Good Monday morning, Boulder. Today’s BRL Today is sponsored by What’s Up Boulder, happening on Sept. 7 — check it out to learn about current and future city projects and more.
We’ve got a lot to report today.
Leading today’s edition: Our local election season is heating up, and as we’ve reported, much of the focus will be on the city council race, where four of nine seats are up for grabs in November. It’s also ballot measure season. And while proposals like sales tax extensions might seem minor, they’re anything but to those who depend on the revenue. Brooke Stephenson reports on what might seem like a routine county extension of an open space sales tax but has irked local farmers who say it doesn’t do enough to keep farms — and Boulder’s organic food supply — viable and sustainable, and that they haven’t had enough time to weigh in.
The key date: tomorrow, when county commissioners vote on whether to place the measure on the November ballot.
And in BRL Opinion: State Sen. Judy Amabile weighs in on another proposed county ballot measure up for a vote — the behavioral health tax — saying she can’t support it in its current form and urging a clearer plan that prioritizes care for people with serious mental illness.
Much more, Below the Fold:
- New Vista mural: Pat Milbery’s latest brightens Boulder high school.
- Shelter upgrade: All Roads adds new floor.
- Ballot 2025: Council backs permanent capital projects tax.
- Dairy Center: Council hands keys to the arts.
- $10M gift: CU Boulder launches sustainability center.
- Rec center closures: North shuts for week; South still dark.
- Local scams: County warns contractors, homeowners.
- Civic Area: Last day for redesign feedback.
- Folsom Street: Council greenlights safety redesign.
- Things to Do: Hike, wine, Dead & Mac tributes, R&B, margs, improv, mining museum + more.
Thanks, as always, for reading,
– The BRL team
Curious about what’s happening in our city? Come to What’s Up Boulder on Sunday, Sept. 7 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Scott Carpenter Park to see what’s up! This free, family-friendly event is a chance to talk with city staff from every department, learn about current and future projects, and share what matters most to you. There’ll be music, crafts, free dessert, a dunk tank and even a chance to check out a fire truck and police cruiser up close.
Boulder County’s open space tax could go permanent. Farmers want it to do more to support agriculture.
As commissioners weigh a permanent tax extension, agricultural advocates say the measure preserves land but doesn’t do enough to support farming it. Continue reading…
Judy Amabile: Boulder County’s behavioral health tax should focus on serious mental illness treatment
We need a clearer, more thoughtful plan for how this tax will actually meet the needs of our community’s most vulnerable. Continue reading…
Warm today, hotter tomorrow, with a splash of showers
Boulder will see mostly sunny skies today with highs in the low 80s and a slight chance of afternoon storms. Overnight lows will dip to the mid-50s. Tuesday will stay warm and sunny, with highs in the mid-80s, before another mild night. The real heat arrives Wednesday, with highs in the mid-90s, and a few more pop-up showers could return by late week.
Pat Milbery mural unveiled at New Vista High School’s new Boulder campus
New Vista High School has unveiled a vibrant new mural by artist Pat Milbery, created in partnership with Street Wise Arts. Installed at the school’s new campus at Baseline and Broadway, the piece features Milbery’s signature heart motif alongside bold geometric and nature-inspired elements. The words “YOU MATTER” and “YOU ARE ENOUGH” are painted across the mural.
“This collaboration with Pat and Street Wise has been nothing short of inspirational,” said Principal John McCluskey.
Milbery, a former pro snowboarder turned artist and mental health advocate, has painted more than 500 murals around the world and leads Heart Space Studios, a creative agency focused on community and environmental impact.
“This is a really special piece on many levels based on a brand new beginning for New Vista High School,” Milbery told Boulder Reporting Lab. “What a treat in an incredible new space for creatives to thrive and a facility to welcome in this powerful energy that will be shared with the world through the creative minds of the space. I used to live across the street from the old high school during my snowboarding career and actually shot this photo and had it published worldwide of me jumping off the high school without permission.
“It was a really wild, creative full-circle moment for this project — and to be asked to paint this with the approval of the school, the principal, in partnership with the students and commissioned through Street Wise Arts.” Read more on BRL.
All Roads asking for volunteers to help prepare for renovations to homeless shelter
All Roads, Boulder County’s largest homeless shelter, is renovating its North Boulder facility to replace “seriously degraded floor tiles, which are worn all the way through in many places,” as well as make upgrades to wall protection, bathroom finishes and sound abatement, according to a press release from the organization.
The work is being paid for with one-time federal Covid-era funding for the City of Boulder. Boulder Associates has also provided “tens of thousands of dollars in pro bono services” to design and implement the renovation, and over a dozen local contractors have donated or discounted their services, according to the shelter.
“It has been so astonishing and affirming to see how supportive the community has been for our work. It really shows how much people want to help,” said All Roads Chief Shelter Officer Spencer Downing.
Renovation work began on Aug. 10. All Roads is seeking volunteers to help with tasks like moving furniture on various dates through mid-September. Potential volunteers can reach out to Andy Schultheiss at 720-933-0028 or andy@allroadsboco.org.
Council OKs 2025 ballot measure to make capital projects sales tax permanent
Boulder City Council voted unanimously Thursday, Aug. 7, to add a measure to the November 2025 ballot that would extend the city’s existing 0.3% Community, Culture, Resilience, and Safety Sales and Use Tax permanently.
The funding would go toward capital projects like roads, bike lanes, recreation center renovations, snow and ice response, parks and playground refurbishments, fire and police station renovations, bridge replacements, and trail and trailhead improvements. Read more on BRL.
Council votes to transfer Dairy Center building to organization
Also on Thursday, city council voted unanimously to convey ownership of 2590 Walnut Street — home to the Dairy Center for the Arts — to the organization. The city purchased the building in 1993 with the expectation that The Dairy would eventually buy it. The organization did so in 1995, but was unable to make its mortgage payments, and in 2000 the city drew up a $1 lease agreement for The Dairy, according to city documents.
Negotiations to transfer ownership of the property took years, City Manager Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde said. Councilmember Lauren Folkerts commended her work at the Aug. 7 meeting.
“I strongly believe that the tenant of a building provides the best maintenance and that this really puts the Dairy in a really positive place that I’m excited for, and also reduces some risk and cost in the long-term for the city,” she said.
CU Boulder receives $10 million to launch sustainability center
CU Boulder has received a $10 million gift from alumnus and environmental philanthropist Spike Buckley to establish the Buckley Center for Sustainability Education, a new campus hub focused on expanding sustainability curriculum and supporting students and faculty.
The donation will provide $2 million a year over five years to integrate sustainability into courses across campus and support programs like the Buckley Scholars Program.
Buckley, a CU economics graduate and longtime climate advocate, is a real estate redeveloper. He founded Earth’s Call Fund in 2019 and One Earth Philanthropy in 2021.
“It is my fervent hope that CU students, faculty and alumni will ultimately see the Center for Sustainability Education as their vehicle to make the world a better place for future generations,” Buckley said.
“Spike’s remarkably generous gift will allow us to better support the growing number of students across disciplines who are seeking the knowledge, skills and experiences to lead and thrive in a rapidly changing world,” said Chancellor Justin Schwartz.
North Boulder Rec Center closes for maintenance; South still shut down
The North Boulder Recreation Center began its weeklong annual closure on Aug. 9 and is scheduled to reopen Monday, Aug. 18. Crews are replacing the hot tub heat exchanger, rebuilding sauna components and updating cardio equipment.
The South Boulder Recreation Center remains closed for extended maintenance until Sept. 2, with its pool reopening in October. Meanwhile, the Scott Carpenter leisure pool will shift to weekend-only hours starting Aug. 13, and the Spruce Pool will close this Sunday for the season — weeks earlier than usual — due to the city’s budget squeeze.
Scams go hyperlocal in Boulder County
Boulder County officials are warning of a new email scam impersonating the county’s Community Planning & Permitting Department and targeting homeowners, builders and contractors. The emails use real project details to appear legitimate, with urgent subject lines like “Code Violation Notice” or “Settlement of Invoice,” then direct recipients to click malicious links. Officials say these local scams are on the rise across the Front Range. If you suspect a scam, contact the Boulder County DA’s Community Protection Division at 303-441-3700 or dacpd@bouldercounty.gov.
Last chance to weigh in on next phase of downtown Civic Area redesign
Today is the final day to provide feedback on the City of Boulder’s concept plan for the next phase of its Civic Area project, spanning 9th to 14th streets along Canyon and Arapahoe and extending toward the CU Boulder campus. The vision includes new public amenities like a pedestrian bridge, beer garden, food truck plaza, market hall and more — based on community input gathered over the last 18 months.
Construction is expected to begin in 2027. Take the survey in English or Spanish.
Council greenlights Folsom Street redesign
Boulder City Council has formally approved the Folsom Street Safety Improvements Project, aimed at making travel safer between Pine Street and Colorado Avenue. The city can now enter the final design and implementation phase once funding is secured.
The project will widen sidewalks and create separate areas for cyclists, pedestrians, drivers and bus riders to help reduce crashes as part of Boulder’s Vision Zero efforts. Folsom Street is a heavily trafficked road, a top crash location and part of Boulder’s high-risk network — a list of streets where nearly half of all fatal and serious injury crashes occur.
Work began with a grant award, and the city is pursuing additional grant funding for the next phases, which is typical for larger projects.
“Thanks to the transportation department, you all have hit it out of the park again,” Mayor Brockett said at the Aug. 7 city council meeting. “Folsom was the F word we couldn’t say for a long time, and I’m really looking forward to seeing this move forward as funding becomes available.”
☀️ 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 on our Monday to-do list, make sure to submit it to our events calendar.
Flatirons Loop History Hike: Tuesday, Aug. 12, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Chautauqua Park, 900 Baseline Rd. Read More
August Wine Event: Wednesday, Aug. 13, 6:00-7:30 p.m., Hotel Boulderado, 2115 13th St. Read More
Skip the Small Talk: Wednesday, Aug. 13, 7:00-9:00 p.m., Sanitas Brewing Company, 3550 Frontier Avenue, #Ste A. Read More
WE DREAM DAWN + Sage & Aera w/ Xerephine: Wednesday, Aug. 13, 8:00-11:45 p.m., Velvet Elk Lounge, 2037 13 St. Read More
Lady Grey Growls: Thursday, Aug. 14, 6:00-8:30 p.m., Trident Booksellers & Cafe, 940 Pearl St. Additional date: Thursday, Sept. 25, same time. Read More
Face Vocal Band: Thursday, Aug. 14, 6:30 p.m., Whistle Stop Park, Murray St & 1st Ave, Niwot. Read More
The Grateful Dead Movie 2025 Meet Up: Thursday, Aug. 14, 8:00 p.m., Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St. Additional date: Saturday, Aug. 16, same time. Read More
Tequila Tasting & Margarita Making Night: Friday, Aug. 15, 4:30-6:00 p.m., Bellota, 4580 Broadway #D1. Read More
Rumours: A Fleetwood Mac Tribute: Friday, Aug. 15, 8:00 p.m., The Fox Theater, 1135 13th St. Read More
Juniper Blue: Friday, Aug. 15, 8:00 p.m., The Velvet Elk Lounge, 2037 13th St. Read More
Improvarama!: Friday, Aug. 14, 8:00-9:30 p.m., The Louisville Underground, 640 Main St, Louisville. Read More
Assay Office Museum Open House: Saturday, Aug. 16, 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., James F. Bailey Assay Office Museum, 6352 Fourmile Canyon Dr. Read More
Earth to Aaron: Saturday, Aug. 16, 6:00-7:00 p.m., Trident Booksellers & Cafe, 940 Pearl St. Read More
The Riley J Band + Dechen Hawk – Soulful R&B Night: Saturday, Aug. 16, 8:00-10:30 p.m., Roots Music Project, 4747 Pearl St, Suite V3A. Read More