It’s Friday, May 24, 2024.
Hello Boulder, here we are on the brink of the unofficial beginning of summer. Let’s get to it.
Today, we’re covering the primaries for the state legislature. At a forum this week, the main issue was housing, with notable differences among the candidates. The primary dividing lines included whether land-use regulation should reside at the state or local level and whether to prioritize “housing first” interventions for homeless people or focus more on substance abuse treatment programs.
Some candidates supported Governor Polis’s push for greater building density to address the state’s housing crisis, while others believed housing decisions should be made on a city-by-city basis.
Also, some high-profile national coverage has examined how homeowners insurance is becoming harder to obtain across the country, not just in hurricane-affected areas like Florida, but also in wildfire-prone regions. Boulder Reporting Lab covered this trend in Boulder County last year, where residents of mountain communities are already struggling to insure their homes built in flammable landscapes.
Finally, we’re off Monday for Memorial Day. We plan to return rested and ready to report better than ever.
I’ll see you here next Wednesday.
— Tim, reporter
P.S. Did a friend forward you this email? BRL can be in your inbox in the morning, free. Sign up here.
I’m Judy Amabile, proud Democrat running for State Senate. I want to continue making progress on issues like climate action, housing, and mental health. I’m endorsed by Congressman Joe Neguse, Gov. Jared Polis, Senate President Steve Fenberg, and many others. I’d love your support in the June 25th Democratic Primary.
Featured stories
Boulder’s housing crisis takes the stage at Democratic primary forum
Candidates seeking to represent Boulder at the state Capitol debated solutions to the city’s housing problem, focusing on state land-use policies and ways to create affordable housing. They also discussed mental health, addiction treatment and the “housing first” strategy for homelessness. Continue reading…
Boulder Reporting Lab is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization that empowers our community through non-partisan, locally focused journalism that informs and connects.
In other news
Lovely weather for the long weekend
Temperatures in the 70s will continue for the next several days, with only a few clouds passing in front of the sun. Saturday has the highest risk of rain over the next four days, though the risk is low.
BolderBOULDER and Memorial Day closures
The epic BolderBOULDER race, which started in 1978, is happening this Monday, and it’s not too late to sign up. Learn all you need to on the race website, including an interactive map of the course, mile and kilometer markers, bag drop and pick-up, parking details, transportation routes and more. If you’re driving in Boulder that day, note the boundaries of the course, because you could end up getting to where you want to go and not getting back for hours.
Most city and county offices are closed for the unofficial start of summer. The closure will not affect parks, open space, or safety operations.
Also this weekend, the Boulder Creek Festival is back for its 35th year
The 35th Annual Boulder Creek Festival returns this weekend to downtown, from May 24 to 27, bringing with it live music, the Creekside Beer Fest and more. Events will include a pop-up roller rink, diverse music acts and a street art battle. Last year, some 100,000 people moseyed around near the creek sampling all the festival had to offer.
“Boulder Creek Festival is back and better than ever,” said City of Boulder Events Manager Justin Greenstein.
As the city is trying to produce a zero-waste event, attendees are encouraged to get downtown by some means other than driving. Walking, biking, busing or scootering are all great options.
And free trail shuttles starting, you guessed it, this weekend
Boulder County is offering its free shuttle service from Nederland High School to the Hessie Trailhead in the Indian Peaks Wilderness this summer and fall. The shuttle, which starts on May 24 and runs until Oct. 6, operates on Fridays, weekends and holidays. Shuttle riders are encouraged to park in Boulder and take the RTD route NB to connect with the shuttle in Nederland. Shuttles run every 15 minutes. Dogs are welcome, but bikes aren’t. No passes or reservations are needed for this free service. Learn more, or contact Alex Hyde-Wright at ahyde-wright@bouldercounty.gov or 303-441-4910.
Also starting May 25, the City of Boulder will offer a free Park-to-Park shuttle to Chautauqua on weekends and summer holidays through Labor Day. The shuttle runs every 15 minutes from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., with stops at 15 locations around Boulder, including new stops closer to the Chautauqua trailhead and Dining Hall. Free parking is available at downtown garages and two satellite lots. Make sure you’re not parking at the garages closed for maintenance (see below).
Insurers are pulling back nationwide, a trend seen in Boulder
The New York Times recently reported on how homeowners insurance is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain or more expensive across the country. The report highlights Colorado, where insurers have lost money in eight of the last 11 years.
Last year, Boulder Reporting Lab covered the withdrawal of insurance companies from Boulder County’s mountain communities. In discussions with homeowners, legislators, lawyers and industry members, BRL highlighted what is a local trend, too.
“We are in a new normal,” an insurance industry representative told BRL. “We’re seeing escalating catastrophic risks, like wildfires, tornadoes, and hurricanes, along with skyrocketing inflation and increasing costs to repair and rebuild. This results in more claims and higher costs to pay them.”
The state now offers base insurance for homeowners who can’t get coverage, but the $750,000 provided is far less than the value of many Boulder County homes. We’re continuing our reporting on this issue. Email me at tim@boulderreportinglab.org with your stories about losing homeowners insurance.
From fires to flood: Meeting on Gregory Canyon Creek flood mitigation project
The City of Boulder is hosting a public meeting about the Gregory Canyon Creek Flood Mitigation Project, which will route through the Flagstaff neighborhood near Chautauqua and begin construction in 2025. Attendees will hear updates and learn about the project’s timeline and next steps. The meeting is on Thursday, May 30, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Boulder Public Library and online. Learn more about Boulder’s priority flood projects and why they’re a priority.
Harmful algae blooms in local waters
Due to warm temperatures and recent rains, the City of Boulder is urging residents to be cautious around lakes and ponds with algae blooms. Some algae, particularly cyanobacteria, can produce toxins harmful to humans and pets. Blooms are common in warm, slow-moving water and look like thick pea soup, bluish-green paint spills and foam mats along the shoreline.
Downtown garage closures coming
Three downtown Boulder garages will undergo full closures this summer for maintenance:
- 14th and Walnut: From June 9 to June 28.
- 10th and Walnut (St Julien Garage): From July 7 to Aug. 15.
- 11th and Walnut (Randolph Center Garage): From Sept. 3 to Sept. 19.
Additional parking will be available at the 15th and Pearl, and 11th and Spruce garages. The city said the closures are necessary to complete power washing, re-striping and installing traffic coating, among other work.
Give the city your feedback on Baseline Road safety project
The City of Boulder is asking residents for feedback on travel along Baseline Road after recent transportation improvements. A questionnaire is open until June 2 for community members to share their experiences and suggest enhancements. This input will help shape the second phase of the Baseline Road Transportation Safety Project.
The second phase, partly funded by a $3.2 million federal grant, will feature upgrades such as protected bike lanes, improved crossings for pedestrians and cyclists, “floating” bus stops and better signal timing. The first phase, funded by the city, included repaving and restriping the roadway, installing new concrete curbs to protect bike lanes, adding crosswalks and corner islands, and marking bike lanes with green paint.
This section of Baseline Road is one of Boulder’s top crash locations for pedestrians and cyclists. It is part of the Core Arterial Network, or CAN, comprising the city’s busiest streets targeted for reducing severe crashes.
And, nominate for a conservation award
Nominations for the Boulder County 2024 Conservation Awards are open until June 14. This year features a new Community Connections Award, honoring programs that impact underserved residents and connect the community to open space values. Other categories include land conservation, environmental stewardship, and cultural and historic preservation. Special consideration is given to efforts affecting unincorporated Boulder County. Awards will be presented on Sept. 18 at the Boulder County Parks & Open Space headquarters.
Become a sponsor: Reach 19,000 subscribers directly in their inboxes. Gain valuable exposure among the city’s most engaged residents while bolstering our journalism. Contact BRL’s publisher, Stacy Feldman, to learn more.
Explore ALL upcoming events in Boulder. If you have something to promote, use the self-submission form on our events page, for free.
