⚖️ Boulder County sued over herbicide spraying plans

Good Wednesday morning, Boulder. Today’s BRL Today is sponsored by Fortezza Ristorante, serving top-tier steaks, locally sourced ingredients and award-winning wines in a beautiful, relaxed setting in Niwot.

Leading today: A Boulder County environmental group filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday seeking to stop the county’s plans to spray herbicide by drone at Red Hill and two other open space properties. Grounds for Action alleges the spraying could harm the federally threatened Preble’s meadow jumping mouse, violating the Endangered Species Act.

The lawsuit comes as the county prepares to spray roughly 800 acres at Red Hill, near Lyons, as early as this month. The legal challenge also covers planned treatments at Hall Ranch and Rabbit Mountain, though the county has not announced when those would take place. Commissioners repeatedly paused and revived the Red Hill project amid public opposition before voting to proceed in May. The county maintains its spraying plans comply with federal law. Por Jaijongkit reports.

Also, if you missed Culture Club last week, you missed McKenzie Watson-Fore’s look at Boulder’s booming sauna scene, where hot rooms, cold plunges and alcohol-free gathering spaces are becoming the latest social hubs. And in Nibbles this week, John Lehndorff introduces a Boulder pastry chef bringing back an old-fashioned favorite: instant pudding.

Plus more, Below the Fold:

BoulderCAST: Sunny 60s through Friday, then cooler with a chance of rain.
Top county job: Weigh in on administrator finalist by Nov. 18.
Nonprofit spaces: Boulder grants help nonprofits secure space. Apply by Nov. 30.
Honoring MLK: Funding available for January events. Apply by Dec. 7.

Thanks, as always, for reading,

– The BRL team

3X MATCH: Help make local news something Boulder can always count on

Fortezza Ristorante is nestled in the quaint yet easily accessible town of Niwot, priding itself on exceptional local ingredients, top-tier steaks and exceptional service in a beautiful yet relaxed setting. Our award-winning wine list, gorgeous ambiance and classically trained chefs provide a decadent yet approachable dining experience for all!

Environmental group sues Boulder County over herbicide spraying plans

A federal lawsuit seeks to stop drone spraying at Red Hill and two other open space properties, alleging the herbicide could harm a threatened mouse. The county says its plans comply with federal law. Continue reading…

Boulder’s sauna clubs are suddenly everywhere. What’s driving the boom?

Three new sauna clubs are opening in less than a month, betting that hot rooms, cold plunges and alcohol-free gathering spaces can become Boulder’s next social hubs. Continue reading…

60s hold through Friday, cooler and cloudier for the weekend

A weak cold front pushed through the area late yesterday, but you’ll be hard-pressed to even notice. Sunshine fills the skies today and sticks around through tomorrow as a strong ridge of high pressure remains parked over the western United States. Afternoon temperatures will run comfortably above normal, reaching the lower 60s today and the upper 60s tomorrow, while chilly mornings continue with isolated pockets of frost in the usual cold spots.

Looking ahead to the weekend, a fast-moving Pacific disturbance is forecast to slide beneath the ridge and pass across southern Colorado. This system should bring Boulder increased cloud cover beginning Friday, along with a slight chance of a rain shower later in the weekend. The mountains will see a round of light snow from this system, with upwards of 6 inches possible in the San Juans.

This weekend storm will be the first of several lined up as a more active and cooler pattern takes shape heading into next week.

—BoulderCAST

Boulder County seeks input on county administrator finalist

Boulder County has named Paul Jannatpour as the finalist for county administrator and is seeking public feedback before making an appointment. Residents can submit comments through Nov. 18.

The county administrator serves as a liaison between the Board of County Commissioners and department directors, overseeing county resources and carrying out commissioners’ policy priorities.

Jannatpour currently serves as Boulder County’s director of information technology, overseeing a budget of nearly $29 million. He has held the position for four and a half years and previously worked in the county’s Housing and Human Services Department.

Boulder opens grants to help nonprofits secure long-term spaces

The City of Boulder is accepting applications for a new round of grants aimed at helping small and midsize nonprofits establish or maintain a long-term physical presence in or near Boulder. Funded through the Community, Culture, Resilience and Safety (CCRS) Tax, which voters extended permanently in November 2025, the program will provide organizational support to help nonprofits plan for long-term space needs.

Organizations led by and serving historically excluded communities are encouraged to apply. Applications are due Nov. 30 at 5 p.m. Learn more and apply.

Boulder opens funding for MLK Day events

Boulder is accepting applications for funding to support community-organized events honoring Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January 2027. The grants, funded through the city’s Human Relations Fund and Office of Arts and Culture, will support events that celebrate King’s legacy, raise awareness of civil rights and equity issues, and foster understanding and collaboration among Boulder’s diverse communities.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through Dec. 7 at 4 p.m., with forms available in English and Spanish. Learn more and apply.

☀️ Explore events in Boulder and use the self-submission form on our events page to reach thousands in our community — for free! To have your event featured in our Thursday Culture Club newsletter, make sure to submit it to our events calendar.