It’s Friday, June 28, 2024.

Good morning, Boulder, and welcome to Friday. It’s going to be a good day. I can feel it.

For today, we’re giving you insight into the best ways to spend your Fourth of July. Our summer reporting fellow, Por Jaijongkit, has laid out options ranging from musical performances to running races. Organized by town, Por’s guide helps you decide if what’s nearby is good enough for you, or if you need to go elsewhere.

If you absolutely need fireworks this year, consider heading to Waneka Lake in Lafayette tomorrow or Longmont on July 4 for a combination of drones and fireworks, as Boulder won’t have any displays. What a time to be alive. When I was a kid, the only “drones” we had were dragonflies that wouldn’t go where you wanted them to because they were bugs.

If you missed John Herrick’s story on the primary this week, today is a great time to catch up, now that the results are effectively decided. We also have details on voter turnout below. The main takeaway: Relatively few people voted.

Finally, Xcel Energy filed its Wildfire Mitigation Plan with the Public Utilities Commission. Slated to cost $1.9 billion between 2025 and 2027, the plan includes initiatives such as undergrounding power lines, investing in AI smoke detection cameras, and increasing inspections and maintenance work in high-risk areas. The catch is, we have to pay for it. If the plan passes as it stands, expect to see your Xcel bill increase by about 10% over the next few years.

Have a wonderful weekend.

— Tim, reporter

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Join us this Saturday, June 29 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., to celebrate the Grand Opening of the new North Boulder (NoBo) Library at 4500 13th Street in Boulder. The event features free food, music, a bilingual storytime, the unveiling of a new interactive public art piece and festive activities for all ages.

In other news

It’s drier than you think

According to BoulderCAST Weather, this June is on track to be the driest since 1908 unless we get some significant precipitation in the next few days. Though there is a 25-30% chance of rain through the weekend, not much accumulation is expected.

Temperature-wise, after today’s heat, Saturday will be surprisingly pleasant, staying in the high 70s. However, we’ll catapult back into the 90s afterward. Keep that lemonade handy and chilled.

About a third of Boulder County’s voters cast ballots in primary

Voter turnout in this week’s primary election appears to be relatively low despite more than $1.5 million in campaign spending aimed at securing votes for Boulder-area candidates.

About 30% of active registered voters cast ballots in this year’s election, according to an analysis of preliminary ballot return data by Boulder Reporting Lab. This compares to about 35% in the 2022 primary and 55% in the 2020 primary, a year when voters decided the Democratic candidate for U.S. senator.

The turnout data for this week’s primary is likely to increase as ballots from other counties and overseas or military voters may still arrive. The Boulder County Clerk and Recorder will post the final unofficial election results on July 4.

Separately, the average age of people who voted in this year’s primary appears to be disproportionately older. The average age of active registered voters in Boulder County is about 50, while the average age of those who voted in this year’s election was about 60. This is slightly higher than the average age of voters who participated in this year’s presidential primary in March when more of CU Boulder’s approximately 36,000 students were likely in town to vote.

Given the margins of victory, the election standings are not expected to dramatically change. For more about the results, see our updated story from election night or this chart. Read on BRL.

Boulder County eliminates occupancy limits based on family status

Boulder County commissioners eliminated occupancy limits based on family status from the county’s land-use code on Thursday. The previous code restricted the number of unrelated people who could live together to three.

The changes respond to a state law signed by Gov. Jared Polis in April prohibiting local governments from imposing occupancy limits that restrict how many unrelated people can live together. The new law, effective July 1, 2024, allows governments to impose life safety and fire code occupancy regulations based on demonstrated health and safety standards. Such codes will remain in effect in Boulder County.

The City of Boulder is also contemplating how it will eliminate its occupancy limits and is expected to stop enforcing the current limits. Last year, Boulder raised its occupancy limits from allowing as few as three unrelated people to live together to five across much of the city. Read on BRL.

Xcel Energy proposes plan to reduce Colorado wildfire risk

Xcel Energy has submitted its 2025-2027 Wildfire Mitigation Plan to the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, proposing significant investments to reduce wildfire risks associated with its Colorado electrical equipment. Key components of the plan include:

• Installing hundreds of weather stations and tripling the number of AI cameras for early smoke detection.

• Updating the inspection schedule for poles and equipment in wildfire risk zones and creating 3D maps of equipment and terrain.

• Upgrading equipment, undergrounding power lines, and rebuilding transmission lines in high-risk areas.

• Increasing the number of remotely controlled safety settings.

A summary of the expenses of Xcel Energy’s Wildfire Mitigation Plan

Xcel Energy is facing a series of lawsuits for allegedly starting one of the fires that became the Marshall Fire. An investigation by the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office concluded that a power line, unmoored by wind, came close enough to other lines to create sparks that ignited dry vegetation. Xcel has repeatedly denied any fault in starting the Marshall Fire.

In early April, to prevent its equipment from sparking a wildfire during a windstorm, Xcel preemptively cut power to 55,000 customers, mostly in Boulder County. Due to a lack of communication and coordination with local officials, the City of Boulder’s wastewater treatment plant nearly spilled raw sewage into Boulder Creek, and Boulder restaurants lost approximately $1.6 million in revenue, wages and inventory. A hospital, a homeless shelter and a senior living facility also had their power cut with little notice. The proposed mitigation plan includes improvements for preemptive shutoffs, such as providing better maps of outage areas and offering a rebate program for customers to buy backup power sources.

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission will review Xcel’s plan, allowing the public a chance to voice their opinions. If approved as it currently stands, the plan will cost approximately $1.9 billion over three years. To fund this, a typical customer bill will increase by about 10% over the next few years. Read on BRL.

Contractor allegedly stole from fire victims

The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a contractor accused of stealing over $1.3 million from four property owners who were rebuilding after the Marshall Fire in unincorporated Boulder County. An arrest warrant was issued with a Class 2 Felony, due to the value of the theft exceeding $1 million. The contractor entered into separate contracts with the four families, taking their money but failing to complete the agreed-upon work. He was also not properly licensed to build homes in Boulder County.

“It is particularly egregious when someone steals money from victims of a disaster,” Sheriff Curtis Johnson said. Anyone with additional information or who believes they are a victim of a similar theft is urged to contact Detective Arehart at 303-441-1416 or karehart-rose@bouldercounty.gov.

Boulder Rez reopens after bacteria closure

The Boulder Reservoir swim beach has reopened after a temporary closure due to elevated bacteria levels detected on June 25. While the swim area was closed, other activities such as boating, waterskiing, fishing and picnicking remained available.

Apply for human services grant funding

The City of Boulder Housing and Human Services Department has released the 2025 Human Services Fund Request for Proposals for community-based human services programs. An estimated $2.1 million will be awarded in 2025 to qualified community organizations. The application process is a collaborative effort involving the City of Boulder, the City of Longmont, Boulder County Community Services and the City of Lafayette.

Past and current grants have benefited low-income community members through programs for financial stability, academic support, early child development and childcare, healthcare and legal services for immigrants, among other initiatives.

The 2025 funding round offers both single-year and multi-year funding options. Applications are due by 4 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 26, and must be submitted online.

Boulder Pridefest this Sunday at Central Park

Boulder Pridefest 2024 will be held this Sunday, June 30, at Boulder Central Park, 1212 Canyon Blvd, from 11:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Attendees can explore vendor booths and enjoy musical performances from DJ Bad Kitty, Rocky Mountain Pride Band and House of LaBeija.

Other entertainment includes acts like TransRomantics, BETTY and multiple drag performances, with Jessica L’Whor as the emcee. Food vendors including Abo’s Pizza and McDevitt Taco Supply will be onsite. Those interested in volunteering can contact Davis Dunbar at davis@rmequality.org. For other questions, reach out to Anna Nehring at anna@rmequality.org.

Celebrate Superior’s new Historical Museum

Tomorrow, June 29, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., Superior residents can celebrate the completion of the new Superior Historical Museum, rebuilt after being lost in the Marshall Fire. Construction began in 2023.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony at 110 W. Maple Street will feature greetings from Superior Mayor Lacis and free ice cream from Sweet Cow’s MooMobile.

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🎆 Fourth of July in Boulder and beyond

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