Good Wednesday morning, Boulder. Today’s BRL Today is sponsored by SVP Boulder County — learn how to become a Partner Member or get support for your nonprofit.
Before we dig in: We’re publishing a Giving Guide to connect readers with local organizations making a difference. If you work for a Boulder County nonprofit, our survey is open — tell us how the community can support you this holiday season, and we’ll feature your organization. Questions? Email por@boulderreportinglab.org.
Leading today’s edition: This month, Boulder County commissioners are expected to decide the future of the Iris Baseball Fields — home to North Boulder Little League for more than 60 years — as part of the county’s sale of its North Broadway Complex.
A local coalition and senior living developer, The Academy, are proposing to preserve the fields while redeveloping nearby county buildings into senior housing. A competing $48 million bid from developer John Kirkland would replace the fields with new housing, including about 200 affordable units and a $5 million donation to the league.
The Little League board voted to support The Academy’s plan. But a letter sent later by the now-former league president backing Kirkland’s bid drew backlash from members and raised questions about what’s happening behind the scenes. Commissioners could make their decision as soon as Nov. 18.
Brooke Stephenson reports — and you can see details on all five bids for the North Broadway Complex.
Also today: In his latest Nibbles column, John Lehndorff captures the people and flavors that shaped Boulder’s food identity. His tour of the Museum of Boulder’s new “Boulder Eats!” exhibit — which he curated and which opens Nov. 15 — traces 150 years of local food history, from tofu pioneers and farm-to-table innovators to the city’s Michelin-starred chefs. Plus, local food news.
More, Below the Fold:
- BoulderCAST: Staying 15 degrees above normal; first flakes possible next week.
- Event: Ancient ruins and housing inequality — free CU Boulder talk Nov. 17. (sponsored)
- Food aid: County sends $1.15M to food banks amid SNAP limbo.
- Wages: Speak up Nov. 20 on slowing minimum wage hikes.
- Micromobility: City survey open on e-bike and scooter use.
- Elections: Watch the county’s post-election audit Nov. 18.
Thanks, as always, for reading,
– The BRL team
Our community is stronger when we’re all working together. For 25 years, Social Venture Partners has strengthened nonprofits by connecting them to community members who share our vision for a thriving Boulder County. Learn more about joining as a Partner Member or receiving support for your nonprofit.
Save Iris Fields? Boulder community plan to keep Little League diamonds faces $48 million bid to build over them
A local coalition supports a senior living developer’s proposal to save the beloved ballfields. A competing bid would eliminate them entirely. Continue reading…
Nibbles: 150 years of Boulder food history come alive at new ‘Boulder Eats!’ exhibit
The Museum of Boulder’s new exhibit celebrates the people and stories that made Boulder a food capital — from tofu pioneers to Michelin chefs. Plus: roasted piñons, a new cocktail bar, camel milk, and holiday food events. Continue reading…
Staying 15 degrees above normal through Friday
A stubborn ridge of high pressure isn’t going anywhere fast. It will stay camped over the western U.S. through the rest of the work week, keeping Boulder unusually warm.
Daytime highs will cling to the upper 60s and low 70s, running about 15° above what we’d expect this time of year. Thursday looks like the standout, with Boulder possibly making a run at its Nov. 13 record high of 74 set back in 1999.
Nights won’t exactly feel like mid-November either, with lows hanging out in the 40s, also wildly above normal.
By the weekend, though, the pattern starts to shake up. A storm system will slide in from the southwest, bringing Mountain snow for sure. Whether Boulder eventually sees its first flakes from this system by early next week is still up in the air. Could they arrive just in time to keep our “latest first snow” record intact? We’ll have to wait and see…
Event: What ancient ruins can teach us about modern housing inequality — free CU Boulder talk Nov. 17 (sponsored)
What can ancient ruins reveal about housing inequality today? Join CU Boulder anthropologist Dr. Scott Ortman for a free public talk, “What Ancient Ruins Reveal About Real Estate and Riches.” Discover how archaeology uncovers surprising insights into modern economic divides — and how understanding the past can help us build fairer societies. Monday, Nov. 17, 6 p.m. at the Institute of Behavioral Science, 1440 15th Street, Boulder.
Boulder County food banks get $1.15M as SNAP benefits remain in limbo
Boulder County will distribute $1.15 million in emergency funding to local food banks as demand spikes with federal SNAP benefits paused. Community Food Share will receive $850,000, while Emergency Family Assistance Association in Boulder, Sister Carmen Community Center in Lafayette, and OUR Center in Longmont will each get $100,000.
Food banks across Boulder County were already under strain even before SNAP benefits were halted at the start of November. In recent weeks, Community Food Share found that nearly two-thirds of visitors came because of potential loss of SNAP benefits, and more than one-third sought help due to government furloughs or fears of missed paychecks, according to the county.
In October, Colorado, along with over 20 other states, sued the Trump administration for unlawfully refusing SNAP aid. The state has also approved $10 million in emergency food aid, and has been funding the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program since it ran out of federal funding on Sept. 30.
The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to order the federal government to fully fund the program for November, leaving millions still waiting as legal battles continue.
The U.S. House could vote as soon as Wednesday on legislation to end the shutdown, which would also restore full SNAP funding for November and reimburse states that used their own money to fill the gap, the AP reported.
Boulder County seeks public input on slowing minimum wage increases
Residents are invited to share feedback on proposed changes to Boulder County’s minimum wage at a public hearing on Nov. 20. County officials are considering slowing the pace of planned increases amid concerns from farmers and Niwot business owners that rising labor costs could price them out of the local market, we reported last month.
The county’s current minimum wage is $16.57 an hour and is scheduled to reach $25 an hour by 2030. The City of Boulder’s 2025 minimum wage is $15.57, while other local municipalities follow the state minimum of $14.81 per hour.
A proposed ordinance would amend the county’s minimum wage schedule, setting the 2026 rate at $16.82 an hour — a 1.5% increase to align with the City of Boulder. Starting in 2027, annual increases would track changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
The public hearing begins at 9 a.m. Nov. 20 at the Boulder County Courthouse (1325 Pearl St.) Registration is required for in-person comment. A public comment form — available in English and Spanish — can also be submitted online. Virtual attendees may join via Zoom or phone.
Get around with bikes or scooters? The city wants to hear from you
The City of Boulder is seeking feedback from people who use — or don’t use — e-bikes and e-scooters to better understand how and where they’re being ridden. These forms of micromobility are intended to complement public transit and offer alternatives to driving.
Results will inform updates to the city’s e-bike and e-scooter programs, which operate in partnership with BCycle and Lime, respectively. The questionnaire is available in English and Spanish through Nov. 16.
Public invited to observe Boulder County’s post-election audit
Boulder County Elections will conduct its post-election risk-limiting audit for the 2025 election starting Tuesday, Nov. 18, at the county elections office, 1750 33rd St. in Boulder. The audit compares a random sample of paper ballots with electronic tallies to confirm that votes were counted accurately — a verification method Colorado has used statewide since 2017.
The public is invited to observe both the audit and the final canvass meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 25, from 2–3:15 p.m. online. Observers must RSVP by emailing Vote@BoulderCounty.gov
👉 Check out our post-election coverage for results, analysis and what comes next for Boulder County voters.
☀️ 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.