Happy Friday, Boulder. Let’s dive in.
Layoffs at NOAA have begun. It’s still unclear how many Boulder employees are affected, but we’ve heard from many laid-off workers across federal agencies. If you’ve been impacted, share your story with us via this confidential form — it helps us report on what’s happening.
Even before the layoffs were announced, former Congressman David Skaggs, namesake of the NOAA-NIST building, had already called for a protest this Monday, warning of the broader implications of federal cuts to scientific programs.
Meanwhile, big changes could be coming for home construction in unincorporated Boulder County. You may recall John Herrick’s coverage of last fall’s moratorium on large homes — originally intended as a temporary measure. Now, county officials are proposing to make it permanent.
The proposal would cap new home sizes at the neighborhood median in an effort to curb rising housing costs and reduce environmental impacts. The plan is expected to face pushback from builders and property owners. A public hearing is scheduled for next month.
More, Below the Fold:
- Spring tease: Enjoy the 60s while they last — snow is likely by Monday.
- Standoff tragedy: Man who died was a former Boulder firefighter.
- ICE bill rejected: State Senate blocks local police-ICE coordination.
- Big changes for 30th Street? City seeks input on safety upgrades.
- Chapman Drive and Sawhill Ponds closures: Trailheads closing for upgrades.
- Wildfire mitigation boost: Boulder lands state funds to protect forests and water.
- Burn season continues: Prescribed burns stay on schedule.
Have a beautiful weekend, and thanks for reading,
– Brooke, reporter
Boulder County officials propose permanent cap on large home construction
The proposal aims to curb the size of homes in unincorporated Boulder County. It is likely to face opposition from the home construction industry. Continue reading…
Enjoy the warmth while it lasts
We’re in for a lovely stretch of 60-degree days. But change is brewing early next week, with rain turning to snow likely by Monday night. Make the most of it.
Trump administration fires hundreds of NOAA employees in sweeping cuts
The Trump administration has begun laying off employees at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in what appears to be two rounds of cuts — one affecting 500 employees and another 800 — totaling about 10% of the agency’s workforce, according to AP sources. The initial layoffs primarily target probationary employees. The firings are expected to have significant consequences for NOAA’s work in climate research, public safety, economic stability and national security.
The firings follow the swearing-in of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who has initiated layoffs across the department. Affected employees, including those at the National Weather Service, were given little notice before losing access to their computers.
The impact in Boulder remains unclear. People could be heard crying inside NOAA’s David Skaggs Research Center in Boulder, CPR reported. Boulder Reporting Lab has heard from dozens of laid-off employees across agencies in recent weeks. If you were laid off or know someone who was, please share your story with us via this form, which will be kept anonymous.
NOAA has not commented on the situation. Some at CIRES, the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, a partnership between CU Boulder and NOAA, previously told Boulder Reporting Lab they were bracing for potential layoffs.
“We’ve heard deeply disturbing reports that dedicated civil servants at NOAA in Colorado have been impacted by the Trump Administration’s reckless mass terminations, which will harm not only our state but our nation’s vital scientific programs,” House Assistant Minority Leader Joe Neguse said in a statement.
“Congressional Democrats will not stand for it, and our office is working with Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper to respond to these damaging actions.”
Former Congressman David Skaggs, for whom Boulder’s NOAA research center is named, has called for a protest outside the building on South Broadway on Monday, March 3, at 11:45 a.m.
“Have no illusion that citizen protests alone will turn things around. However, speaking out can bolster the efforts of those in elected office who are opposing the incremental destruction of democracy,” Skaggs wrote on Facebook.
Man who died by suicide in police standoff was a former Boulder firefighter
Joshua Provenza, a 20-year-old man who died by suicide Monday evening after a prolonged standoff with police, was a probationary firefighter with Boulder Fire-Rescue from August 2023 to March 2024, city officials said. He was terminated in March for violating the department’s Code of Ethics and policy.
Police said Provenza was armed and searching for a woman with whom he had previously been in a relationship. She had a domestic violence restraining order against him. Boulder Police SWAT located him and negotiated for several hours, urging him to surrender. After more than four hours, he died by suicide, according to police.
The investigation is ongoing.
Colorado Senate rejects bill allowing police-ICE coordination
State lawmakers voted down a bill that would have allowed local law enforcement to work with immigration authorities, keeping state restrictions in place, Colorado Newsline reported.
The Senate State, Veterans & Military Affairs Committee killed Senate Bill 25-47 in a 3-2 party-line vote Tuesday. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Mark Baisley (R-Douglas County), would have let police report suspected undocumented immigrants to ICE and honor federal detainer requests.
Supporters, including some county sheriffs, said it would have helped remove dangerous criminals. Opponents argued it would erode trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement, leading to fewer reports of crimes and public safety concerns.
“We want people to answer the door when a police officer knocks,” said Clear Creek County Commissioner George Marlin, opposing the bill.
Democrats Mike Weissman, Tom Sullivan, and Matt Ball voted against it, with Ball calling the debate “political theater.”
Changes coming to 30th Street? City wants your input.
Boulder is working on a plan to make 30th Street safer between Arapahoe Avenue and the Diagonal Highway — one of the city’s top crash locations. Early design concepts are in, and the city wants your feedback before picking a final plan this summer.
You can check out the designs and share your thoughts at an open house on March 12, from 5-7 p.m. at Junkyard Social Club (2525 Frontier Ave, Unit A). If you can’t make it, there’s a virtual open house from March 10-21 and in-person office hours along the corridor the week of March 17.
The project is part of Boulder’s Vision Zero Action Plan to reduce serious and fatal crashes and the city’s Core Arterial Network initiative to make major streets safer and more connected.
Chapman Drive and Sawhill Ponds trailheads closing for upgrades — here’s what to know
Chapman Drive Trailhead will close starting March 3 for a big makeover, including a new pedestrian bridge connecting to the Boulder Canyon Trail.
The Chapman Drive Trail itself will stay open, but a 1,000-foot section of the Boulder Canyon Trail will close for three months starting March 10 while the bridge is under construction. The new bridge will give hikers, cyclists, and equestrians a safer, separate route over Boulder Creek.
Other trailhead upgrades include more parking, new bike racks and a picnic table. It’s the final phase of a long-term project between Boulder, Boulder County and CDOT to improve recreation in Boulder Canyon.
Meanwhile, the Sawhill Ponds Trailhead east of Boulder will close through the end of the year for improvements, though visitors can still access the Sawhill Ponds Trail loop via the Walden Ponds Trailhead. Upgrades include a new fishing pier, bus parking, a short trail loop and better accessibility for people with disabilities. Work is expected to wrap up by late 2025.
Boulder awarded state funds for wildfire mitigation
The City of Boulder will receive part of $8.4 million in state funding aimed at reducing wildfire risk and restoring forests, Gov. Jared Polis and the Colorado Department of Natural Resources announced.
Boulder is one of five communities splitting $4.85 million through the Landscape Resilience Investment program, which focuses on protecting key water sources from wildfire damage. Over the next three years, Boulder, Fort Collins, Glenwood Springs, the Grand Fire Protection District and the Mancos Conservation District will use the funds to treat 1,313 acres and develop Wildfire Ready Action Plans to safeguard infrastructure.
The funding also includes 14 Workforce Development Grants to train more than 150 people in wildfire mitigation and forestry statewide, aiming to strengthen Colorado’s fire prevention workforce.
Prescribed burns continue in Boulder County
Amid federal uncertainty over funding and layoffs delaying some wildfire mitigation efforts, Boulder County announced that its prescribed burns will continue through April 15 as conditions allow.
The most recent scheduled burn was at Leggitt Ditch (near Hwy 287, Niwot Rd., Prospect Rd., and E. County Line Rd.) on Feb. 27.
Burns will only take place when conditions—including humidity, wind, and fuel moisture—are deemed safe.For updates on burn areas and schedules, visit boco.org/PrescribedBurns.
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