Good Wednesday morning, Boulder — it’s the first day of school at BVSD! Wishing everyone a great year.
Leading today’s edition: A $1.4 million pedestrian bridge connecting the Boulder Canyon Trail to Chapman Drive is set to open in September after months of delays — and months of criticism over whether it’s needed, especially during the city’s budget crunch. The project closed a popular underpass for much of the summer, frustrating trail users, even though officials say the idea for a fully separated trail link has been in the works since the early 2000s. The underpass has since reopened, and final work is nearly complete. John Herrick has the latest.
Also today: Police said Tuesday a man has died after being hit by the driver of a truck in Boulder earlier this month. County commissioners, also on Tuesday, voted 2–1 to place a 10-year extension of one of Boulder County’s open space sales taxes on the November ballot — rejecting a permanent extension after criticism from farmers who told BRL it didn’t do enough to support agriculture or allow enough time for feedback. A decision on a separate mental health sales tax proposal — which has also drawn scrutiny over spending priorities (coverage here and here) — is set for next Tuesday.
And in BRL opinion: CU Boulder has received a 476-acre land gift in Lefthand Canyon to be used for research and education. In an opinion piece, Professor Katharine Suding says the Spruce Gulch Research and Wildlife Reserve will bolster local science, sustainability and arts, even without public recreation access.
More, Below the Fold:
- BoulderCAST: 90s and fire risk return to Boulder.
- Water-wise swap: Get up to $750 off lawn removal with Resource Central (sponsored).
- Fire alert: Stage 1 restrictions in effect for western Boulder County.
- Fire update: Crews battle record-size Lee Fire, other blazes statewide.
- Startup boost: CU Boulder to pay seven founders to launch campus-born companies.
- CO 119 rebrand: “Diagonal Flyer” BRT, “Diagonal Bikeway” unveiled in highway upgrade.
- Help in crisis: Sheriff seeks victim assistance volunteers; training Sept. 9.
Thanks, as always, for reading,
– The BRL team
After months of delays, work on Boulder’s Chapman Drive pedestrian bridge expected to wrap in September
The project closed a popular underpass for months. The new bridge, built next to an existing vehicle bridge, is meant to make the heavily used Chapman Drive easier to reach. Continue reading…
Katharine Suding: 476 acres of possibility near Boulder for science, sustainability and the arts
This land gift to CU Boulder in Lefthand Canyon strengthens Boulder’s network of conserved lands serving science and the public good. Continue reading…
Heat returns, fire risks rise
After a nice break from the heat, summer is turning up the dial again. A warm high-pressure system is sliding across Colorado, and it’s bringing the heat the next few days. Expect temperatures to climb into the mid- to upper-90s on Wednesday and Thursday — closing in on record levels for Boulder, where the daily highs to beat are 97 and 99, respectively.
Today we’ll stay dry, but there’s just enough moisture around for some late-day virga— those streaky, high-based showers that look dramatic but with rain that doesn’t actually reach the ground. They can still kick up some gusty winds, though, so keep an eye out.
By Thursday and Friday, storm chances inch up a bit, but we’re not looking at a big soaking. We’re more worried about the lightning which could spark new fires, especially with how dry things are. Stay weather-aware and fire-smart out there!
Cyclist dies after being hit by truck in Boulder at Edgewood and 24th, police say
Daniel Bench, 88, died after being struck by the driver of a truck near Edgewood and 24th Street on Aug. 4, the Boulder Police Department said on Tuesday. He was taken to the hospital with serious injuries following the crash and later died.
Police said the driver of a Chevrolet Silverado hit Bench while he was in a crosswalk. The driver remained at the scene, and the investigation is ongoing.
This is the first reported death involving a cyclist in Boulder this year, according to city crash data. In March, a driver was killed in a collision at Foothills Parkway and Arapahoe Avenue. Read more on BRL.
Swap grass for water-wise gardens (sponsored)
Ditch thirsty grass with help from Resource Central, a trusted Boulder-based conservation nonprofit. To help save water, lawn removal services start at 200 square feet, with potential discounts of up to $750 in partnership with the City of Boulder. A friendly crew removes and composts grass, leaving the landscape ready for a waterwise makeover. Complete the low-water transformation with colorful, pollinator-friendly Garden In A Box kits, now on sale for 20% off! Apply for the program or shop for gardens.
Stage 1 fire restrictions now in effect for western Boulder County
Unincorporated areas west of Highway 93, Broadway, U.S. 36 and Rabbit Mountain Open Space are under Stage 1 fire restrictions as of Tuesday, due to dry conditions and forecasted heat. The rules ban open fires, campfires, charcoal grills, slash pile burning and smoking in areas with combustible material. Fires are still allowed in permanent, designated fire pits.
Wildfires burn across Colorado amid extreme heat and drought
Colorado’s wildfire season is straining firefighting resources, with multiple large blazes burning under extreme drought and scorching weather.
The Lee Fire in Rio Blanco and Garfield counties has burned about 120,650 acres and is just 4% contained, making it the fifth-largest in state history. Evacuations remain in effect, including for the Rifle Correctional Center, with more than 1,000 firefighters battling the blaze amid low humidity, gusty winds and tinder-dry fuels. The nearby Elk Fire has burned 14,500 acres and is 75% contained, destroying at least two homes. In Mesa County, the Turner Gulch Fire is just over 50% containment at 28,800 acres. The Oak Fire in Archuleta County has triggered a disaster declaration and mandatory evacuations.
Commissioners approve 10-year open space sales tax extension for 2025 ballot
Boulder County commissioners on Aug. 12 voted 2-1 to place a measure on the November ballot to extend one of the county’s sales taxes that funds open space programs. The 0.15% sales and use tax generates about $15 million annually and is set to expire at the end of 2030. The measure would extend the tax for 10 years.
The proposal is among several taxes that together bring in about $47 million per year, some of which are scheduled to expire and could lead to a budget shortfall by 2031, according to a county official.
While open space taxes have historically received broad public support, the extension drew opposition from some farmers who said it does too little for agriculture. They called for changes that would have directed more revenue to agricultural programs, such as housing for farmworkers, modern wash-and-pack facilities and irrigation upgrades.
In part to address those concerns, commissioners opted for a 10-year extension rather than the permanent extension recommended by county staff. Read more on BRL.
CU Boulder offers six months’ salary to launch startups from university innovations
Seven aspiring entrepreneurs will soon get an opportunity — and a paycheck — to launch companies built on CU Boulder inventions. The university’s Embark Deep Tech Startup Creator program will hire seven “startup founders” as part-time employees for six months, providing a salary, business training, funding opportunities and access to high-potential technologies developed on campus.
The model is designed to remove financial barriers for would-be founders and connect them with inventions whose original creators aren’t pursuing commercialization themselves. About 180 inventions come out of CU Boulder’s research labs each year.
Past participants have turned university tech into real-world companies, including PrecisionTerra, which is commercializing an algorithm that improves GPS in dense urban environments. Since its 2023 launch, Embark has hired two cohorts of CEOs and helped catalyze 20 companies. CU Boulder says its startups have collectively raised $14 billion and contributed $5 billion in economic impact statewide. Learn more or apply.
Diagonal Highway upgrades get new names, branding
CO 119 rebrand: Commuting Solutions has unveiled new names and designs for the Diagonal Highway’s upcoming Bus Rapid Transit and bikeway, part of a multi-year safety and mobility overhaul between Boulder and Longmont. The BRT will be called the Diagonal Flyer and the 9-mile separated bike path will be the Diagonal Bikeway, each featuring bold blue and gold branding inspired by the Front Range and the Flatiron Flyer. The $165 million CO 119 Safety, Mobility and Bikeway Project will add safer intersections, branded wayfinding, faster transit and improved bike infrastructure. Construction is expected to wrap up in 2027.
Help neighbors in crisis: Volunteers needed for Boulder County victim assistance
The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office is seeking volunteers for its victim assistance program. Openings are available on the on-scene team, which responds in person to support people in crisis, and the outreach team, which connects victims with resources by phone, mail or email.
Forty hours of training will be provided Sept. 9-27 on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Saturdays, covering crisis intervention, legal rights and procedures, and available resources. Applicants must be 21 or older, compassionate and emotionally intelligent. The deadline to apply is Aug. 22 at 5 p.m.
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