Good Monday morning, Boulder. Today’s BRL Today is sponsored by Visit Boulder. Learn how to open your home for the 2027 Sundance Film Festival in Boulder with a City of Boulder Festival Lodging Rental License.
Leading today’s edition: A Boulder County wildfire ignited while Xcel Energy was restoring power after its December windstorm shutoff, according to a local fire official, raising new questions about whether turning electricity back on can recreate the wildfire risk the shutoffs are meant to reduce. Fire Chief Michael Schmitt said a previously reported downed and damaged powerline in Sunshine Canyon was re-energized during restoration, sparking a fire while high winds were still present.
John Herrick reports that the incident has renewed scrutiny of Xcel’s internal communication and inspection systems, as state regulators weigh new rules for planned shutoffs and restorations. A second fire days later in Fourmile Canyon, known as the Wild Turkey Fire, also appears to have been caused by damaged Xcel infrastructure, adding to broader concerns about grid safety during extreme wind events.
Also today: As Black History Month begins, questions remain about who will fill the gap left by the now-inactive Boulder County NAACP. A local cultural group, ECAASE, is carrying on Black History Month and Juneteenth events, but no organization has stepped in to replace the branch’s former role in civil rights and policy advocacy. Brooke Stephenson reports.
And finally: Boulder saw its largest ICE-related protests yet this weekend, with thousands gathering downtown and hundreds joining a memorial bike ride honoring Alex Pretti, as the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office reissued guidance urging residents to call 911 if ICE agents attempt to enter homes without a judge’s warrant.
Plus more, Below the Fold:
- Sen. Jaquez Lewis convicted: Four felonies; sentencing set for Feb. 27.
- Immigration response: Boulder businesses close, donate.
- Water rule: City plans watershed protections this spring.
- Energy rebates: Up to $14K for home upgrades.
- Things to Do: Black History Month films, Boulder beer history, game show night, westerns, theater + more.
Thanks, as always, for reading,
– The BRL team
Open your home for the 2027 Sundance Film Festival in Boulder and be part of a cultural moment. With a City of Boulder Festival Lodging Rental License or regular short-term rental license, Boulder homeowners can host Festival guests and help meet lodging demand — while earning income and supporting local businesses. Visit Boulder has partnered with trusted property management companies to make hosting simple, safe and stress-free, or you can self-manage on your own terms.
Boulder County wildfire ignited during Xcel’s power restoration after windstorm shutoff, fire chief says
The December incident in Sunshine Canyon, followed by another fire days later in Fourmile Canyon, has raised questions about whether turning the power back on can recreate the wildfire risk the shutoffs are meant to reduce. Continue reading…
‘We’ve got to keep it moving’: After Boulder NAACP’s dissolution, cultural group carries on Black History Month events
The Executive Committee African American Cultural Events (ECAACE) is hosting Black History Month programming previously organized in part by the NAACP, but no group has yet emerged to fill the former local branch’s role in policy and civil rights advocacy. Continue reading…
Photos: Thousands fill Boulder streets in the city’s largest ICE protests to date
A downtown protest and memorial bike ride drew an estimated 3,000 people, marking the largest ICE-related demonstrations Boulder has seen. Continue reading…
Boulder County DA reissues ICE guidance, says residents should call 911 if agents lack judicial warrants
The Boulder County District Attorney’s Office is reissuing guidance about “the many ways we can protect ourselves and our immigrant communities.” Continue reading…
Slight chance of rain and snow Tuesday evening
We’re starting the week mostly cloudy, then gradually turning sunny today, with a high near 57. Winds will shift from west to east this afternoon, with gusts up to 15 mph.
Tuesday will be mostly sunny, with a high near 53. A slight chance of rain — just 10% — is possible after 5 p.m., increasing to a 20% chance of rain and snow Tuesday night. The low will dip to around 27. Skies clear again by Wednesday, with sunny weather and a high near 52.
Former Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis convicted of four felony charges
Jaquez Lewis, a Longmont Democrat, was convicted on Jan. 28 on four felony charges, including attempting to influence a public servant and forgery. She will be sentenced on Feb. 27.
Jaquez Lewis, a licensed pharmacist, resigned in February 2025 after an ethics investigation in which investigators found that a letter of support submitted in her defense was likely written without the knowledge or consent of the former employee it was attributed to.
During the jury trial, her attorney, Craig Truman, said Jaquez Lewis was busy and overwhelmed while trying to defend herself from allegations before the Senate Ethics Committee, according to the Colorado Sun. Truman said she should not have written the letters but was trying to defend herself. Read more on BRL.
Boulder businesses close, donate proceeds to protest ICE
Dozens of Boulder businesses closed or donated proceeds Friday to immigrant rights groups as part of a nationwide economic shutdown protesting Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Some businesses shut down entirely, while others stayed open and donated a portion of sales to organizations including Casa de Paz, the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, the Colorado Rapid Response Network and the Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network. Business owners cited solidarity with Minneapolis, where thousands of immigration agents have been deployed and protesters have been killed.
“We want to honor Renee Good and Alex Pretti and all the lesser-known individuals who have been victims of ICE’s state-sponsored violence,” January Coffee wrote in announcing its closure. See the list. Read more on BRL.
Boulder to consider watershed protection rule this spring
A new rule to protect Boulder’s drinking water supplies outside city limits will go before city council this spring.
The proposed Watershed Protection Ordinance would prohibit any party from polluting or contaminating Boulder Reservoir, Barker Reservoir, Silver Lake and nearby areas. Violations could lead to city enforcement and penalties.
The protected area overlaps with Boulder County and Nederland, but neither jurisdiction opposes the ordinance, according to materials presented to the Water Resources Advisory Board. If approved, the city would also create a resource to help residents understand boundaries and compliance.
Under Colorado law, municipalities can regulate land use up to five miles upstream of drinking water sources. A legal precedent was set when the Colorado Supreme Court sided with Carbondale in a case involving pesticide use near its watershed.
Similar ordinances exist in several towns, including Brighton, Crested Butte, Grand Junction, Silverton and Steamboat Springs, according to Kate Dunlap, the city’s drinking water quality manager.
Boulder began drafting the ordinance amid concern over encroaching oil and gas development, though no specific incident prompted the move.
“It’s more than just a proactive approach,” Dunlap told the Water Advisory Board in January.
The Water Resources Advisory Board did not raise concerns. City council is expected to consider the ordinance this spring, with adoption possible by late spring.
New energy efficiency rebates available for income-qualified homes
Two energy rebate programs are now available to help low- and middle-income Boulder County residents cover the cost of home electrification and energy upgrades.
EnergySmart is offering to cover up to 50% of project costs — up to $2,000 — for electric water heaters, induction stoves and more. Projects must be completed and invoiced by Dec. 31, 2026.
The state’s Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate (HEAR) Program provides up to $14,000 in rebates for income-qualified single-family homeowners. Eligible upgrades include heat pumps, insulation, electric panels and other improvements. The rebates are applied as upfront discounts and must be installed by a registered contractor.
Residents can use the Energy Savings Navigator, a free tool from the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, to explore available assistance.
☀️ 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.
Adult Modern Dance Class with Mary Wohl Haan: Monday, Feb. 2, 5:15-6:30 p.m., Avalon Ballroom, Tango Studio, 6185 Arapahoe Rd. Additional dates weekly. Read More
999: The Forgotten Girls: Monday, Feb. 2, 6:30-8:00 p.m., Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St. Read More
CU Boulder Philharmonia Orchestra: First Spring 2026 Concert: Monday, Feb. 2, 7:30-9:30 p.m., Grusin Music Hall, 1020 18th St, and virtual. Read More
Whispers of the Soul: Documentary Screening with Dr. Thomas E. Lockhart: Tuesday, Feb. 3, 5:00-8:00 p.m., Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St. Read More
Brewing Beer in a Time of Temperance: Wednesday, Feb. 4, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Museum of Boulder, 2205 Broadway. Read More
Ain’t No Back to a Merry-Go-Round screening: Wednesday, Feb. 4, 7:00-8:30 p.m., Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St. Additional dates Feb. 5-7. Read More
The Copper Children with Justin Bradford: Thursday, Feb. 5, 7:00-9:30 p.m., eTown, 1535 Spruce St. Read more
Museum: Friday, Feb. 6, 3:00-4:30 p.m. and 7:30-9:00 p.m., The Nomad Playhouse, 1410 Quince Ave. Additional dates Feb 7 and 8. Read More
February First Friday + Gallery Opening: Friday, Feb. 6, 6:00-9:00 p.m., Crowd Collective, 4939 Broadway #58. Read More
Opening Reception Forbidden: Native Languages, Tattoos, Ceremony: Friday, Feb. 6, 6:00-9:00 p.m., NoBo on the Corner, 4600 Broadway. Read More
Tim Cook & Godson – An Intimate Soul & Roots Evening: Friday, Feb. 6, 7:30 p.m., Roots Music Project, 4747 Pearl, Suite V3A. Read More
Game Show Night w/ Rion Evans: Friday, Feb. 6, 8:00-9:30 p.m., The Louisville Underground, 640 Main St, Louisville. Read More
Hazel Miller & Jack Hadley: Saturday, Feb. 7, 7:30 p.m., Roots Music Project, 4747 Pearl, Suite V3A. Read More
Western Movie Club: The Gunfighter with film critic Michael J. Casey: Sunday, Feb. 8, 2:00-4:00 p.m., University of Colorado Boulder, Muenzinger Auditorium, 1905 Colorado Ave. Read More
Local Theater Company: Bad Books: Sunday, Feb. 8, 2:00-4:00 p.m. and 7:30-9:30 p.m., Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St. Additional dates Feb. 5-14. Read More