Good Monday morning, Boulder. Today’s BRL Today edition is sponsored by EFAA — check out their upcoming Friend Fest event.
Boulder City Council has begun exploring a vacancy tax on homes that sit empty most of the year — likely targeting second homeowners. With as many as 4,000 vacant homes, officials say the tax could generate up to $2 million annually and help address the city’s housing shortage. It’s unlikely to appear on this year’s ballot, but possibly in 2026.
Also today: At a Boulder town hall on Saturday, Rep. Joe Neguse and newly announced gubernatorial candidate Sen. Michael Bennet, both Democrats, fielded emotional questions from locals worried about the direction of the country. The crowd wanted answers. The lawmakers urged civic engagement, tough conversations — and not giving in to “despair.”
More, Below the Fold:
- Record heat: Boulder hit 85 on Saturday, breaking April 12 record.
- Bennet for governor: Senator launches campaign, stumps in Boulder.
- NOAA firings: Boulder employees terminated again after brief return.
- Murder retrial possible: DA tosses conviction in decades-old Boulder case.
- CU police: Ashley Griffin named next chief, starts July 1.
- Youth jobs: Fairview High to host April 23 job fair for ages 16–24.
- Things to do: Dead tribute, Earth Day fest, Bluebird Music Festival, more.
Thank you, as always, for reading,
– The BRL team
For over 100 years, EFAA has served as Boulder’s community safety net, helping thousands of families and individuals navigate through times of need. This past year, EFAA provided support to a record 8,571 Boulder residents with food, financial assistance, and other essential resources. Join us at Friend Fest to learn more about EFAA and ways to support our mission — while enjoying a fun-filled afternoon for adults and children alike.
Boulder City Council eyes vacancy tax as thousands of homes sit empty
City officials estimate there are up to 4,000 vacant homes — as many as the city’s entire affordable housing stock. Continue reading…
At Boulder town hall, Neguse and Bennet urge resistance — and hope — in face of Trump’s actions
In one of his first public appearances as a gubernatorial candidate, Sen. Bennet joined Rep. Neguse to address an emotional crowd concerned about threats to democracy. Continue reading…
Record heat, now a cool down
Boulder set its first new daily temperature record of 2025 on Sunday, hitting 85 — smashing the previous April 12 record by three degrees, according to our friends at BoulderCast. The unseasonable warmth also triggered a Red Flag Warning for fire weather. Expect a cooldown to start the week, with more spring-like conditions ahead.
Today: Sunny, with a high near 58. Light east-northeast wind.
Tonight: Mostly clear, low around 35.
Tuesday: Warmer again — mostly sunny with a high near 70.
Tuesday night: A slight chance of showers before midnight. Low around 46.
We’ll see you back here Wednesday.
Bennet launches campaign for governor
Sen. Michael Bennet officially launched his campaign for Colorado governor on Friday at an event in Denver’s City Park surrounded by family and supporters. In his announcement, Bennet cited rising costs of living, a state budget in crisis and what he called “an all-out assault” on Colorado values by President Trump as reasons for entering the race.
“I’m running for governor to build a brighter future in Colorado and give people a chance at a better life,” Bennet said in a statement. “The best solutions to our challenges will not come from Washington’s broken politics. They will come from us.”
Bennet, who has represented Colorado in the U.S. Senate since 2009, said he will continue to serve in the Senate through the 2026 election and will resign if elected governor.
Over the weekend, Bennet appeared in Boulder at a town hall hosted by Rep. Joe Neguse. While Neguse had reportedly been weighing his own bid for governor, he has endorsed Bennet and is now considered among the frontrunners to succeed him in the Senate should Bennet win.
Attorney General Phil Weiser has also entered the race. Read our full story on the Boulder town hall.
Update: NOAA workers in Boulder fired again after brief reinstatement
On Friday, we reported here that Boulder-based NOAA employees had been rehired — at least for now — following a federal judge’s order. But that temporary reprieve was short-lived. A new appeals court decision has cleared the way for agencies to resume firing probationary employees, and by Friday, those workers were officially terminated once again.
Some say they were never fully reinstated during their brief return, citing confusion around benefits and health insurance. Legal challenges are expected to continue. Read the full story on BRL here.
Murder conviction vacated in decades-old Boulder case following DNA misconduct investigation
The Boulder County District Attorney’s Office has vacated the first-degree murder conviction of Michael Clark, who was serving a life sentence for the 1994 killing of Marty Grisham in Boulder.
Clark was arrested in 2012 and later convicted of fatally shooting Grisham four times. But recent developments, including the misconduct of now-indicted Colorado Bureau of Investigation analyst Missy Woods, prompted the DA’s Office to request independent DNA testing by BODE Technologies. The new testing, along with claims of juror misconduct and ineffective assistance of counsel, led prosecutors to determine the conviction should be thrown out.
DA Michael Dougherty said the decision was made “in the interest of justice” and that prosecutors will re-evaluate whether the case can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt at a second trial. Clark’s original $100,000 bond has been reinstated. A status hearing is set for June 6.
CU Boulder names new chief of police
Ashley Griffin has been named the next chief of police at CU Boulder — the first new person in the role in nearly seven years. Griffin comes from the University of Texas at Austin, where she currently serves as assistant chief of police. She’ll officially start July 1 and is expected to be sworn in this fall.
Griffin brings nearly two decades of experience in university policing and said she’s focused on building trust and strengthening partnerships across campus. She replaces former Chief Doreen Jokerst, who left in 2024, and will succeed Interim Chief John Monahan.
Youth job fair coming to Fairview High
Know a young person looking for a summer job? The Young Adult Job Fair is happening Wednesday, April 23, from 3–5 p.m. at Fairview High School (1515 Greenbriar Blvd). Open to ages 16 to 24, the fair offers a chance to connect with local employers and explore summer job opportunities.
☀️ 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 this list, make sure to submit it to our events calendar.
Boulder Crime & Justice Forum: Tuesday, April 15, 4:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m., Boulder Library Canyon Theater, 1000 Canyon Blvd. Read More
“Peaks to Prairie” Film Screening and Panel Discussion: Tuesday, April 15, 2025, 5:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m., Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St. Read More
Empower Hour: KC Becker on “Where to Now on Climate and Environment?”: Tuesday, April 15, 2025, 6:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m., Virtual. Read More
Colorado Poets Center Reading and Open Mic: Tuesday, April 15, 2025, 6:30 p.m., Boulder Book Store, 1107 Pearl St. Read More
Boulder Chamber Celebration of Leadership: Wednesday, April 16, 5:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m., Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St. Read More
Dead Alive (Grateful Dead Tribute): Thursday, April 17, 8:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m., Roots Music Project, 4747 Pearl St Suite V3A. Read More
6 Million Dollar Band “80s Dance Party”: Friday, April 18, 7:30 p.m., Nissi’s Entertainment Venue & Event Center, 1455 Coal Creek Dr., Unit T, Lafayette. Read More
Wild Earth Day: Saturday, April 19, 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., Wild Bear Nature Center, 20 Lakeview Dr., Nederland. Read More
Colorado Buffaloes Football – Black & Gold Day: Saturday, April 19, 2:30 p.m., Folsom Field & Stadium, 914 Broadway St. Read More.
Spaced Out Music & Arts Festival: Saturday & Sunday, April 19–20, 3:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m., Central Park (Boulder Bandshell), 1212 Canyon Blvd. Read More
Bluebird Music & Arts Festival: Saturday, April 19, 4:15 p.m.–8:30 p.m., Macky Auditorium, 1595 Pleasant St., Boulder, CO. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. Read More
Boulder Concert Band “A Garden of Delights”: Saturday, April 19, 7:00 p.m.–8:30 p.m., Mountain View Methodist Church, 355 Ponca Place. Read More
Boozy Brunch BlueGRASS Week with Chuck Sitero (of High Lonesome): Sunday, April 20, 12:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m., Velvet Elk Lounge, 2037 13th St. Read More