Good morning, Boulder. Spring is in the air, with all that lovely extra evening light as daylight saving time begins.

Today brings a dose of local history — and an effort to preserve it.

For 90 years, Boulder Theater has been a downtown icon — first as a grand Art Deco movie palace, now as a top concert venue. But time and water damage have taken a toll on its striking facade. Sally Bell reports that a $500,000 restoration effort, led by Historic Boulder, is nearly fully funded through grants, sponsorships, and community support. Restoration begins in April without closing its doors.

We’re also rounding up the latest federal policy shifts affecting CU and Boulder’s research community.

📌 More, Below the Fold:

  • Prescribed burns: Boulder County plans three near Longmont next week.
  • City safety alerts: New webpage for real-time updates.
  • Medicaid cuts: Neguse warns 89K in District 2 at risk.
  • Federal shifts: Research cuts, workforce hits, CHIPS Act threat.
  • CU study: 1 in 15 U.S. adults have witnessed a mass shooting.
  • Cynthia Erivo at CU: Wicked star to keynote in April.
  • Shortest parade: Boulder’s St. Paddy’s Day march returns March 15.
  • Other fun things to do this week: Boulder Ballet, live music, film fest and more.

Thanks, as always, for reading,

– The BRL team

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Boulder Theater’s iconic facade is falling apart—here’s the plan to save it

A $500,000 restoration effort is underway to repair water damage threatening the Boulder Theater’s historic Art Deco facade, with community fundraising playing a key role. Continue reading…

A spring tease

Boulder kicks off the week with a taste of spring — sunny skies and a high of 68 today, with wind gusts, however, up to 28 mph. Sunshine and temps in the 60s stick around through Thursday.

Prescribed burns planned near Longmont this week

Boulder County fire managers plan to conduct three agricultural prescribed burns near Longmont as early as today, March 10, depending on weather conditions, the county announced Saturday. The burns, led by Boulder County Parks & Open Space and the Sheriff’s Office Fire Management Program, will take place at:

  • Jim Henry ditches (Oxford Rd. & 115th St.)
  • Pella Crossing ditches (75th St. & Hygiene Rd.)
  • Wittemyer Ponds ditches (Mineral Rd. & E. County Line Rd.)

The burns help remove vegetation that could fuel wildfires, improve irrigation flow and prepare areas for reseeding. Smoke from the burns may affect air quality. Health tips and burn updates here.

City aims to reduce reliance on X with safety alerts hub

Since finding useful local information on X has become increasingly difficult, we, like many community members, have been asking the City of Boulder if it plans to move away from X as a primary communications tool. With social media more fragmented than ever, Boulder is shifting away from relying solely on it.

Boulder has launched a public safety updates webpage, aiming to provide real-time information on ongoing incidents that don’t require a full emergency activation. Updates will be posted in reverse chronological order at bldr.fyi/publicsafetyupdates. A city mobile app for public alerts is also in the works for later this year.

Meanwhile, BRL is on all the platforms, but we’re really loving Bluesky in particular. When the next breaking news story affecting community safety hits, we’ll be there posting — so follow us now, as well as in your inbox.

Neguse warns of Medicaid cuts impacting District 2

Colorado’s U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse joined House Democrats in a hearing last week to push back against proposed Medicaid cuts that could strip coverage from millions nationwide. The Republican-backed budget plan could slash at least $880 billion from Medicaid, potentially eliminating benefits for nearly 16 million Americans.

For Colorado, the impact would be significant: Neguse’s 2nd Congressional District, which includes Boulder County and much of north-central Colorado, could lose $1.12 billion in funding, with 89,445 individuals at risk of losing coverage, according to an analysis by the Center for American Progress. Statewide, Medicaid currently covers 44% of births and provides care for nearly 40% of children under 18.

Neguse questioned North Carolina’s Health Secretary Kody Kinsley, who warned that state budgets would struggle to absorb the losses, with seniors and maternity care among the hardest hit. Watch the hearing on CSPAN.

Rep. Joe Neguse (upper left) opposes Medicaid cuts during a Congressional hearing.

Boulder research community faces legal wins and ongoing uncertainty

Boulder’s research community had a mixed bag last week. CU’s federal relations team shared the latest on some key policy changes coming from D.C. Here’s what’s happening:

🔬 Research and funding

  • NIH funding cap blocked – A federal judge halted an administration plan to cap NIH research reimbursements, preserving funding for university administrative costs, after Colorado and other states sued.
  • Federal funding freeze paused – Another judge temporarily blocked a federal funding freeze after 22 states (including Colorado) sued. The administration is expected to appeal, leaving the future uncertain.

👩‍💻 Federal workforce disruptions

🌍 International research & aid

  • $2B in foreign aid ordered to be released – The Supreme Court ordered the administration to release frozen foreign aid, impacting USAID-funded research and CU’s international partnerships.

💻 CHIPS Act repeal threat

  • Trump’s repeal push sparks alarm – The CHIPS and Science Act has been critical for CU Boulder’s Quantum Tech Hub and its NSF Engine partnership with Wyoming. Its potential repeal could jeopardize funding.

⚖️ Other legal battles impacting CU

  • Gender-affirming care protected – A judge blocked restrictions on gender-affirming care, allowing CU’s clinical partners at Children’s Hospital Colorado and Denver Health to continue services.
  • Teacher training grants at risk – A lawsuit is underway over the termination of federal grants for teacher training.

CU Boulder study: One in 15 U.S. adults has been at the scene of a mass shooting

New research from CU Boulder reveals that about 7% of U.S. adults have been present at a mass shooting, and over 2% have been injured during one. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, found younger generations — especially Gen Z —are most at risk.

“These are really high numbers for this seemingly unique and small subset of gun violence,” said CU Boulder criminologist David Pyrooz, the study’s senior author. More than half of those affected said the incident occurred in the last decade.

While the study did not directly measure mental health effects, upcoming research from the team suggests significant psychological distress among those exposed. Pyrooz said the findings highlight the growing reach of mass shootings and the need for stronger support systems for survivors.

‘Wicked’ star Cynthia Erivo to keynote CU Boulder’s Conference on World Affairs

CU Boulder has announced that Emmy-, Grammy- and Tony-winning actress Cynthia Erivo will be the keynote speaker at its 77th annual Conference on World Affairs, taking place April 7-11. Erivo, a three-time Academy Award nominee currently starring as Elphaba in Wicked, will discuss her career and experiences as a woman in the arts in a conversation moderated by CU’s Center for Leadership director Stefanie K. Johnson.

The conference, a long-standing Boulder tradition, will feature dozens of experts across eight categories, exploring major global issues. While many sessions will be livestreamed, Erivo’s talk will be in-person only. Registration opens the week of March 17.

Boulder’s shortest St. Patrick’s Day parade returns

The World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Beer Garden is back on Saturday, March 15, in downtown Boulder. Hosted by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the festivities kick off at 11 a.m. with a beer garden, live music and food trucks in the 1500 block of Pearl Street.

At noon sharp, the famously tiny parade marches through, featuring Irish dancers, bagpipers, cruiser bikes, wolfhounds, and the Paddy ‘O Drill Team. The celebration continues until 6 p.m. Don your green and join one of Boulder’s quirkiest traditions. Proceeds support Odd Fellow Charities. For details, contact parade organizer Mary Rios at mary.rios@comcast.net. 🍀

☀️ Explore events in Boulder and use the self-submission form on our events page to reach thousands in our community — for free! Submit your event to our calendar to get featured.

Eye to Eye: Portraits of Pride, Strength, Beauty: March 9-10, 12-17, 19-24, Museum of Boulder, 2205 Broadway. Read More

Best of Crested Butte Film Festival 399: Queen of the Tetons: Monday, March 10, 4:30-6 p.m., Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St. Read More

Matilda the Musical: March 12-15, Boulder High School, 1604 Arapahoe Ave. Read More

Joshua Redman Group feat. Gabrielle Cavassa: Wednesday, March 12, 8 p.m., Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St. Read More

GATHER Film Screening In-Person: Thursday, March 13, 5:30-9 p.m., Boulder Public Library, 1001 Arapahoe Ave. Read More

Singer-Songwriter Showcase at the Velvet Elk Lounge (BIFF Live Music): March 13 & 15, 6 p.m., Velvet Elk Lounge, 2037 13th St. Read More

21st Annual Boulder International Film Festival: March 13-16, Cinemark Century Boulder, Grace Commons Church, Stewart Auditorium Longmont, and more. Read More

Freewheel 80’s/90’s Birthday Bash Roller Skating: March 14, 2-9:30 p.m.; March 15, 12-9:30 p.m., Boulder County Fairgrounds, 9595 Nelson Rd., Longmont. Read More

Open Wall 2025: Friday, March 14, 6 p.m., Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, 1750 13th St. Read More

Boulder Ballet: The Journey of the Country Mouse: March 14, 6:30-7:30 p.m.; March 15-16, 2-3 p.m., Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St. Read More

G. Love & Special Sauce: Saturday, March 15, 8 p.m., The Fox Theatre, 1135 13th St. Read More