It’s Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023.
Welcome to Wednesday, Boulder. I hope you’re well.
For today, we’re publishing our final two candidate questions in preparation for our nifty voter guide. One question is to do with homeless encampments: How do candidates think the city should deal with people sleeping outside and the temporary homes they construct for themselves? Some think those encampments should be cleared as quickly as possible. Others think spending should instead be focused on creating more housing. Then we have a question on what candidates would most like to see accomplished in their first year in office, prompting answers that indicate priorities.
Also, as noted below, tonight local Jewish organizations are hosting a vigil as a way to help our community process the violent attacks in Israel.
I’ll see you Friday.
— Tim
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Join us at the 8th annual World Singing Day Boulder on Saturday, October 21 on Pearl Street from 2-3:30 pm — the community sing-along for all ages and singing abilities. Lyric booklets provided. Just show up and sing songs from The Beatles to Taylor Swift.
Featured stories
2023 Boulder City Council election: Where the candidates stand on homeless encampments
“What approach would you take to address camping in our parks, on our bike paths and along our waterways?” Explore the responses from all 14 Boulder City Council and mayoral candidates. Continue reading…
2023 Boulder City Council election: Where the candidates stand on their one-year visions
“What one, specific thing will you have accomplished that you’re proud of?” Explore the responses from all 14 Boulder City Council and mayoral candidates. Continue reading…
ICYMI: Long-awaited Toll Trail opens, paving the way to eventually connect Nederland to Winter Park
The scenic five-mile trail, 10 years in the making, is open for access, but it will soon close for the winter at the request of Eldora Ski Resort. So make sure to visit before it does. Continue reading…
Boulder Reporting Lab is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization that empowers our community through non-partisan, locally focused journalism that informs and connects.
In other news
Last day of warmth, at least for the moment
Today will reach the 70s for the last time for the next week or so, as the next couple days drop down to the 50s. We’re not done with warmer weather just yet, but if you really want to wear your wool socks, tomorrow might be the ticket. Just be warned, you might have some damp feet in the mid-day sun.
Community vigil for Israel
Tonight at 6 p.m. at Congregation Har Hashem on Baseline Road is a vigil for those wanting to come together to process the violence in Israel. More than 15 organizations are involved in hosting the vigil that will take place, and a livestream option is available.
What’s that smoke in the air?
This morning should see smoke clearing in Boulder. If it lingers, it’s probably from the Blue Ridge prescribed burn in Grand County. If it’s later in the day, it might be due to the Hall Ranch prescribed burn. In any case, there’s no need to call 911, as the smoke and flames are intentional and under close supervision by authorities.
Louisville councilmember recalled
In a preliminary vote count, Louisville Councilmember Maxine Most has been recalled. According to the website dedicated to the recall, the effort was primarily driven by frustration among some voters regarding Most’s stance on building codes for Marshall Fire survivors. They believed she was unwilling to compromise, as many fire victims wanted to build to older, cheaper standards. On the other hand, supporters of Most have characterized the recall as “a political hit job and akin to an attack on democracy.”
The woman set to replace Most is Judi Kern, whose website says she’s pro-business, and for fighting climate change, and has no agenda (other than yours), and is not a politician. On her topics page she wants to keep Louisville’s small town feel while increasing the amount of affordable housing.
Lafayette council accepting applications
After the unexpected passing of Lafayette City Councilmember Tonya Briggs, Lafayette is accepting applications for candidates to fill the vacancy. Due by Oct. 27, the selected member will fill the seat until the November 2025 election when voters choose someone else. As to why residents couldn’t vote on a replacement this year, Sept. 8 was the deadline for candidacy, and that date has passed.
Applications will be posted online for public review starting Oct. 31, with a special city council meeting where the public can speak up held on Nov. 13.
Help distribute City of Boulder grants
The City of Boulder finance department is looking for community members who can help distribute the Community, Culture, Resilience and Safety Tax: .03% dedicated sales tax intended for city capital projects. Up to 10% of the tax’s revenue, or something like $21 million over 15 years, is set aside for local nonprofit funding. Deciding which nonprofits get the money is what a community member would help with.
If reviewing applications for at least eight hours from late October through the end of November sounds fun, along with collaborating with other reviewers over two or three meetings, you should submit your own application by this Friday, Oct. 13. The city reassures those interested that the role will be technical and advisory, not political, so there’s no need to be an activist or active in a nonprofit to apply. In fact, it’s probably better if you’re not — for lack of bias in the review process and all that.
Boulder County opens Lafayette hub
For residents of Lafayette who previously felt excluded from county services, they should feel so no longer. The Southeast County Community Hub, located in a newly renovated building at 1755 S. Public Road, will offer specific times where residents can get Clerk and Recorder help, and Housing and Human services, services. This means a voting dropbox will be at the location, those needing help with Colorado’s medicaid program can get it there, and more. Most services require an appointment, so make sure to visit the county’s website before heading over.
Local hearing on local composting
Tomorrow, Oct. 12 at the Boulder County Courthouse, county commissioners will decide whether to let local farmers take their composting game to the next level. As things currently stand, farmers are limited in the amount of compost they can generate on their properties. They also can’t take in scraps from outside their farms, nor can they sell the compost they produce back to the public. Because compost requires a balance of different materials to be effective, without the ability to take in outside materials, some farms’ composting efforts are rendered ineffective. And though many residents with gardens of their own would happily provide additional revenue to farms for compost, as of now, they’re not allowed to.
The goal is to reduce waste in Boulder County and increase the resiliency of local farms. There are many caveats, however, such as compost will have to be taken directly to farms from households and backyard composting efforts will still have limits. If you have a compost pile behind your home in Boulder County, you’re limited to five cubic yards at any given time, or roughly 2,300 pounds of food scraps. If you’re a farm, you can have 1,000 cubic yards. All, of course, if commissioners give the go ahead.
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