Happy Monday, Boulder. It’s the best day of the week if you’re an optimist.

For today’s top story, John Herrick covers Boulder County’s plan for a new bike path along U.S. 36 from North Boulder to Lyons. It’s one of the county’s most frequented — and dangerous — highways for cyclists.

The proposed project, still more of an idea, is part of an effort to make the county safer for cyclists of all types: commuters and those who regularly crush 100-mile rides. In the last two decades more than 120 cyclists have been injured in confrontations with cars. Seven have died riding on the highway.

Also, Indigenous Peoples’ day is coming up, and Boulder has a host of events to commemorate it.

Have a great Monday and Tuesday. If you’re observing Rosh Hashanah, Happy New Year. We’ll see you Wednesday.

— Tim, reporter

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What to know today

  • Warm for the foreseeable future: The extended forecast shows high 70s and low 80s through the end of the week. After that, it’s anyone’s guess.
  • Polis is also worried about housing: In an interview with CPR, Gov. Jared Polis, of Boulder, hinted at new housing policies he would like to sign into law if he’s reelected this November. “In many ways, the lack of housing is a completely contrived problem. It’s a problem of our own making. And we can unleash and remove barriers to significantly more opportunities for housing,” he told CPR. He appeared interested in state laws that could alter local zoning and land use regulations, which have historically been decisions made at the local government level. “The state is already involved with housing, of course. What we find more and more is the decisions of one community impact not only themselves,” Polis said.
    • Polis also said density would be a priority in his second term. “Exurban sprawl is not the answer. We need to make sure that we get cars off the road, save people time and money on their commute, reduce pollution and have more opportunities to reduce costs and live affordably, close to where your work is.”
  • Library district implications: On Thursday, city councilmembers discussed how to spend the roughly $10 million that would become available in the city budget should voters approve the creation of a library district in November. Ideas included investing in city parks and recreation facilities, a behavioral health emergency response program, property tax rebates (paid for with sales taxes), and an e-bike subsidy program.
    • The library district, if passed, would be paid for by an increase in property tax. To see how much your property taxes would increase, you can use the interactive map released by the city. What services the tax might fund can be found on the library’s website. You can also check out our reporting on the issue.
    • City staff said if the ballot measure passes, it would seek to pass an emergency ordinance that would repeal the city’s .333 mill property tax used to pay for the city’s library. Councilmember Mark Wallach, who opposes the creation of a library district, referred to the discussion as an “infomercial” aimed at promoting the ballot measure. In response, Councilmember Matt Benjamin said it was in part aimed at countering misinformation about it.
  • How to save on heating costs this winter: The city released a page illustrating various ways to save when the weather turns cold. Some of the tips include using a programmable thermostat, dressing in layers so you can keep the heat lower, and using less hot water. But one of the best ways is to make sure your home is efficient. Xcel Energy offers an Energy Squad visit that can help homeowners understand where their electric use can be optimized. Energy Smart will also offer a free home assessment. Blower door tests are another way to ensure your home is not leaking energy.
  • County collaborates with UNH to enhance disability services: The University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability will help Boulder County Housing and Human Services hone in on where disability services can be improved.
    • The university’s Center for START Services will give the city an understanding of what it’s doing well and where resources should be focused.
    • “This assessment will give us the information we need to improve and streamline our crisis system, improve the mental and behavioral health of our community members, and reduce emergency service use, including psychiatric admissions,” said Rebecca Seiden, a program coordinator with the Boulder County Housing and Human Services. “We need to know what we are doing well and where we are struggling, so we can target resources to areas that will strengthen our community’s ability to improve and sustainably support the wellness of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Boulder County.”
  • Reminder — There is no Boulder City Council meeting this week: The next meeting, Oct. 6, is open to the public.

Go deeper

Boulder County takes first step toward building a bike path along one of its deadliest roads

By John Herrick

Boulder County officials are moving ahead with plans to build a bike path from North Boulder to Lyons along U.S. 36, one of the county’s most popular — and dangerous — highways for cyclists. 

Cyclists 4 Community, a nonprofit cycling advocacy organization based in Boulder, presented the county with a $30,000 check last week to help pay for a feasibility study to determine what the bike path would look like and how much it would cost. 

Since 2010, the county has recorded more than 120 crashes involving cyclists and drivers along the segment of U.S. 36 stretching from Baseline Road in Boulder north to Lyons, according to county data. 

It’s also the deadliest. Between 2005 and 2016, seven cyclists have died riding U.S. 36, mostly along the North Foothills Highway. No other county road had more fatal crashes involving cyclists and drivers during that time. 

“People were getting hit and killed,” Matt Muir, the operations manager for Cyclists 4 Community, said during the announcement in North Boulder on Wednesday. “We’re gonna help because we want it so badly. We’ll essentially tax ourselves to incentivize the completion of this project.” 

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BRL picks

🦬 Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Starting Oct. 8 and running through Oct. 12 (skipping the 11th) are events celebrating those indigenous to this area. Some events include “Ancestral Voices for Mother Earth” and conversations on how to revitalize indigenous languages. More information can be found on the city’s website.

🎨 Drop-in figure drawing: Every Monday from 1-3 p.m. and Tuesdays from 6:30-8:30 p.m NoBo Center for the Arts hosts “facilitated, unstructured figure drawing.” All skill levels are welcome, though you must be 18 or have a parent’s permission as the models aren’t wearing anything.

🖼 Street Wise Art-ivism Mural Festival: Starting Sept. 29, 25 artists will be painting 16 new murals around Boulder. You’re invited to watch as the murals are constructed, so long as you do so without interrupting the work. Guided walking tours are available to peruse the art, but you’re encouraged to register, with haste!, as spots are limited.

👐 Colorado kick-off of Compassionate Care ALS: “Compassionate Care ALS’ mission is to enhance quality of life and to be of service for people diagnosed with ALS, their families and communities as they navigate the physical and emotional complexities associated with the disease.” Founder of CCALS Ron Hoffman is hosting the organization’s Colorado kick-off event at the Boulder Theater on Oct. 11, from 1 – 3 p.m. RSVP here.

What else we’re reading

  • Boulder budget breakdown: Boulder unveiled its $513.5 million spending plan for 2023 earlier this month. If approved, it would be an 11% bigger budget than last year, reports Boulder Beat, with handy charts and graphics. “In real dollars, it’s the city’s biggest budget yet, but high inflation is keeping real spending below pre-pandemic levels.” It’s also “the first budget to tie spending to city values.”

Covid in Boulder County: Sept. 26, 2022

  • 107 daily new cases (7-day avg.) ⬇Down 5% over preceding 7-day avg.
  • 8 patients hospitalized with Covid (7-day avg.) ⬇Down from a high of 16 last week.
  • 56% percent of ICU is occupied. ⬇Down from avg. of 66% since July 2020.
  • Note: This data was last updated on Sept. 23.

ICYMI

Tim Drugan was a climate and environment reporter for Boulder Reporting Lab.