It’s Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.
Hello Boulder, I hope 2024 is treating you well so far. We’re happy to be back telling you what’s happening in your lovely, albeit it chilly, town.
For today, John Herrick — our senior reporter rejuvenated by the deserts of New Mexico and Arizona — has a story about parking. Boulder, like many cities across the U.S., has requirements for providing parking to accompany new construction. Yet many consider these requirements outdated. A parking lot that raised the cost of a 2019 affordable housing project on Pine Street, for instance, is mostly empty most of the time.
Opponents to relaxing parking requirements say cars that would normally park in provided lots will instead spill into adjacent neighborhoods. Advocates believe encouraging alternate modes of transit will negate this concern. Rather than spending $50,000 per underground parking spot, developers could offer stipends for e-scooters, provide bus passes or subsidize car share programs.
Also today, you’ll find stories below that you may have missed while BRL Today was on vacation — like Maine Shack’s arrival to downtown Boulder. What’s Maine Shack? You’ll have to read to find out. Have a great day.
— Tim, reporter
P.S. Did someone forward you this email? Subscribe here.
Click or call (720) 608-7136 | Join the Boulder community in conserving. Upgrade your home consciously. Have an old furnace or boiler? You are emitting more greenhouse gases than needed. Have a tank water heater? You are using more energy than needed. $500 to upgrade consciously — Free estimate. Click or call (720) 608-7136.
Featured stories
City of Boulder’s parking minimums may be heading for the chopping block
Boulder’s decades-old off-street parking requirements have altered the city’s streetscape and added to the cost of housing. Transportation and housing advocates want them eliminated. Continue reading…
Maine Shack expands to Boulder, bringing an East Coast seafood experience near the Pearl Street Mall
“We want you to feel like you’re stepping out of Boulder and walking into Maine.” Continue reading…
Boulder Reporting Lab’s top 10 most-read stories in 2023
Plus: Our team reflects on 2023, and what we’re most looking forward to in 2024. Continue reading…
Boulder Reporting Lab is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization that empowers our community through non-partisan, locally focused journalism that informs and connects.
In other news
Winter is here
With temps hovering around freezing, whatever precipitation continues to fall will probably be more snow. Appropriately, there’s a winter weather advisory in effect until 2 p.m. today. The rest of the week features a sun fighting for dominance with a spot of wind and a sprinkling of snow. A bit of everything from the weather buffet.
Fatal police shooting is under investigation
A man was shot and killed on Christmas Eve after he was confronted by officers with the Colorado State Patrol and the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office. The incident brought the total number of fatal police shootings in Boulder County in 2023 to three, the most since 2016. The Boulder County Coroner’s Office identified the man as Efren Inda, 50.
At approximately 11:40 a.m. on Dec. 24, a trooper from the Colorado State Patrol stopped to assist a motorist on U.S. 36 near the McCaslin Boulevard exit, according to a news release from the state patrol. The trooper noticed bullet holes in the window of the vehicle, backed away and called for backup, the news release said. Deputies with the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office then arrived on the scene.
Officers talked Inda out of the car before he grabbed a firearm and pointed it at the officers, according to the news release. Officers then shot him and he died on the scene. No officers were physically injured. The shooting is being investigated by the Boulder County Investigation Team. Read more on BRL.
Pedestrian killed in Boulder
A fatal traffic crash is under investigation by the Boulder Police Department. On Jan. 3 just after 9 a.m., Virginia Knowlton, 90, was struck and killed while crossing the street at the intersection of Broadway and Alpine Avenue. The driver, a 35-year-old woman, remained on the scene and her two children in the car were uninjured. No initial signs of speed or impairment were reported, but witnesses are urged to contact Officer Coon at CoonS@bouldercolorado.gov or 720-626-9749, referencing case 24-0057.
The death comes as Boulder continues to try and make its roadways safer through its Vision Zero program, named for the goal of zero crashes resulting in deaths and severe injuries. The intersection of Colorado and 30th, for example, is supposed to be a new standard for safety with a plethora of underpasses and features constructed with the goal of slowing cars.
Resignation of Boulder County coroner prompts town hall
Following exclusive reporting by BRL last year that surfaced an internal workplace investigation substantiating claims of a toxic work environment, Emma Hall, Boulder County’s elected coronor, resigned her position last month. Her last day is Jan. 11.
The Board of County Commissioners is holding a public town hall on Thursday, Jan. 11, to discuss the coroner vacancy. All residents are invited to attend the 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. event at the courthouse in downtown Boulder. Those who cannot attend can submit their feedback on the coroner vacancy online until Jan. 23.
Changes announced for the Boulder Reservoir
As of Dec. 30, the west side of the Boulder Reservoir is closed year-round to curb the potential spread of invasive species.
The city also said it will continue its policy of not issuing permits for any new Class 5 watercraft. This applies to both new boaters and current boaters seeking to replace their existing Class 5 watercraft with new ones. Existing boat permit holders can renew their permits.
In response to increasing demand, an additional 400 season permits will be introduced for small watercraft, including kayaks and stand-up paddle boards, bringing the total to 2,100 season permits. There will be no limit on weekday permits. Sales open on Feb. 7. The city has increased the costs of all watercraft permits and storage fees. Read more on BRL.
Check for radon
With January being National Radon Action Month, and winter keeping many of us in our homes with the windows closed, Boulder County Public Health is encouraging residents to test their homes for radon. The odorless gas is linked to lung cancer.
“In Boulder County, around 50% of houses have unhealthy radon levels, which is astonishing when compared to the rest of the country, which averages only 6% of houses with unhealthy radon levels,” said Patty Dooley-Strappelli, a county environmental health specialist. “The average radon level in a Colorado house is above the EPA guideline of 4.0 pCi/L (before mitigation). Breathing radon at that level is like smoking eight cigarettes per day.” You can find low-cost test kits for radon in Boulder County at Resource Central or through Kansas State University.
Public hearing tomorrow on short-term rentals
County commissioners are also holding a public hearing tomorrow, Jan. 9, at 1 p.m. on short-term and vacation rentals in Unincorporated Boulder County. The proposed land-use amendments (detailed here) aim to simplify the process for reviewing the rentals and provide better health and safety standards. There’s also the goal of reducing the impact on the county’s limited housing stock. Residents can comment ahead of time via email at longrange@bouldercounty.gov.
New interest rate for security deposits
Reminder: Starting Jan. 1, the interest rate for tenant security deposits in the city rose to 2.33%. This rate is the average of one-year certificates of deposit from the top three financial institutions in Boulder.
MLK celebration at The Dairy
Motus Theater is holding its 2nd Annual MLK Day Celebration, “Dr. King Jr. & the Radical Roots at the Heart of Justice.” Set for Jan. 15, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Gordon Gamm Theater at the Dairy Arts Center, the event will blend musical performances, reflective monologues and insightful discourse. Admission is free, but you can reserve your spot ahead of time.
Is your website delivering the business results you expect? At Comprise, we start with the message and develop award-winning websites and integrated digital marketing programs laser-focused on your business goals. Learn more about The Comprise Way today.
