Happy official fall, Boulder.

This week brought painful memories, but also important closure and, hopefully, healing with the long-awaited King Soopers verdict. If you missed it, Jenna Sampson offers a moving tribute to the families of the King Soopers victims as she recounts the final chapter of their three-year court ordeal. After the jury returned a guilty verdict on all counts, Boulder County District Court Judge Ingrid Bakke imposed the maximum sentence. Before sentencing, the victims’ families spoke one by one, sharing their trauma, grief and pain — with some even touching on hope and resilience — as the gunman sat just feet away. Sampson captures their words, one by one.

In other news, the Boulder Police Department has started using AI to transcribe body camera footage and draft its crime reports, John Herrick reports. Last week, it formally adopted a new policy for its usage. The technology is meant to save time, but can the tech improve policing? During Police Chief Steve Redfearn’s meeting Monday with the Police Oversight Panel, members expressed mixed reactions.

Finally, Boulder completes its second protected intersection, ranked-choice voting is on the statewide ballot, Ron Stewart Preserve closes for elk management, Medicare enrollment starts Oct. 15, and Bitty & Beau’s celebrates one year.

Thanks for reading!

— Brooke, reporter

P.S. Not a subscriber to BRL Today yet? Sign up here.

Featured stories

Boulder Police Department is using AI to write its crime reports, while some urge caution

This month, the police department adopted a policy allowing the use of artificial intelligence to transcribe body camera footage and generate police reports, a move intended to save time and improve the quality of reports. Continue reading…

King Soopers gunman sentenced to life without parole in emotional Boulder courtroom as victims’ families share grief and heartbreak

Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa was found guilty on all 55 counts for killing 10 innocent people, along with other charges, at the South Boulder King Soopers in March 2021. Continue reading…

In other news

First days of fall, but summer heat lingers

Fall might be on the calendar, but it’s feeling more like summer with highs near 85-88 through the weekend. Expect sunny skies and mild nights, with lows in the mid to upper 50s.

Boulder completes second protected intersection at 28th and Colorado

A year after completing its first protected intersection at 30th and Colorado, the city has finished another at 28th and Colorado. The new design includes sidewalk-level bike lanes, connections to existing paths, conflict zone markings, ADA upgrades, and improved traffic signals. New bus lanes now run from Folsom to just past 30th Street, with enhanced transit stops, and drivers can use the bus lanes for right turns.

“We’re excited to start seeing our community traveling on these new and improved streets as we continue to build safer infrastructure across town,” said Transportation and Mobility Capital Projects Manager Gerrit Slatter.

Protected intersections, which physically separate cyclists and pedestrians from vehicles, are rare in the U.S., where cities often rely on painted bike lanes or signs for road sharing. Boulder says this project supports its Vision Zero goal to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries while improving safety for cyclists on busy streets.

Polis announces support of Prop 131 for ranked-choice voting

Gov. Jared Polis has endorsed Prop 131, which would move many Colorado elections to ranked-choice voting. If passed, all candidates for an office would appear on the primary ballot, and the top four, regardless of party, would advance to the general election, where voters would rank them instead of choosing just one. A computerized runoff would decide the winner if no candidate gets 50%. Funded by multimillionaire Kent Thiry, the initiative is part of a broader campaign with similar efforts in Nevada, Idaho, Oregon and Montana. “I’m hopeful that if it passes, it will encourage participation and improve our democracy,” Polis said in a Facebook post.

Ranked-choice voting, also called instant runoff voting, was used in Boulder in 2023 to elect Aaron Brockett as the city’s first directly elected mayor. The system is designed to ensure the winner has broad support, unlike the traditional plurality system, where a candidate can win with a small percentage of the vote. It also reduces the impact of “spoiler” candidates and tends to favor more moderate contenders. Critics argue the changes could give wealthy donors more influence over elections at the expense of grassroots movements. They also worry the added complexity could lead to more voting errors and mistrust in the electoral process.

Medicare open enrollment starts Oct. 15

Medicare’s annual open enrollment this year runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, giving Boulder County enrollees a chance to review and update their plans for 2025. With plan costs and coverage changing yearly, it’s a good time to see if you can save money or get better benefits. Boulder County says its medicare counselors are offering free, personalized help by phone, Zoom,or in person. Call 303-441-1546 or visit boco.org/Medicare to schedule an appointment.

Ron Stewart Preserve to close for elk management on select days

Ron Stewart Preserve at Rabbit Mountain will be closed most Mondays and Tuesdays from Oct. 7 through Jan. 28, 2025, for elk management through limited hunting. The park will remain open Wednesday through Sunday, as well as during key holiday weeks. Two hunters per week will be selected through a lottery to participate in the management program, which is intended to control the elk population. Recreational hunting is prohibited on the preserve. For more information, visit boco.org/elk.

Bitty & Beau’s coffee on Pearl celebrates one-year anniversary with week of events

Bitty & Beau’s Coffee opened its Boulder location at 1468 Pearl St. one year ago, marking the first Colorado store in a franchise dedicated to employing people with disabilities. We profiled the shop last year. Founded by Amy and Ben Wright in 2016 to tackle high unemployment rates among people with disabilities, the chain has grown to two-dozen locations nationwide. The Boulder shop, owned by Jeff and Julia Fetzer, employs people with disabilities, promoting inclusivity while serving coffee, tea and baked goods.

To celebrate its one-year anniversary, Bitty & Beau’s is hosting a week of events starting Monday, Sept. 30, with hourly dance parties, raffles and $1 off drinks. From Sept. 30 to Oct. 6, customers can also get 10% off fall drink specials like the Pumpkin Spice Latte and Maple Cream Cold Brew.

Things to do

Book Fest in the West at Norlin Library: Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2:00 p.m. Read More

Charrería on Parade at Mackey Auditorium: Wednesday, Sept. 25, 10:00 a.m., 1595 Pleasant St. Read More

Static Parade at Trident: Wednesday, Sept. 25, 6:30 p.m., Trident Booksellers & Cafe, 940 Pearl St. Read More

Bee+ Boulder Festival at Boulder Farmers Market: Saturday, Sept. 28, 10:00 a.m., 13th & Canyon Blvd. Read More

Celebrating Mehregan with the Persian Cultural Circle at Museum of Boulder: Saturday, Sept. 28, 12:00 p.m., 2205 Broadway. Read More

Harvest Of All First Nations Corn Festival at Boulder County AgriCultural Heritage Center: Saturday, Sept. 28, 9:30 a.m., 8348 Ute Highway Longmont Read More

“On the Rise” Concert series at Boulder Junction: Saturday, Sept. 28 5:00 p.m., 2366 Junction Place Read More

Studio 24: Alterations In-Person at NoBo Corner Library: Saturday, Sept. 28 3:00 p.m., 4600 Broadway. Read More

Toe Jam 2024 at the foot of the Mountain Motel: Saturday, Sept. 28 2:00 p.m., 200 Arapahoe Ave. Read More

Oktoberfest at St Julien: Sunday, Sept. 29, 1:00 p.m., 900 Walnut St. Read More

* Explore ALL upcoming events in Boulder. If you have something to promote, use the self-submission form on our events page, for free.*

---