Good Monday morning, Boulder.
There are 184 days until our local 2025 election — and ballot measure campaigns are ramping up. We’ve already seen a flurry of activity. A push to close West Pearl Street to most car traffic sparked swift opposition from downtown businesses. That measure has been dropped — for now.
We also reported on an effort to place a measure on the ballot to create a non-Xcel utility in Boulder. Now, supporters are backing two more proposals, John Herrick reports: One would require developers to pay infrastructure fees. And the other would mandate affordable housing when single-family homes are converted to duplexes or triplexes. Advocates say the changes would ensure new development pays its fair share and expands affordability. But critics are expected to warn they could discourage the kind of smaller, less expensive homes Boulder needs. Organizers have until May 28 to collect enough signatures to qualify for the November ballot.
Also today: Boulder City Council has approved the first major redevelopment in East Boulder under the city’s subcommunity plan — a proposed BioMed Realty research campus near Flatiron Business Park. The unanimous vote marks a key test of the city’s vision for transforming its industrial eastern half. The project includes three LEED Gold-certified buildings but no housing, drawing criticism from Planning Board members who said it falls short of the plan’s broader goals.
More, Below the Fold:
- Weather shift: Spring warmth gives way to cooler temps.
- Research freeze + 100-day check-in: NSF halts grants as Trump agenda hits Boulder.
- Immigration suit: Trump sues Colorado and Denver over ICE cooperation.
- Shelter strain: Turnaways spike after All Roads cuts 20 beds.
- Roadwork alert: Boulder Canyon repaving underway through August.
- Bike boost: City adds 350 racks, valet app ahead of summer events.
- Grad week: CU to award 10,000+ degrees; Emma Coburn to speak.
- Things to Do: Concerts, plant sales, theater and a fire talk this week.
Thanks, as always, for reading,
– The BRL team
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Boulder residents propose ballot measures to require developers to pay more, meet affordability requirements
One measure would impose infrastructure fees on new developments. The other would mandate affordable housing for duplex and triplex conversions. Continue reading…
Boulder City Council approves major research hub in East Boulder
The project at 1855 South Flatiron Court was an early test for how far the city is willing to go to transform its industrial eastern half. Continue reading…
Spring heat gives way to a cooler, wetter week
After a delightful spring weekend with summer-like warmth, Boulder is in for a bit of a cool-down. Showers are expected today, with a high near 60 and a chance of afternoon thunderstorms.
The rain continues into Tuesday, with temperatures barely reaching 50 degrees. Forecasts call for a 90% chance of showers Tuesday and more rain into the night, with occasional thunderstorms possible.
NSF freezes research grants
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has halted all new and ongoing grant funding “until further notice,” according to an internal email obtained by Nature. The freeze affects one of the largest sources of basic research funding in the U.S., and follows a new policy requiring staff to reject proposals not “in alignment with agency priorities.”
The freeze comes as the agency reels from recent leadership changes, including the resignation of its director, and the termination of more than 1,000 grants worth nearly $740 million. The Trump administration has proposed slashing the NSF’s 2026 budget by 55%.
The impacts in Boulder — home to many NSF-funded labs and research projects — are expected to be profound. We’ll have more details soon.
Trump’s first 100 days: Local effects come into focus
A wave of executive actions from the Trump administration is already rippling through Boulder. Dozens of NOAA workers have been fired under new federal cuts — with hundreds more local jobs at risk. Sanctuary city funding, AmeriCorps support, Covid-era public health grants and more also hang in the balance. Meanwhile, fears of deportation are growing, and new tariffs could squeeze Boulder businesses. We’re reporting on the full scope of local impacts as they unfold. Read our full roundup on BRL.
Administration sues Colorado and Denver over immigration policies
The White House filed a federal lawsuit Friday against Colorado and the City of Denver, accusing state and local leaders — including Gov. Jared Polis and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston — of blocking immigration enforcement efforts. The suit targets state and city laws that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities, such as prohibiting local jails from holding people on civil immigration detainers and barring the use of city resources to aid federal enforcement.
Polis’s office said Colorado is not a sanctuary state and regularly coordinates with federal law enforcement, while Johnston defended the city’s approach as balancing public safety with protections for immigrant communities. The suit follows similar legal action against other Democratic-led cities and comes amid broader efforts by the Trump administration to force local cooperation with deportation plans.
Shelter turnaways spike after bed cuts at All Roads
All Roads, Boulder’s largest homeless shelter, cut its bed capacity from 180 to 160 on April 21 due to county funding reductions. In the weeks since, nightly turnaways have jumped from an average of 4 to 17, according to shelter representative Andy Schultheiss.
The increase comes as the city intensifies enforcement of its camping ban, Boulder Reporting Lab reported, making it harder for people to sleep along Boulder Creek and Goose Creek paths without facing tickets or removal. Accumulated citations can lead to fines or jail time, though they may be resolved through community court.
Roadwork underway on Boulder Canyon Drive
Repaving work is now underway on Boulder Canyon Drive (CO 119), as part of a monthslong Colorado Department of Transportation project to improve road conditions and multimodal access through central Boulder.
The $4.6 million project began Sunday night and will continue through mid-August, covering the stretch from 28th Street to the entrance of Boulder Canyon. Crews are currently working overnight on sidewalk, curb and utility upgrades, with resurfacing and full roadway reconstruction to follow in later phases.
Nighttime lane closures will remain in place from 6:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Friday. Drivers should expect delays, reduced lanes and occasional pedestrian detours. Daytime construction is scheduled to begin later this month.
Boulder adding bike racks, valet service app ahead of summer events
Boulder is expanding secure bike parking downtown and on University Hill ahead of summer events like the Boulder Creek Festival and BOLDERBoulder.
The city is replacing 350 bike racks in commercial areas and enhancing maintenance at the 14th & Walnut RTD bike shelter, in partnership with Boulder County. A new app-based valet service, Bike Drop, will offer secure, GPS-tagged bike check-ins at major events and integrate with the national Bike Index database.
More than 10,000 Buffs graduating this week as CU Boulder celebrates Class of 2025
CU Boulder will award 10,064 degrees this week — including 7,476 undergraduate, 1,776 master’s, and 480 doctoral degrees — as the university honors the Class of 2025 in ceremonies across campus from May 8-10. Thursday’s main commencement event at Folsom Field will feature remarks from three-time Olympic runner and CU alum Emma Coburn, with new Chancellor Justin Schwartz delivering his first commencement address.
The celebration is expected to draw thousands of graduates and visitors to Boulder, with significant traffic and limited parking expected near campus. Buff Bus shuttles will run between East and Main Campus from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on May 8.
☀️ Explore events in Boulder and use the self-submission form on our events page to reach thousands in our community — for free! To have your event featured on our Monday to-do list, make sure to submit it to our events calendar.
Velvet Vinyl Presents: Stevie’s Picks | Shaking it Up!: Wednesday, May 7, 5:00–10:00 p.m., Velvet Elk Lounge, 2037 13th St. Read More
An Evening with Ben Cosgrove: Wednesday, May 7, 6:00–9:00 p.m., Stone Cottage Studios (House Show), 3091 7th St. Read More
Building Community Resilience: Prescribed Burns: Thursday, May 8, 6:30–7:30 p.m., Lafayette Public Library, 775 W. Baseline Rd., Lafayette. Read More
Romeo & Juliet, presented by The Upstart Crow Theatre Company: Thursday–Saturday, May 8–10, 7:30–10:30 p.m.; Sunday, May 11, 2:00–5:00 p.m., Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St. Read More
BVSD Plant Sale: Friday, May 9, 3:00–6:00 p.m.; Saturday, May 10, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; Friday, May 16, 4:00–6:00 p.m.; Saturday, May 17, 8:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m., BVSD Greenhouse, 6500 Arapahoe Rd. Read More
The Spark presents: Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella: Friday, May 9, 7:00–9:30 p.m.; Saturday, May 10, 1:00–3:30 p.m. and 6:00–8:30 p.m.; Sunday, May 11, 1:00–3:30 p.m., The Spark Boulder, 4847 Pearl Street, Unit B4. Read More
Steel Pulse: Friday, May 9, 8:00 p.m., Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St. Read More
Growing Gardens Community Plant Sale: Saturday, May 10, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; Sunday, May 11, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; Saturday, May 17, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; Sunday, May 18, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., Growing Gardens, 1630 Hawthorn Avenue. Read More
Colorado Springsteen: Tribute to Bruce Springsteen with Paul Is Alive: Saturday, May 10, 8:00–11:59 p.m., Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St. Read More