Good Wednesday morning, Boulder. Today’s BRL Today is sponsored by All Roads — help Boulder’s homeless residents access shelter and support this winter by supporting All Roads this giving season.
Leading today’s edition: When we reported last month on the city’s approval of the Williams Village II development, the plan was for the Dark Horse to close and be demolished sometime next spring. But the timeline for the bar’s closure has now tightened dramatically. The developer says that under the city’s subdivision rules, keeping its construction schedule would require demolishing the beloved Dark Horse by the end of the year. The property owner is asking the city for flexibility so the bar can remain open into early 2026 without delaying the project. City officials say they’ve imposed no deadlines and are reviewing the request. John Herrick reports.
Also today (speaking of bars): The founders of Jungle have opened Siren in South Boulder, a nautical-themed cocktail bar inspired by East Coast taverns. The spot leans into martinis, offers a range of more complex cocktails than Jungle, and serves tinned seafood, grilled cheese sandwiches and caviar service. The team hopes it becomes a family-friendly neighborhood hangout. Gabe Toth reports.
And if you’re still not signed up for John Lehndorff’s Nibbles newsletter, take a few seconds to put your email address here. Yesterday, he went on a latke tour of Boulder for his Hanukkah guide, and there’s much more to come in future editions.
More, Below the Fold:
- Warm spell: Boulder stays dry, breezy and snowless.
- Survey says: Residents want affordability, safety and small shops.
- Green funds: County offers $800K for soil and food projects.
- Step up: Boulder recruiting for boards and commissions.
- Slow go: Colorado’s 2026 economy expected to see minimal growth.
Thanks, as always, for reading,
– The BRL team
Help Boulder’s homeless find shelter, food, warmth, treatment and most importantly a home, by supporting All Roads generously this season. We rely on private gifts now more than ever, and we know how to find the way home even for our most challenging clients. Every $5,000 donated means another chronically homeless adult can spend the holidays – and the rest of the year – under a roof instead of on the street.
Boulder’s Dark Horse could close by year’s end as redevelopment plans and subdivision rules collide
The Williams Village II property owner is asking city officials for flexibility in the subdivision process to keep the Dark Horse open a few months longer without delaying redevelopment. The city is reviewing the request. Continue reading…
New Boulder cocktail bar Siren brings a nautical, East Coast tavern vibe to South Boulder
The team behind Jungle has opened a martini-forward neighborhood bar with tinned seafood, vintage-ship decor and a family-friendly feel. Continue reading…
Warm, dry and breezy. Repeat.
A stubborn weather pattern has Boulder locked into warm, dry and breezy conditions, and it looks like we’ll be riding this stretch for at least another week.
This afternoon will top out in the upper 50s to near 60 degrees, with occasional downslope gusts pushing 25 mph and wave clouds dotting the sky.
Thursday will crank things up even more, with highs soaring into the mid to upper 60s, close enough to Boulder’s Dec. 11 record of 71 that we’ll be keeping an eye on it. Exactly how warm we get will depend on the extent of wave cloud coverage and how strong the downslope winds are.
Overnight lows will also depend on the wind, but in general they will be above average in the 30s to 40s the next few nights. Our next chance of precipitation is likely still a week or more away. With our record-late first blanket of snow basically gone already, fire danger will creep up alongside any winds heading into next week.
Here’s what Boulder residents say they want the city and county to look like
New survey results from the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan update show residents’ top concerns: the rising cost of living and housing, safety for people walking and biking, protecting the environment, and ensuring access to water and energy during emergencies.
The statistically valid survey reached 5,000 randomly selected households and received 668 responses, plus 950 responses to an open online questionnaire. Results were weighted to reflect Boulder Valley’s demographics: a population that is roughly half renters and half homeowners, predominantly living in attached housing, about 49% ages 18-34, 28% ages 35-54 and 23% ages 55+, and about 89% white and 11% people of color. Most respondents live within Planning Area I, the City of Boulder.
Nearly 80% supported more affordable housing options and allowing more diverse housing types in more areas. Seventy-eight percent said Boulder should prioritize using underutilized sites before expanding outward. And 89% supported allowing small neighborhood businesses — cafés, salons, daycares and small shops — in residential areas. More than half supported converting vacant office space into housing.
As Boulder’s population ages, residents emphasized helping older adults travel safely and independently and expanding housing options affordable to those on fixed incomes.The Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan, first adopted in 1977, guides long-term decisions about growth, land use and public services for both the city and county. City council and the Planning Board will discuss the proposed policy direction and land-use changes on Dec. 10. A draft plan is expected in spring 2026. The full survey results are available online.
New county grants aim to help transform soils, food systems and even parking lots
Boulder County is rolling out more than $800,000 in sustainability grants, from regenerating farmland to turning asphalt into green space. And depending on the grant, applications are open to municipalities, businesses, homeowners associations, nonprofits, food producers and schools.
The Soil Health Initiative has $660,000 available for projects that restore and diversify soils; applications for private lands are open through Jan. 7.
The new Grey to Green Fund will give $20,000-$50,000 to convert “grey” areas like parking lots into rain gardens or micro-forests. Applications are due Feb. 3.
And the Sustainable Food and Agriculture Fund offers $10,000-$25,000 for local food education, farmworker support and infrastructure improvements through Jan. 7. The application link is here.
The programs are funded by the 0.125% Sustainability Tax.
Want to help shape Boulder’s future? The city is recruiting new board and commission members
Boulder is now accepting applications for openings on some of its most impactful boards and commissions, from Planning and Housing to Arts, Parks and Recreation, Police Oversight and Transportation. Applications are due Jan. 25.
These volunteer groups advise city council on everything from land-use decisions to public safety policy. Members can serve in person or virtually and receive an EcoPass for unlimited RTD rides. These roles are often a first step into civic service and have historically been a pathway for residents who later run for city council.
Learn more at an in-person open house on Jan. 5, 4-6 p.m., at the East Boulder Community Center. Register here.
CU Boulder report: Colorado’s 2026 economy will grow, barely
The latest economic outlook from CU Boulder’s Leeds School of Business projects only modest growth for Colorado in 2026, with the state expected to add 17,500 jobs, a 0.6% increase that extends a three-year slowdown in job gains. Health and education services are projected to lead the expansion, while the information sector and parts of leisure, hospitality and professional services may lose jobs.
The agriculture outlook is far more uneven. The report describes a “sharp divergence” between strong cattle prices and continued strain for crop producers facing low commodity prices, rising costs and tighter credit. Farm income is projected to fall from $2.2 billion in 2025 to $1.8 billion in 2026, with new fertilizer tariffs expected to hit next year’s planting season especially hard.
Demographic shifts remain a defining force in the state’s economy. Population growth will stay historically weak, with net migration expected to total about 15,700 people next year. Stricter federal immigration enforcement and slowing economic activity are contributing to the trend. And as baby boomers move into their 70s and 80s, the state faces more turnover in housing and added pressure on its workforce, according to the forecast.
☀️ 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.