Good morning, Boulder. Welcome back after an eventful few days.
It typically takes dangerously low temperatures for the City of Boulder to open a 24/7 emergency shelter for homeless people. Over the weekend, as temperatures plunged below zero overnight, the city opened the East Age Well Center to provide shelter for those most in need.
John Herrick reports: At least 69 people sought refuge at this temporary shelter during the extreme cold, exceeding last year’s demand but below December 2022 levels. Operated by city and county staff with nonprofit support, the East Age Well Center likely provided life-saving accommodations as the city’s main shelter reached capacity.
Switching gears to national news: With the second Trump presidency now underway, we’re closely monitoring executive orders and actions from Washington that could impact Boulder. These range from changes to deportation policies and work-from-home rules for federal workers to rollbacks of environmental protections, healthcare mandates, and shifts in education funding and student loan policies.
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Below the fold, here’s what else is happening:
- Colorado AG Weiser challenges birthright citizenship order
- Rep. Junie Joseph hosts event today on immigrant voices
- New Fire Station 3 opens Jan. 24
- $15M for wildfire detection
- Boulder Police launch Blue Envelope Program
- CU Surplus Store opens to the public Jan. 27
- Colorado Music Festival returns
Have a lovely day, and thanks for reading,
– Brooke, reporter
Whether you’re catching up with friends or entertaining clients, Rosetta Hall is the perfect place for your next gathering. Our talented team of chefs and bartenders are ready to provide you with exceptional food, delicious cocktails, and top-tier hospitality. We invite you to join us and experience Boulder’s living room.
Dozens used Boulder emergency shelter during cold snap as main facility reached capacity
Overflow at the city’s main shelter highlighted the need for the cold weather refuge, with city and county employees now trained to step into specific roles during emergencies, according to a city official. Continue reading…
Warmer days ahead, snow possible this weekend
Relief from the Arctic cold picks up today, with highs in the low 30s under partly sunny skies. Breezy conditions will persist, with gusts up to 25 mph, according to BoulderCast.
Temperatures will gradually warm through Friday, nearing 50 degrees. A cold front arriving late Friday, however, will bring below-freezing highs and a chance of snow over the weekend.
The lawsuits begin: Colorado sues over birthright citizenship order
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser has joined a coalition of attorneys general to challenge the White House executive order ending birthright citizenship, calling it a violation of constitutional rights under the Fourteenth Amendment.
“The idea that a president could override the Constitution with the stroke of a pen is a flagrant assault on the rule of law,” Weiser said, announcing the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Massachusetts.
Issued Monday by President Trump, the order aims to strip U.S. citizenship from individuals born in the country to non-citizen parents. Weiser argues it threatens fundamental rights and federal benefits for hundreds of thousands of residents.
He joins attorneys general from 19 states, the District of Columbia and San Francisco, who claim the order also burdens state-administered programs like Medicaid and CHIP.
Boulder rep hosts press conference to defend immigrant rights
Colorado State Reps. Junie Joseph (HD-10) and Naquetta Ricks (HD-40) will host a press conference today at 11:30 a.m. at the Colorado State Capitol to spotlight immigrant contributions across Colorado and counter dehumanizing rhetoric.
Timed just days into Trump’s second term, the event features Black and Latino immigrant leaders, advocates, policymakers and law enforcement officials. Cristian Solano-Córdova, of the Motus Theater, and Boulder County DA Michael Dougherty will co-read Motus Theater’s UndocuAmerica project to highlight the challenges faced by mixed-status families.
The press conference comes as immigrant communities brace for federal policies, including potential mass deportations and the elimination of birthright citizenship.
Boulder Fire-Rescue to host grand opening of new Station 3 on Jan. 24
Boulder Fire-Rescue is inviting the community to the grand opening of its new Station 3 at 2967 Bluff Street on Friday, Jan. 24, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The event will feature a presentation and traditional engine push-in ceremony at 10 a.m., followed by tours of the new facility starting at 10:45 a.m.
The new station replaces the outdated and undersized Station 3 on 30th and Arapahoe, improving emergency response times, firefighter safety and operational efficiency. It is partially funded by the city’s Community, Culture, Resilience, and Safety Tax.
Amid growing concerns about Boulder’s wildfire vulnerabilities, check out this interview with Wildland Fire Division Chief Brian Oliver to learn how the city is preparing for the next big wildfire.
$15M to enhance wildfire detection in Western U.S.
Just days before President Trump’s inauguration, the Biden-Harris administration announced a $15 million initiative to improve wildfire prediction, detection and monitoring across the Western U.S.
Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this effort includes ground stations, mobile radar, drones and advanced weather tools to better understand and respond to wildfire behavior. Data from these systems will feed into a NOAA hub in Boulder, providing critical insights for researchers, firefighters and forecasters.
Full deployment is expected this year. Project 2025 — seen as a blueprint for Trump’s second term — proposes dismantling NOAA’s 12,000-employee agency, eliminating most climate research and privatizing the National Weather Service.
Boulder Police launch Blue Envelope Program
The Boulder Police Department has launched the Blue Envelope Program — the first of its kind in Colorado, according to the department — to improve interactions with people with invisible disabilities. Participants can fill the envelope with information like disability needs or emergency contacts and keep it in their vehicle for officers to reference during stops.
Blue envelopes are available at the department (1805 33rd Street) or by email request to McNivenA@bouldercolorado.gov. Participation is voluntary, and no data is stored. For details, call (303) 441-1777.
CU Boulder Surplus Store to open to public Jan. 27
The CU Boulder Surplus Store, located at 3300 Walnut Ave., Unit A, will open to the public on Jan. 27. Previously accessible by appointment, the store will now offer walk-in shopping Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The store sells surplus goods from campus departments, including furniture, electronics, books and office supplies. Sales help reduce waste, promote sustainability, and generate income for campus departments.
“The opening of the surplus store is a significant step toward upholding our campus’s sustainability values,” said Chancellor Justin Schwartz.
Colorado Music Festival announces 2025 summer season
The Colorado Music Festival will return to Boulder’s Chautauqua Auditorium from July 3 to Aug, 3, offering 19 orchestral and chamber performances. Pieces include Beethoven’s Ode to Joy, a new saxophone concerto by Grammy-winner Joan Tower, and tributes to Ravel and Copland.
Opening night features pianist Hélène Grimaud performing Gershwin and Ravel, with guest artists like Anne Akiko Meyers and Xuefei Yang joining throughout the season. A family concert on July 6 will bring an interactive mystery to the stage.
Tickets go on sale March 4. Youth and student tickets are $10.
☀️ Explore other 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 on this list, make sure to submit it to our events calendar.
High School Internship and Program Info Session: Thursday, Jan. 23, 5–7 p.m., Roots Music Project, 4747 Pearl St., Suite V3A. Read More
The Humanize Podcast: Live Recordings: Thursday, Jan. 23, 6–7:15 p.m., Museum of Boulder, 2205 Broadway. Additional Dates: Thursday, Feb. 27; Thursday, March 27; Thursday, April 17, 6–7:15 p.m. each. Read More
Dazzle of Darkness Opening Reception: Thursday, Jan. 23, 6 p.m., Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, 1750 13th St. Read More
Riverside Rumba: Boulder’s Afro-Latin Dance Night: Thursday, Jan. 23, 7–10 p.m., The Riverside, 1724 Broadway. Read More
State of the Snowpack with CAIC: Thursday, Jan. 23, 7:00 p.m.–8:30 p.m., Neptune Mountaineering, 633 South Broadway. Read More
Music at the Dairy: The Enion Pelta Quintet: Friday, Jan. 24, 7:30–9:30 p.m., Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St. Read More
Boulder Trading Post Saturday Market: Saturday, Jan. 25, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., The Riverside, 1724 Broadway. Read More
Clothing Swap at NoBo / Intercambio de ropa (In-Person): Saturday, Jan. 25, 2–4 p.m., NoBo Corner Library, 4600 Broadway. Read More
Comedy in the Boe: Saturday, Jan. 25, 8:30–10 p.m., Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St. Read More
25th Annual Boulder Wedding Showcase: Sunday, Jan. 26, 11 a.m.–3 p.m., Rembrandt Yard, 1301 Spruce St. Read More
“Save the Face” of the Boulder Theater – A Benefit Concert with Face Vocal Band: Sunday, Jan. 26, 7 p.m., Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St. Read More