Good Wednesday morning, Boulder. As always, this is your all-local BRL Today, with news you won’t find anywhere else.
Leading today’s edition: Boulder’s police union has filed a formal complaint against Maria Soledad Diaz, co-chair of the city’s Police Oversight Panel, accusing her of bias and of undermining confidence in Boulder’s system for reviewing misconduct allegations against officers. The complaint — the first of its kind from the union — centers on Diaz’s public statements about representing communities historically harmed by policing. The dispute highlights a deeper tension in Boulder’s oversight system, which was designed both to review complaints impartially and to give historically excluded communities a stronger voice in oversight. John Herrick reports.
Also today, in Food and Drink: Casa Juani has opened on Pearl Street, where former Frasca chefs Eduardo Valle Lobo and Kelly Jeun are bringing the flavors of Spain to downtown Boulder. The couple’s first solo restaurant centers on a seafood-focused marisquería, with tapas, Iberico pork, grilled fish and seasonal dishes inspired by the meals Valle Lobo grew up eating. Gabe Toth reports.
Plus more, Below the Fold:
- BoulderCAST: Boulder warms to the 60s before a late-week cooldown.
- Measles cases: Two tied to Broomfield High; BVSD warns of quarantines.
- Signal upgrades: Boulder targeting three crash-prone intersections.
- Library opportunities: Trustee sought, card design contest open.
- Victim advocates: Sheriff recruiting volunteers.
Thanks, as always, for reading,
– the BRL team
Boulder police union files complaint accusing oversight panel co-chair of bias
The complaint highlights a core tension in civilian oversight between providing impartial review of misconduct allegations and amplifying historically underrepresented perspectives in policing. Continue reading…
New Boulder restaurant Casa Juani brings Spanish seafood and tapas from Frasca alumni chefs
Frasca alumni chefs Eduardo Valle Lobo and Kelly Jeun open their first solo restaurant on Pearl Street in downtown Boulder. Continue reading…
A pair of warm days ahead of a snowy Friday
Thursday’s weather will bring a little more attitude. Winds and fire danger will spike for parts of the Front Range, mainly south of Denver, while Boulder stays relatively mellow with highs in the upper 60s and some passing clouds.
Another, more complex storm system moves in Thursday night, and this one will have some punch. A sharp cooldown follows Friday, with temperatures stuck in the 30s and periods of wet, sloppy snow, possibly mixed with rain at times. The details are still being fine-tuned, but Boulder is currently favored to pick up a couple of inches of slush during the day, mostly on grassy areas while roads stay just wet.
It fits the season, after all: March is our snowiest month of the year.
Two measles cases tied to Broomfield High; BVSD warns of possible quarantines
BVSD officials say two confirmed measles cases are linked to Broomfield High School, prompting warnings that some students could face 21-day quarantines if exposed and not vaccinated.
Both students were unvaccinated, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The first case, confirmed Feb. 27, involved a Broomfield County resident with no known travel or connection to other recent Colorado cases, raising concerns about unidentified community spread. A second case was confirmed March 2 in an Adams County resident, also tied to Broomfield High.
Exposure sites include Broomfield High on multiple dates between Feb. 19-27, as well as several businesses in Broomfield, Lafayette, Louisville and Westminster. Public health officials say anyone at those locations during listed times should monitor for symptoms for 21 days. The sites are listed here and here.
Measles is highly contagious. Nine out of 10 unprotected people exposed to the virus will become infected. Symptoms begin with fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes, followed by a rash.
BVSD said students who are exposed and lack documented immunity may be required to stay home from school and activities for up to 21 days, a timeline that could extend with additional exposures. With state testing, spring sports, prom and graduation approaching, district leaders urged families to verify vaccination records. The MMR vaccine provides long-lasting protection and remains the most effective way to prevent illness and avoid exclusion from school, officials reiterated.
Signal upgrades coming to 3 high-risk Boulder intersections
Boulder will begin construction in March to improve safety at three intersections with higher crash risks: Baseline Road and Broadway, Baseline Road and Mohawk Avenue, and Folsom Street and Pine Street. The grant-funded upgrades will focus on signal improvements, including protected turn phases, dedicated turn lanes, “smart” signals that adjust to traffic conditions, longer crossing times and accessibility upgrades to curb ramps. The city says the changes are aimed at reducing serious and fatal crashes, particularly for people walking and biking.
Drivers should expect single-lane closures, and people biking and walking may encounter detours. Most impacts are expected in April and May, with work scheduled through spring 2026, weather permitting.
The projects are funded through a federal Highway Safety Improvement Program grant administered by the Colorado Department of Transportation and support Boulder’s Vision Zero goal of eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries.
Boulder library seeks applicants for board seat, art for new library cards
The Boulder Public Library District is accepting applications for one five-year term on its Board of Trustees, the body that oversees library policies, finances and leadership. Applicants must be 18 or older and live within the library district. The deadline to apply is noon on March 20. An information session with current trustees will be held March 10 from 5-6 p.m. at the Main Library.
The library is also accepting entries through March 31 for its Library Card Art Design Contest, open to Boulder County residents of all ages. Two winning designs from adults and teens (15 and older) and three from children will be selected. The adult and teen winners will be chosen through public voting in April, and the designs will appear on library cards during the library’s Summer of Discovery program.
Boulder County Sheriff’s Office seeks volunteer victim advocates
The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office is seeking volunteer victim advocates to assist victims of crimes, accidents and other traumatic events.
“Ideal volunteers are at least 21 years old, calm, compassionate, emotionally mature, and non-judgmental,” according to the press release. The Sheriff’s Office is looking for both “on-scene” volunteers who would be on call to respond to the scene of a crime or accident, and “outreach” volunteers, who would contact victims by phone or email to offer services.
Applications are due by March 20. If accepted into the program, volunteers need to attend 40 hours of training on Tuesday evenings, Thursday evenings and Saturdays, between April 14 and May 2.
Check out more details about the program and a volunteer description here. To receive an application, email sheriffvictimassistance@bouldercounty.gov, call 303-441-3656, or fill out the Volunteer Interest Form.
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