🏘️ After 150 years, should Niwot become its own town?

Good Friday morning, Boulder. Today’s BRL Today is sponsored by Street Wise Arts. Check out its inaugural Superior Mural Festival on Sunday, Oct. 4, with live painting, music and mural tours.

Before we begin: Join us for Boulder’s mayoral debate.

BRL and KGNU are hosting an in-person debate Wednesday, Oct. 14, from noon to 2 p.m. at the KGNU Community Media & Cultural Center in downtown Boulder. Hear the candidates answer questions about housing, climate, government transparency, the local economy, community safety and other priorities identified by Boulder residents.

Bring a brown-bag lunch and join us. The debate is free and open to the public. Get your free ticket here.

Leading today: Should Niwot become its own town? After about 150 years without a municipal government, voters will decide in November whether to create one. Incorporation would give the community of about 4,300 more control over roads, land use and other local decisions. Voters will also decide whether to authorize new taxes and debt to support a town government and road repairs. The proposal has sharply divided residents. Brooke Stephenson explains what’s on the ballot and why residents disagree.

Plus more, Below the Fold:

BoulderCAST: One more chance of rain before a sunny Saturday.
Climate lawsuit: Boulder’s case heads to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Boulderthon: 17,000 runners — and Sunday road closures.
Heat pumps: A group purchase program aims to lower installation costs.
Vintage baseball: Play by 19th-century rules at Walker Ranch.

Thanks, as always, for reading,

– The BRL team

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Creativity meets community at the inaugural Superior Mural Festival presented by Street Wise Arts! On Sunday, October 4, watch talented artists bring blank walls to life with designs inspired by the theme of nature and regrowth. Enjoy an afternoon of live painting and music, mural tours, and arts vendors!

After 150 years without a town government, Niwot voters will decide whether to create one

The community of about 4,300 will vote in November on whether to form a municipal government, levy new taxes and take greater control over decisions now made by Boulder County. Continue reading…

Scattered storms ahead of a warm, dry weekend

Today offers one last window for rain before we flip to a warmer, drier weekend. There’s still plenty of lingering moisture, and a weak shortwave sliding through will spark afternoon to early-evening showers and thunderstorms moving west to east. Coverage won’t be widespread, but any cell that forms could drop a quick downpour in town. This may be Boulder’s best shot at actual rain this week. Otherwise, expect a mix of clouds and sun with highs in the mid‑70s.

Tonight, lows settle into the lower 50s.

Saturday looks like the pick of the weekend — abundant sunshine and a warm push into the 80s. Sunday stays mild, adds more cloud cover, and carries a slight chance of a stray late-day shower.

Early next week brings a more notable shift. A stronger autumn trough will dig into the West, delivering cooler temperatures and increasing chances for rain in Boulder, with snow in the mountains. How wet and snowy it gets remains uncertain, but a cooler, more fall‑like pattern is becoming increasingly likely by Tuesday or so.

—BoulderCAST

Boulder’s landmark climate lawsuit reaches the U.S. Supreme Court on Oct. 5

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments Oct. 5 in Boulder’s long-running climate lawsuit against ExxonMobil and Suncor Energy. The justices will consider whether federal law prevents the city and county from suing the companies under Colorado law. Their decision could determine whether the case moves toward trial and affect similar lawsuits nationwide.

The City of Boulder and Boulder County sued the companies in 2018, alleging they knowingly contributed to climate change while misleading the public about the risks of fossil fuels. The city and county want the companies to help pay for local climate-related costs, including wildfire response and infrastructure planning. The companies argue that federal law blocks those claims.

The Colorado Supreme Court ruled in 2025 that the lawsuit could proceed. The U.S. Supreme Court will review that ruling, as well as whether it has jurisdiction to hear the case, but it will not decide whether the companies owe Boulder money. Kevin Russell of Russell & Woofter LLC will argue for Boulder. Arguments begin at 8 a.m. Mountain Time, with live audio on the Supreme Court’s website.

Boulderthon brings 17,000 runners to Boulder this weekend

Boulderthon returns Sunday, Sept. 27, with a marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K and kids run. Organizers expect about 17,000 participants; the marathon and 10K have sold out. A race expo with more than 75 vendors will also be on the Pearl Street Mall Friday through Sunday.

The races start Sunday morning and will bring road closures and travel delays across Boulder and parts of the county through 4 p.m. Affected roads include Pearl and Spruce streets, 55th Street, Folsom Street, Jay Road, CO 119 and U.S. 36. Boulder Reservoir will be closed until 1 p.m. Residents will still be able to reach their homes, but officials recommend traveling around the course rather than trying to cross it.

See the course maps and road closure times.

Boulder County launches group purchase program for heat pumps

Boulder County residents, along with Longmont and Erie residents who live in Weld County, can now sign up for Switch Together, a group purchase program for home heat pumps, which provide both heating and cooling. Organizers say the negotiated price could save participants about 20% on installation, though savings will vary by home. Eligible rebates may reduce the cost further.

The program follows a Boulder County solar co-op BRL covered in 2023. Solar United Neighbors, the nonprofit behind that co-op, is also a partner in Switch Together.

Signing up does not commit you to a purchase, but securing a place requires a fully refundable $150 deposit. Participants who want to proceed must accept their offer by Nov. 8. Learn more and sign up.

Sign up to play vintage baseball at Walker Ranch

Boulder County is seeking players for a vintage baseball game at Autumn Heritage Day on Sunday, Oct. 4, at Walker Ranch Homestead. The game starts at noon and will follow 19th-century rules. Players will use a cloth ball and play without gloves or helmets.

The event also features costumed volunteers demonstrating ranch life, including blacksmithing, butter churning and laundry, plus old-fashioned games and a general store. See event details.

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