Good Monday morning, Boulder. Today’s BRL Today is sponsored by Boulder County’s call for residents to serve on its boards and commissions — check out this chance to help shape local government.
Leading our edition today: We’ve been following an uptick in human trafficking prosecutions locally and have long asked: What’s happening? Why the increase? It turns out the rise is largely due to stronger detection, not necessarily more crime. The DA’s Office has added a second investigator and is focusing on cases involving minors coerced into sex acts, often in exchange for drugs via Snapchat. It’s also working in schools and backing new state laws to better protect young people. Tips for parents from local investigators are included.
Also today: A 10-week pilot of Longmont’s Recovery Café is now underway in Boulder, offering meals, peer support and recovery circles every Wednesday evening at the Community United Church of Christ. Organizers hope it becomes permanent. The original café in Longmont is also where Harold Niedzielski — the subject of our recent profile — began helping hundreds navigate addiction recovery.
And: As we grow BRL Opinion, we’re excited to introduce our first two regular columnists. Beginning today, Brian Keegan, a computational social scientist and associate professor at CU Boulder, will write a recurring column, “Charting Boulder,” using public data to help make sense of how the city is changing. Former Boulder City Councilmember Bob Yates will contribute columns offering analyses of city government and profiles of our community. We plan to add more voices over time.
If you’re interested, please reach out to us at opinion@boulderreportinglab.org. We also eagerly accept one-time commentary submissions. You can find our submission guidelines here.
More, Below the Fold:
- Chain attacks: Man arrested after eight assaults with metal chain.
- Terror charges: Firebombing suspect pleads not guilty to 12 federal counts.
- Street revamp: Boulder OKs 30th Street redesign with fewer car lanes, more bike safety.
- Solar boost: Rooftop solar now powers Boulder’s affordable housing factory.
- Bridge closure: 6th Street Bridge closes for repairs starting Saturday.
- Things to Do: Parades and pancakes, park concerts, Phish at Folsom, late-night shows, juggling fest, fireworks and more.
Thanks, as always, for reading,
– The BRL team
Join Boulder County’s Advisory Boards and Commissions! Boulder County seeks passionate individuals from diverse backgrounds to fill volunteer positions on boards and commissions. Influence local government and make a difference in your community! Explore opportunities here. Need More Info? Call the BOCC office at 303-441-3500. Bring your unique perspective to Boulder County!
Boulder DA expands trafficking unit as minors are targeted on social media
The istrict Attorney’s Office adds a second investigator and targets online platforms where minors are coerced into sex acts in exchange for drugs. Continue reading…
Boulder pilot of Recovery Café launches to support addiction and mental health recovery
Longmont-based program brings meals, peer support and healing to a new community, with hopes of establishing a permanent Recovery Café in Boulder. Continue reading…
Brian Keegan: The myth of a ‘full’ Boulder – and how our policies are driving people away
The idea that Boulder is full because its population is “exploding” is not supported by the data. Continue reading…
Mild start to the week with afternoon storm chances
Expect a partly sunny Monday with a high near 77 — pleasant overall, but showers and thunderstorms are moving in this morning. Overnight, skies turn mostly cloudy with a low around 58.
Tuesday brings warmer temperatures, with highs climbing to the upper 80s. Like Monday, storms are possible after midday, with another chance of afternoon showers. The evening should be partly cloudy and calm, cooling to around 60 degrees overnight.
Man arrested after chain assaults across Boulder
Boulder Police arrested a 28-year-old man Friday afternoon in connection with a string of assaults involving a metal chain across multiple locations in the city. Between Thursday morning and his arrest around 4:30 p.m. Friday, eight people — seven women and one man — were identified as victims.
The first reported assault occurred around 11:22 a.m. Thursday near 13th and Canyon, where a woman was attacked by a man wielding a chain. Similar reports followed within minutes near 16th and Pearl, and again later in the day on Baseline Road and other locations. In some cases, the chain reportedly made contact with victims or vehicles, police said; in others, it was swung in a threatening manner. No serious injuries were reported.
Police recovered several chains in the suspect’s possession. He is being held on charges including second-degree assault, attempted assault, felony menacing and criminal mischief.
Terror attack suspect pleads not guilty to federal hate crime charges
The man accused of throwing homemade explosives at a June 1 Run for Their Lives gathering in Boulder has pleaded not guilty to federal hate crime charges. Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, allegedly yelled “Free Palestine” and threw firebombs at participants to burn them. He later told investigators he wanted to “kill all Zionist people.”
Federal prosecutors have charged Soliman with nine hate crimes and three felony fire-related offenses, which carry a maximum sentence of 105 years. Investigators say they found Molotov cocktails, a flammable liquid sprayer and a handwritten note expressing anti-Zionist views. Soliman also faces attempted murder and other charges in state court. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 15.
Boulder moves forward with redesign of North 30th Street
Boulder City Council has approved the conceptual design for safety upgrades to North 30th Street, one of the city’s busiest and most crash-prone corridors. The plan includes protected bike lanes, fewer car lanes in some sections and redesigned intersections to reduce serious crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists. We covered it here.
The city will first advance design and construction between Pearl Street and the Diagonal Highway, funded by a federal Safe Streets for All grant. Construction could begin as early as 2027. Other improvements along the corridor will be implemented as future funding becomes available.
The project is part of Boulder’s Core Arterial Network initiative and supports the city’s Vision Zero goal to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries.
New solar project powers Boulder’s affordable housing factory
Namaste Solar has completed a 333-kW rooftop installation at Boulder Mod, the city’s modular home factory that builds all-electric, permanently affordable housing. The solar system is designed to fully offset the factory’s electricity use, lower operational costs and support Boulder’s climate goals, including net-zero emissions by 2035.
The project was made possible through funding from the Inflation Reduction Act, Xcel Energy’s Solar*Rewards program and Boulder’s cannabis energy offset fund, Namaste Solar said in a news release. City officials say it’s a model for how clean energy and affordable housing efforts can work together to serve the community.
Boulder Mod is slated to build up to about 60 new homes for Ponderosa mobile home residents in its first years. The factory has been the subject of legal challenges from neighbors and environmental advocates concerned about its location near Sombrero Marsh, though a judge declined to block construction in 2023.
6th Street Bridge closes for repairs starting Saturday
The City of Boulder has closed the 6th Street Bridge just south of Canyon Boulevard for crucial safety maintenance. The two-week closure began June 28, and includes structural bridge repairs and pavement resurfacing, coordinated with ongoing state work on Canyon Boulevard to reduce costs and disruption.
During the closure, traffic, bicycles and pedestrians are being detoured to 9th Street. Access to the Justice Center parking lot remains open, though some spaces are being used by construction crews. Later in the month, the multi-use path under the bridge will also close temporarily, with pedestrians rerouted to a new crossing just north of the bridge. Work is expected to last about a month, weather permitting.
☀️ 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.
American as Apple Pie: Monday, June 30, 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m., The Niche Market, 3701 Canfield Street. Additional dates: July 1–3, same time. Read More
Boulder Concert Band Parks Series: Monday, June 30, 7:00–8:00 p.m., North Boulder Park, 9th St. and Dellwood Ave. Read More
Taper’s Choice: Wednesday, July 2, 8:00–11:59 p.m., Fox Theatre, 1135 13th St. Read More
Bands on the Bricks After Party with Vinyls by Phish: Wednesday, July 2, 9:00–11:59 p.m., Velvet Elk Lounge, 2037 13th St. Read More
Hélène Grimaud Plays Brahms: Thursday, July 3, 7:30 p.m., Chautauqua Auditorium, 198 Morning Glory Drive. Additional date: Sunday, July 6, 6:30 p.m. Read More
Phish: Thursday, July 3, 7:30 p.m., Folsom Field, 2400 Colorado Ave. Additional dates: Friday, July 4, and Saturday, July 5, 7:30 p.m. Read More
2025 Fourth of July Parade & Pancake Festival: Friday, July 4, 7:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., Superior Chamber of Commerce, 122 E William St, Superior. Read More
2025 4th of July Celebration: Friday, July 4, 9:00 a.m., Superior Community Park, 1350 Coalton Rd, Louisville. Read More
Boulder Juggling Festival: Friday, July 4, 10:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m., Boulder Circus Center, 4747 26th St. Additional dates: Saturday, July 5, 10:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m., and Sunday, July 6, 10:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. Read More
PhanArt: Friday, July 4, 4:00–11:59 p.m., The Fox Theatre, 1135 13th St. Additional date: Saturday, July 5, 4:00–11:59 p.m. Read More
Longmont July 4 Celebration – Festival & Fireworks: Friday, July 4, 5:00 p.m., 379 2nd Ave, Longmont. Read More
Boulder Symphony July 4th Celebration Concert: Friday, July 4, 7:00–8:30 p.m., Boulder Bandshell, 1212 Canyon Blvd. Read More
Arc De Soleil: Friday, July 4, 11:30 p.m.–1:30 a.m., Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St. Read More