It’s Monday, June 24, 2024.
Good morning, Boulder. Happy Monday.
Before we get to it, tomorrow is Election Day. Ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on Tuesday to be counted. Ballot drop-off and voting location information is here. The June 25 Democratic primary will decide who wins Boulder seats at the state Capitol and the State Board of Education. We’ll be in your inbox with updates. If you have any friends or family in Boulder not yet subscribed to BRL Today, this is a great time to sign up.
Today, we’re talking affordable housing tax money. The county sales tax voters approved in the last election is slated to raise some $17 million for affordable housing initiatives. Yet the mechanism for how to distribute and spend that money is unclear. Cities and towns in the county want the money to funnel into their existing programs, while the county itself is considering a centralized application process. This matters because this money will mark the largest influx of local funding for affordable housing in years, providing a shot at chipping away at the affordable housing shortage.
Finally, Boulder’s largest affordable housing provider is opening an application process for subsidized housing. The lottery is competitive; in 2023, Boulder Housing Partners accepted only 16% of applicants, underscoring the demand.
Have a great day.
— Tim, reporter
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Featured stories
Tug of war begins over how to spend Boulder County’s affordable housing tax money
Cities and towns are vying for control over the distribution of the money, raising questions about how to equitably and effectively build more affordable housing across the region. Continue reading…
ICYMI: Meet the 2024 Boulder County Democratic primary candidates running for state legislature
Boulder Reporting Lab asked all candidates running to represent Boulder at the state legislature six questions. Here are their responses. Continue reading… and catch up on all of BRL’s 2024 election coverag before tomorrow’s election.
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
We’re in summer now
We can safely consider ourselves in the thick of summer, with temps in the 90s surrounding us on all sides. The best we can hope for are afternoon thunderstorms to break the heat, and we’ll get some of those, though the respite will be brief. If you’re not drinking water, I recommend you start.
Boulder Housing Partners opens lottery for housing vouchers
Boulder’s largest affordable housing provider is opening an application process for residents to get subsidized housing. The lottery for a Housing Choice Voucher runs from Tuesday, June 25, through Wednesday, June 26.
The Housing Choice Voucher program, funded by the federal government, helps lower-income families, older adults, and people with disabilities afford housing. To qualify, applicants must be adults under the age of 61 who have a disability or live with someone who meets the criteria. Additionally, applicants’ incomes must not exceed 50% of the area median income, which is approximately $51,000 for an individual.
With a voucher, households will spend no more than 30% to 40% of their monthly income on rent, according to Boulder Housing Partners. Unlike some forms of assistance, these vouchers do not have an expiration date, though they can be revoked if the tenant is evicted.
The lotteries are competitive. In the 2023 lottery, Boulder Housing Partners received 2,210 applications, but only 350 applicants were selected, highlighting the demand for affordable housing in Boulder. To apply, visit this page. Read on BRL.
You can now tube on North Saint Vrain Creek, Saint Vrain Creek and Boulder Creek
Sheriff Curtis Johnson lifted the tubing ban for North Saint Vrain Creek and Saint Vrain Creek on June 20. He did the same for Boulder Creek on June 21.
The bans, enacted in early June due to high water flow from melting snow, have been lifted. However, tubers are encouraged to practice caution by wearing a flotation device, and possibly a wetsuit and helmet. If you think the conditions are still too intense, there is no harm in waiting a few weeks for the water turbulence to subside further.
The protocol closes the creek when water flows at 700 cubic feet per second. After a deadly season last year, Boulder Fire-Rescue Chief Michael Calderazzo warned about the dangers of being on the water above 300 cfs. “The 300-700 range is deceptively deadly,” he told city councilmembers last summer.
Bike to Work this Wednesday
Wednesday, June 26, is the day to leave your car at home and hop on two wheels — or three — to get to work. Pledge to ride now and be entered to win prizes, including an e-bike. Join over 6,400 riders at 233 stations, representing more than 500 companies that have already pledged to participate.
Tolland Ranch Trail open for the season
The Tolland Ranch Trail is now open for the season. A decade in the making, the trail traverses the private Tolland Ranch property west of Nederland and connects the West Magnolia trail system to Eldora’s Deadman’s Gulch near Jenny Creek Road.
Reported on last summer by Boulder Reporting Lab, the trail was made possible through the generosity of the Toll family and significant efforts by local organizations like the Boulder Mountainbike Alliance. The final segment to link the trail directly to Jenny Creek is still under discussion, with potential future connections extending to the Continental Divide and beyond.
Illegal Pete’s in South Boulder finally opening
“We are stoked to introduce Illegal Pete’s Table Mesa, opening in South Boulder June 24th!” wrote Illegal Pete’s on Instagram last week. After long permitting delays, Illegal Pete’s 13th location will open at 657 South Broadway this week.
Illegal Pete’s first California-style Mexican restaurant on The Hill launched in 1995 with only eight seats. In 1998, Pete Turner opened the Pearl Street Mall location. “I love the university, and I love the town. It’s special for me,” Turner previously told Boulder Reporting Lab about his new South Boulder spot. “We’re excited to have the opportunity to do another business there.”
Mosquito control coming to Lafayette
Vector Disease Control International will be spraying for mosquitoes at Heron Lake Trail and Waneka Lake Park in Lafayette, depending on the weather. The City of Lafayette has hired VDCI to monitor mosquitoes to prevent diseases like West Nile virus and reduce mosquito nuisance. The city says it aims to control pests and diseases effectively using eco-friendly and affordable methods.
Get coffee with the coroner
Boulder County Coroner Jeff Martin is hosting “Coffee with the Coroner” on Thursday, June 27, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Lafayette Public Library. This event is a chance to meet Coroner Martin and learn about the Boulder County Coroner’s Office.
Jeff Martin became the coroner after Emma Hall, Boulder County’s coroner since 2011, resigned last December following Boulder Reporting Lab’s reporting into allegations of a toxic work environment. Martin will need to be elected this fall to keep his job.
Time to think about air quality again
Colorado’s Front Range experiences some of the worst summer air quality in the country, posing significant health risks to Boulder residents. The primary cause is ground-level ozone formed by fossil fuel emissions interacting with summer sunlight. The largest contributor is oil and gas emissions, with transportation also playing a major role. Wildfire smoke worsens the problem.
Poor air quality isn’t just a health issue; it’s costly. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reports over 100,000 premature deaths annually in the U.S. due to poor air quality, with healthcare costs estimated at $150 billion per year.
To help residents stay healthy and informed, the City of Boulder offers several tips: check the Air Quality forecast, use visibility as a guide (low visibility often means poor air quality), and those with respiratory conditions should avoid prolonged outdoor activity on poor air quality days.
Free summer parking lot open in Louisville
The City of Louisville is opening 32 new free parking spaces in downtown Louisville through November. Located at 833 Main Street, the seasonal lot aims to make the Main Street area more accessible. All available parking in downtown Louisville can be seen on the city’s downtown parking page.
BRL’s to-do list: Happening this week and weekend
Explore all upcoming events in Boulder. Promote your event for free using the self-submission form on on our events page. Want to make our Monday to-do list? Get on our calendar!
Monday-Thursday | American as Apple Pie at The Niche Market | All day
“American as Apple Pie is back at The Niche Market! Come on in for your Apple Pies to celebrate the Fourth of July… Proceeds benefit Meals on Wheels of Boulder.”
Wednesday | Bands on the Bricks – Hazel Miller & The Collective | 5:30- 9 p.m.
“From oldies to alternative and everything in between Bands on the Bricks is Boulder County’s premier outdoor summer concert series taking place in the heart of Downtown Boulder.”
Friday | Downtown Louisville Street Faire – Pimps of Joytime | 5:30-9:30 p.m.
“Enjoy the magic of live music! You’ll find tasty food, cold drinks, lots of children’s activities, and quality arts, crafts, and sundries. Because of our awesome sponsors, this event is FREE!”
Saturday | Lafayette Independence Day Fun & Fireworks on June 29 | 4 p.m.
“From 4-8:30pm enjoy an old fashioned Independence Day!
Fireworks display to begin at dusk.”
Sunday | 2024 Boulder Pride Fest | 11:30 a.m.
“Join us for Boulder’s very own Pride festival at Boulder Central Park on Sunday, June 30th from 11:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.”
Become a sponsor: Get your brand in front of 19,000 of Boulder’s most engaged residents, directly in their inboxes. Contact BRL’s publisher, Stacy Feldman, to learn more.
