🔥 The rain helped. Here’s where Boulder’s fire risk stands now.

Good Monday morning, Boulder. Today’s BRL Today is sponsored by Motus Theater. Don’t miss “No Contract,” a tragicomedy about love and dementia, running through Oct. 4 at the Dairy Arts Center.

Leading today: We’re doing our semi-occasional check-in on Boulder’s wildfire risk as summer gives way to fall. After a frighteningly dry winter and spring, summer rain brought some relief, and fire restrictions have eased. But Boulder remains in drought, reservoirs are below average and fall winds could quickly change conditions. (A timely reminder: Crews are responding this morning to a small, slow-moving vegetation fire near the Annie U. White Trailhead, which is closed as a precaution.) “I’d like to see a good amount of moisture before I sleep well at night,” said Seth McKinney, a fire management officer with the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office. Por Jaijongkit rounds up where fire risk and water supplies stand as we head into fall and winter.

Also today: Our “Across the Aisle” series is back to take on local election issues ahead of Nov. 3. Brian Keegan and Bob Yates both favor expanding Boulder County’s commission from three members to five. They disagree on how to elect them: Should every commissioner represent a district, or should two be elected countywide? Voters will decide whether to expand the board and, if they do, how its members will be elected.

Plus more, Below the Fold:

• Forecast: Cooler, wetter weather through midweek.
• Utility bills: Proposed rate hikes would add $9 a month for the average home.
• Wildfire rebates: Get up to $500 for protecting your home. Apply by Oct. 8.
• Primos Park: North Boulder’s new park heads to city review.

Thanks, as always, for reading,

– The BRL team

Boulder County’s wildfire risk eased after summer rain. Fall winds and drought remain concerns.

Monsoon rain helped firefighters and eased fire restrictions, but Boulder remains in drought, reservoirs are below average and fall winds could quickly raise wildfire risk again. Continue reading…

Across the Aisle: Boulder County could expand to five commissioners. How should they be elected?

Brian Keegan and Bob Yates both favor expanding the board, but they disagree on how its members should be elected: five by district or three by district and two countywide. Continue reading…

Cooler, wetter weather moves in this week

Boulder is heading into a cooler and wetter stretch. Monday will be mostly cloudy, with a chance of showers and thunderstorms and a high near 74. Rain becomes more likely Monday night and Tuesday, when the high drops to around 68.

Showers are likely again Wednesday, with thunderstorms possible in the afternoon and a high near 68. Conditions should begin drying out Thursday, with sunshine returning Friday.

Boulder utility bills could rise $9 a month in 2027 under proposed rate increases

Boulder is proposing higher water, wastewater and stormwater rates for 2027 to help pay for infrastructure repairs, treatment plant upgrades and flood projects. For the average single-family home, the combined increases would add about $9 to the monthly utility bill.

Water rates would rise 5%, while wastewater and stormwater rates would each rise 7%. The proposal is part of the city’s 2027 budget deliberations, which also involve closing a separate $6.3 million General Fund shortfall. Utility bills are the largest source of revenue for the three separate funds that pay for those services.

The proposed increases are smaller than staff anticipated a year ago, when they projected that water and wastewater rates would have to rise 8% in 2027. Customers have already seen increases this year: Water rates rose 8%, wastewater rates 6% and stormwater rates 5%. Further increases are planned for 2028 and 2029.

The city has also begun designing a bill assistance program for water customers who struggle to pay. This year, staff have explored how such a program could work in Boulder and drafted a charter for the Water Resources Advisory Board to consider. The program is not yet in place. Read more on BRL.

Up to $500 for wildfire protection work: Apply by Oct. 8

Boulder County homeowners and renters, including those in Boulder and other municipalities, can apply for a Wildfire Partners rebate of up to $500. Eligible work includes removing junipers, creating a noncombustible zone within five feet of a home, replacing the first five feet of fencing attached to a house and improving vents. Tree removal, chipping and weed whacking do not qualify.

Apply by 5 p.m. Oct. 8. To claim the rebate, applicants must complete the work and submit before-and-after photos and supporting documentation by 5 p.m. Oct. 29. Previous recipients may apply again if they choose a different eligible project. Rebates are available first come, first served while funding lasts.

Plans for North Boulder’s Primos Park move into city review

The concept plan for Primos Park has been submitted for city review. The planned nine-acre park would sit along Violet Avenue between Broadway and 19th Street, next to the North Boulder Library and a large manufactured home community.

The design includes nature play areas, an outdoor pavilion, a small amphitheater and improvements to Four Mile Canyon Creek. The Planning Board is expected to review the concept in October, according to a memo to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Final design and permitting are expected to continue through 2027, with groundbreaking planned for 2028.

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