Good Friday morning, Boulder.
Leading today’s edition: Last night, Boulder City Council gave initial approval to wildfire building codes for new homes in high-risk areas — a big step. The ordinance expands the city’s designated wildland-urban interface, more than tripling the number of affected properties. Final approval is still pending.
The bigger issue, though, may be the thousands of homes already built. The Marshall Fire showed how neighborhood destruction can spread rapidly when embers ignite fences, junipers and debris, carrying flames from house to house — even if those homes are otherwise fire-mitigated. City council is expected to revisit the issue in July, John Herrick reports.
Also today: Boulder’s CIRES, a major climate and environmental research institute at CU in partnership with NOAA, has secured a new federal contract after weeks of uncertainty. The renewal comes despite Trump’s proposed 2026 budget calling for the elimination of all NOAA cooperative institutes.
Plus: Boulder’s vegan ice cream truck, Best One Yet, is winning fans with seasonal, plant-based flavors made from local ingredients, Courtney Tenz reports. What started as a Vespa and a few pints has grown into a popular fixture at the farmers market — and now events across the region — with a loyal following and a mission to support other vegan food entrepreneurs.
More, Below the Fold:
- BoulderCAST: Mild Friday, storms likely Saturday, toss-up Sunday.
- Prescribed burn: Planned near Gross Reservoir May 16-17.
- Wildfire rebates: Up to $500 back for mitigation steps; apps open through Oct. 10.
- Stanley Hotel sold: $400M deal fuels film center ahead of Sundance’s 2027 move to Boulder.
- Plane threat: Authorities probing claim of gunfire at aircraft near Longmont.
- Canyon closure: Major downtown lane closures started May 15, last through June 13.
- Beethoven’s Ninth: Boulder Symphony marks 15 years with May 18 concert at Grace Commons.
- CU move-out sale: $1-$15 dorm items, live music May 17 at Resource Central.
Thanks, as always, for reading,
– The BRL team
Boulder set to mandate fire-resistant materials and plants for new homes in wildfire zones
The ordinance also bans flammable materials within five feet of homes in high-risk areas. It applies only to new construction — but that could change. Continue reading…
Best One Yet: Boulder’s vegan ice cream truck wins fans with fresh, local flavors
Helen Williams’ plant-based scoops, made with seasonal ingredients from Boulder farmers, are turning her colorful truck into a must-visit summer stop. Continue reading…
A quiet Friday, but rain returns over the weekend
Boulder will be mild and dry on Friday, but that pesky wind isn’t going anywhere just yet — expect breezy conditions from the northwest throughout the day, with a high of 71 degrees.
Late-day spring storms return on Saturday, with temperatures holding in the low 70s. As for Sunday, the forecast is a bit of a wildcard — thanks to a messy incoming storm system, it could end up cool and rainy or warm and windy. It’s too early to say for sure, so keep an eye on that Sunday forecast.
Prescribed burn planned near Gross Reservoir
The U.S. Forest Service plans to conduct a prescribed burn west of Gross Reservoir on Friday, May 16, and Saturday, May 17, if weather and fuel conditions allow. Smoke may be visible west of Superior and Eldorado Springs. More information here.
Boulder’s CIRES avoids elimination as new Commerce Department contract is signed
The Cooperative Institute for Research In Environmental Sciences (CIRES), a partnership between CU Boulder and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), received approval Thursday from the Department of Commerce to continue its work.
CIRES is one of 16 NOAA cooperative institutes, all of which were targeted for elimination in President Trump’s 2026 proposed budget. These institutes conduct long-term scientific research in partnership with universities, supporting NOAA’s mission on topics like climate, weather, oceans and ecosystems.
The Department of Commerce, which oversees NOAA, recently stated that all contracts worth more than $100,000 must be personally reviewed by Secretary Howard Lutnick, according to NPR. This raised concerns among CIRES scientists that their contract might not be approved. But Lutnick signed it Thursday morning, a source within NOAA told Boulder Reporting Lab.
CIRES employs more than 900 scientists, staff and students in Boulder, working across CU Boulder departments and NOAA labs. Read more on BRL.
County wildfire mitigation rebates return for 2025
All Boulder County residents can once again apply for rebates of up to $500 for taking steps to reduce wildfire risk on their properties. The 2025 Wildfire Partners General Rebate Program is open to homeowners and renters and includes familiar actions like removing junipers and replacing fencing near homes with fire-resistant materials — plus two new eligible upgrades this year.
We covered this program last year — get all the details, which are similar. Applications are due by Oct. 10.
Stanley Hotel sold ahead of Sundance move to Boulder
The iconic Stanley Hotel in Estes Park has been sold in a major public-private deal ahead of Boulder’s hosting of the Sundance Film Festival starting in 2027, BizWest reported.
The $400 million transaction jumpstarts development of the long-planned Stanley Film Center — a 65,000-square-foot event space and horror museum curated by Blumhouse Productions. It also solidifies the hotel’s growing role in Colorado’s film scene: The Stanley will host the Sundance Institute’s 2025 Directors Lab next week, a program that state officials say helped tip the scales in bringing the festival from Park City to Boulder, according to BizWest.
Former owner John Cullen will remain involved as CEO of the new nonprofit-led venture. Officials say the revamped Stanley will fuel regional tourism and arts education — with profits eventually funding annual “Stanley grants” for public-school arts programs across Colorado.
Authorities investigating reported threat to aircraft near Longmont airport
The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a reported threat to an ultralight aircraft near Longmont’s Vance Brand Municipal Airport. A Longmont city employee received a voicemail on May 9 from someone claiming to have shot at a plane in flight.
No injuries or damage have been reported, and authorities say there is no indication of an active threat to the aviation community. Detectives have since confiscated a starter pistol from the individual suspected of leaving the voicemail, though it was not capable of firing live ammunition. The person was issued a summons for obstructing government operations.
The investigation — involving the FAA, TSA, FBI and local law enforcement — comes at a time when aviation issues have drawn increased public attention across the region. In separate developments, Boulder County and the Town of Superior recently had a lawsuit dismissed against Jefferson County over operations at the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport. And at Boulder Municipal Airport, complaints about noise and lead pollution continue amid the city’s dispute with the FAA over future control of the facility.
Anyone with information about the Longmont incident is encouraged to contact the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office tip line at 303-441-3674.
Infrastructure work begins on Canyon and 11th
The City of Boulder started utility maintenance work at Canyon Boulevard and 11th Street on Thursday, May 15, with construction expected to last through June 13. The work — coordinated with a nearby CDOT paving project — will require lane closures and traffic shifts downtown, including over Memorial Day weekend.
Westbound Canyon between Broadway and 9th will be closed, with one lane open in each direction on the eastbound side. Access to the municipal building and Main Library parking lot will be limited to right turns only. The goal is to protect water quality in Boulder Creek and upgrade downtown utility service.
Boulder Symphony celebrates 15th anniversary with Beethoven’s Ninth
The Boulder Symphony will perform Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 on Sunday, May 18, at 4 p.m. at Grace Commons Church, marking the orchestra’s 15th anniversary. The concert also includes Louise Farrenc’s Overture No. 1, a lesser-performed piece by a pioneering 19th-century female composer.
Ahead of the performance, about 30 young students from the Symphony’s Music Academy — now serving 150 students with scholarships available — will play Ode to Joy.
The program will be conducted by Devin Patrick Hughes and feature chorus master Dana Vachharajani and four vocal soloists.
CU move-out sale and summer concert at Resource Central this Saturday
Resource Central is kicking off its Rock & Reuse Summer Concert series on Saturday, May 17, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., alongside the annual CU Boulder spring move-out sale. Reclaimed dorm items — including shelves, mirrors, lamps, and more — will be sold to the public, most priced between $1 and $15.
From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., enjoy live music by Stomp Street Heist, tacos from Angry Hippie, and glassblowing demos by local artists. The event takes place at Resource Central, 6400 Arapahoe Road in Boulder.
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