Good Monday morning, Boulder. 

Leading today’s edition: A little-known 1961 Boulder rule could shape the future of NCAR’s Mesa Lab. As federal officials weigh restructuring — including a possible sale — a city charter provision tying water service to the lab’s scientific mission could cut off city water if ownership changes. The issue surfaces as the NSF seeks ideas for NCAR’s future and Colorado leaders push back. Brooke Stephenson reports.

Stephenson’s coverage of federal science cuts is also having national impact. On Feb. 12, she reported that NIST was moving to limit foreign researchers at its labs, including in Boulder, with three-year caps on international staff. Days later, NIST publicly responded, citing our reporting. Now, two U.S. House members are demanding answers, saying they hadn’t understood the scope until our reporting came to light.

This kind of original, in-depth journalism is possible because of our nonprofit model, which supports public-service reporting with real-world impact. Thank you to our supporters. There’s more ahead, and you can help us continue this work by supporting BRL today.

Also today: Boulder Municipal Airport plans to offer unleaded aviation fuel by the end of 2026 under a state-required transition plan, though key decisions on infrastructure, fuel type and costs remain unresolved. Por Jaijongkit reports. And lastly, in Friday’s BRL Today edition, we incorrectly reported the East Boulder tennis site would include an indoor CU facility. Plans now call for eight outdoor courts only.

Plus much more, Below the Fold:

  • Weather: Warm, windy week with fire risk.
  • Flock bill: Amabile proposes easing police data limits.
  • Caucus retreat: Records complaint targets caucus leaders.
  • Red Hill: Weed update comes amid spraying fight.
  • Things to Do: Venezuelan chef stories, soul food tasting, Parasite screening, improv, live music, dance, symphony, art + more.

Thanks, as always, for reading,

– The BRL team

A 1961 Boulder rule could cut water to NCAR’s Mesa Lab if the Trump administration sells it

A city charter exception allowed water service above the Blue Line only for NCAR and related institutions, raising new questions as federal officials explore the possibility of selling the lab. Continue reading…

Boulder airport sets first timeline to move off leaded aviation fuel, but key details remain unclear

A state-required transition plan targets a 2026 rollout as health concerns grow, but officials have yet to decide on infrastructure, fuel type or costs. Continue reading…

U.S. representatives press NIST for answers on limits to international researchers, citing Boulder Reporting Lab’s reporting

Two members of the House Science Committee urged NIST to halt any new restrictions on foreign researchers until Congress reviews them, after a BRL report raised concerns about access limits at the Boulder lab. Continue reading…

Warm, windy week ahead with fire risk on the plains

A warming trend is expected to continue this week, with temperatures running well above normal for late February and highs climbing into the mid-60s early on. Winds are forecast to strengthen from Tuesday through Thursday, which could raise fire weather concerns across the plains. In the mountains, a late-week system is expected to bring light to moderate snow from Tuesday night into Wednesday.

Around Boulder, clouds increase midweek with a chance of showers, but temperatures are expected to remain unusually warm for this time of year.

Sen. Amabile proposes changes to her bill restricting data-sharing by Flock and others

Boulder Sen. Judy Amabile has proposed several amendments to her data privacy bill that would loosen some restrictions on data-sharing ahead of a hearing Monday, Feb. 23.

The original legislation aimed to limit how police and other government agencies access and share people’s historical location data, which is currently collected through technologies such as automatic license plate readers, including Flock cameras.

There are more than 40 Flock cameras in Boulder that scan and document vehicles as they pass. But cities across the country have faced growing pushback over privacy concerns and reports of data being shared with ICE.

The first draft would have barred police from conducting warrantless searches of drivers’ historical data, except for location data collected in the previous 24 hours, and would have limited police and other agencies to storing no more than four days of location data — far less than Flock’s current 30-day retention window.

On Feb. 19, Amabile emailed stakeholders proposing amendments that would expand the warrantless-search exemption to 72 hours and again allow police to retain up to 30 days of location data.

Another amendment would allow data sharing among jurisdictions across Colorado, enabling police departments to conduct warrantless searches of each other’s location data without review or approval — a practice the first draft would have prohibited.

Complaint targets Colorado Opportunity Caucus over Vail retreat records

Leaders of the Colorado Opportunity Caucus are facing a formal complaint alleging they violated the Colorado Open Records Act by denying a request for documents related to a Vail retreat attended by Democratic lawmakers last fall — including Boulder’s Sen. Judy Amabile and Rep. Karen McCormick of Longmont.

The complaint, filed by Denver activist Derrick Blanton, claims caucus chair Sen. Lindsey Daugherty and vice chair Rep. Sean Camacho improperly refused to release records such as attendee lists, presentation materials and information about who paid for the retreat. Under CORA rules, the lawmakers have 14 days to produce the records before a lawsuit can be filed.

The Vail gathering is already under ethics scrutiny, as Boulder Reporting Lab previously reported. Complaints filed with the state’s Independent Ethics Commission allege the caucus accepted payments for luxury resort expenses from One Main Street Colorado, a pro-business political nonprofit, in potential violation of Colorado’s gift ban for elected officials. Read more on BRL.

Boulder County to give weed management update as Red Hill spraying debate continues

Boulder County Parks and Open Space staff will present an annual update on progress under the Integrated Weed Management Plan at a public meeting Thursday, Feb. 26, at 9 a.m. at the Boulder County courthouse. The meeting will be available both in person and virtually, though no public comment period is scheduled.

County commissioners have requested additional information on potential pilot projects, volunteer efforts and controlled burns. About 30 minutes of commissioner discussion is planned, including time to discuss the possible use of drones to apply herbicide.

The county’s weed management plan, adopted in November 2024, has faced renewed scrutiny following a proposal to spray herbicide across roughly 800 acres of county open space in the Red Hill area west of U.S. 36. County officials say the project is needed to control invasive cheatgrass, while opponents have raised concerns about its necessity and potential impacts on soil health. The public process around the proposal has also drawn criticism for being confusing and inconsistent.

☀️ 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.

Venezuelan Immigrant Chefs’ Stories with Cocina Libre: Monday, Feb. 23, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Museum of Boulder, 2205 Broadway. Read More

Soul Food Tasting with ECAACE: Thursday, Feb. 26, 5:30-7:00 p.m., Museum of Boulder. Read More

Be Here Now Improv Workshop: Thursday, Feb. 26, 6:00-8:00 p.m., Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, 1750 13th St. Read More

Parasite – Boulder Movie Club: Thursday, Feb. 26, 6:00-9:00 p.m., Boulder Public Library, 1001 Arapahoe Ave. Read More

Sparrow Smith & The Resonant Rogues with Sam Kind: Thursday, Feb. 26, 8:00 p.m., Chautauqua Community House, 301 Morning Glory Dr. Read More

(un) Forgotten – A Nosilla Dance Project Production: Friday, Feb. 27, 7:30-9:00 p.m., Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St. Read More

Dave Watts and Friends w/ Big Ol’ Pig: Friday, Feb. 27, 8:00-11:30 p.m., Roots Music Project, 4747 Pearl, Suite V3A. Read More

Carnivorous Bog Building Workshop: Saturday, Feb. 28, 2:00-3:00 p.m., Moss Houseplants, 3008 Folsom St. Read more

Folk Inspirations with Irina Muresanu – Violin: Saturday, Feb. 28, 7:30-9:30 p.m., Boulder Adventist Church, 345 Mapleton Ave. Read More

Nervous System QiGong and Meditation + Sauna Cold Plunge: Sunday, Mar. 1, 10:00-11:15 a.m., PR Labs, 2595 Canyon Blvd, Suite 150. Read More

Mo’ Print with Boulder Printmakers Group – Opening Reception: Sunday, Mar. 1, 1:00-3:00 p.m., Kin Studio and Gallery, 4725 16th St. Alternative date Mar. 6. Read More

Jiarui Cheng, piano, Performing with the Boulder Symphony: Sunday, Mar. 1, 4:00 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 1820 15th St. Read More

ScorpiusFest 2026: Final Broadcast: Sunday, Mar. 1, 4:05-5:50 p.m., Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St. Read More

Lightnin’ Luke & The Devil Makes Three: Sunday, Mar. 1, 8:00 p.m., Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St. Read More