Good Wednesday morning, Boulder. Today’s BRL Today is sponsored by the Boulder Comedy Festival. Through June 21, catch nationally touring comedians alongside local talent in a celebration of laughter, women and diversity across Boulder County.
Leading today: After years of groundwater contamination linked to coal ash disposal at the Valmont Power Station on Boulder’s eastern edge, Xcel is moving closer to a cleanup. State regulators are reviewing a first-of-its-kind Colorado project that would pump and treat contaminated groundwater after pollution spread beyond the utility’s property and reached at least one nearby private well. But environmental advocates say the effort may fall short if a second coal ash landfill at the site is also leaking contaminants. Por Jaijongkit reports.
A reminder: We’re covering your local primary races. Learn who’s running for CU Regent and Boulder County treasurer, where the candidates differ and how they answered Boulder Reporting Lab’s questionnaires.
And if you missed Nibbles this week: Food editor John Lehndorff maps out seven worth-the-drive roadside food stops in the mountains around Boulder, from Gold Hill cookies to Allenspark cinnamon rolls and Granby pie. Sign up for Nibbles to get next Tuesday’s edition delivered to your inbox.
More, Below the Fold:
- BoulderCAST: Hot, gusty winds keep fire danger elevated before cooldown arrives.
- Trails: Lyons opposes Boulder County’s alternating trails pilot.
- Open Space: Panorama Point closures drive calls for service to zero.
- Climate: Boulder County launches $2 million climate equity fund.
- Money: Food tax rebate deadline nears.
- Health: Rabid bat found in Niwot home.
- Juneteenth: Rec centers open; county offices closed.
Thanks, as always, for reading,
– The BRL team
Boulder Comedy Festival brings together incredible comedians and all the beauty and adventure that the Boulder area has to offer, creating an experience not to be missed. The Festival highlights women and diversity in comedy. Nationally touring comics featured on Comedy Central, Netflix, and Amazon come together with festival winners and local comedians to create a sea of hilarity in Boulder and the surrounding areas.
Xcel’s Boulder coal ash cleanup is moving forward. Critics say another source of pollution remains.
State regulators are reviewing Xcel’s final cleanup design, but environmental advocates warn an adjacent landfill could continue leaking pollutants into groundwater. Continue reading…
The heat breaks tonight, but not for long
Hot, dry, gusty weather hangs on for one more day in Boulder before a backdoor cold front comes to the rescue this evening.
Unusually strong northwest flow for mid‑June will promote gusts over 30 mph in town this afternoon, with 50+ mph gusts possible up in the high country. Those dry downslope winds will keep fire danger somewhat elevated locally, while true Red Flag Warnings are posted along and west of the Divide where fuels are sitting near tinderbox levels.
Highs today will push toward 95 in Boulder — likely our hottest day of 2026 so far.
Sometime this evening, a surge of cooler air will blast in behind that backdoor front from the northeast, knocking the edge off the heat. We’ll tumble into the lower 50s by sunrise, with Thursday topping out in the mid‑80s under mostly sunny skies.
Don’t get too comfortable, though. The heat will snap back rather quickly, with highs returning to the 90s on Friday and they’ll stick around into the weekend.
Storm clouds could return to the broader area Saturday and Sunday, though what they ultimately deliver will likely be underwhelming.
Lyons board unanimously opposes county trails pilot
The Lyons Board of Trustees unanimously adopted a resolution June 15 opposing Boulder County’s proposed alternating trails pilot.
The resolution was proposed by the town’s Economic Vitality Council, which argued the pilot could limit mountain bike access to trails that attract visitors who support Lyons businesses.
The Board of Trustees concluded that the pilot “is not in the best interests of the Lyons business community or in the best interests of most outdoor recreation participants in the Lyons area,” according to the resolution.
Mayor Mark Browning said the board received comments from about 18 people by email and in person. Only one person opposed the resolution.
📚 Boulder County survey finds strong opposition to trail-use pilot that could limit bike access
Panorama Point closures cut calls for service, but vandalism persists
Nightly closures at the Panorama Point trailhead on Flagstaff Road have reduced calls for service to zero, according to City of Boulder staff, though recent vandalism suggests some problems remain.
The city installed a gate and temporary fencing at the trailhead in November 2025 as part of a broader effort to curb illegal nighttime activity, including vandalism, unlawful fires, alcohol and marijuana use on open space land, and impaired driving. The effort targets the first 1.2 miles of Flagstaff Road and has been underway since 2019.
The trailhead is closed nightly from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Contractors clear the area each evening and reopen it each morning. Vehicles left behind receive parking citations.
Before the closures, the area generated as many as two calls for service per night. After roughly six months without incidents, however, staff said a wooden bollard was struck by a heavy object and that the chain securing the gate was recently cut.
“We’ll see what the summer holds for us as we anticipate increased activity with the nicer weather and longer daylight hours, but fingers crossed,” said Lisa Goncalo, a stewardship senior program manager with the city. Read more on BRL.
Boulder County to open $2 million climate equity grant program
Boulder County will begin accepting applications July 1 for its Climate Equity Fund, which will provide up to $2 million for projects serving communities disproportionately affected by climate change.
Eligible projects include building electrification and insulation upgrades, green space restoration and management, and disaster preparedness efforts. Last year, the program awarded more than $2 million to 15 organizations.
Two grant tiers are available: awards ranging from $20,000 to $100,000 and larger grants of up to $400,000.
An informational webinar will be held July 1 at 4 p.m. to review eligibility requirements and application details. Spanish interpretation will be available.
The fund is supported by the county’s general fund, sustainability tax revenue and unspent 2025 allocations. Applications close Aug. 31.
Deadline approaching for Boulder food tax rebates
Boulder residents have until June 30 to apply for the city’s Food Tax Rebate Program.
Residents who lived in Boulder for all of 2025 may qualify if they are 62 or older, have a disability, or are part of a family with children younger than 18. Eligible individuals will receive $108, while eligible families will receive $332.
Paper applications are available at 1101 Arapahoe Ave. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Residents can also request an application by calling 303-441-4261 or emailing foodtaxrebateprogram@bouldercolorado.gov.
Since 2015, the city has distributed nearly $1.3 million through the program.
Rabid bat found in Niwot home; county urges immediate reporting of exposures
A bat found in a Niwot home last week tested positive for rabies, prompting Boulder County Public Health to remind residents to avoid contact with bats and report possible exposures immediately.
About 15% of bats tested for rabies in Colorado are positive, and rabies is present throughout Boulder County. Bats commonly roost under eaves, shutters and gutters. Skunks, raccoons and foxes can also carry the virus. Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal.
Anyone who may have come into contact with a bat should call Boulder County Public Health immediately at 303-441-1564. Residents should report sick or unusually behaving wildlife to Animal Protection at 303-441-4444.
What’s open and closed in Boulder on Juneteenth
City of Boulder recreation facilities will remain open with normal hours on Juneteenth, Friday, June 19.
The city said all three recreation centers, the Spruce and Scott Carpenter pools, Boulder Reservoir and Flatirons Golf Course will operate as usual. Parking on city streets, in city lots and in city garages will also be free.
Paid parking will remain in effect at and around Chautauqua Park.
Boulder County government offices will be closed for the holiday.
☀️ 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 our Monday to-do list, make sure to submit it to our events calendar.