Happy (almost) Presidents’ Day weekend, Boulder. It’s Bike to Work Day, and if you’re reading this early, there’s still time to hop on and grab free breakfast.
Leading the news today: After our deep dive into the challenges facing the Bluebird permanent supportive housing complex earlier this week, today John Herrick zooms out on Boulder’s homelessness strategy and what’s left to be done, as a new report highlights major gaps.
The evaluation found shortages in affordable housing, shelter space and services — especially permanent supportive housing like Bluebird, which remains difficult to fund. It also flagged a fragmented data system that complicates care coordination. But some city councilmembers said the report lacks depth and offers little new insight, despite the city contributing $75,000 for it.
Below the Fold today:
- After Bike to Work Day, urban hike: 15-mile walk from Gunbarrel to South Boulder on Saturday.
- Missing student: CU Police seek help locating undergraduate.
- Council rules: Boulder City Council votes on response to disruptions.
- Wildfire town hall: Boulder County to discuss home protection strategies Feb. 20.
- DPS vs. ICE: Denver Public Schools sue to block immigration enforcement.
- NOAA cuts threatened: Budget reductions could impact Boulder’s office.
- Tipped wages: New bill proposes lower tip wages for servers in Boulder.
- Sustainability leader: CU Boulder names first vice chancellor for sustainability.
Enjoy the long weekend (if you have one) — we’ll be back after the holiday. Thanks for reading.
– Brooke, reporter
Report highlights gaps in Boulder’s homelessness response as city refines strategy
Councilmembers found the report offered few new insights, but some recommendations could shape the city’s approach to homelessness. Continue reading…
Snow returns this weekend, with a cold front in tow
Enjoy today’s mild weather, with highs in the low 50s, before a chance of snow returns Saturday afternoon and evening. The mountains will see heavier snowfall, while Boulder and the plains may get lighter accumulation along a cold front. Highs will climb back to the 40s on Sunday and Monday, with another round of snow possible Sunday afternoon.
Reminder: Free breakfast for Bike to Work Day today, long walking tour tomorrow
Bike to Work Day is happening now. Ride to work — or just take a morning spin — between 7 and 9 a.m. today and grab a free breakfast at one of dozens of stations around Boulder. Community Cycles organizes the event alongside the city, county and Boulder Transportation Connections.
Looking for a longer adventure? On Saturday, Feb. 15, join urban hikers for a 15-mile walk from Gunbarrel to South Boulder (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.), passing through natural areas and neighborhoods. You can join at any of these four points:
- Mile 0 (9:00 a.m.): Start at Human Kind Coffee (6558 Lookout Road). Accessible via the 205 bus or carpool.
- Mile 3 (10:00 a.m.): Celestial Seasonings (4600 Sleepytime Drive).
- Mile 7 (12:00 p.m.): Lunch break at The Roadhouse Boulder Depot (45 minutes).
- Mile 10.5 (2:30 p.m.): Meet at Dushanbe Teahouse (1770 13th Street).
- Mile 15 (5:00 p.m.): Finish with a group dinner at Southern Sun Pub & Brewery (627 S. Broadway, Table Mesa Shopping Center).
Missing CU student: Police seek help finding her
CU Boulder Police and FBI Denver are asking for the public’s help in locating CU student Megan Trussell, who was last seen Sunday. She was wearing a blue-gray jacket, dark yoga pants and white platform sneakers, according to police.
Police have released recent photos of Trussell. Anyone with information is urged to contact CUPD at 303-492-6666, referencing case #2025-0291.
Boulder approves bans for meeting disruptions amid Israel-Hamas war protests
Boulder City Council on Thursday unanimously passed an ordinance giving the city manager the authority to temporarily bar people from in-person meetings for disruptive behavior. The new rules take effect immediately.
The measure comes in response to repeated protests over the Israel-Hamas war, which have disrupted meetings and delayed city business. Council meetings are expected to resume in person on Feb. 20 after a temporary shift to virtual sessions.
How to protect your home from wildfire: Boulder County town hall Feb. 20
Boulder County commissioners will host a wildfire mitigation town hall on Thursday, Feb. 20, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Lyons Town Hall (432 Fifth Ave.).
Residents will learn 10 key steps to protect their homes from wildfire and get an overview of the 2024 Community Wildfire Protection Plan from Wildfire Mitigation Program Manager Jim Webster. Commissioners will also take questions on wildfire risks and other county issues.
No registration is required. To request live interpretation or a copy of the presentation, email commissioners@bouldercounty.gov.
Denver Public Schools sues to block ICE at schools
Denver Public Schools is suing the federal government to prevent immigration enforcement at schools, arguing that recent Trump administration policy changes have created fear among students and disrupted learning, Chalkbeat Colorado reported.
The lawsuit, filed Feb. 11 in U.S. District Court against the Department of Homeland Security, challenges the rollback of a decades-old policy that restricted immigration enforcement at “sensitive locations” like schools, churches and hospitals. Superintendent Alex Marrero described terrified families and teachers worried about the impact on students. DPS is also seeking a temporary restraining order to reinstate protections, making it the first district in the country to take legal action against the policy shift.
NOAA cuts could hit Boulder offices
As NOAA warns of escalating climate risks, the Trump administration is reportedly considering cutting the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) workforce in half — from 12,000 to 6,000. The move could impact NOAA’s Boulder offices, which employ roughly 800 people and house key research labs, National Weather Service scientists and climate science experts.
The proposed cuts align with Project 2025, which calls for breaking up and downsizing the agency, including privatizing parts of the National Weather Service. According to E&E News, details of the cuts are being conveyed verbally to staff to avoid leaks. The New York Times reports that NOAA has been directed to identify grants related to climate change. The Guardian quoted a senior NOAA scientists predicting “a crackdown on climate” at the agency.
Legal challenges, including from Colorado, are already underway to block related efforts. Judges have issued restraining orders against Trump’s executive orders mandating buyouts, freezing federal funds and cutting grants.
NOAA’s National Weather Service collects over six billion weather observations daily, supporting public forecasts, severe weather warnings, and industries like insurance, transportation, agriculture and energy.
Asked about the potential cuts, a NOAA spokesperson told BRL last month: “We cannot speculate on the implementation of presidential executive orders or future actions.”
Bill would lower tipped worker wages in Boulder
A bill introduced by Sen. Judy Amabile (D-Boulder) and Rep. Steven Woodrow (D-Denver) would lower the minimum wage for tipped workers in cities like Boulder and Denver, where local minimum wages exceed the state’s. Supporters say it would help struggling restaurants, while opponents argue it would cut wages for thousands of workers.
House Bill 1208 would expand the “tip credit,” which allows restaurants to pay tipped employees $3.02 less than the minimum wage, with tips making up the difference. As local wages have risen — Boulder’s is now $15.57 — businesses say they’ve had to cover a growing gap. The bill would standardize the tipped minimum wage at $11.79 statewide.
The Colorado Restaurant Association and restaurant owners say rising labor costs have led to closures, making it harder to stay in business. Worker groups and the Denver auditor oppose the bill, warning it could cut annual earnings for some workers by $5,000, according to the Colorado Sun.
Boulder City Council last fall raised the city’s minimum wage to $15.57 but rejected a steeper increase due to concerns from restaurant owners. “You’ve got restaurant owners, in particular, who saved just enough money for when their freezer goes down. Well this would eliminate all of that saved money for those catastrophic types of events,” Councilmember Matt Benjamin said in October.
CU Boulder names first vice chancellor for sustainability
CU Boulder has appointed Andrew Mayock as its first vice chancellor for sustainability, a new role aimed at advancing the university’s climate goals. Mayock, a former federal chief sustainability officer, led President Biden’s sustainability agenda, overseeing efforts to electrify 640,000 federal vehicles and 300,000 buildings.
At CU Boulder, Mayock will establish a university-wide sustainability strategy, strengthen faculty partnerships and work with local communities. He will also focus on securing funding for key sustainability initiatives.
He begins March 10, ahead of CU Boulder’s Campus Sustainability Summit in April and the Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Summit in June, which the university is co-hosting with UN Human Rights and the University of Oxford.
Boulder County, city offices closed Feb. 17 for Presidents’ Day; parking free
Boulder County government offices, including the 20th Judicial District Court and the District Attorney’s Office, will be closed Monday, Feb. 17, for Presidents’ Day. City administrative offices will also be closed, but recreation centers and parks will remain open. Street and garage parking will be free, as on all city holidays.
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