Good Wednesday morning, Boulder.
Leading today: As you likely know, the Trump administration has fired thousands of probationary federal employees across multiple agencies in a sweeping effort to shrink the federal workforce. Boulder County, home to roughly 1,700 direct federal employees and a few thousand workers at federally funded research labs, is already feeling the effects. The Boulder Chamber estimates that about 12,000 people in the county work in jobs tied to federal funding.
Some workers have already lost their jobs, while many more are stuck in agonizing uncertainty as they await their fate.
“We’ll just be on Social Security for now, and he’ll go back to applying for jobs endlessly,” said one Boulder resident whose husband was laid off.
Meanwhile, a protest is planned today in Boulder as affected workers and their supporters rally against the cuts.
If you or someone you know in Boulder County has been affected by these layoffs, we want to hear from you. You can share your story through our anonymous survey —your responses will remain confidential unless you choose to be quoted.
On a different note, we’re excited to see you at our event tomorrow at Rosetta Hall! We’ve had a great response and are at capacity based on RSVPs. If your plans change, please cancel your RSVP to make room for others who’d love to attend.
Below the Fold today:
- Senate resignation: Democratic State Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis resigns amid ethics probe.
- Police oversight lawsuit: Legal fight over removed Boulder Police Oversight Panel member escalates.
- King Soopers deal: Grocery chain, UFCW Local 7 reach agreement, ending strike.
- Megan Trussell: Authorities seek witnesses after CU student’s body found.
- Snowplow policy: Boulder City Council drops proposed review of plowing rules.
- Library trustee: Applications open for Boulder Public Library District board seat.
- Knitting for a cause: Frasier residents donate 60 handmade blankets to families in need.
- Phish at Folsom: Band to play three-night run.
Have a wonderful rest of your week,
– Brooke, reporter
Federal workers in Boulder face uncertainty as mass layoffs ripple through government agencies
With over a dozen federal labs and at least 1,700 federal employees, Boulder workers face job losses and an uncertain future, while the broader local economy braces for the impact of abrupt Trump administration cuts. Continue reading…
Cold snap today, springlike warmth by weekend
A cold snap grips the region today, with highs barely reaching 20 degrees and a few lingering flurries before skies clear overnight. Thursday remains frigid, with highs in the 20s under increasing clouds and a slight chance of light snow. But a real warm-up is on the way — by the weekend, expect highs in the 50s and even 60s as dry, springlike weather settles in.
Boulder County Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis resigns amid ethics probe
State Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis, a Longmont Democrat, announced her resignation Tuesday, Feb. 18, just as a Senate ethics committee prepared to release its findings on allegations that she mistreated legislative aides and staffers.
“I have the opportunity to serve with a regional not-for-profit that focuses on developing future women and LGBTQ+ leaders through an international lens,” she wrote on Facebook, declining to name the organization due to pending paperwork.
Jaquez Lewis, a licensed pharmacist, was first elected to the Colorado House in 2018 and won a state Senate seat in 2020. She was a member of the Colorado Democratic Latino Caucus and previously served on the Boulder County Board of Health and as president of Rocky Mountain Equality, formerly Out Boulder County.
In her resignation post, she described serving in the legislature as emotionally, physically and financially demanding, while also saying she had accomplished more legislative goals than she could have dreamed of. “I am ready for some real and true time off,” she wrote.
Early last year, several former aides accused Jaquez Lewis of creating a toxic workplace, withholding wages and isolating staff, according to CPR. Others alleged she used campaign funds to pay aides for personal tasks like landscaping and bartending, failing to report the expenses until media coverage exposed them, The Colorado Sun reported.
On Jan. 10, the Political Workers Guild filed an ethics complaint on behalf of former aides and staffers, accusing Jaquez Lewis of wage theft, underreporting campaign spending and abusing power dynamics. Read more on BRL.
Judge rules key claims in Boulder police oversight lawsuit can proceed
A federal magistrate judge has recommended allowing key parts of a lawsuit against the City of Boulder over the removal of a Police Oversight Panel member to move forward. The recommendation signals that the court believes constitutional questions about free speech, government retaliation and due process warrant further legal review.
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in January 2024, challenges the Boulder City Council’s decision to remove Lisa Sweeney-Miran from the Police Oversight Panel, a volunteer group that reviews internal investigations of police misconduct. Sweeney-Miran, the director of a homeless shelter and a political organizer, was removed after a city-appointed special counsel determined that the selection committee that nominated her failed to properly evaluate candidates for bias.
Sweeney-Miran’s lawsuit alleges that the city retaliated against her for protected speech — specifically, her criticism of police and her involvement in a lawsuit challenging Boulder’s camping ban — violating her First Amendment rights. She also claims the city denied her due process by removing her without a formal opportunity to defend herself. Read more on BRL.
King Soopers, UFCW Local 7 reach agreement to end work stoppage
King Soopers reached a Return to Work and Peaceful Relations Agreement with UFCW Local 7. As part of the deal, all Colorado picket lines were removed on Feb. 17, and stores will resume normal operations today, Feb. 19.
The agreement allows eligible associates impacted by the work stoppage to retain their company-funded healthcare coverage and includes a 100-day labor peace period while negotiations for a long-term contract continue.
Kim Cordova, president of UFCW Local 7, called the strike “a big step forward” in addressing what she described as a nationwide staffing crisis in grocery stores.
“We will go back to the bargaining table and continue our fight for a fair union contract for us, our customers and the communities we serve,” Cordova said. “This strike was about thousands of everyday grocery store workers, collectively standing together and facing one of the largest corporations in America and saying ENOUGH.”
“Our associates are the heart of King Soopers,” said King Soopers President Joe Kelley. “This agreement restores certainty for them, our business, and the communities we proudly serve.”
Authorities seek witnesses after CU Boulder student’s body found in Boulder Canyon
The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of Megan Trussell, a CU Boulder student whose body was found near mile marker 40 in Boulder Canyon. Authorities have not yet released details on the circumstances of her death, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Sheriff’s detectives are asking for the public’s help, according to Trussell’s mother, Vanessa Diaz. Anyone who was in Eben G. Fine Park or near the mouth of the canyon on Sunday, Feb. 9, between 10 and 11 p.m., or in the canyon between 10:45 p.m. and 2 a.m., is urged to contact Boulder County Dispatch at 303-441-4444 — even if they didn’t see anything suspicious.
Businesses and residents near the canyon are also asked to save any security footage from Feb. 9 between 10 p.m. and midnight, as it may be critical to the case.
The Sheriff’s Office says updates will be shared as more information becomes available.
Trussell was last seen on Feb. 9 on campus. She grew up in Denver and graduated from Northfield High School, according to CBS News. “She just made people happy,” her father, Joe Trussell, said. “She was a very unique, very funny person.”
No formal review of Boulder’s snowplow policies after all
A planned Boulder City Council discussion on revisiting the city’s snowplow policies is no longer moving forward. Councilmember Mark Wallach had requested a “Nod of 5” to reconsider plowing protocols after a minor storm last month left steep secondary streets covered in ice.
But after discussions with the city’s transportation director, Wallach said he now believes existing policies already allow for discretion in addressing hazardous conditions when needed. Given that, he withdrew his request this week.
“We do not need a completely new policy; we do not need to retain consultants or engage in extensive community engagement. We need to plow the streets when conditions warrant.”
Applications open for Boulder Public Library District trustee seat
The Boulder Public Library District is accepting applications for an open position on its Board of Trustees. The five-year term will begin in May, following the departure of current trustee Sam Fuqua. The board is responsible for guiding the library’s financial and programmatic success.
The Boulder Public Library District was established in 2022 after voters approved its formation, transitioning the library system from city control to a property tax-funded district
Applicants must be at least 18 years old and reside within the library district boundaries. Trustees meet monthly and may also serve on committees or as liaisons to the Boulder Library Foundation Board. Applications are due by March 7 at noon.
Frasier knitters donate 60 handmade blankets to families in need
A group of dedicated knitters from Frasier, the senior living community, has spent the past year crafting more than 60 blankets for infants and toddlers in need. On Feb. 20, they’ll donate their “labor of love” to Boulder Housing Partners, the city’s largest nonprofit affordable housing provider.
The blankets — representing over 4,000 hours of knitting, crocheting and assembling — will go to BHP’s youngest residents, from infancy to age three.
The donation event takes place at 2:30 p.m. at Frasier’s Canyons Center, where community members are invited to witness the presentation and hear from the knitters and BHP representatives.
Phish to play Folsom Field over July 4th weekend
Phish has announced their summer 2025 tour, including a three-night run at Boulder’s Folsom Field from July 3-5. The shows mark a departure from the band’s usual Labor Day weekend performances at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
A ticket request period is open now at tickets.phish.com through Feb. 24 at noon ET, with general sales starting Feb. 28 at 10 a.m. ET. Travel packages for Boulder go on sale today, Feb. 19, at 10 a.m. MT.
Phish joins a long list of legendary acts to perform at Folsom Field, including Dead & Co., Paul McCartney and The Rolling Stones. The band is also up for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, with fans able to vote at vote.rockhall.com through April 21.
☀️ 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.