Good Wednesday morning, Boulder. Welcome to October.
Leading today’s edition: Few issues are stirring more community debate — or mystery — than the future of the Iris Ballfields. Since the county announced plans to sell the site in February, outcry has grown over the possible loss of a Boulder institution that has brought neighbors together around Little League baseball for nearly 70 years.
In response, a coalition of HOAs, residents and the North Boulder Little League has partnered with Academy Boulder, a senior living developer, on a proposal to preserve the fields while adding senior housing and neighborhood amenities. Their plan followed weeks of speculation, including unfounded rumors that the city would buy the site.
Bidding on the $24.4 million property has closed. County commissioners are expected to decide later this fall. Brooke Stephenson reports.
Also today: Boulder has a new spot for poké — Hawaiian raw fish and rice bowls — from local chef Edwin Zoe of Zoe Ma Ma and Dragonfly Noodle. Pearl Poké pairs classic island flavors with twists like kimchi, shiitake mushrooms and Pineapple Whip for dessert. This week’s Nibbles also covers tortilla hacks, the county’s most-booked restaurants, and the latest openings and closings in the dining scene.
In BRL Opinion, Steve Maxwell, chair of the city’s Water Resources Advisory Board, along with two former board chairs, pushes back on what they call misinformation about Boulder’s water future, arguing the city is among the best-positioned on the Front Range, even as challenges remain.
More, Below the Fold:
- BoulderCAST: Summer heat now, rain by weekend.
- Psilocybin therapy: Collaborence event explores future of treatment. (sponsored)
- Barker Dam: Major construction project in the works.
- Ballot test: Oct. 7 observation open to the public.
- Cattle grazing: Herd back near Dakota Ridge to cut wildfire risk.
- CU Boulder rankings: Engineering, business crack top 25.
Thanks, as always, for reading,
– The BRL team
Boulder neighbors fight to save Iris Fields with plan for ballfields and senior housing
A coalition of neighbors, HOAs and Little League teams has partnered with Academy Boulder on a proposal to preserve the fields and add senior living as the county weighs bids for the $24 million property. Continue reading…
Nibbles: Boulder’s Pearl Poké brings Hawaiian flavors and bold twists to Pearl Street
Chef Edwin Zoe, best known for Zoe Ma Ma and Dragonfly Noodle, opens Boulder’s only poké shop with a menu balancing Hawaiian tradition and creative flair. Plus: tortilla hacks, Boulder’s most booked tables and new local restaurant openings. Continue reading…
Steve Maxwell: Boulder’s water outlook is secure — despite the alarmism
Critics warn of looming shortages, but Boulder’s supply, storage and planning remain among the strongest on the Front Range. Continue reading…
A summer-like start to October
We begin the month of October feeling more like summer than autumn, with high pressure locked in across the area through Friday. This weather setup will keep Boulder dry and unseasonably warm for the next few days, with afternoon highs reaching the low to mid-80s and lots of sunshine. Overnight lows will stick around 50 degrees.
A pattern shift is currently in the works for the weekend as a Pacific storm system scoots across the northern Rockies. Latest model trends favor a quicker, less impactful storm for our area. Nonetheless, we’re tracking cooler temperatures, mountain snow and at least a chance for rain showers in Boulder by Saturday.
Build the Future of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy (sponsored)
Expand your knowledge, grow your network, and participate in the movement shaping the future of psilocybin-assisted therapy. Collaborence is an event where mental health leaders, psychedelic researchers, advocates, and the public come together to share insights, innovative approaches, and community.
Whether you’re a professional seeking continuing education or a community member curious about the healing potential of psychedelics, Collaborence is tailored to give you the tools, connections, and inspiration you need.
Boulder plans major repairs to 115-year-old Barker Dam
Boulder is preparing for a major construction project at the 115-year-old Barker Dam near Nederland to improve stability, safeguard a key city water source and protect communities downstream. The project will involve adding concrete to the dam, and city staff say they plan to coordinate with nearby residents to mitigate construction impacts.
Barker Dam holds back Barker Reservoir, which was built in 1910. The city purchased the dam and reservoir from Xcel Energy in 2001. Today, more than two-thirds of Boulder’s water supply comes from Middle Boulder Creek, which feeds Barker Reservoir, and from North Boulder Creek through a separate watershed system. The reservoir is also used for recreation.
The stability project is part of the city’s Capital Improvement Program to maintain and improve public infrastructure. Utilities engineering manager Chris Douglass told Boulder’s Planning Board he plans to coordinate with residents throughout the process.
The city is also working on repairing the Barker Dam’s outlet and the pipeline that carries water to the Betasso Water Treatment Facility. From fiscal year 2026-2031, pipeline repairs are expected to cost $32.3 million.
You can observe Boulder County’s ballot and voting machine test Oct. 7
Boulder County’s Elections Division will conduct a required Logic and Accuracy Test on Oct. 7 to ensure ballot content prints correctly and scanners are properly calibrated. The test starts at 10 a.m. at the Boulder County Ballot Processing Center (1750 33rd St.) and may continue into Oct. 8.
You can observe the test, but space is limited and an RSVP is required by Oct. 6 at 5 p.m. To sign up, email Vote@BoulderCounty.gov. Test results will be reviewed by the Test Board, after which the equipment will be reset, resealed and documentation posted online. For more election information, visit BoulderCountyVotes.gov. BRL will also soon release our voter guide to help you navigate candidates and ballot measures.
Cattle return for wildfire mitigation
The City of Boulder has brought cattle to graze west of the Dakota Ridge neighborhood through Oct. 6 to reduce wildfire risk. The animals, contained with temporary fencing between Lee Hill Drive and 10th Street, will trim grass and fuel loads identified in the city’s wildfire protection plan.
Visitors are asked to avoid the fencing, keep pets under control and not approach the cattle. Trails near Four Mile Creek Trailhead and South Foothills Trail may see brief closures while the herd is moved.
CU Boulder programs land high in U.S. News rankings
Several CU Boulder undergraduate programs ranked among the nation’s top 25 in U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 “best colleges” list. Engineering placed No. 15 among public universities, with aerospace, environmental and civil engineering all cracking the top 10. Leeds School of Business ranked No. 21 among publics.
CU Boulder is now No. 97 overall — a slight improvement from recent years — while some programs, like engineering, have inched up in the standings.
The full rankings are on the U.S. News website. Graduate program rankings are released each spring.
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