Good Friday morning, Boulder. Today’s edition of BRL Today is sponsored by EFAA. Join them for Friend Fest at The Rayback on Sunday, April 26, supporting EFAA’s mission of helping Boulder County families meet basic needs.
Leading today: Colorado’s Court of Appeals ruled Boulder cannot charge fees for body camera footage tied to alleged officer misconduct, siding with Yellow Scene Magazine in a case over an $8,000 records request tied to a fatal 2023 shooting. The decision could expand public access to police use-of-force footage across the state. John Herrick reports.
Also today: Fifteen city buildings, including all three rec centers, are in poor condition, and the city faces a $400 million funding gap to fix or replace them. At last night’s city council meeting, councilmembers reviewed options ahead of tougher decisions, with the South Boulder Rec Center still at the center of the conversation. For now, councilmembers greenlit only minimal repairs to keep the most deteriorating buildings open. Brooke Stephenson reports. She also has the latest on the alleged dance studio insurance fraud scheme: The owner turned herself in Thursday after a warrant was issued for her arrest on 21 charges.
And finally: BIFF began yesterday. In an interview, co-founder Kathy Beeck said the festival is leaning into its local roots, community partnerships and audience-driven programming as Sundance prepares to arrive in Boulder.
Plus more, Below the Fold:
- BoulderCAST: Warm, dry and windy conditions — elevated fire risk persists.
- Dance studio fraud: Owner arrested in alleged $500K scheme.
- Spruce Street garage: 4-month closure starts in June.
- Food tax rebates: Applications open April 15, up to $332.
- Baseline Road: Safety work begins, impacts through 2026.
Thanks, as always, for reading,
– The BRL team
Since 1918, Emergency Family Assistance Association (EFAA) has served as Boulder’s community safety net, helping thousands of families and individuals navigate through times of need. This past year, EFAA provided support to 8,000 Boulder residents with food, financial assistance, and other essential resources. Join us for Friend Fest at The Rayback on Sunday, April 26, from 3-6pm. Enjoy a fun-filled afternoon for adults and children alike, while supporting EFAA’s mission. Learn More.
Colorado Court of Appeals rules Boulder cannot charge fees for bodycam footage in alleged misconduct cases
The ruling stems from a lawsuit by Yellow Scene Magazine challenging Boulder over fees the city sought for footage related to a 2023 fatal police shooting. Continue reading…
Boulder City Council weighs future of aging rec centers as $400M funding gap looms
After months of community advocacy, South Boulder remains at the center of the discussion. For now, council backed minimal repairs to failing buildings, with broader investment decisions expected next month. Continue reading…
BIFF, Boulder’s homegrown film festival, leans into what makes it local ahead of Sundance’s arrival
Ahead of this weekend’s BIFF, co-founder Kathy Beeck talks collaboration, competition and why the festival is doubling down on community. Continue reading…
Weak and spotty April showers continue
Boulder is heading into a mid-April stretch of weather that looks active on paper but won’t deliver much meaningful precipitation. Subtropical moisture is streaming north into Colorado today ahead of a sluggish low off the California coast, so you’ll notice thicker cloud cover and a slightly more humid feel to the air. That said, overall forcing is weak, and a mid‑level ridge is still parked overhead, so only scattered afternoon showers or a rumble of thunder are expected. Many of us will stay dry. Look for a high temperature in the 60s with plenty of clouds.
Overnight, we’ll fall into the mid to upper 40s.
Saturday brings a similar setup but a bit warmer, reaching the lower 70s. Skies will be mostly cloudy with just enough moisture for a few spotty, high‑based showers to pop during the afternoon.
Sunday looks like the winner of the weekend with drier air and more sunshine, though breezy conditions could elevate fire danger. Highs warm into the middle 70s.
By early next week, a cooler system will drift across the Rockies, bringing our next chance for rain, or even a touch of snow. Amounts are trending light throughout the modeling, but things could change between now and then.
Boulder dance studio owner arrested in alleged $500K insurance fraud scheme
Cindy Burdine, the former owner of Frequency Dance, was arrested April 9 on 21 felony charges tied to an alleged scheme to stage a break-in at her studio in 2023.
Burdine is being held in the Boulder County Jail. Her first court appearance is scheduled for 8:15 a.m. on April 10, where she will be officially informed of her charges. If convicted, the charges could carry significant prison time.
A grand jury indicted Burdine on March 27. The charges include insurance fraud, theft, forgery and attempting to influence a public servant, according to the Colorado Attorney General’s Office. Prosecutors allege she hired others to pose as burglars as part of a scheme to collect nearly $500,000 in insurance payouts. Read more on BRL.
Downtown Boulder garage to close for 4 months during major Spruce Street renovation
A major renovation of the building and parking garage at 1100 Spruce St. will begin within the next 60 days, bringing months of construction and disruptions to the downtown area. The project includes structural repairs, storefront upgrades, lighting improvements and more, with work ramping up in May.
The biggest impact: The parking garage is expected to close for about four months starting the week of June 1. Sidewalk and street parking closures are also expected at times. The city says it will provide alternative parking options for permit holders and post updates as construction progresses.
Boulder food tax rebates open April 15, up to $332 available
Applications for Boulder’s long-running food tax rebate program open April 15, offering $108 for individuals and $332 for families to help offset the cost of groceries. The program, in place since 1967, is aimed at supporting lower-income residents with the city sales tax paid on food.
Eligible residents, including those 62 or older, people with disabilities and families with children, must have lived in Boulder for all of 2025 and meet income guidelines. Applications are available online, by mail or in person at 1101 Arapahoe Ave., and must be submitted or postmarked by June 30. To request a paper application, call 303-441-4261 or foodtaxrebateprogram@bouldercolorado.gov.
Construction to begin on Baseline safety upgrades, with impacts through 2026
Construction will begin this spring on the next phase of a transportation safety project along Baseline Road, with travel impacts expected through fall 2026.
The work will replace temporary materials with permanent infrastructure and add improvements for walking, biking, transit and driving along the corridor from 30th Street to Foothills Parkway. The project is funded by a $3.2 million regional grant.
Baseline Road is one of Boulder’s highest-risk corridors, part of a network of streets that account for nearly half of serious and fatal crashes. After earlier improvements, the city saw a roughly 38% increase in daily bicycle traffic along the route.
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