Good Friday morning, Boulder. Today’s BRL Today is sponsored by Bank of Colorado, a family-owned community bank serving Coloradans since 1978 with 45 locations statewide. Learn more.
What should Boulder’s flag look like? The Museum of Boulder has unveiled 10 finalists in its unofficial city flag contest, featuring everything from the Flatirons and Pearl Street bricks to suns, stars and nods to Boulder’s mining history. Por Jaijongkit reports.
Now we want to know what BRL readers think. Browse the finalists and vote for your top three favorites in our informal poll before May 11. Next week, we’ll compare readers’ picks with the judges’ selections.
Also today: Boulder leaders, survivors and Jewish community organizations responded with grief, resilience and calls for unity Thursday after a judge sentenced the man responsible for the June 1 Pearl Street firebombing attack to life in prison without parole. In separate statements, city officials and Jewish leaders described the sentencing as another step toward justice nearly one year after the attack that killed Karen Diamond and injured dozens more.
And finally: A proposed 60-unit affordable senior housing project on Arapahoe Avenue cleared a major hurdle this week after Boulder’s Landmarks Board voted against landmarking a nearly 100-year-old bungalow. The decision removes a key obstacle for Presbyterian Manor’s planned expansion for lower-income older adults. John Herrick reports.
Plus more, Below the Fold:
- BoulderCAST: Nice weekend, heat incoming.
- Metro districts: Boulder approves financing rules.
- Nonprofit grants: $2M-3M available, applications open.
- Fire training: Activity on Valmont, no cause for concern.
Thanks, as always, for reading,
– The BRL team
Bank of Colorado is a family-owned, community focused bank that has been serving the needs of Coloradans since 1978. Throughout our 45 locations across the state, our values of honesty, integrity and clarity guide our every decision. We’re deeply rooted in Colorado’s history and fully invested in its future. Strong, Stable & Local Community Banking – reach out today to experience the best service in banking 303-476-7282.
Pick your favorite: Museum of Boulder unveils finalist designs for unofficial city flag
The finalist designs feature the Flatirons, the Boulder Star, Pearl Street bricks and other local symbols. BRL readers can vote in an informal poll ahead of the May 11 winner announcement. Continue reading…
Boulder affordable senior housing project clears landmarking hurdle on Arapahoe Avenue
Presbyterian Manor has been seeking to demolish four nearly 100-year-old Craftsman bungalows to make way for a new three-story building adjacent to the nonprofit’s existing 11-story tower at 1050 Arapahoe Ave. Continue reading…
Life sentence in Boulder antisemitic firebombing attack brings emotional day in court
City leaders, survivors and Jewish community members called the sentencing another step toward justice nearly one year after the deadly Pearl Street attack. Continue reading…
A pleasant weekend ahead of next week’s heat
A quieter pattern settles over Boulder today as we move into a more seasonal northwest flow regime. The morning starts with sunshine and a light push of cooler air behind last night’s weak front, but the change is subtle. Expect highs in the upper 60s with only a few higher‑terrain showers trying (and mostly failing) to drift east during the afternoon. Sunny skies will trend partly cloudy.
Tomorrow brings our next weak disturbance, arriving late in the day. Ahead of it, temperatures will warm into the mid to upper 70s, and the added surface heating may allow a spotty shower or rumble of thunder toward evening. Rain chances remain low — only around 20% — so most of the day will be perfect for the outdoors. Maybe some post-snowstorm tree cleanup?
By Sunday, a broader ridge of high pressure begins to build across the West. Marginally cooler air moves in, but sunshine will dominate with highs near 70 degrees.
The ridge strengthens into early next week, sending highs into the mid to upper 80s and ushering in our first extended warm spell of May. At least the recent deluge of rain and snow will green things up and keep fire danger down for now.
Boulder City Council approves rules for metro district financing tool
Boulder City Council on Thursday unanimously approved a model service plan governing the creation and operation of metropolitan districts. Metro districts give developers access to a financing mechanism that can unlock large-scale infrastructure projects the city would otherwise struggle to pay for.
The service plan is the primary mechanism the city will use to oversee the new financing tool. It includes several protections against conflicts of interest that elsewhere in Colorado have resulted in developers passing significant costs to future residents and property owners through property taxes.
Councilmembers approved an ordinance creating metro districts last month. The service plan required a separate final vote because councilmembers requested changes allowing developers to use compounding interest on debt, a provision that requires certification from an external financial advisor. For more on metro districts, see our previous reporting.
Boulder opens $2M-3M grants for nonprofit projects
The City of Boulder is accepting applications for its Community, Culture, Resilience and Safety (CCRS) Tax Grant Program, with $2 million to $3 million available for nonprofit capital projects.
The funding is aimed at helping nonprofits maintain a long-term presence in or near the city. Applications are due by 5 p.m. June 12. A separate round for capacity-building grants will open later this year.
The CCRS tax, a 0.3% sales and use tax approved in 2017 and extended in 2021 and 2025, supports community infrastructure and allows up to 10% of revenue to be distributed as nonprofit grants.
To qualify, nonprofits must be in good standing with the state and city and serve the Boulder community. Awards are expected by September.
Boulder Fire-Rescue training on Valmont
Boulder Fire-Rescue will continue to conduct training exercises for commercial structure fires today, May 8, and 9. Residents may notice increased activity in the area, but there is no cause for concern. No live fire will be used.
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