🏊 Spruce Pool has funding for one more summer. Then what?

Good Wednesday morning, Boulder. Today’s BRL Today is sponsored by Bank of Colorado, a family-owned community bank serving Coloradans since 1978 with 45 locations statewide. Learn more.

Get Boulder food and restaurant news every Tuesday with Nibbles, and arts, culture and things to do every Thursday with Culture Club.

Leading today: Spruce Pool has funding for one more summer.

One of Boulder’s few public lap pools is expected to remain open in 2027 with about $134,000 in one-time funding. But no money is available for 2028, leaving the future of the century-old Whittier gathering place unclear. The uncertainty reflects a broader strain on city finances: Boulder is trying to close a $6.3 million general fund gap while facing roughly $400 million in unfunded building repairs and replacements. A proposed $400 million bond could pay for major facility projects, but not the staffing, utilities and chemicals needed to keep Spruce operating. Por Jaijongkit reports.

Also today: A Sept. 11 fundraiser at Sherpa’s will support flood relief and rebuilding in Nepal’s Rasuwa region.

That and more, Below the Fold:

BoulderCAST: Dry through Friday; weekend storms possible.
Nepal relief: Sept. 11 Boulder fundraiser will support flood survivors.
CU South: Delayed $76.5 million flood project starts in October.
Disaster plan: County seeks input on wildfire and flood risks.
Transportation: Road and transit goals lag as costs climb 70%.

Thanks, as always, for reading,

– The BRL team

Help build Boulder’s Forever Newsroom. Goal: 1,000 monthly supporters. Every supporter counts.

Bank of Colorado is a family-owned, community-focused bank that has been serving the needs of Coloradans since 1978. Throughout our 45 locations across the state, our values of honesty, integrity and clarity guide our every decision. We’re deeply rooted in Colorado’s history and fully invested in its future. Strong, Stable & Local Community Banking – reach out today to experience the best service in banking at 303-476-7282.

Boulder’s Spruce Pool will stay open in 2027. After that, its future is unclear.

One-time funding will keep the longtime Whittier gathering place open for the 2027 season, but the city says no ongoing funding is available for 2028 as Boulder confronts rising costs and cuts across its recreation system. Continue reading…

Quiet through Friday; tropical moisture could raise storm chances this weekend

A much drier pattern settles in for the latter half of the week as the monsoon temporarily shuts down. Mid‑level moisture has dropped sharply, leaving behind mostly sunny skies and only a very slim chance (5% to 10%) of a high country storm drifting into Boulder during the late afternoon. Highs will reach the upper 80s.

Tonight we drop into the upper 50s.

Thursday and Friday stay quiet with clear skies and continued below‑normal moisture. Expect highs near 90 degrees both days with negligible storm coverage.

Our attention then shifts to Hurricane Marie in the Eastern Pacific. While Marie won’t directly threaten the West Coast, an offshoot plume of tropical moisture will bend into the Four Corners region this weekend or early next week. If that moisture survives the trip over the Continental Divide, and perhaps teams up with a cold front or two, we could see a modest uptick in storm chances. This remains uncertain, but it is something we’re watching closely.

— BoulderCAST

Boulder fundraiser will support relief efforts after deadly Nepal floods

A Boulder fundraiser will raise money for Nepal flood relief: State Sen. Judy Amabile, Boulder Mayor Aaron Brockett, Steve Fenberg, state Rep. Junie Joseph and Narayan Shrestha will host a fundraiser at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at Sherpa’s Adventure Restaurant and Bar, 825 Walnut St.

Proceeds will provide relief to flood survivors and help rebuild homes and schools in Rasuwa, Nepal. Catastrophic flooding on Aug. 26 killed more than 1,000 people and left about 4,000 missing. Donations can also be made online.

Construction to begin on CU South flood project in October

Boulder plans to begin construction on the South Boulder Creek flood mitigation project the week of Oct. 5, a major development in a project that has been debated for more than a decade. The entire CU South site will close during construction, which is expected to take three to five years.

The $76.5 million project will include a flood detention dam, a concrete spillway along U.S. 36 and an outlet tunnel beneath the highway. It is intended to protect about 2,300 residents and 260 structures and preserve access on U.S. 36 during a major flood.

Construction was originally expected to begin in 2025. A lawsuit challenging the city’s use of stormwater fees has prevented Boulder from issuing bonds, forcing it to fund construction year by year. The delay has increased the estimated cost from $66 million to $76.5 million and could extend construction from three years to five. A state appeals court recently upheld the city’s financing plan, though the plaintiffs may ask the Colorado Supreme Court to review the case.

The project has also faced repeated challenges at the ballot box. Boulder voters rejected measures intended to block or restrict it in 2006, 2021 and 2022.

A broken sign is pictured on the CU Boulder South property on Feb. 20, 2024. Credit: Chloe Anderson

Boulder County asks community groups to help shape wildfire and flood plan

Boulder County is seeking feedback from community organizations as it updates its Hazard Mitigation Plan, which guides efforts to reduce the long-term risks that wildfires, floods and other natural disasters pose to residents, property, infrastructure and natural areas.

The online survey asks organizations about their experiences with previous disasters, barriers residents face in preparing and recovering, concerns about future emergencies and possible ways to reduce risk. The county said the responses will help planners identify where communities are most vulnerable, particularly those whose residents face greater obstacles before and after disasters.

County road and transit goals lag as construction costs rise 70%

Boulder County is falling short of key targets for transit ridership and road maintenance as sharply higher construction costs and a countywide budget shortfall squeeze the money available for transportation.

A new progress report on the county’s 2020 Transportation Master Plan found that transit ridership remains below pre-pandemic levels. The county’s long-term goal calls for ridership to grow twice as fast as population and employment. Pavement conditions on local and subdivision roads also remain a challenge because current funding falls short of what is needed for resurfacing and rehabilitation.

Average transportation construction costs statewide have risen more than 70% since 2018, according to a Colorado Department of Transportation index cited in the report. Higher prices for materials, labor and equipment have eroded the buying power of the county’s voter-approved transportation sales tax. Boulder County is also seeking another $13.2 million in ongoing cuts across county government for 2027.

The county reported progress elsewhere. Vehicle miles traveled per person were 13% below the 2005 baseline in 2023, nearly all major bridges remain in fair or good condition, and the county met its goal of providing affordable transit to housing authority residents and voucher holders.

☀️ 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.