Good Friday morning, Boulder. It’s the last weekend before Nov. 5, so get some rest — we hope to. On Monday, we’ll update you on how we’ll keep you informed through Tuesday evening and the days that follow.
We have a packed edition today, but first, some big news of our own. As a nonprofit newsroom, BRL relies on community support to keep our work going. Our annual year-end fundraising campaign kicks off later this month, but starting today, every contribution to BRL — up to $1,000 — will be doubled through Dec. 31. This applies to both one-time gifts and monthly donors. If you’ve been thinking about donating or renewing your support, now is the perfect time, thanks to NewsMatch, a collaborative fundraising movement supporting independent journalism.
By donating, you’ll join a community of BRL supporters making locally owned, high-quality journalism possible — keeping Boulder informed, connected and engaged. We hope you’ll consider giving today, or before Dec. 31, to make a lasting impact.
On the news front: The Boulder County Family Resource Network is urgently calling for community support as demand for safety net services surges amid funding cuts and other pressures, reports Brooke Stephenson. Local nonprofits warn of crisis-level strain on essential services like housing, food and health care, urging donations, volunteering and spreading awareness. Tom Mahowald, chair of the Nederland Food Pantry, said the pantry ran out of milk Wednesday for the first time in his memory.
Meanwhile, Boulder’s Crisis Intervention Response Team (CIRT), established to support police in mental health and substance use crises, has expanded to include case management and follow-up to address root causes and provide ongoing support, John Herrick reports. A recent report found that half of CIRT’s contacts involve suicide or substance use, and nearly half were already receiving services but still lacked adequate care.
And finally, some uplifting news on a growing trend: the revival of punk in Boulder. Young musicians are bringing punk back as a way to build community and express themselves in a city better known for indie rock and laid-back vibes, Stephanie Wolf reports. Plenty more awaits below, so keep scrolling.
Have a wonderful day, and thanks, as always, for reading,
— Stacy, publisher
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Featured stories
Boulder’s crisis intervention team expands beyond emergencies, aiming to address root causes of mental health and substance use crises
A new report on the city’s crisis intervention team highlights gaps in the region’s safety net for mental health care and substance use treatment. Continue reading…
DIY punk scene grows in Boulder as young musicians fuel community and an underground movement
From Boulder house concerts to organizing DIY series at coffee shops, young musicians are building community as they work to elevate and grow the local punk music scene outside of Denver. Continue reading…
‘We need you again’: Boulder County nonprofits issue call to action as demand for safety net services surges
As funding cuts deepen, Boulder County nonprofits warn of critical shortages in shelter, food assistance and mental health care. Continue reading…
In other news
Cozy up for rain — and maybe even snow
Today will be partly cloudy with highs in the 50s — a trend continuing all weekend, with rain and possibly even snow on Sunday. Time to turn on the heat and get cozy.
Gov. Polis, Secretary Griswold boost election security after password leak
Gov. Jared Polis and Secretary of State Jena Griswold announced Thursday that they are deploying additional state resources to secure Colorado’s election systems after an incident exposed partial voting machine passwords. Polis is providing personnel and logistical support to update the passwords and review security logs for signs of tampering. Deputized, trained state employees will work with local election officials to ensure passwords are updated securely.
Colorado’s Division of Homeland Security is coordinating the response with local, state and federal partners. To report suspicious activity or voter intimidation, contact the Colorado Information Analysis Center via its online suspicious activity report form.
Boulder, CU partner to build year-round indoor tennis facility amid decline in local courts
The City of Boulder and the University of Colorado announced a partnership on Oct. 31 to build a shared indoor tennis facility near the East Boulder Community Center, addressing declining investment and access to tennis in the area.
The facility, designed for CU’s tennis team and public use, will feature four to six indoor courts available year-round, according to a news release. Before construction, the project requires a site analysis, annexation agreement, development approvals and building permits. A ribbon-cutting is tentatively planned for summer 2026.
“Tennis and pickleball promote lifelong health and community,” said Ali Rhodes, Boulder’s director of Parks and Recreation. “We are eager to help more people achieve these goals and will work to complete this project as quickly as possible.”
The announcement comes as available tennis courts in Boulder have decreased, with some converted to pickleball courts or repurposed for other uses, including CU student housing at the former Millennium Harvest House Hotel. Plans for new courts in Gunbarrel were also paused due to local opposition. Read more on BRL.
Open enrollment for affordable health care plans begins today
Open enrollment for health coverage through Connect for Health Colorado starts today, Nov. 1, and runs through Jan. 15, 2025. Boulder County residents can book a virtual or in-person appointment with a Boulder County health coverage guide for help enrolling.
A range of plans is available, including options through OmniSalud, which offers regular and reduced-cost coverage for undocumented Coloradans. The reduced-cost plan has limited availability, initially open only to current enrollees until Nov. 22, with any remaining spots opening for others on Nov. 25.
Three out of five people who use Connect for Health Colorado found plans for under $10 per month with financial help. Some low-income Boulder County residents may also qualify for free coverage through Health First Colorado (Medicaid).
Lime scooters surpass 1 million rides in Boulder amid high demand, expansion; plus, free rides through Election Day
Lime e-scooters hit a milestone this fall, surpassing 1 million lifetime rides in Boulder, fueled by record-breaking demand from game-day crowds in September and October. Nearly 600,000 rides have been taken this year — a 146% increase over 2023, the company said. “Lime is grateful to the city, the university, the students, and all our riders for helping us reach this 1 million ride milestone,” said Gaziz Koshkimbayev, Lime’s senior operations manager.
Following a 2021 pilot, city council made the e-scooter program permanent, tripling the fleet to help reduce car trips. Lime estimates that e-scooters have prevented 86 tons of carbon emissions and saved nearly 10,000 gallons of gasoline. Through Election Day, Nov. 5, Lime is offering Boulder riders two free 30-minute rides to reach polling places with the code “VOTE2024.”
Residents urged to register bikes with Bike Index
“This past weekend alone, officers recovered 11 bikes from different locations,” Boulder Police wrote on X. While some were returned to owners, many remain unclaimed.
Recovered bikes without theft reports or Bike Index registration are held for 30 days before being auctioned or donated to Community Cycles. Registered bikes can be held for 60 days while police try to contact the owner. Bike Index, a national nonprofit bike registry, has the highest bike theft recovery rate among registration services. It’s free to use and notifies law enforcement if a registered bike is stolen.
In the past three months, 260 bikes were reported stolen in Boulder, with a total value of about $76,000. Of these, 28 were recovered. Stolen bikes account for the most valuable type of stolen property in the city. In 2023, the value of 698 stolen bikes totaled about $1.3 million, city data shows. Reports of theft have trended downward in recent years.
Boulder County offers new rebates for home energy upgrades
Low- and middle-income households in Boulder County are now eligible for up to $4,000 in rebates for home energy upgrades through EnergySmart’s Income-Qualified Rebates (IQ Rebates) program. The rebates cover 60% of costs for improvements such as heat pumps, electric stoves, and insulation for households earning up to 100% of the area median income. For 2023, Boulder County’s median income is $93,000 for one person, $106,300 for two, $119,600 for three and $132,800 for a four-person household.
“Upgrading from gas appliances to efficient electric options can make a real difference for both your wallet and your well-being,” said EnergySmart Program Manager Rachael Bramblett. “For example, a heat pump water heater is three times more efficient than traditional models, and induction stoves offer precise cooking while reducing methane emissions and improving indoor air quality.”
To learn more about IQ Rebates, visit boco.org/rebate, email info@energysmartyes.com, or call 303-544-1000. For details on how heat pumps provide enough warmth even in Boulder’s winters, check out our previous reporting.
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