Good Monday morning, Boulder.
Leading today’s edition: Boulder is taking aim at the city’s tear-down trend. City council last week approved an $11-per-square-foot fee on single-family homes that exceed the size of the ones they replace. The new fee, set to take effect Jan. 31, is expected to generate about $1.2 million a year for affordable housing — and close a loophole that let large rebuilds skip contributing to the city’s Affordable Housing Fund.
A city-commissioned study found that tear-downs sometimes push out relatively affordable homes and increase demand for housing for local workers. A separate, more controversial transportation maintenance fee — also starting in 2026 — will fund road and sidewalk repairs. John Herrick reports.
Also today: A look back at the changing face of Broadway in the 1960s and ’70s, when counterculture cafés and quirky shops defined a stretch of downtown Boulder now dominated by offices and parking garages. Silvia Pettem traces how the block from Walnut to Pearl streets has evolved over the decades.
And lastly… The Nov. 4 election results are mostly in — see who won here. In BRL Opinion, Brian Keegan breaks down how he predicted the outcome using voter turnout and neighborhood trends. The results may have surprised some, but he argues Boulder’s political patterns are anything but new.
Below the Fold:
- Graywater reuse: Boulder opts out under new state law.
- Rec centers: New SmartRec system goes live Friday.
- Wildfire safety: Free webinar on fire-resilient landscaping.
- Ag burns: County crews continue irrigation projects this week.
- Things to do: Sip wine, explore climate art, catch a burlesque show, shop an art market, dance to the ’80s, climb for glory, enjoy a Star Wars concert + more.
Thanks, as always, for reading,
– The BRL team
Boulder City Council approves new fee on home demolitions and rebuilds to fund affordable housing
A city study found scrape-and-rebuild projects remove relatively affordable homes from the market and increase demand for affordable housing for workers. Continue reading…
Boulder then and now: The changing face of Broadway in the 1960s and ’70s
A look back at the eclectic shops, counterculture cafés and shifting streetscapes that defined a bygone era of downtown Boulder. Continue reading…
Brian Keegan: What Boulder’s 2025 election results reveal about how we vote — and why progressives keep coming from behind
A statistical model predicting city council races reveals a consistent pattern in how Boulder’s ballots are cast and counted, and what that says about local politics. Continue reading…
Sunny and warm start to the week
It looks like the warmth is sticking around. Today and Veterans Day (Tuesday) will both bring mostly sunny skies and highs around 70, with a light west wind and the occasional gust. Monday night will be mostly cloudy, dipping to about 46, and Wednesday stays pleasant and mostly sunny, with a high around 68.
Boulder blocks ‘graywater’ reuse allowed under new state law, citing lack of readiness
Boulder City Council unanimously voted last week to move forward with a temporary ban on graywater reuse systems, setting the ordinance to last two years. Common water conservation habits, such as collecting water from a warming shower to water plants, will not be affected. The ordinance passed with limited public engagement and lingering concerns from residents.
Graywater refers to slightly used water — such as from bathroom sinks, showers and washing machines — that can be reused for flushing toilets or underground irrigation. A separate plumbing system must be installed to capture and treat graywater for reuse before it enters the sewer.
A state law passed in 2024 will automatically allow graywater reuse in new construction beginning Jan. 1, 2026, unless municipalities choose to opt out. Boulder currently does not permit graywater reuse systems. City staff estimated it would take at least two years to create the necessary programs, infrastructure and enforcement mechanisms for a graywater system, making implementation before the state’s deadline infeasible.
Planning Board Chair Mark McIntyre, speaking in his personal capacity, said the ordinance runs counter to Boulder’s sustainability goals and that the state legislation was intended to encourage, not restrict, graywater use. Read more on BRL.
New recreation center system goes live Friday
Boulder’s parks and recreation department is rolling out a new way to access recreation centers and register for classes. The SmartRec by Amilia system officially goes live Friday, Nov. 14, but residents can activate their accounts now to get a head start.
City staff recommends setting up accounts before Dec. 2, when registration opens for December programs.
Need a little help navigating the new software? You can drop in to one of next week’s hands-on assistance sessions:
- Monday, Nov. 10, 5-7 p.m. — East Boulder Community Center
- Tuesday, Nov. 11, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. — North Boulder Recreation Center
- Wednesday, Nov. 12, 12-2 p.m. — South Boulder Recreation Center
Residents can also call 303-413-7270 with questions.
Build a fire-resilient yard: Free webinar offers expert guidance
Want to make your home and yard more wildfire-ready? Wildfire Partners and Colorado State University Extension are hosting a free webinar on Wednesday, Nov. 12, from 12-1 p.m. on how to design fire-resilient landscapes that can help protect your home.
Experts will cover plant selection, defensible space and strategies to reduce ignition potential — practical steps homeowners can take as Boulder faces increasing wildfire risk year-round. Registration is required, and the session will be recorded and shared with all registrants.
The Marshall Fire showed how quickly wind-driven embers can ignite homes miles from open space, a risk that continues to shape Boulder’s approach to wildfire resilience. The city has updated landscaping codes, strengthened home-hardening standards and expanded its wildland-urban interface zones.
Residents citywide can also request a free home assessment from Boulder Fire-Rescue to learn how to better safeguard their property from fire danger.
Agricultural burns continue this week
If you spot smoke in eastern Boulder County this week, it’s likely from prescribed agricultural burns — not wildfires. Boulder County Open Space and the Sheriff’s Office are conducting three burns to help clear irrigation ditches and improve water delivery to local farms.
Two of the burns are planned near the intersection of Highway 52 and East County Line Road, north of Erie, with a third scheduled near Gaynor Lake, south of Longmont. The work will move forward only if weather conditions are favorable, and smoke may be visible for up to 24 hours after each burn.
☀️ 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.
3D Pumpkin Glass Workshop: Tuesday, Nov. 11, 3:00-6:00 p.m., Arts Off Center, 405 Center Drive #G, Superior. Read More
Fall Fiesta: Tuesday, Nov. 11, 5:00-8:30 p.m., Gold Hill Inn, 401 Main St. Read More
RMP’s Monthly Jazz, Soul, and Groove Jam Sessions: Wednesday, Nov. 12, 7:30-10:00 p.m., Roots Music Project, 4747 Pearl Suite V3A. Read More
Remembrance and Forgiveness in Historical Consciousness: Thursday, Nov. 13, 5:30-7:00 p.m., Benson Earth Sciences Room 180, 2200 Colorado Ave. Read More
Cloudsourced: Turning Weather Data into Art: Thursday, Nov. 13, 6:00-8:00 p.m., Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, 1750 13th St. Read More
Friday Flights: Educational Wine Series: Friday, Nov. 14, 6:00-8:00 p.m., Bookcliff Vineyards, 1501 Lee Hill Rd. Additional dates monthly. Read More
Firefly Handmade Holiday Saturday, Nov. 15, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Pearl Street Mall, 1325 Pearl St. Additional date Sunday Nov. 16. Read More
Motus Theater’s Youth Behind & Beyond Bars: Saturday, Nov. 15, 2:00-4:00 p.m., Lafayette Public Library, 775 W. Baseline Rd, Lafayette. Read More
Trinkets Showcase: Saturday, Nov. 15, 6:30-9:00 p.m., Mi Chantli, 1750 30th St. Read More
80s Night at the Velvet Elk featuring 5280s: Saturday, Nov. 15, 8:00-11:00 p.m., Velvet Elk Lounge, 2037 13th St. Read More
Cookie Jar Competition: Sunday, Nov. 16, 4:00-9:00 p.m., Movement Boulder, 2845 Valmont Rd. Read More
Star Wars: A Symphonic Celebration: Sunday, Nov. 16, 4:00-5:45 p.m., Grace Commons Church, 1820 15th St. Read More
Cirque Array 20: Sunday, Nov. 16, 7:00-10:00 p.m., Boulder Circus Center, 319 Spruce St. Read More
Khruangbin: Sunday, Nov. 16, 8:00 p.m., Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St. Read More