Good morning, Boulder. The sun returns today — enjoy the break in the clouds while it lasts.
Leading the news: School is back in session, and New Vista High School students walked into their first-ever purpose-built campus on Jan. 7. Jenna Sampson reports that the $52 million building, funded by voter-approved bonds, features flexible learning spaces, a music recording studio and a sustainability-focused, solar-ready design. Known for its student-driven curriculum and supportive environment, the new campus reflects New Vista’s nontraditional approach to education.
While enrollment at New Vista remains steady, district-wide declines in the elementary cohort raise questions about future impacts on high schools. The old building will be replaced with open space and a student garden this summer.
Below the fold:
- Controlled burn planned at Hall Ranch Jan. 8-12 to reduce wildfire risks.
- A woman is in custody after punching an adolescent girl at Lindsay’s Deli last week.
- Applications are open for paid high school internships with the city — don’t miss out!
- Share your ideas for the North 30th Street redesign at a city-hosted workshop week.
- Boulder’s 2025 Urban Forest Report highlights a shrinking tree canopy and more.
Plus, a new feature: One Year Ago Today.
That’s all for now, Boulder — have a great day.
– Brooke, reporter
New Vista High School opens in Boulder: Inside the new $52 million campus
The new building is helping BVSD reach its net-zero energy goals by cutting its previous energy footprint in half. Continue reading…
A few flurries, but mostly sunny skies
The snow is giving way to slightly warmer weather today, with highs reaching into the 40s under mostly sunny skies. Winds may gust up to 15 mph. Light flurries are possible tonight and tomorrow as temperatures drop back into the 20s — so keep your warm hat close.
Controlled burn planned at Hall Ranch Jan. 8-12
Boulder County’s Fire Management Program plans to conduct a controlled slash pile burn at Hall Ranch, west of Lyons, from Jan. 8-12. No trail or property closures are expected. The burn will only proceed if there is adequate snow cover for safe operations and no air pollution advisories are in effect. Slash pile burns are a tool for reducing wildfire risk by removing excess fuel from forestry operations.
Smoke and flames may be visible for up to 72 hours after the burn, and heavy smoke is possible. Residents are reminded not to call 911. The area will be monitored to ensure fires are fully extinguished.
Woman arrested for assaulting 12-year-old girl on Pearl Street
Police responded to an assault on a 12-year-old girl near Pearl Street and Broadway just after 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 29. According to police scanner audio shared by a community member, a 35-year-old-woman walked into Lindsay’s Boulder Deli and punched the young victim, causing her to bleed from the head.
The suspect was arrested that night on misdemeanor charges of child abuse and third-degree assault, Boulder Police spokesperson Dionne Waugh told Boulder Reporting Lab. Bail was set at $7,500.
The suspect, whom police called a “transient” in the scanner recording, is scheduled for arraignment on Jan. 24. In Boulder, homeless people who commit lower-level offenses, like smoking in public and camping, are typically referred to the city’s Community Court program, which connects them with resources. More serious charges, like those in this case, are not eligible for the program and move through the traditional court system.
Boulder now hiring high school interns for summer roles
High school sophomores and juniors can now apply for paid summer internships through the City of Boulder’s Youth Opportunities Program. Applications are open until Wednesday, Feb. 5. Students can apply for a variety of internship roles, including Open Space and Mountain Parks Education Intern, Public Safety Communications Youth Intern and Equity Ambassador Team Intern.
The internships run for six to seven weeks and are open to students living in Boulder who will be entering their junior or senior year in fall 2025. For questions, contact Youth Opportunities Program Manager Mario Martinez Varelas at 720-498-2482 or MartinezVarelasM@bouldercolorado.gov.
Workshop week kicks off for North 30th Street redesign
The City of Boulder is hosting a week of workshops to gather input and develop plans for redesigning North 30th Street between Arapahoe Avenue and Diagonal Highway (CO 119). The redesign aims to improve safety and reduce transportation conflicts that delay buses and pose risks to pedestrians, cyclists and drivers. This workshop marks the end of months of community engagement and the start of detailed design planning. Final design alternatives will be reviewed by city council this summer.
Key events include a kickoff on Jan. 13, open design studios on Jan. 14 and 15, and
— most importantly — an open house on Jan. 16 to present findings and design options. All events will be held at the Park Central Building, 1739 Broadway. Bilingual Spanish-speaking staff will be at every event.
Test your home for radon this winter
Boulder County Public Health is urging residents to test their homes for radon, an invisible, odorless gas that is the second leading cause of lung cancer. About 50% of homes in Boulder County have elevated radon levels — far above the national average of 6% — due to the area’s uranium-rich geology.
January, National Radon Action Month, is the perfect time to test, as closed windows in winter make readings more accurate. Affordable kits are available locally at ReSource Central or online at sosradon.org. Radon mitigation systems can effectively reduce elevated levels, but even homes with systems should be tested every two years. Learn more at boco.org/radon or contact HealthRadon@bouldercounty.gov.
Boulder’s tree canopy shrinks: 7 subcommunities see loss
Boulder’s urban tree canopy is shrinking, with the Emerald Ash Borer posing a major threat. Ash trees, which make up 25% of the city’s urban forest, are being devastated by the invasive pest that disrupts nutrient flow and kills untreated trees. While the city is treating 1,300 public ash trees with Emamectin Benzoate injections, the process is costly, requiring reapplication every two to three years. Meanwhile, tree losses outpace plantings, with 4,500 ash trees in public spaces slated for removal in the coming years.
The canopy decline extends beyond ash trees, as other pests, severe weather and development add to the problem. According to the city’s newly released 2025 State of the Urban Forest report, seven of Boulder’s 10 subcommunities lost tree canopy between 2015 and 2021. The city’s urban canopy is currently at 22%.
This loss has implications for climate resilience and equity. Trees cool neighborhoods, with shaded areas up to 20 degrees cooler than asphalt-heavy zones like the 28th Street corridor. The NOAA-supported Cool Boulder heat mapping initiative found that tree-dense neighborhoods also cool surrounding areas, but these neighborhoods are often older and more expensive, highlighting equity issues.
To address these challenges, the city is focusing on planting a diverse mix of species to build resilience against future pests, collaborating with residents to improve tree care, and securing funding to bridge an annual $500,000 budget gap for urban forestry efforts. You can request a free street tree for your neighborhood.
Exactly a year ago, we reported on the 1441 Pine Street affordable housing project, which highlighted the financial strain of Boulder’s parking minimums. Despite providing 40 units for formerly homeless youth and those aging out of foster care, the project was required to build 68 costly underground parking spaces — most of which sit unused. Advocates highlighted this as an example of how excessive parking requirements drive up housing costs and divert resources from better housing finishes.
Since then, Boulder has advanced discussions on eliminating parking minimums citywide. A 2024 Colorado law prohibiting parking minimums near transit stops starting June 2025 — covering 81% of city parcels — has added momentum. Data showing significant under-use of parking spaces has further fueled reform efforts, with city council expected to vote on changes this year. Officials are also considering a transportation demand ordinance requiring developers to promote non-car travel with measures like free bus passes, bike storage and rideshare pickup spots.
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