It’s Wednesday, July 17, 2024.
Welcome to Wednesday, Boulder.
Today, we’re covering the rebranding of the largest homeless shelter in town. Boulder Shelter for the Homeless is now called All Roads, better reflecting the organization’s focus on housing. The nonprofit, which began as a shelter in the 1980s, now serves more people living in homes than those seeking a place to sleep. In 2022, the nonprofit began buying apartments to rent to residents with criminal backgrounds who had difficulty finding housing.
Also, If you’re a Boulder County homeowner, you can now get reimbursed up to $500 for certain wildfire mitigation measures. Funded by the 2022 wildfire mitigation tax, the rebate program is open until October. The goal is to encourage Boulderites to spend this summer and early fall ripping out their junipers, replacing their wooden fences, clearing the first five feet around their homes and covering their vents. As the Marshall Fire showed, wildfire mitigation is best done on a community scale because once flames take hold in a neighborhood, they’re hard to stop. The rebate program aims to help the whole county reach a new level of wildfire resilience as we face a fire-laden future.
Have a lovely day.
— Tim, reporter
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Featured stories
Boulder’s largest homeless shelter rebrands, emphasizing housing over sheltering
The shelter, now called All Roads, serves more people living in homes than at the North Boulder shelter. Continue reading…
Boulder County’s new wildfire rebate program: Get $500 to help fire-proof your home
Paid for by the wildfire mitigation sales tax that passed following the Marshall Fire, the rebate program, open to all Boulder County homeowners, ends in October 2024. Continue reading…
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In other news
Almost in the 70s
Today should top out in the low 80s, which will feel like the 60s after that heat wave. Though tomorrow pops back up to about 90, temps will get progressively cooler until Sunday, when a high of 78 is currently forecast. May that forecast hold.
Local Theater presents ‘The Democracy Cycle’
On July 27, the Local Theater Company will present “We the People: The Democracy Cycle” at the main Boulder Public Library. The show features three back-to-back plays set in Boulder, Gunnison and Denver — the same locations where the plays will be performed. The plays explore themes of democracy and community in diverse Colorado settings. The Boulder show begins at 6 p.m. and is free, but you should reserve your tickets ahead of time.
Boulder hosts climate conversations
The City of Boulder is hosting another Climate Initiatives conversation, this one focusing on the circular economy — a new way of covering the old favorites of reduce, reuse and recycle. Added to those classics are long-lasting design, maintenance and repair. City staff will present the latest sustainability initiatives, offering residents areas to contribute to the city’s goals. The event is Wednesday, July 24, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 1777 Broadway. Registration is encouraged.
Get some chipping in while you’re mitigating your home
In addition to the rebate program featured in one of today’s stories, the Wildfire Partners Program offers a chipping initiative to help Boulder County homeowners dispose of flammable vegetation removed from around their homes.
The Dinosaur Fire that began last Friday has brought the need for wildfire mitigation back to the forefront of public consciousness. Residents considering mitigation should think about setting up a chipping collaboration in their neighborhood.
The chipping program requires at least five neighbors per application, so your street can get rid of downed branches and shrubbery en masse. Contractors will chip onsite and then haul the output to a partnering donation site.
This year, the chipping program has supported nearly 700 homes using funds from the wildfire mitigation sales tax. One community near the Dinosaur Fire has already reduced its vulnerability through the program.
“Our community has used Wildfire Partners to help us with two chipping events over the last year, resulting in large amounts of wood and slash removal throughout our area,” said Genet D’Arcy, a resident of Devils Thumb. “We had 40 homes participate.”
Stearns Lake Trailhead closure
The Stearns Lake Trailhead at Carolyn Holmberg Preserve will be closed for parking improvements from July 22 to Oct. 15. During this time, the parking lot, restroom kiosk and picnic shelter will be inaccessible. Limited parking will be available along S. 104th St., with pedestrian, equestrian and bike access south of the trailhead. Trails will remain open except for a short segment near the parking lot and part of the Cradleboard Trail.
$8 million available for human service non-profits
The Boulder County Department of Human Services will accept applications starting July 15 from nonprofits seeking a share of $8 million in Community Partnership Grants. These one-year grants support housing, education, health and family services. Applications are due Aug. 9.
“Boulder County is targeting funding where we understand our neighbors most need it,” said Georgina Becerril with Boulder County Human Services. “People want and deserve support where they live, and we are fortunate to have so many amazing partners doing transformative work at the community level. We are eager to get these funds to these organizations to support their efforts.”
Boulder Canyon climbing reopens after eagle nesting
The Roosevelt National Forest has reopened the Bitty Buttress and Blob Rock climbing areas in Boulder Canyon after a five-month closure to protect nesting golden eagles. This year, two eagles successfully fledged.
“Golden eagle pairs are most susceptible to disturbance when choosing a nest site, but any disturbance during the nesting process can easily cause the adults to abandon the nest,” said Forest Service wildlife biologist Aurelia DeNasha. “These annual closures allow the birds to pick the best site and raise successful chicks without the impact of human presence.”
The Boulder Ranger District collaborates with the Boulder Climbing Community to monitor nesting and inform climbers.
Disturbing nesting birds of prey is illegal, with penalties up to $5,000 for individuals. Annual nesting closures run from February through July along Colorado Highway 119 near Boulder Falls.
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