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Good Wednesday morning, Boulder. Today’s BRL Today is sponsored by SVP Boulder County — learn how to become a Partner Member or get support for your nonprofit.
Leading today’s edition: We’re looking inside a little-known but essential part of Boulder County’s childcare system, and what happens when it suddenly disappears.
With the county’s main childcare aid program frozen, a local nonprofit has stepped in to keep dozens of preschoolers in class, revealing deep gaps in how early childhood care is funded. At Sanchez Elementary in Lafayette, nearly half of preschool students are enrolled only because Impact on Education is paying their tuition after the county halted new enrollments in its Child Care Assistance Program. The stopgap has helped families stay afloat, but it underscores a broader problem: Colorado’s system covers only part-time preschool, while the cost of full-day care — which most working families need — is left to parents, nonprofits or chance. BRL contributor Jenna Sampson reports.
Also today: With outages now over, it’s clear Xcel Energy’s windstorm shutoffs affected Boulder County unevenly. Communication improved compared with April’s first-ever planned outage, but power returned far more slowly in mountain communities and some city neighborhoods, disrupting residents and businesses. There has been little public response so far from local officials. The holiday timing seems to have muted it, and the city is not scheduled to formally meet with Xcel Energy until Jan. 6.
And lastly: BRL food editor John Lehndorff sent his must-read Nibbles newsletter yesterday, covering the massive hit Boulder restaurants took during the outage, along with offering ways to help (eat local!). He also published his 2025 dining diary, chronicling where he ate across Boulder County. Sign up to get the next edition.
Plus more, Below the Fold:
- BoulderCAST: Record warmth for Christmas Eve and Day.
- Wild Turkey Fire: Evacuations lifted after quick containment.
- Fire restrictions: Stage 1 ban in effect across eastern Boulder County.
- Eldorado Canyon: Climber injured in 30-foot fall.
- Boulder Arts Week: Nominations open for 2026 awards.
- Holiday closures: City and county offices on limited hours.
Thanks, as always, for reading. Happy holidays!
– The BRL team
Our community is stronger when we’re all working together. For 25 years, Social Venture Partners has strengthened nonprofits by connecting them to community members who share our vision for a thriving Boulder County. Learn more about joining as a Partner Member or receiving support for your nonprofit.
A local nonprofit steps in after Boulder County freezes childcare aid
With county assistance frozen, Impact on Education is funding preschool tuition, exposing gaps in a system that leaves many families without full-day care. Continue reading…
With outages over, it’s clear Xcel’s windstorm shutoffs hit Boulder unevenly
Officials and business leaders say Xcel’s response improved since April 2024, but extended outages fell hardest on mountain communities, while businesses were disrupted and services for vulnerable residents were strained. Continue reading…
Record warmth Christmas Eve & Day
Winter may have officially started Sunday, but the Front Range has felt more like spring break. A stubborn ridge of high pressure has kept us unusually warm.
The setup isn’t moving yet. Highs the next two days will reach the upper 60s and lower 70s, flirting with records all around. Boulder’s record for today of 70 from 1955 could be tied, while Christmas Day’s 68 mark from 2005 will likely be bested — it’s been 20 years since we’ve had “beach weather” like this on Christmas.
Southwest flow increases tonight and will bring several inches of snow to west‑central and southwest Colorado, but the Continental Divide will block any moisture from reaching our area. Here, we stay woefully dry and warm, setting up a second straight brown Christmas in Boulder.
Relief arrives on Friday as a storm system trims highs back into the 60s, though fire danger will rise in the higher terrain. A stronger cold front follows early Saturday, dropping temperatures into the 40s and 50s for highs. After a week of record warmth, below‑normal readings are finally brewing, and get this — we’ll even drop below freezing Saturday night!
Wild Turkey Fire contained after brief evacuations in Fourmile Canyon
If you missed the dramatic but quickly contained Wild Turkey Fire: A small wildfire near Wild Turkey Trail sparked evacuations in Fourmile Canyon on Monday evening before firefighters contained it within hours. The grass fire broke out around 5:30 p.m., grew to about three acres, and was declared 100% contained by 10:30 p.m. Evacuation orders and warnings were lifted later that night.
The fire occurred in an area already experiencing a power outage following Xcel Energy shutoffs during extreme winds. Officials have not said what caused the fire.
Reminder: Stage 1 fire restrictions now in effect for unincorporated areas
With dry fuels, low moisture and unseasonably warm weather, Boulder County has enacted Stage 1 fire restrictions for unincorporated plains areas as of Dec. 22. The restrictions cover areas east of Highway 93, east of Broadway in Boulder, east of U.S. 36 and all of Rabbit Mountain Open Space.
Open fires are prohibited, including charcoal grills and barbecues on public lands, along with fireworks, recreational shooting, welding outside cleared areas and smoking near flammable materials. Some limited fire use is still allowed on private property and with enclosed or gas-fueled devices that meet safety requirements.
Violations can result in a civil infraction and a $500 fine. The restrictions will remain in place until conditions improve.
Climber injured after 30-foot fall in Eldorado Canyon State Park
A 44-year-old climber was injured Sunday afternoon, Dec. 21, after falling about 30 feet while climbing in Eldorado Canyon State Park, according to the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office.
Officials said the climber’s protective gear pulled out of the rock during the fall. She sustained a head injury and was wearing a helmet at the time, the sheriff’s office noted.
Rescue teams from Rocky Mountain Rescue Group and the Mountain View Fire Protection District responded to the scene, placed the climber in a rescue litter and transported her by ambulance to a nearby medical facility. No further information on her condition was released.
The climber was ascending White Lightning, a 5.10a crack route known for having numerous opportunities to place protective gear.
Nominations open for Boulder Arts Week Awards
Boulder Arts Week is now accepting nominations for its annual awards, known as the “BAWies,” honoring the artists, advocates, businesses and rising stars that help make Boulder’s arts community thrive. Funded by the City of Boulder’s Office of Arts and Culture, the awards recognize creative excellence, innovation, arts advocacy and outstanding local support.
Winners receive a $1,000 stipend and added visibility for their work. Nominations for four award categories, including Champion of Champions, Artivist, Uncharted Territory and Bright Futures, are open through Jan. 21, 2026. Public voting for the Boulder Buzz Award, which celebrates the community’s favorite Arts Week event, program or artwork, will run April 3-15.
Boulder Arts Week 2026 is scheduled for April 3-12.
Local government: What’s open and closed for the holidays
City facilities: Boulder Reservoir, Flatirons Golf Course and the South Boulder Recreation Center will be closed Dec. 24–25, as well as Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.
West and East Age Well Centers will be closed Dec. 24–25 and Jan. 1. The centers will close early at noon on Dec. 31.
The North Boulder Recreation Center and East Boulder Community Center will close at 2 p.m. on Dec. 24 and at 4 p.m. on Dec. 31. Both will be closed Dec. 25. The East Boulder Community Center will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Jan. 1.
All City of Boulder offices will be closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. The HOP bus will operate on a holiday schedule from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on both days, with 23-minute service intervals. City parking will also be free on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
All Boulder County offices and buildings will be closed from noon on Dec. 24 through Friday, Dec. 26. New Year’s closures will begin at noon on Wednesday, Dec. 31, and continue all day Thursday, Jan. 1.
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