Good Monday morning, Boulder, and happy New Year.
Leading today’s edition: We’re kicking off 2026 with a new analysis of Boulder City Council voting records, offering a clearer view of how the council actually operates. Council dynamics are often described as two simple camps. But voting records tell a more complicated story.
This work builds on a project launched in 2024: Boulder Reporting Lab’s award-winning City Council Vote Tracker, built and maintained by John Herrick using official city records. To our knowledge, it’s the only public resource that allows for comparison of Boulder City Council voting data across issues and over time. So far, the tracker compiles every vote cast by the previous council over two full years, pulling information from hard-to-navigate public records. We’ll continue updating the tracker as the new council term unfolds.
Two key findings today: While six councilmembers entered the term with endorsements from the Boulder Progressives, voting patterns show a less consistent majority than endorsements alone would suggest. Housing affordability also emerged as the council’s most frequent focus, based on the number of votes taken.
Why it matters: This is an election year. In the months ahead, voters will encounter a flood of claims about who stands for what. Some of the same councilmembers analyzed here are running again. By focusing on the record, this analysis provides a factual baseline as Boulder heads into another consequential election year.
And: If you missed it, John Lehndorff’s Nibbles newsletter last week recapped a busy year for Boulder County restaurants and looks ahead to what’s next.
Plus more, Below the Fold:
- January sunshine: Mild days hold through midweek.
- Parking hike: Boulder rates rose Jan. 1, up $0.50 an hour on the street.
- CU Regent race: Democrats jump in for the open Regent CD2 seat.
- Grief and gratitude: Ribbons line the Boulder Creek bridge through Jan. 11.
- Last call: Farmers market vendor applications due today.
Thanks, as always, for reading,
– The BRL team
Boulder City Council voting records reveal a complicated majority
Six takeaways from Boulder Reporting Lab’s review of Boulder City Council voting records from December 2023 through the end of the previous council’s term. Continue reading…
Sunshine and mild highs through midweek
More warm January weather continues, with sunshine and above-average highs through midweek. Expect breezy afternoons and cool nights, with modest cooling but temperatures remaining well above normal. Fire weather conditions will remain elevated due to the wind and continued dryness.
Today will be mostly sunny with a high near 59 and gusty west winds. Tonight turns partly cloudy, with lows in the mid-30s. Tuesday and Wednesday stay mostly sunny, with highs in the low to mid-50s. A chance of snow returns Thursday.
Parking rates rose across Boulder on Jan. 1
Parking in Boulder now costs a little more.
On-street parking rates increased by $0.50 per hour on Jan. 1 in downtown Boulder, University Hill and Boulder Junction, following changes approved in the city’s 2026 budget. Some downtown blocks may see higher or lower prices under the city’s performance-based pricing system, which adjusts rates based on demand.
Parking remains free for the first 15 minutes, though drivers must start a ParkMobile session to receive the free time.
Garage parking rates also increased. The first six hours now cost $1.75 per hour, while parking for six to 12 hours remains a flat $15. Evening parking from 3 p.m. to 3 a.m. costs $3, and parking remains free on weekends and city holidays.
All paid garage transactions include a separate $0.99 service fee charged by Metropolis, the city’s parking vendor. City officials say the increases are intended to cover rising maintenance and operating costs and are expected to generate about $800,000 in additional annual revenue for downtown parking services. The city’s interactive map shows parking rates by block.
Democratic candidates emerge in CU Regent CD2 race
Several Democrats have jumped into the race for the University of Colorado Board of Regents seat representing Colorado’s 2nd Congressional District, which includes Boulder and much of Boulder County. The seat is open in 2026.
Former state Rep. Edie Hooton announced her candidacy last week. Hooton, who served three terms in the Colorado House before withdrawing from the 2022 race, says she’s running to bring fiscal expertise and coalition-building experience to the Board of Regents. She previously chaired the legislature’s Capital Development Committee and says she helped secure funding for university projects.
Boulder attorney and entrepreneur Kubs Lalchandani has also announced a Democratic bid. Lalchandani has framed his campaign around protecting CU from federal policy shifts and political pressure, pointing to his experience advising institutions on financial management, litigation strategy and long-term planning.
Also running is Kristopher Larsen, a CU alumnus, Ph.D. scientist and former mayor of Nederland. Larsen says he’s motivated by a desire to preserve access to higher education, support CU’s research mission and bring a scientist’s perspective to university governance.
The Democratic primary for the CU Regent CD2 seat will take place in June 2026.
Sharing grief and gratitude on a Boulder Creek bridge
Boulder residents still have time to take part in a community grief and gratitude project unfolding over Boulder Creek.
Through Jan. 11, community members and visitors are invited to hang ribbons expressing grief, gratitude or both on the pedestrian bridge over Boulder Creek just west of Broadway. The Community Grief and Gratitude Ribbon Project launched in late December as a way for people to collectively acknowledge loss, resilience and connection after a difficult year.
Organizers say the project is open to anyone and reflects a wide range of experiences, from personal loss to broader community and global concerns. Ribbons will remain on the bridge through the project’s closing ceremony, scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 11 at noon.
Deadline today for 2026 Boulder County farmers market vendors
The deadline to apply to sell food or drink at Boulder County farmers markets during the 2026 season is today, Jan. 5.
The application is open to new and returning vendors who grow, raise or produce their own products in Colorado, under the market’s producer-only policy. Boulder County Farmers Markets requires vendors to source locally, meet quality standards and participate consistently throughout the season.
Applications submitted today carry a $100 fee. Late applications will be accepted from Jan. 6-12 with a $200 fee, and vendors are expected to be notified of acceptance decisions by Feb. 9.
Applicants are encouraged to review the market’s 2026 rules, waste reduction requirements, and documentation guidelines before applying.
Don’t miss John Lehndorff’s wrap-up of a wild year in Boulder County food
Boulder Reporting Lab food editor John Lehndorff is taking stock of a turbulent year for Boulder County restaurants — and looking ahead to what’s coming next — in the latest edition of Nibbles.
The year-end roundup tracks dozens of openings and closures across the county, from new Boulder spots like Vinca, Maisonette, C Burger and Crepe Therapy Café to Vietnamese, Italian, Cajun and dumpling-focused restaurants in Longmont, Lafayette, Louisville, Lyons and Niwot. Lehndorff also notes the loss of longtime favorites, including Breadworks, Sanitas Brewing and The Roadhouse Boulder Depot, as well as the reopening of Half Fast Subs after a fire.
Looking ahead, the newsletter reports that more restaurant openings are already in the pipeline for 2026, including Casa Juani, a Spanish seafood restaurant expected to open in Boulder in February, as the city prepares for the Sundance Film Festival’s arrival in 2027.
Nibbles is delivered free every Tuesday around lunchtime and covers Boulder County restaurant news, dining tips and cooking insights. Sign up to receive it directly in your inbox.
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