Happy Wednesday, Boulder. With sunny skies and a crisp fall breeze, it’s a perfect day to get outside. But before you do, today’s local news:
Boulder’s Planning Board approved the St. Julien Hotel’s expansion, which will add 39 extended-stay suites and a nonprofit meeting space. Not everyone is happy — nearby residents and advocates have pushed back, raising concerns about blocked views, increased traffic and the loss of a space once intended for civic use. The Boulder City Council could still call for a public hearing before construction begins.
Also today, we’re publishing an election story by two CU Boulder students and editors at the CU Independent, who interviewed the main party candidates for the at-large seat on the CU Board of Regents: Democrat Elliott Hood and Republican Eric Rinard. Who better to question the candidates than those directly impacted by this race? Hood’s platform focuses on reducing student debt and expanding affordable housing, while Rinard prioritizes lowering tuition for Colorado residents and supporting concealed carry. And ICYMI, our mini election guide has you covered on the local measures and races.
Meanwhile, as Halloween and Día de los Muertos approach, Por Jaijongkit has compiled 15 ways to celebrate the season — all of which are either free or still have tickets available. From a contemporary art exhibit and a screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show to a magic show, themed drinks and trick-or-treating for children (as expected) and dogs (because it’s Boulder, after all), there’s something for everyone.
Lastly, Boulder Elks Pool is closing for the winter due to insurance delays, while a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Highway dedication happens this week. Louisville tests emergency alerts this morning, misleading texts stir debate over Colorado’s school choice amendment, and Boulder County offers a free compost workshop on Saturday.
Until Friday,
— Brooke, reporter
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Featured stories
Boulder Planning Board approves St. Julien Hotel expansion amid scrutiny
St. Julien Partners LLC seeks to add approximately 39 extended-stay suites to its downtown property, sparking opposition from nearby residents and advocates calling for the space to be more accessible to community and civic groups. Continue reading…
15 ways to celebrate Halloween and Día de los Muertos in Boulder County
From pumpkin patches to Día de los Muertos altars, this fall’s festivities have something for everyone. Continue reading…
CU regent at-large election: Candidates discuss tuition increases, gun policies and student debt solutions
Democrat Elliott Hood and Republican Eric Rinard offer differing views on tuition, gun policy, and campus safety as they vie for the CU regent at-large seat. Continue reading…
In other news
Sunny and breezy days ahead
Enjoy sunny skies today with a high around 70 and a light breeze. Thursday will be bright but windy, with gusts up to 38 mph and a high near 70 again — hold onto your hats! The night will end clear and chilly, dipping closer to freezing.
Elks Pool in North Boulder closes for winter due to insurance delays, broken boiler
Boulder Elks Pool, an outdoor lap pool typically open year-round and heated to over 80 degrees in winter, will close for the winter this year. Swimmers can still book time until Oct. 30. “Our boiler system was damaged over a year ago, and due to delays with our insurance company, we haven’t been able to secure the funds needed to replace it,” Jan Stull, Boulder Elks president, told Boulder Reporting Lab. The pool has been renting boilers at a cost of $14,000 a month, but Stull said this practice is unsustainable and led to a $44,000 deficit last year. Pool leadership plans to spend the winter pressing the insurance company to finalize its claim so they can replace the boiler, Stull said.
Boulder Elks Pool is the only outdoor lap pool in the city open during winter. It not only has a devoted community of recreational swimmers but also serves the Elevation Swim Team, a USA swim team for youth, collegiate and professional swimmers.
For those seeking alternatives this winter, Boulder’s rec centers in North, East and South Boulder offer indoor lap swimming, while Sunset Pool in Longmont also has a year-round heated outdoor lap pool.
Stull said she hopes to resolve the issue and reopen the pool by spring. Elks Pool will issue prorated refunds for all its lap swimming packages next month. Read on BRL.
NAACP Boulder County and CU Boulder to dedicate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Highway
The NAACP Boulder County and CU Boulder will host a dedication ceremony for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Highway on Thursday, October 24, 2024. The event, held at the Dairy Arts Center from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., will commemorate the renaming of a section of U.S. Highway 36 between mile markers 32 and 37 in honor of the civil rights leader. This milestone follows the unanimous passage of HJR24-1003 in the Colorado legislature, led by State Rep. Junie Joseph in partnership with the NAACP Boulder County Branch.
The evening will feature prominent speakers, including former state legislator Wilma Webb, who helped establish Colorado’s first Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, as well as local lawmakers and university leaders. The event is free and open to the public. “Renaming a U.S. highway after Dr. King not only honors his contributions to civil rights but also serves as a reminder of the ongoing work needed to advance equality and justice,” the NAACP Boulder County said in a statement.
Louisville to test emergency alerts today
The City of Louisville and the Louisville Fire Protection District will conduct a test of the BOCO Alert emergency system today, Oct. 23, at 10:30 a.m. The test comes nearly three years after the Marshall Fire and is part of ongoing efforts to enhance community preparedness.
Residents enrolled in BOCO Alert or the Reachwell app will receive the test via text, email, phone, or push notification. No sirens or Wireless Emergency Alerts will be used during this test. If you’re unsure how to sign up for these alerts, we’ve got you covered. After a series of wildfires this summer, we put together a must-read guide on emergency alerts: everything you need to sign up for to stay safe.
Misleading text fuels tensions over Colorado school choice amendment
A misleading text message circulating among Colorado voters has falsely suggested that the president of the state’s largest teachers union, Kevin Vick, supports Amendment 80, a measure to enshrine school choice rights in the state constitution, the Colorado Sun reported. The Colorado Education Association and Vick have been outspoken critics of the amendment, arguing it could pave the way for a statewide voucher program.
Vick condemned the text as a “deceptive tactic,” saying, “It’s emblematic of what this measure represents overall… a Trojan horse to put forth their real ambitions.” The source of the text remains unclear, and it is now the subject of a campaign finance complaint. Amendment 80 has sparked significant debate, dividing education advocates across the state.
Free compost workshop offered by Boulder County on Saturday
Boulder County’s Public Works Resource Conservation Division is offering a free compost workshop from 10 a.m. to noon this Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Boulder County Recycling Center. Register online in advance to secure a spot in the class. The workshop will cover cleaning up a vegetable garden, preparing perennials for winter, winterizing your backyard compost pile and getting ready for spring composting.
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