💰 Where the money is flowing in Boulder's election

Good Friday morning, Boulder.

Leading today: Money is flowing into Boulder’s election campaigns, but not evenly. First-time candidate Aquiles La Grave has reported more than $40,000 in his Boulder mayoral campaign, including a personal loan, more than any other candidate. He opted out of the city’s public financing program. Meanwhile, groups backing county ballot measures have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars, including nearly $334,000 for the proposed childcare tax.

The stakes are high as voters decide the future of Boulder’s city council, a $400 million bond measure and competing approaches to housing, homelessness and city spending. Brooke Stephenson breaks down the fundraising ahead of Nov. 3. Still deciding how to vote? Our Boulder Voter Guide has everything you need to make an informed decision.

Also today: We’re bringing back our Boulder County Giving Guide to connect local nonprofits with community support this holiday season. If you work with a nonprofit serving Boulder County, we want to hear from you. Tell us what your organization needs most — donations, supplies or volunteers — and we’ll share it with our readers. Questions? Contact Por Jaijongkit at por@boulderreportinglab.org.

And finally, in BRL Opinion, we’re continuing our community commentary on ballot measures. Today, Michelle Krezek, former chief of staff to the Boulder County commissioners, argues that Question 200 would add costs without guaranteeing better representation or more responsive government. The measure would expand the commission from three to five members.

Plus more, Below the Fold:

BoulderCAST: Warm today, cooler over the weekend.
Free gun safes: Saturday giveaway at Foothills Hospital.
Ride to vote: Lime offers two free trips through Election Day.
Burrowing owl boom: 13 chicks fledge, prompting early lifting of closures.

Thanks, as always, for reading,

– The BRL team

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Benita is a proven leader with the deep experience to get things done for Boulder. She is committed to tackling the affordability crisis by expanding affordable housing, championing strict fiscal transparency, and strengthening community wildfire preparedness to protect our neighborhoods and residents.

Inside the money race shaping Boulder’s 2026 election

First-time mayoral candidate Aquiles La Grave has reported more than $40,000 in campaign funds, the most of any candidate, after opting out of public financing, while county ballot measure campaigns have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars. Continue reading…

Near 80 today, then sweaters this weekend

After a cloudy couple of days, sunshine is making a comeback today in Boulder with highs set to soar into the upper 70s, and a few spots around town may even sneak up to 80 degrees. It’s likely the warmest day we’ll see for a while before a more autumn-like pattern takes over. Overnight lows will settle back into the mid-40s under mostly clear skies.

The weekend transition begins late tonight as a cold front pushes south across the Front Range. By Saturday, expect gusty northerly winds, increasing cloud cover and temperatures dropping back into the 50s where they belong for late October. Rain chances will also begin to tick up slightly through the afternoon, with showers becoming more likely Saturday night.

From Sunday into early Monday, a slow-moving storm system will meander across the Four Corners region. While there is still uncertainty in its exact track and timing, confidence continues to grow in a cooler, cloudier and generally unsettled stretch of weather for Boulder. Periods of light rain will be possible, especially Saturday night, Sunday and again Monday morning. At this point, significant rainfall appears unlikely, but a few damp periods are certainly on the table before drier conditions gradually return early next week.

—BoulderCAST

Free gun safe giveaway returns Saturday after last year’s rush

Boulder Rotary Club and Boulder Community Health are hosting a free gun safe and cable lock giveaway on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 9 to 11 a.m., or until supplies run out. The event will take place in the west parking lot of Boulder Community Health’s Foothills Hospital, 4747 Arapahoe Ave., between the Tebo Medical Pavilion and Anderson Medical Center.

Home and car gun safes, along with cable locks, will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, with a limit of two items per household. Volunteers will help recipients set up biometric features on home safes and provide information about safe firearm storage. No weapons are allowed on site.

Last year, long lines formed and all 500 safes and locks were claimed quickly, according to organizers. The event aims to prevent accidental shootings, suicides and other firearm deaths by encouraging secure storage. Partners include the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office, local Rotary clubs and the YMCA.

Need a ride to vote? Lime is offering two free trips

Boulder voters can get two free rides of up to 30 minutes each on Lime e-bikes and scooters from Oct. 24 through Election Day, Nov. 3. The rides can be used to travel to and from voting centers and ballot drop boxes. To participate, enter promo code VOTE26 in the Lime app. Riders should check that their destination is within Lime’s service area. The offer is available to all riders. Find voting information through Lime’s partnership with HeadCount, a nonpartisan voter engagement nonprofit.

Burrowing owls raise 13 chicks in successful Boulder breeding season

Three pairs of threatened burrowing owls raised 13 chicks that survived to fledging this year, according to Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks officials. Following the successful breeding season, the city has lifted several seasonal closures early.

Boulder typically restricts access to nesting areas from March 15 through Oct. 31 to protect the owls, which nest in abandoned prairie dog burrows and migrate south in early fall.

Closures have been lifted at 95th and Lookout, the Cosslett/Knaus, Jafay/Lynch and Gunbarrel Ranch properties. Areas near Boulder Reservoir, east of 51st/55th streets, south of Dry Creek and west of the reservoir remain closed.

Commentaries are opinion pieces from community members and newsmakers. They reflect the views of the authors, not BRL. Want to submit one? Here’s how.

Michelle Krezek: Boulder County doesn’t need five commissioners

Question 200 would add permanent costs to a county already facing budget cuts without guaranteeing better representation, responsiveness or decision-making. Continue reading…

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💰 Where the money is flowing in Boulder’s election