Good Monday morning, Boulder. What a beautiful weekend it was — we hope you enjoyed it. We’re looking at another sunny, mild day, but snow is on the way.
Boulder City Council will decide this week whether to explore development in the Area III-Planning Reserve, a 493-acre site northeast of the city seen by some as a rare chance to tackle Boulder’s housing shortage. The site could hold up to 8,700 housing units, including deed-restricted affordable housing, but the estimated $1 billion cost of extending city services has sparked debate over whether it’s worth pursuing, John Herrick reports. If approved, the project would begin a lengthy planning process to weigh community priorities and trade-offs.
In other news, if you’ve been following our coverage of the Draco Pad fracking proposal, here’s the latest from Por Jaijongkit: The state energy commission has unanimously stayed the plan, which sought to drill into Boulder County for the first time in years. The commission cited concerns that Extraction Oil & Gas hadn’t fully explored an alternative site for the well pad with less impact on residents.
Lastly, CU settles a gender pay lawsuit, water customers face a billing system overhaul, arts grant applications open, the Elks pool is staying open this winter after all, and more.
Have a wonderful day, and thanks for reading,
— The BRL team
P.S. Not a subscriber to BRL Today yet? Sign up here.
Featured stories
Boulder City Council weighs developing Area III-Planning Reserve, seen by some as rare housing opportunity
The 493-acre property northeast of Boulder could potentially help address the city’s affordable housing shortage, but the costs of developing it are steep. Continue reading…
Colorado commission halts Draco fracking plan near Erie over concerns about proximity to residents, orders new site review
Under the stayed Draco Pad proposal by Extraction Oil & Gas, fracking would have entered Boulder County for the first time in years. “We are deeply relieved and grateful that the Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission listened to the voices of Erie residents,” said an advocacy group representative. Continue reading…
In other news
Sunny start, snowy midweek, warm finish
We’re kicking off the week warm and sunny, with highs in the 50s today — but don’t get too comfortable. A wintry Tuesday brings a chance of snow. By Thursday, the warmth and sunshine return, wrapping up the week with highs near 60.
CU Boulder settles gender pay lawsuit for $4.5 million
CU Boulder will pay $4.5 million to 386 female faculty members following allegations of gender-based pay discrimination, Jenny Brundin reports for CPR.
The lawsuit, filed last Thursday alongside the settlement, claims a 2021 equity review found female faculty were paid less than male colleagues in similar roles. While CU Boulder raised salaries, the lawsuit alleged the university failed to provide legally required back pay. The allegations were brought under Colorado’s Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, enacted in 2021 to address pay disparities, as well as other state and federal anti-discrimination laws.
The settlement provides back pay for affected faculty, periodic equity reviews every three years, and wage transparency for job applicants and current employees. Back pay amounts range from hundreds to nearly $50,000. CU also agreed to pay $1.1 million in attorney fees.
Chancellor Justin Schwartz signed the agreement, which CU said was reached to avoid litigation costs and disruptions. Attorneys and faculty told CPR they hope the case inspires other institutions to examine and address pay disparities.
Boulder water customers: Get ready for a new billing system
Do you live in Boulder and pay for city water? Heads up — changes are coming to how you manage your utility bills. Starting Nov. 25, the city will launch a new Utilities Customer Billing Portal. All customers will need to re-register for an account in the new system using their customer and account numbers from current bills.
During the switch, the city says you might notice some service impacts:
- Limited “view only” access to the current portal (Nov. 21–Dec. 9).
- No phone payment access (Nov. 21–24).
- No updates to payment types or auto-pay settings (Nov. 14–24).
The city is also moving to paperless billing, with the last paper bills sent in January 2025. Customers can request an exception to paperless billing. For questions about the move to paperless billing, contact customerportal@bouldercolorado.gov or call 303-441-3260. Learn more at boulderwater.net.
Applications open for 2025 Boulder Arts Commission cultural grants
The Boulder Arts Commission is accepting applications for its 2025 Cultural Grants Program, offering more than $1.4 million to support local arts and cultural initiatives. The grants fund a variety of programs, including cultural experiences, artist development, student field trips and general operating support for organizations.
Applications are available in English and Spanish. Information sessions will be held in person on Nov. 21 and virtually on Dec. 12, with live Spanish translation. For details and to apply, visit the program webpage.
Elks pool to stay open this winter after announcing closure
If you swim outdoors in winter and have been following the Elks Pool saga: On Nov. 15, Elks Lodge chairperson Jan Stull notified Elevation Athletics, whose swim teams train at the Elks pool, that the heated outdoor pool will stay open all winter, reversing an earlier decision to close it on Oct. 30. Stull had previously cited high heating costs and uncertainty around insurance claims for a rented boiler as reasons for the planned closure.
Elevation Athletics will collaborate with the Boulder Elks to reduce costs and boost revenue this winter.
“We appreciate all the work everyone put in to keep this pool open, both in the community and the Elks,” said Eric Stefanski, director of Elevation Athletics. “We look forward to a great winter.”
The Forest Service won’t hire seasonal workers next year
The U.S. Forest Service will not hire seasonal employees next year, anticipating less than the $8.9 billion requested for 2025, the Colorado Sun reported. In June, the House Interior Subcommittee proposed $8.43 billion for the Forest Service — a roughly 4% budget drop from 2024 when accounting for inflation, cost-of-living adjustments and the expiration of one-time funding. White River National Forest, which includes parts of the Rocky Mountains and is home to Aspen, Vail, and the Maroon Bells, will lose about 30 seasonal workers. Nationwide, Forest Service officials are warning that major projects will be put on hold.
Volunteer groups, such as Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, are preparing to fill some of the gaps by expanding seasonal staff to help keep critical infrastructure or fieldwork projects moving as the Forest Service scales back.
BRL’s to-do list: What is happening this week and weekend
☀️ Explore more 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.
Make a Set of Wood Coasters at BLDG 61, Boulder Public Library: Tuesday, Nov. 19, 10 a.m.–1 p.m., 1001 Arapahoe Ave. Additional date: Tuesday, Dec. 10. Read More
Wine Down Wednesday at Bookcliff Vineyards: Wednesday, Nov. 20, 4–8 p.m., 1501 Lee Hill. Additional dates: Nov. 27, Dec. 4, Dec. 11, Dec. 18. Read More
Behind the Music with Zivanai Masango at Dairy Arts Center: Wednesday, Nov. 20, 7–8:30 p.m., 2590 Walnut St. Read More
Hikes for Seniors: Wildlife in Your Backyard at Twin Lakes: Thursday, Nov. 21, 9–11 a.m., 6500 Nautilus Dr. Read More
And Now: Featuring…Variety Show at Trident Booksellers and Cafe: Thursday, Nov. 21, 6–8 p.m., 940 Pearl St. Additional dates: Dec. 19, Jan. 16, Feb. 20. Read More
“Fort Chambers” and “Just Neighbors” Book Discussion with Mark Gerzon at Museum of Boulder: Friday, Nov. 22, 5:30–7 p.m., 2205 Broadway. Read More
Queen50 at Dairy Arts Center: Friday, Nov. 22, 7–8:30 p.m., 2590 Walnut St. Additional dates: Saturday, Nov. 23, 7–8:30 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 24, 1:30–3 p.m. Read More
Firefly Handmade Boulder Holiday Market at Pearl Street Mall: Saturday, Nov. 23, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., 1303 Pearl St. Read More
Last Waltz Revisited at Boulder Theater: Saturday, Nov. 23, 8 p.m., 2032 14th St. Read More