m., Roots Music Project, 4747 Pearl, Suite V3A. Read more
Mynd Reader: Friday, Jan. 30, 7:00 p.m., Paradise Found Records & Music, 1646 Pearl St. Read More
The Mariposa Collective: Resonance: Friday, Jan. 30, 7:30-9:00 p.m., Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St. Additional dates Saturday, Jan. 31, 7:30-9:00 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 1, 2:00-3:30 p.m. Read More
Boulder Winter Wellness Market: Saturday, Jan. 31, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., milehimodern Boulder, 2015 Pearl St. Read More
Unseen and Unheard: Lost Voices and Visages from the Ancient Mediterranean World: Saturday, Jan. 31, 10:45 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Norlin Library, Center for British and Irish Studies, 1720 Pleasant St. Keynote address on Friday, Jan. 30, 5:00-6:00 p.m. Read More
cathARTic compost: Saturday, Jan. 31, 7:00 p.m., Junkyard Social Club, 2525 Frontier Avenue, Unit A. Read More
The Catamounts Presents: Burning Bluebeard by Jay Torrence: Saturday, Jan. 31, 7:30-9:00 p.m., Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St. Additional dates through Feb. 21. Read More
Art of Emptiness: A Guided Practice for Real Inner Freedom: Sunday, Feb. 1, 1:00-3:00 p.m., Unity of Boulder Spiritual Center, 2855 Folsom St. Read More
Boulder ENOFF: The Road to Patagonia: Sunday, Feb. 1, 2:00-3:30 p.m., Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St. Additional showing 5:00-6:30 p.m. Read More