Good Friday morning, Boulder. Today’s BRL Today is sponsored by the Chautauqua Association — check out their next all-inclusive Women’s Retreat.
Leading today: City council last night voted to eliminate minimum parking requirements for new developments in one of the more significant land-use policy shifts in years. The changes are meant to reduce housing and business construction costs and promote alternatives to driving. They apply citywide and go beyond a new state law. A final vote is still needed but is expected to pass. Councilmembers also approved updates to the neighborhood parking permit program and a paid parking pilot in Goss Grove to fund free bus passes.
Also last night: Council considered new restrictions on open comment after more than a year of disruptions, with many speakers urging the city to take a stand on the war in Gaza and some directing hate speech at Jewish councilmembers. The discussion comes weeks after the horrific firebombing terror attack on Pearl Street and could lead to new rules in August.
And finally: We’ve seen an astonishing outpouring of support from you during our 10-day fundraising campaign — about $27,000 raised so far, smashing our original $10,000 goal in just a few days from 223 readers.
We’re so grateful to everyone who’s contributed during this campaign or in the past. If you rely on BRL to stay informed about Boulder and have been meaning to give, there’s still time! The campaign officially ends this weekend. Every gift brings more local journalism to more of our community, with deeper reporting on the issues that matter most.
More, Below the Fold:
- BoulderCAST: Hot weekend ahead, then hints of monsoon season roll in.
- Hate crime charges: Pearl Street attack suspect indicted on 12 hate crime counts.
- Funding loss: Boulder County loses federal support via state programs.
- Wildfire help: County offering $500 rebates for mitigation work.
- Plastic count: Track your plastic use July 21-27.
- Wind shift: Boulder’s peak gusts easing since the ‘90s.
- Pearl Street Mile: Downtown race and expo on Saturday.
Thanks, as always, for reading,
– the BRL team
Renew and connect at our next all-inclusive Women’s Retreat, November 6th through the 9th! Enjoy farm to table dining, charming lodging and enlightening activities in a stunning setting. Book now to reserve your spot, space is limited!
Boulder to end parking mandates for new developments citywide in major shift
The changes are intended to lower the cost of building housing and shift away from a car-centric urban design. A separate ordinance overhauls parking permits and launches a paid pilot in Goss Grove. Continue reading…
Boulder councilmembers eye further changes to open comment to prevent disruptions related to war in Gaza
Proposed changes include halting video broadcasts of speakers, starting meetings earlier, limiting open comment to 45 minutes and giving councilmembers more flexibility to respond to hate speech in real time. Continue reading…
Heating up this weekend as monsoon season approaches
Heading into the weekend, Boulder’s looking bright and toasty. Highs today will climb to around 90 degrees with plenty of sunshine to start — though there’s a small chance of a gusty shower later in the day. Saturday will be similar, just a touch hotter.
By Sunday, things get more interesting. A cold front is expected to swing through, bringing scattered storms and a dip in temperatures — but not before we flirt with 90 degrees once again.
Cooler temps and more storm chances follow on Monday. And we may be seeing early signs of monsoon moisture creeping into Colorado next week. Too soon to say if it’s the real deal, but forecasts are hinting at wetter summer days ahead.
Terror attack suspect indicted on 12 federal hate crime charges
Mohamed Soliman, the suspect accused of throwing Molotov cocktails at participants in Boulder’s June 1 Run for Their Lives event, was indicted Wednesday on 12 federal hate crime charges, according to news reports. Prosecutors say he targeted the group based on their perceived religion and national origin.
According to the indictment, Soliman arrived on Pearl Street with a backpack sprayer filled with flammable liquid and 18 glass bottles rigged as Molotov cocktails. He allegedly threw two while shouting “Free Palestine,” and told investigators he was seeking “revenge” after searching online for “Zionist” events. A handwritten note found in his car called Zionism an enemy “until Jerusalem is liberated” and described Israel as a “cancer entity.” Soliman also faces 118 state charges.
County has lost millions in federal funding due to cuts to state programs
Boulder County has lost at least $3.3 million in federal cuts to state programs, according to a new state dashboard on federal funding lost in Colorado. Another $2 million to the county is currently considered at risk. This funding is separate from federal dollars provided directly to the county and the City of Boulder.
The majority of the funding Boulder County lost came from a $2 million Department of Transportation grant for electric vehicle infrastructure. Boulder County also lost Department of Agriculture grants for implementing climate-smart practices in farming and ranching, and for purchasing locally grown food to support local and regional producers. Smaller grants also covered projects to improve broadband and digital access, as well as a Coast Guard safety program.
According to the dashboard, the state has lost $76 million so far and another $56 million is still at risk.
Separately, the City of Boulder has implemented a hiring freeze to address an estimated $8-$10 million budget shortfall, driven in part by financial uncertainty. City officials say roughly half of the $55 million in federal funding recently awarded to Boulder has yet to be disbursed and could be at risk.
Boulder County again offering up to $500 in wildfire mitigation rebates
A reminder that Boulder County’s Wildfire Partners program is offering up to $500 in rebates for wildfire mitigation work again this year. The rebate is open to both homeowners and renters, with applications due by Oct. 10. Residents who received a rebate last year can apply again, as long as the work is different. Open office hours for rebate assistance are held on Wednesdays in Boulder and Lafayette. The next session is Wednesday, July 2, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Coal Meeting Room at the Southeast Hub in Lafayette, followed by sessions on July 9 and 16 at 2045 13th St. in Boulder.
Meanwhile, the city’s free wildfire home assessments are booked until August amid a surge in demand following this spring’s devastating LA fires. The assessments, which help identify home-hardening priorities, are required for those applying to the city’s Wildfire Resilience Assistance Program (WRAP), which provides up to $2,000 in grants.
City of Boulder kicks off first ‘Plastic Count’
The City of Boulder is launching its first Boulder Plastic Count, a weeklong challenge to track personal plastic use and build a clearer picture of the community’s plastic footprint.
Community members can sign up online to participate during the week of July 21-27. Participants are encouraged to record every piece of plastic they use and dispose of — whether it’s recycled, reused or thrown away. Those who submit their forms will be entered into a gift card drawing and receive tips on reducing plastic waste.
“If we want to reduce plastic waste, we need to understand it first. Every piece of data we collect during this count matters,” said Jamie Harkins, sustainability senior manager for the City of Boulder.
Boulder winds are tamer than they were 30 years ago, likely due to climate change
Peak wind gusts in Boulder are becoming more mild, according to a new analysis by the U.S. National Science Foundation’s National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR).
“Throughout the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, wind gusts routinely topped 120 miles per hour, as measured at NCAR’s Mesa Lab in the foothills above southwest Boulder,” a new release reads. “But the city’s extreme downslope winds have seemingly slackened in the last 30 years, with observed peak gusts rarely approaching 100 mph after 1995.”
Boulder winds can still be high — and dangerous. The 112 mph gusts during the 2021 Marshall Fire were the highest since 1995 and contributed to the fire’s rapid spread. But those are increasingly rare.
Scientists say more research is needed to determine the reason for the decrease in peak gusts, but initial evidence suggests it may have to do with changes in atmospheric conditions caused by rising global temperatures.
“The next step in the research is to figure out why peak gusts are diminishing, which should help us anticipate the future prospects of these destructive wind events,” lead author and NCAR scientist Gerald Meehl said.
Reminder: Pearl Street Mile on Saturday with all-day expo, evening races
Downtown Boulder’s iconic Pearl Street Mile is back for its 28th year on Saturday, June 28, with races starting at 4:30 p.m. and an Outdoor Retail Expo running from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the Pearl Street Mall.
Expect a high-energy evening of 1-mile races on a fast, multi-lap course looping the Boulder County Courthouse. Race waves include kids, families, high schoolers, masters and elites — plus the crowd-favorite waiter relay. More than 2,000 spectators are expected to line the route. Strollers welcome. No dogs allowed. More details here.
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