Good morning, Boulder. Before we jump into the news, some quick and exciting news of our own:
We’re participating in a program called NewsMatch, a collaborative fundraising movement to support independent, public service journalism like ours. Starting now and continuing through the year’s end, every dollar donated to BRL gets matched dollar for dollar. If you choose to donate monthly, we get even more match funds — new monthly contributions will be matched 12 times.
We have an opportunity to raise up to $20,000 through NewsMatch and the Colorado Media Project this year. While our big end-of-the-year fundraising campaign won’t start for a few weeks — keep an eye out for that later this month — you can help us get a jump on our goal. As always, we greatly appreciate you reading and your support! You can donate here.
In today’s edition, John Herrick covers voters’ emotions around CU South. In the week before the Nov. 8 election, some residents are still wrestling over how to vote on the ballot measure to repeal the CU South annexation agreement. Plus, the county commission’s latest effort to block drilling, and much more.
Enjoy your Wednesday. It’s a beautiful one.
— Stacy (publisher) and Tim (reporter)
What to know today
Revel in today, for tomorrow brings snow: Or rain, probably. But today is looking mighty fine with only a few clouds to dampen the high 60s.
Contact for electrifying your home: After publishing a story on a Boulderite carbon-neutralizing his home, BRL has received a number of emails wondering how to get in touch with Stuart Cummings, the profiled resident. For those interested, email belectrificationvolunteers@gmail.com.
‘We do not want to be partners with Extraction Oil and Gas’: Boulder County commissioners on Tuesday declined a request from Extraction Oil and Gas to lease the county’s mineral rights so it can drill for oil and gas under about 550 acres of county open space. The Denver-based oil and gas company wants to drill 32 wells at a site in Weld County about 1,000 feet from the county line — tapping into mineral rights owned by the county. (More on the lease offer here.)
- It’s no surprise the offer was rejected. Boulder County officials have been long been outspoken in their opposition to oil and gas drilling across the Front Range. They have collected years of data indicating oil and gas drilling is a primary culprit in creating harmful ozone pollution across the region — and have used this data to encourage state air quality regulators to crack down on the industry.
- “We bought the land with open space money. We’re not allowed to use the land for oil and gas production,” Commissioner Claire Levy said during the meeting. “We do not want to be partners with Extraction Oil and Gas.”
A call to end ‘forced pooling’: In response to the county’s decision, Extraction will likely seek a “forced pooling” order from state regulators. Under Colorado law, companies can drill for oil and gas even without the consent of all the mineral rights owners.
- Commissioner Matt Jones called on the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, the state agency that regulates oil and gas drilling, to put a stop to forced pooling.
- “A private corporation can condemn a government agency. It’s so upside down,” Jones said. “They are taking people’s private property.”
Accidental man on the street: On Monday night, BRL overheard the parents of trick-or-treaters discussing the CU South ballot issue. When asked their thoughts, the parents of candy-seekers said they were split. Those voting against the referendum said they didn’t see the city negotiating a better deal than the one in place with CU. Those voting for the referendum offered a perhaps unique perspective: They were fine with CU building, they just didn’t want them building a stadium. They wanted all construction to be housing. (CU is allowed to build a 3,000-person stadium as per the annexation agreement.)
- “If they’re going to build, I want them to go all in,” one parent said. “If CU is going to increase enrollment by 10,000, they should build enough housing for 10,000 more students.”A group of six voters is obviously not a representative sample size. BRL is just trying to offer a reading on the community’s pulse. Take with salt.
And more CU South: Some signs on the CU South property have been vandalized, leading CUPD to increase patrols of the area. The signs in question discussed the annexation agreement between CU and the City of Boulder and elaborated on future plans for the site. This defacement comes as voters decide whether or not to repeal the agreement on Nov. 8.
- “We are disappointed to see the recent damage to university property,” said Lori Call, assistant vice chancellor for local government and community engagement. “The annexation agreement is complicated, and we know many residents are interested in better understanding the plans for the site, and seeing the visual representation of these plans. Our hope is that we can respect each other, the site, and the property when visitors come to CU Boulder South.”
Tree removal along Fourmile Canyon Creek: Do not fear, healthy trees are not being taken down. The City of Boulder’s Parks and Recreation Department’s Forestry Team will be working in the Fourmile Canyon Creek area to clear away trees killed by Emerald Ash Borer and others lacking structural integrity. Additionally, the project will remove trees fallen into Fourmile Creek to improve its flows. The work will start on Nov. 7 and continue through the end of the year.
Herbicide applied yesterday: Cheatgrass is an invasive grass — often brought into unsuspecting landscapes by cattle — that crowds out natives. Growing with vigor and drying out by mid-summer, the grass encourages fire that then extends its invading reach. In an effort to combat this, Boulder County applied herbicide to Hall Ranch on Tuesday, Nov. 1. In response to concern from the town of Lyons, the county noted, “The herbicide treatment will not be applied within the Town of Lyons town limits, and will be buffered from private property/residences and open water.”
Low-income energy assistance program accepting applications: Beginning yesterday, the program that helps those in need pay their winter heating costs began accepting applications. This comes as many factors — the principle being the war in Ukraine — increase the cost of natural gas in the face of cooling temps.
- “This winter, heating bills are expected to be at a 10-year high impacting thousands of low-income Coloradans,” said Theresa Kullen, the program’s manager. “This increase may force many Coloradans to choose between food, rent, medicine, and a warm home. We encourage anyone who thinks they may be eligible to apply and take advantage of LEAP’s many benefits.”
- The program may also help replace furnaces and/or complete weatherization services.
- To access the LEAP application, visit cdhs.colorado.gov/leap.
BVSD open enrollment launched: Some students want to go to schools outside their neighborhoods. BVSD allows this on a lottery system. With enrollment in the lottery now open for next year’s school year, 2023, those interested can throw their hat in the ring. One thing to note, if you or your child is accepted, you, or your child, is on the hook for getting to school themselves.
Go deeper
‘The biggest fear is losing this place’: Boulder residents grapple with high-stakes CU South vote
By John Herrick
During a Boulder City Council meeting in September, Max Gould-Meisel used his two minutes of public comment to request a 15-second moment of silence. He said he wanted to grieve the University of Colorado’s plans to develop a South Boulder property known as CU South.
“All I can think about is how this cottonwood tree will soon be a light pole. Those ponds will be an asphalt parking lot. And this field will soon be porcelain toilets and bathtubs flushing away our most precious resource, water,” Gould-Meisel told councilmembers, who obliged his request.
The following month, a resident posted on NextDoor about driving along U.S. 36, where the city plans to build a concrete spillway, and hearing Joni Mitchell on the radio sing the lyrics “they paved paradise and they put up a parking lot” to her song “Big Yellow Taxi.” “If this doesn’t break your heart, you may be heartless,” the resident wrote. Dozens of people weighed in with heart and tear-face emojis and their own laments about the proposed development.
With the Nov. 8 election now less than a week away, perhaps the most controversial and well-financed measure on the ballot — whether to repeal the CU South annexation agreement — is ever present across social media platforms, in mailboxes and email inboxes, and in everyday conversation with friends and neighbors.
Many residents have already made up their minds on how to vote. But some are still wrestling with how to reconcile any potential benefits from the development with the fear of losing the land they hold dear.
BRL picks
🎸 Acoustic guitar, wine and art: On Thursday Nov. 3, from 7 to 9 p.m., Jeff Ulrich will provide the backdrop for those perusing R Gallery and Wine Bar. The music is free, as is looking at the art. You’ve got to pay for the wine though.
🦃 Giving Season Faire in Longmont: On Saturday, Nov. 5, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m, “we will be closing down 4th Ave, between Kimbark and Emery St for this season of giving festival!” wrote the event’s organizers. Food trucks, face painter/balloon maker, kids activity stations, bouncy house and more. Indoor and outdoor vendor spots available.
🤦🏼♀️ ‘Cheap Land Colorado’: At the Boulder Bookstore tonight, Ted Conover will speak about his new book, Cheap Land Colorado: Off-Gridders at America’s Edge. He will be interviewed by the Boulder Bookstore’s Arsen Kashkashian and KGNU’s Maeve Conran in a live recording. Tickets are $5.
Covid in Boulder County: Nov. 2, 2022
53% daily new cases (7-day avg.) ⬆️ Up 5% over preceding 7-day avg.
11 patients hospitalized with Covid (7-day avg.) ⬇️ Down from a high of 14 last week.
71% percent of ICU is occupied. ⬆️ Up from avg. of 65% since July 2020.
What else we’re reading
Xcel energy toying with solar panel owners. Staff at the Public Utilities Commission want answers on Xcel’s foot-dragging over smart meters. For those producing their own energy, smart meters are necessary for homeowners to be correctly charged, or compensated, for energy they pull from or provide the grid.
“Solar customers are being penalized for being early movers to adopt green technology,” said Mike Kruger, president of Colorado’s Solar and Storage Association. “I hope for a swift resolution, so that solar customers can be fairly compensated and are no longer discriminated against.”
ICYMI
Boulder’s housing board recommends loosening rules on ADUs to chip away at the city’s housing crisis. The recommendations from the five-member board — which include nixing off-street parking requirements — now head to the Boulder City Council.
After threat of violence rattles Fairview High, talk of armed parent patrols worries district. BVSD took armed police out of its schools. Some parents want to bring them back to help protect their children amid school shooting fears.
After carbon-neutralizing his own life, Boulder resident is launching an organization to help other climate-conscious locals do the same. Thinking of getting rid of your gas heat? Want to install solar panels or pursue less-costly ways to make your home more efficient? Go Electric Colorado aims to help.
