Good Monday morning, Boulder.
Since Donald Trump took office two weeks ago, our newsroom has been hearing rumors of ICE arresting undocumented people in and around Boulder County. These reports remain unverified. But what’s undeniable is the fear, uncertainty and sense of betrayal some in the community are feeling.
Violeta Chapin, an immigration law professor at CU, described the atmosphere on campus for undocumented students to Jenna Sampson as “full-blown panic.” A doctoral student with DACA status said it feels like “psychological torture” — and, in her view, the university should be doing more.
Also in today’s edition: One of the promises we’ve made as a newsroom is to follow up on crimes in Boulder so the full story gets reported. We do that below, plus a message from city staff and council, Flatiron Freddy’s prediction, Black History Month events, a library update, and trail closures.
We’re also continuing to look into rising home insurance rates and dropped coverage in Boulder. Have you seen changes in your home insurance? Let us know.
Two final, quick announcements:
☕ Join us Thursday, Feb. 20, at Rosetta Hall for “Coffee, Conversation & the Future of Boulder,” a 1.5-hour hangout and deep dive into local issues. Hear from Boulder Reporting Lab on the future of nonprofit local news (and BRL itself), Downtown Boulder Partnership on downtown’s economic landscape, and Visit Boulder on tourism trends — plus maybe some Sundance news. Everyone’s welcome — no limit! Let us know if you’re coming by RSVP. Coffee and pastries provided.
👋 Welcome back! A technical glitch accidentally removed some of you from this list. It’s now fixed, and we’re so glad to have you here. Deep apologies.
Have a great week,
– the BRL team
DACA uncertainty and ICE crackdowns leave CU Boulder’s undocumented students in limbo
As deportation fears rise, CU Boulder’s undocumented students are turning to marriage, legal aid and community support to navigate an uncertain future — while calling on the university to do more. Continue reading…
Spring tease? We’ll take it.
Monday brings plenty of sunshine and an unseasonably warm high near 66. A light west wind could gust up to 15 mph. Tuesday stays mostly sunny, with a high near 60 — still warm for early February. Soak it up while it lasts…
Flatiron Freddy predicts six more weeks of winter in Boulder
Boulder’s Groundhog Day tradition continued Sunday as Flatiron Freddy, a stuffed yellow-bellied marmot, saw his shadow at Chautauqua Meadow, signaling six more weeks of winter.
Freddy, held by an Open Space and Mountain Parks ranger, made his annual forecast before a crowd gathered at the Ranger Cottage. Now in its 11th year, the event began when OSMP staff repurposed the taxidermied marmot into Boulder’s version of Punxsutawney Phil. Over the years, Freddy has made his grand entrance in creative ways, including by ski, car and zip line.
This year’s event included an unexpected moment when Freddy slipped on the ice and needed help from Rocky Mountain Rescue, the volunteer search and rescue team.
Small grassland fire near Diagonal Highway quickly contained
Fire crews quickly extinguished a small grassland fire near 3700 Diagonal Highway on Sunday afternoon, with no injuries or structures affected. The 20-by-20-foot fire was reported around 4:35 p.m. and fully contained by 5:02 p.m. Multiple agencies, including Boulder Fire, OSMP Rangers and the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, responded. The cause remains under investigation.
‘Hate has no place here’: Boulder officials reaffirm commitment to inclusivity
In a message to the community, Boulder’s city councilmembers and city manager addressed growing polarization and concerns from immigrant and LGBTQ+ residents, assuring that “City of Boulder departments serve anyone in need.”
The statement reaffirmed Boulder’s commitment to inclusivity, declaring that “every person who lives, works, studies, and visits our city has the right to live authentically as themselves, free from harassment, discrimination, or exclusion.” Officials emphasized that gender identity and immigration status do not affect access to city services.
“We are resolute and united in our determination” to uphold Boulder’s values, they wrote, adding that “local action is meaningful action.”
During his first weeks in office, Trump signed dozens of executive orders targeting DEI programs, sanctuary cities, green energy and gender-affirming care. A now-rescinded White House directive that would have frozen trillions in federal funding added confusion for local governments and nonprofits.
Boulder could be vulnerable if federal funding is restricted. The city runs climate and DEI programs and has been a sanctuary city sinace 2017. One immigration order seeks to block sanctuary cities from federal funds “to the maximum extent possible under law.”
But city officials remain cautious about the potential impact. “There is not sufficient clarity for us to analyze, with any degree of comfort, what the local impacts might be… and we do not believe it is helpful to speculate,” Sarah Huntley, the city’s director of communication and engagement, told Boulder Reporting Lab.
Black History Month: Free art workshop, dance performance & more
Boulder County will celebrate Black History Month with a series of events organized by the NAACP Boulder County Branch and ECAACE (Executive Committee, African American Cultural Events, BoCo), including:
- Free Oil Portrait Workshop
Local educators are invited to FACE IT!, a two-day oil portrait workshop honoring their contributions. Completed works will be exhibited at the Lafayette Library, with an opening reception on Feb. 15 from 2 to 4 p.m.
Feb. 8 – Second Baptist Church, Boulder (10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.)
Feb. 9 – Longmont High School (9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.)
- Cleo Parker Robinson Dance at Macky Auditorium
The Cleo Parker Robinson Dance ensemble will perform at Macky Auditorium on Feb. 22 at 7:30 p.m., blending African American dance traditions with contemporary storytelling.
Update: Homeless man stabbed near Boulder Library recovering, back at work
On Dec. 20, Alexander (Xander) King was stabbed multiple times in the back by another homeless person, Darrell Nelson Persson, in the field west of Boulder’s main library. After being hospitalized, King went to the East Coast to recover with his father before returning to Boulder.
Persson, 32, was arrested and charged with first-degree assault. His court hearing is scheduled for March 10.
Police initially said the attack stemmed from an argument over drug use and fire inside a tent. King, 36, said the altercation began when he asked Persson not to use meth. Sober since his early 20s, King said drug use makes it harder for others in the homeless community to stay clean.
Since returning to Boulder, King remains homeless but has resumed work at First United Methodist Church, where he helps with custodial tasks and greets people at events. McKenzie Davies, who works with the church, said they were glad to have him back. “He’s just such a positive person,” she said.
King said his stab wounds still make sleeping and getting up painful, but he is not receiving medical care. His friends check for infection, as few healthcare options exist for Boulder’s homeless community beyond emergency and limited Medicaid-covered services, according to Jen Livovich, who founded Feet Forward and was formerly homeless.
Boulder library café gets a new name: Bookmark Café
The Boulder Public Library’s main branch café has officially been renamed The Bookmark Café, following a community vote.
To mark the occasion, the library is launching loyalty punch cards — buy specialty drinks, collect punches, and earn a free drink.
The café, which overlooks Boulder Creek, reopened last year, after previous tenants Tonantzin Casa de Café and Seeds Library Café closed due to challenges posed by the pandemic and slow foot traffic. The library district now directly manages the café.
Heil Valley Ranch, South Mesa trails closed due to mud
Rising temperatures mean melting snow — and muddy trails. Boulder County has closed all trails at Heil Valley Ranch and most trails connected to the South Mesa Trailhead. Left Hand Trail near Left Hand Valley Reservoir is also off-limits. See the full list of closures here.
☀️ 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 this list, make sure to submit it to our events calendar.
Girl Talk: Monday, Feb. 3, 7–8:30 p.m., Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St. Additional date: Tuesday, Feb. 4. Read More
Trident Author Series: Nathan Schneider with Yessica Holguin (Center for Community Wealth Building): Tuesday, Feb. 4, 6:30–7:30 p.m., Trident Booksellers & Cafe, 940 Pearl St. Read More
Cultural Caravan – Behind the Music: Josh Halpern, cellist (and friends!) Wednesday, Feb. 5, 7–8:30 p.m., Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St. Read More
The Goodies – Celebrating Bob Marley’s Birthday: Thursday, Feb. 6, 7:30 p.m., Nissi’s, 1455 Coal Creek Dr., Unit T, Lafayette. Read More
Jesse Cook at Boulder Theater: Thursday, Feb. 6, 7:30 p.m., Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St. Read More
Riley J w/ Kaitlyn Williams at The Fox Theatre: Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, The Fox Theatre, 1135 13th St. Read More
Cultural Caravan Concert (In-Person): Saturday, Feb. 8, 11 a.m.–12 p.m., NoBo Corner Library, 4600 Broadway. Read More
Shape Boulder’s Future Through Storytelling: Saturday, Feb. 8, 2–4 p.m., Penfield Tate II Municipal Building (Council Chambers), 1777 Broadway. Read More
Donny Benét at The Fox Theatre: Saturday, Feb. 8, 8 p.m., The Fox Theatre, 1135 13th St. Read More