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.
Leading today’s edition: Another major development in the Boulder Municipal Airport saga. A federal judge has dismissed the city’s lawsuit against the FAA, sidestepping the central question of whether Boulder can ever close the facility, John Herrick reports. We’ve been covering this issue through all its twists and disputes — and the future of the airport still remains uncertain. The ruling leaves both legal and financial questions hanging, with potential budget shortfalls ahead and intensifying debate over whether the land should remain devoted to aviation or be repurposed for housing.
Also today: With the recent death of actor Robert Redford, attention is turning again to one of Boulder’s most infamous unsolved crimes. More than 40 years ago, CU student Sid Wells — who was dating Redford’s daughter, Shauna — was killed execution-style in his Boulder apartment. His mother, June Menger, who later became a leading victims’ rights advocate, long said the Redford connection both overshadowed and kept her son’s case alive. An arrest warrant remains active for Wells’ former roommate, Thayne Smika, who disappeared decades ago. Read Silvia Pettem’s full story.
More, Below the Fold:
- BoulderCAST: Boulder sees most rain since the 2013 flood.
- Marshall Fire trial: Case against Xcel begins this week.
- Housing fee: Planning Board backs teardown charge for council vote.
- Amber Alert: Teen found safe, suspect arrested.
- Hall Ranch burns: Prescribed fire window opens Oct. 13.
Thanks, as always, for reading,
– The BRL team
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U.S. District Court tosses Boulder’s lawsuit against FAA, leaving airport’s future unresolved
The ruling did not decide a core question over whether the city must keep the Boulder Municipal Airport open indefinitely, leaving its fate uncertain. Continue reading…
‘I need justice for Sid’: Inside Boulder’s unsolved 1983 murder and its Robert Redford connection
Decades after CU student Sid Wells was killed in his Boulder apartment, his mother’s fight for justice — and the Redford family’s connection — continue to keep the case in the spotlight. Continue reading…
Drier fall days ahead after yesterday’s soaker
Yesterday our streets became streams, Boulder Creek ran muddy, and for once, our umbrellas weren’t just used for creating shade. In what turned out to be an all-day washout, more than one inch of beneficial rain fell in Boulder on Tuesday, our wettest September day since the great 2013 flood.
Rain is in the rear-view mirror for now, though. Quieter fall weather lies ahead as high pressure takes over from the west the next couple of days. We’ll see a warming trend unfold with temperatures in the upper 60s today, upper 70s tomorrow, and then lower 80s by Friday. Each day will feature beautiful bluebird skies. Overnight temps will land crisp into the middle 40s.
Trial over Xcel’s liability in the Marshall Fire set to begin this week
A trial over Xcel Energy’s potential liability in the 2021 Marshall Fire, Colorado’s most destructive wildfire, begins this week.
The trial, expected to last about two months, involves more than 4,000 plaintiffs, including homeowners, business owners and insurance companies. They argue Xcel is responsible for one of two fires that merged on Dec. 30, 2021, leaving the utility exposed to hundreds of millions of dollars in potential damages.
Investigators traced one ignition to smoldering embers from a controlled burn on the property of the Twelve Tribes, a religious sect, according to a report from local law enforcement. The other fire began about an hour later near the Marshall Mesa Trailhead, where winds up to 100 mph allegedly knocked an Xcel power line loose from its insulator, releasing hot particles that ignited dry grass.
Plaintiffs say Xcel was negligent for failing to maintain its equipment and surrounding vegetation and for not shutting off power during dangerous wind conditions. Xcel has denied that its power lines caused the fire, arguing that evidence of a power line fire alone does not prove negligence. If found liable, a separate proceeding will determine damages. Plaintiffs are seeking compensation for destroyed property, smoke damage, evacuation costs, lost income and emotional distress, among other consequences of the fire.
Xcel has prepared thousands of exhibits for the trial, which is likely to feature detailed testimony on fire science, weather and the power grid. Jury selection is expected to take the first two days, with opening statements scheduled for next week. The trial is set to be livestreamed from courtroom G beginning Sept. 25 at 8 a.m. Read on BRL.
Boulder Planning Board backs new fee on teardowns to fund affordable housing
The Boulder Planning Board voted unanimously on Sept. 2 to recommend the proposed Affordable Housing Impact Fee, which would impose a fee on property owners who demolish homes and replace them with larger ones, for adoption by city council. The Housing Advisory Board also voted to recommend the ordinance on Aug. 27.
City council votes are scheduled for Oct. 9 and Oct. 23. If approved, the ordinance would take effect Jan. 31, 2026.
A study commissioned by the city, published earlier this year, revealed that smaller, relatively affordable homes are often replaced with multimillion-dollar redevelopments worth up to $3.5 million more than the originals. These projects drive up demand for attainable housing, and the influx of higher-income residents increases demand for local goods and services, which in turn requires more subsidized housing. Under the current law, most property owners for single-family teardown-and-rebuild projects have their contributions to the city’s affordable housing program waived, despite the impact tied to their redevelopments. The fee is meant to close this loophole. Read more on BRL.
Amber Alert ends safely: Teen found, suspect arrested
Boulder police said a 16-year-old girl reported missing Monday night was found safe early Tuesday in Thornton after an Amber Alert was issued. The department said a 19-year-old suspect allegedly forced the teen into his vehicle around 8:30 p.m. on Sept. 22.
Police said they used Flock license plate reader technology and community tips to track the vehicle’s movements, coordinating with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and Thornton police. The girl was located unharmed, and the suspect was taken into custody. The investigation is ongoing, and prosecutors will review possible charges.
Prescribed burns to begin soon at Hall Ranch
Prescribed burns at Hall Ranch west of Lyons could begin as soon as Oct. 13 and continue through Dec. 20, weather permitting, according to Boulder County Parks & Open Space. The Nelson Loop project will treat up to 350 acres to reduce hazardous fuels and wildfire risk. The park will close only on active burn days, announced at least 24 hours in advance.
Prescribed burns thin forests, clear woody debris and return nutrients to the soil. In Boulder’s semi-arid landscape, they’re a key tool for lowering the risk of catastrophic wildfires and are often faster and less costly than other methods. Updates will be posted on the county’s Parks & Open Space website and social media.
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