Good Wednesday morning, Boulder. Today’s BRL Today edition is sponsored by Boulder Emotional Wellness, offering counseling for individuals, couples, children and families in Boulder since 2008, with in-person and telehealth appointments, most major insurance accepted, and sliding scale options available.
Leading today: Former state Rep. Edie Hooton won the Democratic primary for the University of Colorado Board of Regents in the 2nd Congressional District, while former Boulder City Councilmember Rachel Friend appeared on track to win in the Boulder County treasurer race. Statewide, Attorney General Phil Weiser won the Democratic nomination for governor. We also have results from the competitive Colorado House District 19 contest in Boulder and Weld counties, where Jillaire McMillan advanced to face Republican Rep. Dan Woog in November, and more.
Also today: After months of opposition from mountain bikers, Boulder County commissioners abandoned a controversial trail-use pilot, opting instead for education, trail etiquette and safety improvements.
And finally: Still making Fourth of July plans? Our guide rounds up 14 celebrations across Boulder County, from concerts and parades to pool parties and fireworks.
More, Below the Fold:
- BoulderCAST: Hot, smoky weather keeps fire danger high
- Air quality: Smoke prompts Front Range health alert
- Fire restrictions: Boulder County tightens rules
- Plastic waste: Volunteers needed for citywide count
- July 4: What’s open and closed
- Arts: New law creates artist-owned business option
Thanks, as always, for reading,
– The BRL team
Feeling Stuck? You Don’t Have to Navigate It Alone. Boulder Emotional Wellness at 3434 47th St. offers compassionate counseling for individuals, couples, children, and families in-person and via telehealth for convenience. We treat anxiety, trauma, grief, relationship struggles, depression and more. Most major insurances accepted, including Medicaid and Medicare and Aetna, Anthem, Kaiser, CIGNA, Humana and United Healthcare. Sliding scale fees available. Serving Boulder since 2008. Call 303-225-2708 ext. 101 or visit boulderemotionalwellness.org.
Edie Hooton wins CU regent primary; Rachel Friend leads treasurer race
Jillaire McMillan won the Democratic primary in Colorado House District 19, which includes Weld and Boulder counties, setting up a November matchup with Republican Rep. Dan Woog. Continue reading…
Boulder County election results: Latest vote totals and race calls
Follow live vote totals, race calls and analysis from Boulder County’s two contested local primaries, along with key statewide races for governor, attorney general and more. Continue reading…
Boulder County commissioners scrap controversial trail-use pilot after opposition from mountain bikers
The board voted 2-1 to abandon a proposed trail-access pilot after thousands of public comments. Instead, officials will focus on trail etiquette, education, improved sightlines and other measures to reduce conflicts. Continue reading…
Fourth of July events in Boulder County: 14 ways to celebrate in 2026
From concerts and parades to pool parties and fireworks, here’s where to celebrate Independence Day around Boulder County. Continue reading…
Warm, dry and smoky conditions persist
A stubborn heat dome parked over the eastern U.S. is keeping this fiery Four Corners pattern locked in place, and the Front Range is feeling (and breathing) every bit of it. Warm, windy, bone‑dry conditions will continue to fuel fire danger across Colorado through the end of the week, with critical to locally extreme risk in the high country and elevated danger here in Boulder. Crews battling the nearly dozen large wildfires statewide face another tough stretch ahead. We all knew our record‑warm, record‑dry winter would come with consequences, and they’re showing up now.
Yesterday’s dark skies squeezed out a few sprinkles, but that’s it for moisture this week. Today starts sunny, trends partly cloudy, and will feature gusty virga by evening. Highs will reach the mid to upper 80s with the usual sunset smoke drifting in. Tonight drops to the mid‑50s.
The pattern barely budges in the coming days: temps creep toward 90 tomorrow and the lower 90s by Friday. Red Flag conditions hold in the mountains.
The holiday weekend looks warm and mostly dry, with perhaps a chance of storms Sunday. Fourth of July should be quiet and warm in the 80s, though.
Monsoon hopes remain at least a week or two out.
Wildfire smoke prompts air quality alert along the Front Range
An Action Day for Multiple Pollutants remains in effect along the Front Range through at least 4 p.m. today as heat-driven ozone combines with wildfire smoke drifting in from the west. Older adults and people with heart or lung conditions are urged to limit prolonged outdoor activity.
Three large wildfires continue to burn with 0% containment: the Snyder Fire near the Utah border (about 30,200 acres), the Aspen Acres Fire west of Colorado City (28,000-plus acres) and the Ferris Fire in Douglas County (23,000-plus acres).
Boulder County tightens fire restrictions
Boulder County has expanded fire restrictions as hot, dry weather, persistent drought and elevated wildfire danger continue across the region.
Stage 2 restrictions are now in effect in the county’s western mountains, while Stage 1 restrictions apply across the eastern plains. Officials are urging “extreme caution” with any activity that could spark a fire.
The Stage 2 area begins west of Colorado Highway 93, Broadway and the western boundary of Rabbit Mountain Open Space. Campfires, charcoal fires, wood-burning stoves, grills and lanterns are prohibited, along with fireworks, chainsaw use, smoking outside enclosed vehicles or buildings, and parking where hot vehicle parts could ignite dry vegetation. Limited exceptions apply for liquid- or gas-fueled devices, activities inside enclosed structures and certain equipment used with required safety precautions.
Boulder wants your help counting plastic waste
The City of Boulder is recruiting residents to take part in its second annual Plastic Count, a weeklong effort to measure household plastic use and gather data to guide future waste reduction efforts.
Participants can sign up as individuals or households and will receive a tracking sheet by email. From July 20-26, they’ll record every piece of plastic used and note whether it was recycled, reused or thrown away.
Last year’s inaugural Plastic Count included 100 households, which logged more than 3,600 plastic items in a single week. About two-thirds were single-use food packaging, including snack wrappers and produce packaging.
What’s open and closed in Boulder for the July 4 holiday
City and Boulder County offices will be closed Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4, for the Independence Day holiday.
On Friday, city administrative offices and Age Well Centers will be closed, while all three recreation centers will operate on their regular schedules.
On Saturday, the East Boulder Community Center will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Scott Carpenter and Spruce pools will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The North and South Boulder recreation centers will be closed. Boulder Reservoir will be open from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., with exit gates closing at 5 p.m. Dogs and alcohol are prohibited at the reservoir on July 4.
Flagstaff Road will close to most traffic beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday. Residents west of Chautauqua will still have access; other drivers will be diverted at Baseline Road and Sixth Street.
City parks and trailheads will remain open, but fireworks and campfires are prohibited on Open Space and Mountain Parks land. Boulder County parks and open space trailheads will close at 7:30 p.m. Saturday to reduce wildfire risk and reopen at sunrise Sunday. Boulder County sort yards will also be closed Friday and Saturday.
Boulder event explains Colorado’s new Artist Company Act
The Boulder County Arts Alliance is hosting a free information session on the new law, which creates a business structure designed specifically for artists and creative entrepreneurs.
The law, signed in June, establishes a new type of limited liability company called a Colorado Artist Company, or A Corp. It is designed to help artists retain control of their creative work by requiring an artistic mission, majority artist ownership and protections that keep intellectual property from being transferred to outside investors.
The event runs 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, July 1, at the Penfield Tate II Municipal Building, 1777 Broadway. Speakers include Kickstarter co-founder Yancey Strickler, Colorado Business Committee for the Arts Deputy Director Meredith Badler and attorney Dave Ratner. Registration is available online.
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