Good morning, Boulder. Your morning news:
As another winter storm arrives, demand is surging at Boulder’s largest homeless shelter, All Roads. Over the first three days of this week, as temperatures dropped and snow fell, the shelter turned away a record number of people due to a lack of capacity. “The last three nights have been brutal,” Andy Schultheiss of All Roads told John Herrick.
The increased need for shelter beds comes despite a recent expansion in bed capacity and as All Roads faces county funding cuts.
And, of course, this week voters across the country delivered a win for Donald Trump. In Boulder County, where Kamala Harris received 77% of the vote compared to Trump’s 20%, anxiety is swirling for some about what a second Trump term could bring. Local leaders working with vulnerable populations are concerned about how new policies might affect the people they support and the issues they champion.
For today, I spoke with leaders from local immigrant rights, LGBTQ+, climate action organizations, among others, who are bracing for this new reality. They voiced concern but are determined to find a way forward, believing Colorado’s state laws and legislators provide a path to do so.
Finally, we have the latest local election results as more ballots are counted, Boulder City Council’s approval of a new $15.57 minimum wage, the opening of ski resorts for the season, a Veterans Day event, and more.
See you next week, and thanks for reading.
– Brooke, reporter
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Featured stories
Boulder’s largest homeless shelter nears record-breaking turnaways as temperatures drop
Demand for shelter beds has exceeded capacity, even after an increase to 180 beds from 160 earlier this year. Continue reading…
Boulder organizations worry about Trump administration’s impact on their work. Colorado offers a silver lining.
Immigrant rights, LGBTQ+, and climate action groups brace for challenges under Trump but see support in state laws. Continue reading…
ICYMI: Fracking to come to Boulder County if Erie oil and gas proposal gets approved
Although the wellbores would extend into Boulder County, the Draco Pad’s location in unincorporated Weld County places approval and oversight outside the jurisdiction of both Boulder County and the Town of Erie. Continue reading…
In other news
Winter storm warning
A winter storm warning is in effect for Boulder from this morning until noon Saturday, with as much as 12 inches of snow possible.
The recent snowfall has lifted Boulder County’s fire restrictions, allowing open fires in western areas of the county as chilly nights settle in.
Boulder ballot measures on council pay, executive sessions to pass; board changes likely to fail
The ballot measure to increase pay for members of the Boulder City Council is set to pass, with support growing as additional votes are counted, according to the latest Boulder County election results. Proponents of the measure view it as a step toward encouraging candidates from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds to run for council.
The measure, Ballot Question 2C, proposes tying council members’ salaries to 40% of the area median income (AMI) and the mayor’s salary to 50% of AMI, resulting in a substantial increase over current compensation levels. If approved, the pay adjustments would take effect in December 2026, when a new council would be seated.
Another measure, Ballot Question 2D, which would allow all nine councilmembers to hold private executive sessions, also is set to pass. Under Colorado’s open meeting laws, the topics of these private discussions would still be disclosed to the public.
In contrast, Ballot Question 2E, which would give councilmembers more control over setting term lengths and eligibility criteria for certain advisory board or commission members, appears headed for defeat. Current results show the measure trailing by 250 votes, though the outcome could shift as final votes are counted.
Boulder County election officials still have thousands of ballots left to process, including over 5,000 that were initially rejected for issues such as signature discrepancies and require verification. These ballots are scheduled to be processed on Nov. 14. PSA: Check this dataset to see if your ballot was rejected and needs further verification. Read on BRL. Read all of our election coverage.
Boulder City Council gives final approval to $15.57 minimum wage
The Boulder City Council on Thursday, Nov. 7, gave final approval to an ordinance establishing a city minimum wage of $15.57, set to take effect in 2025. The wage will increase by 8% annually for the following two years, with subsequent adjustments based on the consumer price index.
This minimum wage ordinance follows a 2019 state law allowing municipalities to set their own minimum wages. Boulder’s wage will be the lowest set by a local government in Colorado, falling below minimum wages in Denver and Boulder County.
The policy has sparked one of the most contentious debates of the current council term, as members attempt to address Boulder’s high cost of living without overburdening small businesses. Read more on BRL.
Eldora and other Colorado ski resorts open as snow accumulates
With snow accumulating in the mountains, Eldora, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Winter Park, Arapahoe Basin, Keystone and Wolf Creek ski resorts should now be open. RTD’s NB bus route has resumed service from Downtown Boulder Station to Eldora in Nederland, departing every two hours, with additional service at peak times. A day pass costs $5.50, and riders under 19 ride free.
Boulder Star lighting livestream to honor veterans on Nov. 11; city, county offices closed for Veterans Day
The Boulder Chamber and City of Boulder will livestream the annual Boulder Star lighting on Nov. 11 from 6 to 7 p.m. on YouTube. First lit in 1947, the Boulder Star has symbolized community support for over 75 years. This year’s event coincides with Veterans Day and honors military personnel and veterans.
In observance of Veterans Day, Boulder city and county offices will close on Monday, Nov. 11, while rec centers, parks and the Flatirons Golf Course remain open. Parking will be free on city streets, lots and garages downtown.
New flood insurance maps published for unincorporated Boulder County, changing coverage requirements
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has updated Boulder County’s flood insurance maps to reflect new flood hazard assessments following the 2013 flood. While the county has used these maps for development purposes since 2017, this is the first time they will apply to insurance requirements.
Property owners within FEMA’s “1% annual-chance floodplain” who have federally regulated mortgages are required to carry flood insurance. The new maps add some properties to the regulatory floodplain, while others in approximately 1,800 acres are removed.
Since 2021, the National Flood Insurance Program has based premiums on individual risk, rather than broad flood zones, with all county residents receiving a 25% discount due to the county’s participation in FEMA’s Community Rating System. For flood zone questions in unincorporated Boulder County, contact the Floodplain Program at FloodplainAdmin@bouldercounty.gov or 720-564-2652.
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