Good Tuesday morning, Boulder. Wait — Tuesday? Why is BRL in your inbox today? Well, all October we’re testing an extra day of BRL Today, so you’ll be getting local news four mornings a week, instead of three.
We’ll be eager to learn what you think — whether you love the extra issue or prefer our usual schedule.
Leading today’s edition: After years of complaints, Boulder is moving ahead with an effort to curb late-night activity on Flagstaff Road. The city will install gates and fencing this fall to better enforce a nighttime parking ban aimed at reducing vandalism, illegal fires and camping — problems that neighbors say have persisted despite stepped-up patrols. The plan was scaled back after climbers warned that extending closures farther up the road would block access to historic climbing areas. Brooke Stephenson has more.
Also today: We’re continuing our election coverage with question two of our candidate questionnaire — this one on homelessness. Do the 11 candidates support Boulder’s camping ban when the main shelter is full?
If homelessness is an issue you’ll be weighing before you vote, take a look. Each candidate had ample space to explain their position. It’s one issue where their differences stand out. And don’t miss our BRL Election Guide, as ballots may start arriving as soon as Friday.
More, Below the Fold:
- BoulderCAST: 70s and 80s by midweek.
- Powerlines buried: Work begins in Chautauqua to cut fire risk.
- Prairie Run park: County breaks ground on new open space.
- Medicare: Free counseling available as open enrollment begins Oct. 15.
- Artists wanted: City seeks “whimsical and uplifting” trail art.
Thanks, as always, for reading,
– The BRL team
As your Councilman, Matt Benjamin has delivered progress on housing, homelessness, climate action, public safety and good governance. He leads with transparency, equity and accountability to reflect Boulder’s values. With momentum underway and challenges ahead, Matt is ready to keep leading. Re-elect Matt Benjamin for Boulder City Council to keep pushing for progress and building a Boulder that’s inclusive, resilient, and vibrant.
Boulder moves to fence off Flagstaff Road at night amid safety and wildfire concerns
City officials say the new barriers are needed to curb late-night parking, drinking and fires after patrols failed to deter activity along the popular mountain road. Continue reading…
2025 Boulder City Council election: Where candidates stand on the camping ban
BRL asked each of the 11 city council candidates: Should Boulder enforce its camping ban when the All Roads shelter is full? Here’s what they said. Continue reading…
A gray Tuesday but sunnier days ahead
Today starts off gray and damp in Boulder, with low clouds and patchy fog holding strong. Expect a gloomy morning, with temperatures in the low to mid-40s to start. Be extra careful if traveling in the Foothills, as visibility could be near zero in spots.
Skies will gradually brighten through the day, but don’t count on much sunshine. Upslope flow will hang tight, keeping us mostly cloudy, with temperatures staying near or below 60 degrees.
Looking ahead, a ridge of high pressure builds in by tomorrow, bringing a welcome stretch of sunny, dry, and warmer weather. Wednesday through Friday will feel much more pleasant, with highs climbing back into the 70s and even low 80s. Overnight lows will range from the mid-40s to mid-50s.
Our next — likely minor — weather system won’t arrive until late in the upcoming weekend.
Work begins to move Chautauqua’s powerlines underground to reduce fire risk
Crews began moving overhead utility and powerlines underground on Aug. 18 in Boulder’s Chautauqua neighborhood as part of a coordinated effort by the city, Xcel Energy and telecommunications companies to modernize aging infrastructure and lower wildfire risk. The work also includes installing fiber internet and upgrading water infrastructure, bringing one-lane road closures and visible construction equipment to the area.
It’s the first undergrounding project in Boulder with a large residential impact. It stems from a renewed partnership formed after Boulder ended its bid to create a city-run utility and agreed to drop its legal fight with Xcel, which led to a new franchise agreement and the restart of an undergrounding fund.
City electrical engineer Lex Telischak said the project reflects Boulder’s investment in Chautauqua, calling it a “crown jewel” of the city’s open space and one of its most visited destinations. “I think it’s really tending to our beauty and the facilities we have here in Boulder,” he told Boulder Reporting Lab.
Beyond improving aging infrastructure, the main reason for undergrounding is wildfire prevention. Telischak noted that moving powerlines underground eliminates the risk of vegetation contact, similar to what investigators have alleged was caused by Xcel equipment in the Marshall Fire. The project is also expected to reduce power outages. Read more on BRL.
Construction begins on the county’s new Prairie Run park
Boulder County Parks & Open Space has started work on the first phase of the new Prairie Run Open Space Park in southeast Boulder County, a 1,377-acre property with a dozen ponds and five miles of streams along Boulder and Coal creeks.
Phase 1 focuses on the southwest section, where crews are building the two-mile Sun Stride Trail with benches, a shade structure and creek access, plus the Kingbird Crossing Trailhead with 30 parking spaces, an accessible restroom and an automatic gate to restrict after-hours parking.
Construction is scheduled to finish by April 30, 2026, with parts of the park expected to open by early summer. The site sits between Highway 52, U.S. 287, County Line Road, Jasper Road and Kenosha Road, near Erie and Niwot.
Medicare open enrollment starts Oct. 15
Medicare open enrollment runs Oct. 15-Dec. 7, the only time of year to make changes to prescription drug or Medicare Advantage plans. Beneficiaries should also be receiving an “Annual Notice of Change” in the mail. If you’ve been sent a “Social Security Notice to Review Eligibility for Extra Help,” it must be returned within 30 days to keep extra benefits for 2026. Be sure your address is current on your Social Security account to avoid missing notices.
Boulder County offers free one-on-one counseling to help residents navigate Medicare options. Virtual “Medicare Basics” classes are also scheduled for Oct. 8, Oct. 16, Nov. 12, Nov. 20, and Dec. 10. To learn more or register, email medicare@bouldercounty.gov or schedule an appointment online.
Artists wanted for Bear Creek Greenway project
The city is seeking artists to create “bright, whimsical and uplifting” public art for two underpass entrances along the Bear Creek Greenway Trail. The goal is to bring more color and creativity to the popular bike and walking path through durable, low-maintenance works, ideally using glass or ceramic mosaics.
Selected artists will receive approximately $45,000 per location, or $90,000 if one artist is chosen for both. Finalists will receive $1,500 to develop site-specific proposals. Applications are due Nov. 17, with finalists chosen in January and a final selection expected in April. Apply through the city’s public art program.
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