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Good Monday morning, Boulder.
Leading today’s edition: Local retail news reflects continued change downtown. Boulder’s only brick-and-mortar yarn shop is closing at the end of the year. Lula Faye Fiber, a relatively new shop, served as a gathering place for crafters through classes, events and a focus on local yarn makers before the owner decided it was the right time to close, a decision shaped in part by rising costs and the end of a lease. The closure comes amid changes on Pearl Street, where locally owned businesses have come and gone as national chains expand their presence. We’ll continue tracking how shifts in downtown retail in 2026, including Sundance-related changes expected next year, may shape what opens next. McKenzie Watson-Fore reports.
Also today: We’re following up on CU Boulder’s contract with Key Lime Air, an airline that also contracts with the federal government for ICE flights. Despite protests, CU has said it plans to keep the contract, even though it can be terminated at any time. Meanwhile, the Denver City Council voted this month to end its own contract with the company over ICE flights. Heads up: This issue could escalate in 2026.
And finally: As we continue tracking what’s closing and what’s opening around Boulder County, we’re wrapping up our look at new hot spots with another indoor golf concept. After we profiled Boulder’s first indoor golf hangout, Birdie Factory, this fall, Gabe Toth reports on Ironwood Golf Sim and Sports Bar in Longmont, which is leaning into leagues, events and a strong community vibe.
And a reminder: If you haven’t already, sign up for John Lehndorff’s Nibbles newsletter. The final edition of the year lands tomorrow, with a look back at Boulder County’s year in food, delivered only to your inbox.
Plus more, Below the Fold:
- Weather whiplash: Light snow, then a quick return to warmth.
- Marshall Fire anniversary: Community gatherings planned in Louisville and Superior.
- Reminder: Boulder is recruiting residents for boards and commissions.
- Arts funding: First-time applicants get early access to $2M in grants.
- ICE flights: CU Boulder keeps airline contract as Denver cuts ties.
- Three days left: BRL’s guide to donating locally before year’s end.
Thanks, as always, for reading,
– The BRL team
Boulder’s only yarn shop is closing downtown, a loss for local craft culture
Lula Faye Fiber will shutter at year’s end, wrapping up its run as a community-centered shop as small retailers face mounting pressures. Continue reading…
Ironwood Golf Sim and Sports Bar brings golf, games and community to Longmont
From league play to trivia nights, Ironwood aims to be Longmont’s go-to spot for golf, sports and connection. Continue reading…
From a brief burst of snow back to warmth
A quick return to winter overnight Saturday into Sunday brought a light, fluffy snowfall to parts of the Front Range, dropping around 2.9 inches in Boulder and about 1.3 inches in Denver. Snow totals were higher in the mountains, with Eldora reporting about 7 inches and Winter Park around a foot. Even with the fresh snow, Boulder and Denver remain roughly 15 to 20 inches below normal for the season.
The snow capped off a sharp contrast to last week’s weather. December 2025 is running about 12 degrees above normal, going toe-to-toe with the historically warm December 1980, according to BoulderCAST. Boulder set four warmth records in recent days, including its warmest Christmas Eve and Christmas Day on record, and tied its all-time December record for the number of 60- and 70-degree days.
Sunday stayed cold, but the chill won’t last long.
Today (Monday): Sunny and noticeably milder, with a high near 45.
Tonight: Mostly clear, low around 25.
Tuesday: Sunny and warmer, with a high near 55.
Wednesday: Continued sunshine, with highs climbing to around 60.
Marshall Fire community invited to anniversary gatherings
Marshall Together is inviting members of the Marshall Fire community to gather for two upcoming events marking the fourth anniversary of the fire and offering space to reflect as the new year begins.
The first gathering will take place Monday, Dec. 30, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Relish Food Hall in Louisville. Coffee will be provided by Paul’s Coffee & Tea, and organizers are asking attendees to RSVP.
A second event, “A Shared Pause as We Step into the New Year,” is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 24, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Bambei Brewing in Superior. The event will include complimentary food and drinks, a kids’ activity table, and time for community members to reconnect, reflect and share stories.
Organizers say both gatherings are open to anyone affected by the Marshall Fire, whether they have returned home, are rebuilding, or have moved elsewhere.
Reminder: Boulder is looking for residents to help shape city decisions
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.
First-timers get a head start as Boulder opens $2M in arts funding
Boulder is opening the door to its 2026 Cultural Grants this January, and for the first time, newcomers get an early advantage. The Boulder Arts Commission is giving first-time applicants a one-week head start on several first-come, first-served grants, a shift designed to make city arts funding more accessible.
Grants for rental assistance, grant-writing help, artist hiring, and professional development will begin rolling out in early January, with first-time applicants able to apply ahead of previous recipients. A separate general operating support pre-application opens Jan. 7 and must be completed by Feb. 4.
Altogether, the city plans to distribute $2 million in cultural funding in 2026, supporting artists, arts organizations, classrooms and creative projects across Boulder.
CU Boulder keeps airline contract as Denver cuts ties over ICE flights
CU Boulder will continue using Key Lime Air for some athletic travel, even as Denver moves to sever its relationship with the airline over its role in transporting ICE detainees.
Earlier this month, the Denver City Council voted to reject a contract between Key Lime Air and Denver International Airport, citing concerns about the airline’s flights for ICE. Critics say those flights separate immigrants from families and lawyers and involve harsh conditions, including shackles and long periods in full-body restraints.
CU Boulder Athletics, which has used a Key Lime Air subsidiary for men’s and women’s basketball travel since 2011, has said it does not consider contractors’ other business relationships and plans to keep the agreement in place through 2029. University records show CU spent about $267,000 on the airline during the 2023-24 season, though the contract allows the university to terminate it at any time with 30 days’ notice. Read more on BRL.
Three days left to give: BRL’s guide to where to donate locally
With just three days left in the year, there’s still time to make a tax-deductible donation to the causes you care most about — whether you give now or plan your giving for later. Boulder Reporting Lab’s 2025 holiday giving guide rounds up dozens of Boulder County nonprofits seeking support, from food assistance and housing to arts, seniors, education, mental health, environmental causes and more.
The guide is organized by theme to help you quickly find organizations that match their interests, and includes opportunities to donate, volunteer, attend events or help in other ways. Nonprofits across the county report heightened need this year, amid rising costs, tighter public funding and increased demand for services.
☀️ 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.