Good Wednesday morning, Boulder. Today’s BRL Today is sponsored by What’s Up Boulder, happening on Sept. 7 — check it out to learn about current and future city projects and initiatives.
Leading today’s edition: For the first time in four decades, BVSD is redrawing its attendance boundaries. About 150 students would be affected if the board approves the plan next week. The district says the changes are partly meant to boost low-enrollment schools like Heatherwood and Flatirons, which have lost resources and staff as student numbers dwindle, in part due to Boulder’s high housing costs. But Colorado’s open enrollment law — used by more than a third of BVSD families — means parents can still choose other schools. That leaves an open question: Will new boundaries make any difference? Jenna Sampson reports.
Also today: John Lehndorff’s Nibbles column, and we’re thrilled to announce a brand-new BRL section: Local History. Longtime Boulder historian Silvia Pettem is bringing to BRL the History column she has written for years in the community. Silvia’s unmatched expertise has helped shape how Boulder County understands its past, and we’re excited to welcome her to BRL with her first story.
She’s the author of more than 20 books — covering Boulder history, true crime and remarkable women — and her goal is to help readers see the present with a new perspective by looking back. You can reach Silvia with comments or questions at silviapettem@gmail.com.
More, Below the Fold:
- BoulderCAST: Warm midweek, storms and cool by Friday.
- River Rocks Fire: Blaze west of Lyons now 100% contained.
- Space Command: Colorado leaders blast Trump move to Alabama.
- Eldora deal: Nederland posts updated FAQs on the proposed purchase.
- CU Boulder: Extremist group tied to swatting call.
- Arts grants: Up to $9.5K for public art, $5K for neighborhoods.
- Goodnight Moon: Life-sized knit show at Dairy Sept. 26-27.
Thanks, as always, for reading,
– The BRL team
Curious about what’s happening in our city? Come to What’s Up Boulder on Sunday, Sept. 7 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Scott Carpenter Park to see what’s up! This free, family-friendly event is a chance to talk with city staff from every department, learn about current and future projects, and share what matters most to you. There will be music, crafts, free dessert, a dunk tank and even a chance to check out a fire truck and police cruiser up close.
BVSD redraws attendance boundaries, partly to boost low-enrollment schools — but will it work?
The district hopes new maps will help balance enrollment, but Colorado’s open enrollment law limits how much boundaries matter. Continue reading…
How Boulder’s Art Deco era began with a courthouse fire nearly a century ago
A 1932 fire led to a new county courthouse and a design wave that shaped landmarks like the Boulder Theater and Boulder High. Continue reading…
Nibbles: Ironwood Bar and Grille brightens east-side dining at Boulder’s Flatirons Golf Course
From Ironwood’s debut to Half Fast Subs’ comeback and King Arthur’s pop-up, a wave of openings, classes and festivals is reshaping Boulder County’s dining calendar this fall. Continue reading…
Late-summer vibes roll on
Warm and mostly dry conditions will hold steady through midweek as a relatively quiet pattern remains in place. A weak cool front is moving through today, but it won’t do much to cool things down. Highs will still reach the mid-80s under mostly sunny skies.
Thursday trends even warmer, with temperatures climbing into the upper 80s. But by evening, a stronger cold front will blow in, and that could stir up a few spotty late-day storms.
In the wake of that stronger front, much cooler weather and scattered thundershowers will follow on Friday.
River Rocks Fire west of Lyons now fully contained
Firefighters responded Sunday to the River Rocks Fire, about eight miles west of Lyons near South Sheep Mountain. The blaze was first reported at 2 acres.
By the end of the day Sunday, the Watch Duty app estimated the fire at 4-6 acres.
On Monday night, the U.S. Forest Service announced the fire was 1.1 acres and 100% contained. The cause was determined to be lightning.
Officials again reminded the public not to fly drones in the area, as they can interfere with firefighting aircraft.
Colorado leaders blast Trump’s move of Space Command to Alabama
Colorado officials denounced President Trump’s decision Tuesday to relocate U.S. Space Command headquarters from Colorado Springs to Huntsville, Alabama.
Gov. Jared Polis called the move “deeply disappointing,” saying it will “weaken national security and readiness, waste taxpayer dollars and inconvenience military families.” Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera echoed those concerns, noting Colorado’s aerospace industry and military community have been “vital to Space Command achieving Full Operational Capability.”
Colorado’s bipartisan congressional delegation also issued a joint statement, pledging to fight the relocation. They warned the decision will “set our space defense apparatus back years,” cost billions and disrupt a workforce that has grown around Space Command’s long-term presence in Colorado Springs.
President Biden had previously decided in 2023 to keep Space Command in Colorado, where it became fully operational in December at Peterson Space Force Base.
Nederland releases new FAQs on Eldora deal
Nederland officials have published an updated set of FAQs on the town’s proposed acquisition of Eldora Mountain, which they say they aim to close in October. The deal, outlined in a confidential term sheet signed July 8, could cost between $100-$200 million, based on estimates.
Highlights from the new FAQ:
- Financing: The purchase would be funded by revenue bonds repaid only from ski area income, with a $10 million reserve fund to cover bad snow years. No taxpayer dollars or general fund resources would be used. The board has set a “not-to-exceed” bond limit of $180 million, though the final price has not been disclosed.
- Ownership & operations: The town chose municipal ownership to keep control local. Eldora would remain on the Ikon Pass, and all 700 employees would move to the town payroll at closing. Benefits and labor policies are still under review.
- Land & housing: The purchase includes existing POWDR-owned parcels, such as Nederhaus, which town leaders say could eventually support affordable housing. No additional expansion land is part of the deal.
- Community benefits: Once debt is repaid, excess profits could be reinvested into town priorities like housing, childcare, sidewalks and infrastructure. Officials are also considering future opportunities such as summer recreation, concerts and possibly night skiing, though those decisions would come later.
Every major step between now and October will go through a public Board of Trustees vote, the town has said, with opportunities for residents to weigh in. The deal does not require a public vote. Officials stress that taxpayer funds are shielded from risk, though residents continue to raise concerns about financing, oversight and climate vulnerability.
📖 For more background: Nederland’s bold plan to buy Eldora draws excitement — and questions
Extremist-linked swatting group was reportedly the one that targeted CU Boulder
CU Boulder was among the schools recently targeted by a hoax active-shooter call, part of a wave of “swatting” incidents at universities nationwide. Now, a self-proclaimed leader of an extremist-linked group called Purgatory has told WIRED his group is selling fake threats against schools for as little as $20. Since the spree began on Aug. 21, at least a dozen universities have received false 911 calls. CU Boulder officials say they are working with state and federal partners, including the FBI.
Purgatory members, linked to a violent online network called The Com, have celebrated the hoaxes on social media and livestreamed some of their calls, according to researchers. The group claims to have earned about $100,000 from paid threats in recent weeks.
The FBI said false threats divert emergency resources, cost thousands of dollars and put innocent people at risk.
Boulder opens applications for arts project funding
The City of Boulder is accepting applications for two arts programs that fund creative community projects.
- Experiments in Public Art offers up to $9,500 for temporary, community-centered projects that activate public spaces, explore local issues such as climate resilience and encourage collaboration. Applications are due Sept. 28.
- Creative Neighborhoods provides up to $5,000 for resident-led projects like murals, storytelling or pop-up events. Applications open Sept. 10 and will be reviewed on a first-come basis, with priority for Palo Park, Southeast Boulder, East Boulder and Gunbarrel.
Virtual Q&A sessions will be held Sept. 10, 16 and 23. More details and application links are at BoulderArts.org.
Life-sized ‘Goodnight Moon’ installation comes to Boulder
The classic children’s book Goodnight Moon is getting the full-scale treatment at the Dairy Arts Center later this month. Goodnight Moon – A Fiber Tale will run Sept. 26-27, featuring a hand-knit recreation of the book’s famous “great green room” made from more than 150 miles of yarn.
Artists Emilie Odeile and Ken Chapin (Dundee & Lee) spent six months knitting the immersive set, which will be paired with live storytelling by CU Boulder’s Impact Playback Theatre Ensemble. The troupe will invite audience members to share personal stories of bedtime and family, weaving them into improvised theater.
The event also includes a book drive for Reach Out and Read Colorado. Performances are Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. and Sept. 27 at 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets: thedairy.org.
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