Good Monday morning, BRL readers.
If you’re like me and tend to hold off on voting after getting your ballot, don’t worry — we’ve got you covered. This election is super important, obviously, but did you know you’re also voting on three ballot measures that could change how the Boulder City Council operates? There are also a few statewide measures making a lot of noise in Boulder right now. Almost every statewide race representing Boulder County was decided in the June primary, except for one. Check out John Herrick’s mini election guide to find out which one — it’s got everything you need to know about Boulder’s local election in one spot.
In other news, the Boulder City Council approved key measures last week to move the $140 million Alpine-Balsam redevelopment forward. The project will bring 157 affordable housing units, city offices and commercial space to the site, with construction possibly starting this year.
Finally, Boulder Mod’s modular housing factory will hold its ribbon-cutting this week, voting centers are opening ahead of the election, and the city has announced plans for a virtual power plant to advance its renewable energy goals. Plus, check out our Monday list of things to do this week and weekend. Stay tuned for our Halloween and Dia de los Muertos guide.
Have a beautiful day and week, and thanks for reading.
– Stacy, publisher
P.S. Not a subscriber to BRL Today yet? Sign up here.
Featured stories
Boulder’s 2024 election mini voter guide: What to know before Election Day on Nov. 5
Many races for the state legislature were decided in the Democratic primary. But City of Boulder voters will decide on three ballot measures that could reshape how the city council operates. Continue reading…
ICYMI – Prop 131: Ranked-choice voting on Colorado’s 2024 ballot, but some who backed Boulder’s shift oppose expanding it statewide
Proposition 131 would eliminate partisan primaries and implement ranked-choice voting for many state and federal elections. While it reduces the influence of political parties, it could result in more voters deciding key elections in Boulder County. Continue reading…
In other news
Sunny days ahead
Morning rain chances taper off by midday, giving way to sunshine and wind gusts that could reach 30 mph, with a high near 65. Tuesday and Wednesday will be sunny, with highs in the low 70s — ideal fall weather. Plenty of sunshine ahead.
Alpine-Balsam redevelopment of former hospital site moves closer to reality
The Boulder City Council on Thursday, Oct. 17, advanced the Alpine-Balsam redevelopment by approving a key ordinance and declining to call up the associated development review applications, allowing the project to move forward without further delay.
This marks a significant milestone for what city officials say will be Boulder’s largest affordable housing project, which will also include market-rate housing, new city offices and commercial space.
The city purchased the site — located between Alpine Ave. and Balsam Ave. on the west side of Broadway — for $40 million in 2015. An additional $16 million was spent to demolish the former Boulder Community Health hospital, according to a city official. Officials estimate the project will require another $40 million in capital investment and $100 million in debt issuance.
In partnership with Boulder Housing Partners, Coburn Partners and ZGF Architecture, the city plans to construct 157 permanently affordable housing units and 60 market-rate units, according to city development records. The project also includes 2,100 square feet of commercial space. Additionally, the site will serve as a “Western City Campus,” consolidating city offices and services currently scattered across Boulder in aging buildings. Read on BRL.
Ribbon-cutting ceremony for Boulder’s new affordable housing modular factory set for Oct. 23
The City of Boulder, BVSD and Flatirons Habitat for Humanity will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Boulder Mod, a new modular housing factory aimed at addressing the region’s affordable housing needs. The event is set for Wednesday, Oct. 23, at 4 p.m. at 6600 Arapahoe Ave.
Boulder Mod is a collaborative project providing hands-on learning for students while producing affordable modular homes. These prefabricated buildings can be assembled more efficiently, potentially reducing home construction costs as the city works toward its affordability goals. The facility is expected to produce up to 15 homes per year initially, with a capacity to build 50 annually.
Last year, residents sued the Boulder City Council, the City of Boulder and the BVSD, claiming that zoning laws prohibited the factory’s operation. A Boulder County District Court judge dismissed the lawsuit, ruling that the school district’s “sovereign status” exempts the project from local zoning laws.
Two Boulder vote centers open, with more locations and early voting event for people with disabilities
Two vote centers are opening today, Oct. 21: one at the Boulder County Clerk & Recorder’s Office at 1750 33rd Street, and the other at the University Memorial Center on CU’s campus. At these locations, you can cast you ballots in person, drop off completed mail ballots, request replacement ballots, register to vote, resolve signature discrepancies, or update their voter registration. If you need to pick up a ballot or a replacement ballot, you can call the Ballot-to-Go Hotline at 720-440-7886 to request your ballot for pickup outside the vote center.
In early November, four additional vote centers will open at the following locations: Workforce Boulder County (1333 Iris Avenue), Boulder Public Library (1001 Arapahoe Avenue), South Boulder Recreation Center (1360 Gillaspie Drive), and CU Campus – Williams Village.
Additionally, Boulder County Elections, in partnership with the Center for People With Disabilities, will host an early voting event on Wednesday, Oct. 23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the CPWD office in Boulder. This event is designed to offer a welcoming space for people with disabilities to access voting services, including in-person voting, mail ballot drop-off, voter registration and language assistance. An ASL interpreter will be on-site, and CPWD is offering transportation to those who need help getting to the event.
City announces ‘virtual power plant’ to boost renewable energy goals
The City of Boulder has announced plans to develop a “virtual power plant” that will connect a network of decentralized, small-scale energy resources, like solar panels, batteries and electric vehicles, to function as a single, larger power plant. The project is led by Xcel Energy and supported by a Department of Energy grant.
Using advanced software, virtual power plants can generate, store and distribute electricity, helping balance supply and demand on the grid without relying on centralized fossil fuel power plants. Xcel is working with partners, including the city, CU Boulder and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, to create a community engagement plan for the project.
The success of the project will depend on public participation. Homes or businesses with rooftop solar, batteries, EV chargers or smart thermostats may be eligible to join, the city said. The Department of Energy sees the project as a potential model to help Boulder meet its renewable energy goals — the city is targeting 100% renewable electricity by 2030 — and to scale it across other Xcel regions.
Help redesign North 30th Street for safer biking, walking
The City of Boulder has launched a community engagement effort to redesign North 30th Street between Arapahoe Avenue and CO 119, aiming to make the area safer and more connected for cyclists, pedestrians, bus riders and others. Last month, Boulder saw its fourth fatal traffic death of the year. The city is working to eliminate serious crashes by 2030 through its Vision Zero Action Plan. Residents can share their travel experiences and ideas via questionnaires available through November. Community input will help shape the redesign, with more feedback opportunities this winter, the city said.
BRL’s to-do list: What is happening this week and weekend
☀️ Explore more events in Boulder and use the self-submission form on our events page to reach thousands in our community — for free! To have your event featured on this list, make sure to submit it to our events calendar.
Paper & Spine Used Book Store Autumn Pop-Up Sale: Monday, Oct. 21, and Tuesday, Oct. 22, Boulder Public Library, 1001 Arapahoe Ave. Read more.
Dave Honig Plays The Nina Simone Songbook & More: Tuesday, Oct. 22, 6-9 p.m., Boulder Depot, 2366 Junction Pl. Additional dates: Tuesday, Oct. 29, 6-9 p.m.; Tuesday, Nov. 5, 5:30-8:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Nov. 12, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Read more.
Sunset, Stars, & a Comet: An Evening Photography Adventure: Wednesday, Oct. 23, 4:30-10:30 p.m., Parking for Boulder Canyon, 9th Street. Read more.
The Ballot of Paola Aguilar: Thursday, Oct. 24, 7:30-9 p.m., Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St. Additional dates: Friday, Oct. 25, 7:30-9 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 26, 2-3:30 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 27, 2-3:30 p.m. Read more.
Kate Nash with special guests Revenge Wife, Joh Chase (solo): Thursday, Oct. 24, 8 p.m., The Fox Theatre, 1135 13th St. Read more.
The Venetian Twins: Friday, Oct. 25, 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., The Nomad Playhouse, 1410 Quince Ave. Additional dates: Saturday, Oct. 26, 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Read more.
What Was Ours” Film Screening with Co-Producer Jordan Dresser: Friday, Oct. 25, 5:30-7 p.m., Museum of Boulder, 2205 Broadway. Read more.
Spooky Science Night!: Friday, Oct. 25, 5:30-7:30 p.m., WOW! Children’s Museum, 110 N Harrison Ave, Lafayette. Read more.
Life Is a Carnival: Last Waltz Tour ’24: Friday, Oct. 25, 8 p.m., Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St. Read more.
Feria del Tamal 2024: Saturday, Oct. 26, 2-8 p.m., Boulder County Fairgrounds Exhibit Building. Read more.
Haunted History Hike: Saturday, Oct. 26, 5-7:30 p.m., Eldorado Canyon State Park, 9 Kneale Road Visitor Center and Eldorado Canyon Trail, Eldorado Springs. Read more.
Boulder Concert Band Concert – “New Frontiers”: Saturday, Oct. 26, 7-9 p.m., Mountain View Methodist Church, 355 Ponca Place. Read more.
Tinder Live! with Lane Moore: Sunday, Oct. 27, 8 p.m., The Fox Theatre, 1135 13th St. Read more.