Happy Labor Day morning, Boulder. It’s shaping up to be a clear, beautiful day, so enjoy the break in the weather while it lasts.

Leading today’s edition, an exclusive from John Herrick: Boulder nonprofit TGTHR will close Chase House, its South Boulder residential treatment program for homeless youth, on Sept. 19. The closure follows the earlier shutdown of The Source, Boulder’s only youth shelter, and leaves the county with no remaining residential treatment options for homeless youth.

TGTHR leaders say strict state rules and low Medicaid reimbursements made Chase House unsustainable, and the nonprofit will now shift more of its focus and funding to affordable housing programs in Boulder and Denver.

More, Below the Fold: 

  • City’s proposed budget: $7.5M gap closed, 19 jobs cut.
  • Wildfire: Crews respond to 2-acre blaze west of Lyons.
  • AG race: Duran drops out, field narrows.
  • Sirens: County upgrades outdoor alert system.
  • Preparedness: Free disaster workshops all month.
  • Things to Do: Fall fests, honey and chili, ballet, West Side Story, live music + more.

Thanks, as always, for reading,

– The BRL team

Boulder nonprofit TGTHR to close Chase House, ending county’s only residential program for homeless youth

The move leaves even fewer resources for young homeless people, but will allow the nonprofit to shift more focus and funding to its affordable housing. Continue reading…

Sunny Labor Day, rain chances return midweek

Today will feel summer-like: plenty of sun with highs in the low 80s, cooling to the mid-50s overnight. Tuesday stays warm and mostly sunny, with just a slight chance of an afternoon storm. By Wednesday, rain chances tick up again, with scattered showers and thunderstorms possible and highs near 80.

Boulder’s proposed 2026 budget closes shortfall, cuts 19 positions

City Manager Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde last week released her proposed 2026 budget, a $407.7 million spending plan that officials said reflects slowing revenue growth and tough trade-offs. The proposal represents a slight increase from last year’s budget.

The plan closes a $7.5 million shortfall in the city’s General Fund, which prompted a hiring freeze earlier this year. Sales and use taxes, a significant source of city revenue, have slowed, straining the city’s finances.

The budget prioritizes homelessness services, wildfire resilience, emergency behavioral health response and arts funding, according to a city news release on Aug. 29. It also calls for eliminating 19 positions, three of which are currently filled, and scaling back some open space spending.

The city manager is also proposing new revenue measures, including a transportation maintenance fee paid by property owners, higher parking charges and a fee on large single-family home expansions. Parks and recreation fees may also increase. 

City council will review the proposal at a Sept. 11 study session, with public hearings set for Oct. 9 and Oct. 23. We’ll be digging deeper into what this budget means for Boulder residents in the weeks ahead.

Firefighters responding to River Rocks Fire west of Lyons

Firefighters responded Sunday to the River Rocks Fire, reported about eight miles west of Lyons, near South Sheep Mountain. As of 6 p.m., the fire was estimated at 2 acres.

Crews were on scene Sunday evening, with additional resources — including air support — en route. Updated conditions were not yet available Monday morning. Officials reminded the public not to fly drones in the area, as they can interfere with firefighting aircraft.

Crisanta Duran ends campaign for Colorado attorney general

Former Colorado House Speaker Crisanta Duran has suspended her campaign for attorney general. Duran, who launched her bid earlier this year to take on what she called “monopolies of power,” said she now believes the pathway to “fair outcomes must be rooted in federal solutions.”

Her exit narrows the Democratic field in the 2026 race to succeed Attorney General Phil Weiser, who is term-limited and running for governor. Still in the race are Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty, Secretary of State Jena Griswold, consumer rights attorney David Seligman and former federal prosecutor Hetal Doshi.

Dougherty, who has served as Boulder County’s top prosecutor since 2018, formally launched his campaign in February with a platform focused on reproductive rights, consumer protections, public safety, workers’ rights, and environmental issues. He has pledged to oppose Donald Trump’s agenda if reelected president.

Siren upgrades and tests throughout Boulder County

Twenty outdoor warning sirens in Boulder County will be replaced over the next two weeks, including in Eldorado Springs, Jamestown, Lyons, Erie, Lafayette, Louisville, Superior and unincorporated areas. The upgrades, funded by a federal grant, will improve sound quality and messaging.

The sirens are used to alert people outdoors during floods, wildfires, hazardous materials incidents, or other emergencies. During installation, you may hear: “This is a test of the outdoor warning system. This is only a test.” Officials encourage residents to sign up for emergency alerts at www.BoCoAlert.com. Learn more about alerts here.

Disaster preparedness events offered throughout September

Boulder’s Office of Disaster Management is offering a series of free events in September for National Preparedness Month. Attendees at in-person workshops will receive emergency supplies, including a backup battery charger, a water filter and a flashlight or headlamp.

Upcoming events include:

  • What’s Up Boulder – Sunday, Sept. 7, 1–4 p.m. at Scott Carpenter Park, 1505 30th St.
  • Disaster Preparedness Basics – Tuesday, Sept. 9, 6–7:30 p.m. at Boulder Fire-Rescue Station 3, 2696 Bluff St.
  • Disaster Preparedness Planning – Monday, Sept. 15, 6–7 p.m. at Nederland Community Center, 750 CO-72
  • Anatomy of a Disaster – Tuesday, Sept. 23, 6:30–7:30 p.m. at Lyons Community Library, 451 Fourth Ave.
  • Blueprint for a Resilient Small Business Forum – Friday, Sept. 26, 8 a.m.–noon at the University Memorial Center, Glenn Miller Ballroom
  • Disaster Preparedness Planning – Tuesday, Sept. 30, 6–7:30 p.m. at Boulder Rural Fire Rescue, 6230 Lookout Road

To register, visit the Office of Disaster Management’s website. For help signing up, call 303-441-3647.’s website. For help signing up, call 303-441-3647.

☀️ 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.

Fall Festival: Monday, Sept. 1, 10:00 a.m., Memory Square Park, 801 Grant Avenue, Louisville. Read More

Jean Dawson: Tuesday, Sept. 2, 8:00-11:59 p.m., The Fox Theater, 1135 13th St. Read More

The Imaginaries: Tuesday, Sept. 2, 6:30 p.m., Stone Cottage Studios, 1928 Pearl St. Read More

Bad Shabbos: Wednesday, Sept. 3, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St. Additional dates: Thursday, Sept. 4, 7:00-9:00 p.m.; Friday, Sept. 5, 4:00-6:00 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 6, 7:30-9:30 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 7, 2:00-4:00 p.m. Read More

Hop, Sip & Craft: Wednesday, Sept. 3, 5:30-7:30 p.m., The Hungry Toad, 2543 Broadway. Additional date: Wednesday, Oct. 1, same time. Read More

Creative Connections: 60s Songs and West Side Story: Thursday, Sept. 4, 12:00-3:30 p.m., Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St. Read More

Tumbledown Shack: Thursday, Sept. 4, 7:00-10:00 p.m., The Riverside, 1724 Broadway. Read More

Dead Nettle: Thursday, Sept. 4, 6:00 p.m., Gold Hill Store & Pub, 531 Main Street. Read More

One Sky: Thursday, Sept. 4, 7:00-8:00 p.m., Fiske Planetarium, 2414 Regent Drive. Additional dates: Saturday, Sept. 13 and Sunday, Sept. 21, 1:00-2:00 p.m. Read More

Virgi Dart: Friday, Sept. 5, 6:00 p.m., St Julien Hotel & Spa, 900 Walnut St. Read More

The Pickin’ Pear: Friday, Sept. 5, 9:00 p.m., Mountain Sun Brewery, 1535 Pearl St. Read More

Niwot Honey Bee Festival: Saturday, Sept. 6, 10:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Historic 2nd Ave., 195 2nd Avenue, Niwot. Read More

Chili & Beer Fest: Saturday, Sept. 6, 2:00 p.m., Superior Community Park, 1350 Coalton Road, Louisville. Read More

BOUNDLESS ballet performance: Sunday, Sept. 7, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Macky Auditorium, 1595 Pleasant St. Read More