Good Friday morning, Boulder. Today’s BRL Today is sponsored by Groundworks Art Lab — mark your calendar: The Chili Bowl returns Sunday, Sept. 14, with live music, chili tastings, local beer and a fall art market.
Leading today’s edition: Yesterday was another terrifying day for many Boulder parents and students after a false alarm “man with a gun” call outside Fairview High — just one day after a school shooting tragedy 40 miles away in Evergreen. In Boulder, police gave the all-clear, as we reported Thursday.
Switching gears: It’s budget season, and city leaders are facing tough choices. With sales tax revenue falling and uncertainty around other sources, the city manager has proposed a budget that trims programs while adding new fees. We’ll have more coverage next week as we unpack the numbers.
Today, Por Jaijongkit reports on one substantial change that will affect many residents: higher rec center fees and broader membership changes — part of the city’s effort to plug the shortfall.
In BRL Opinion: Columnist Bob Yates argues that Boulder County voters should approve a new three-year sales tax to fund mental health treatment. Federal support is ending, the state is broke, and local residents are left to step in, he writes.
We’ll be featuring more opinion on what may be the most controversial measure on your November ballot in the weeks ahead.
More, Below the Fold:
- BoulderCAST: Stormy through Saturday, sunshine back Sunday.
- Fairview High: Lockdown lifted after false gun report.
- Evergreen High: Student shooter dead, two classmates still critical.
- Boulder County: Hearing set on minimum wage changes.
- Health exchange coverage: Premiums to rise in Boulder County.
- PorchFest: 40+ bands on 30 porches return Sept. 21.
Thanks, as always, for reading,
– The BRL team
Chili Bowl returns Sunday, September 14! Groundworks Art Lab’s biggest annual fundraiser is a free, family-friendly celebration of art, food, music and community. Attendees can enjoy live music, chili tastings, local beer and cider, and hands-on art experiences. The Fall Art Market features unique handmade items donated by students, staff, and friends of Groundworks. Don’t miss this lively event supporting art in the community.
Boulder proposes higher fees, new membership tiers for rec centers
Changes would increase daily rates, reduce subsidies for youth and seniors and end free court reservations for members. Continue reading…
Bob Yates: Boulder County needs a mental health tax
Federal support is ending, and the state is broke. Boulder County voters can step in. Continue reading…
Staying stormy through Saturday
A sluggish Pacific storm is parked over the region, and it’s sending a steady stream of moisture into Colorado through Saturday night. For Boulder, that means a decent shot at showers — about a 50% chance today and tomorrow — with skies staying mostly cloudy and intermittent rumbles of thunder.
Cooler temperatures will accompany the rain the next few days, with highs in the upper 70s to near 80.
Impacts from this weather system will be more substantial elsewhere in the state: The Western Slope is managing flood risk today, while the highest peaks of the San Juans could pick up several inches of early-season snow. Don’t be surprised if some of Boulder County’s peaks along the Divide see a light dusting of white as well.
By Sunday, the storm finally moves out and sunshine makes a comeback. Expect a beautiful reset to start next week, with highs bouncing back into the 80s by Monday.
False alarm prompts lockdown at Fairview High
Fairview High and Southern Hills Middle went into lockdown Thursday after a report of a man with a gun near the campus. Police later determined there was no active threat. Officers said the person reported as a possible suspect was a runner carrying a cell phone and wearing a weighted vest, which likely led to the call.
Several other Boulder schools, including Summit Middle, Community Montessori, Bear Creek and Mesa, were placed in “secure” status. Fairview dismissed early, while other schools continued on regular schedules.
In an email to families Thursday night, BVSD Superintendent Rob Anderson acknowledged the psychological toll on students, staff and families, saying they were “understandably shaken by these events — real and false alarms.” He encouraged parents to reach out to school counselors or administrators if their child needs support.
“Many of us remember the Columbine tragedy 26 years ago, and unfortunately there have been far too many incidents since,” he wrote. “If you have a child in need of help, reach out.” Read more on BRL.
Evergreen High School shooter dead, two students still critical
The 16-year-old student who opened fire Wednesday at Evergreen High School, injuring two classmates, died that evening from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Jefferson County officials said. He was identified as Desmond Holly.
According to The Denver Post, online accounts that appear to belong to Holly suggest he had been radicalized and held antisemitic and violent views prior to the shooting.
Two victims remain in critical condition. The sheriff’s office said the shooter used a revolver shortly after 12:20 p.m. Three students — including the shooter — were treated for gunshot wounds at St. Anthony Hospital.
The shooting is the 13th at a Colorado school since Columbine in 1999, according to 9News. Thirteen people were killed in that massacre at Columbine High School in Jefferson County. Since then, six more people have died and 21 have been injured in school shootings across the state. Evergreen is about 40 miles from Boulder.
County to hold hearing on minimum wage proposals
Our friends at the Left Hand Valley Courier report that Boulder County commissioners have set a public hearing for Oct. 28 to consider changes to the county’s minimum wage ordinance. Two proposals are on the table: pausing scheduled increases — set to reach $25/hour by 2030 — or aligning with the City of Boulder’s minimum wage.
The county adopted its own minimum wage in 2023, but business groups in unincorporated areas argue it unfairly impacts them since other cities in the county, including Boulder and Longmont, don’t have matching increases. The hearing follows a crowded Sept. 4 meeting where small business owners and residents opposed the hike, warning it could force closures, reduce teen jobs and put unincorporated businesses at a disadvantage, the Courier reported.
Former Congressman David Skaggs said the county was confusing “minimum wage” with “living wage,” noting that while a living wage in Boulder County is about $26 an hour, requiring small businesses to pay that as a minimum isn’t realistic, the Courier reported. Niwot business owners echoed that concern, saying their restaurants and shops may not survive if wages rise too quickly.
Health insurance premiums on Colorado exchange to rise in Boulder County
Boulder County residents buying health coverage through Connect for Health Colorado will see premiums rise in 2026, according to the Boulder County Health Coverage Enrollment Center. The increases come as extra federal funding expires.
On average, premiums in Boulder County are expected to jump 27%. That means the typical enrollee could lose about $1,500 a year in tax credits, with bigger impacts on older adults (around $2,400) and rural residents (around $1,800). At the same time, fewer people will qualify for cost-sharing reductions that help lower copays and deductibles.
Colorado is introducing a new Premium Assistance program to offset some of the cost, offering monthly discounts of $50 for the first household member and $18 for each additional member for those earning up to 200% of the federal poverty level who qualify for tax credits.
Open enrollment runs Nov. 1-Jan. 15. Boulder County Health Coverage Guides can provide free help navigating the changes.
Save the date: Mapleton Hill PorchFest returns Sept. 21
Boulder’s 13th annual Mapleton Hill PorchFest is back on Sunday, Sept. 21, from noon to 4 p.m. The free neighborhood music festival will feature more than 40 bands performing on 30 porches across Mapleton Hill.
The event kicks off at 541 Highland, with three one-hour sets starting at 12:30 p.m. Expect a mix of returning favorites like Rex Peoples and XFactor, plus new acts including Ray + El Music and Hannah Saunders. KGNU will broadcast live, and food trucks will be stationed at The Academy lot at 4th and Maxwell. Details, maps and band lineups are here.
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