Good Monday morning, Boulder — and happy first day of fall.
Leading today’s edition: Another nonprofit filling a critical gap in Boulder’s safety net has shut its doors. Tribe Recovery Homes has closed its 11-bed addiction treatment facility on Pearl Street after losing federal funding, leaving the city without one of its few residential programs for people battling methamphetamine use, homelessness and reentry after incarceration, John Herrick reports. The facility opened in 2023 with federal support, part of a broader effort to expand addiction treatment services in the city. We covered its launch at the time.
The closure follows the recent loss of other local shelters and treatment homes. The city plans to bring in a new operator, but the transition is expected to take at least a couple of months.
Also in today’s edition, in Food & Drink: Fortezza Ristorante has opened in the former Farow space, bringing seasonal Northern Italian cuisine and a premium steakhouse experience to Niwot, Gabe Toth reports. Owners Adam and Natalie Moore, who grew up in Longmont, emphasize high-quality ingredients, regional wines and a rotating menu inspired by their travels and culinary backgrounds.
More, Below the Fold:
- Fire restrictions: Lifted in western Boulder County.
- Candidate forum: League of Women Voters hosts Sept. 27 event.
- Housing shortfall: Colorado still needs more than 100,000 homes.
- Art exhibits: Boulder seeks artists for 2026 rec center shows.
- Things to do: Stargazing, local films, mural fest, community roast, outdoor theater + more.
Thanks, as always, for reading,
– The BRL team
As your Councilman, Matt Benjamin has delivered progress on housing, homelessness, climate action, public safety, and good governance. He leads with transparency, equity, and accountability to reflect Boulder’s values. With momentum underway and challenges ahead, Matt is ready to keep leading. Re-elect Matt Benjamin for Boulder City Council to keep pushing for progress and building a Boulder that’s inclusive, resilient, and vibrant.
Boulder loses key addiction treatment home as Tribe Recovery Home shuts down
Tribe Recovery Homes closed its 11-bed Pearl Street facility, the latest local nonprofit hit by funding shortfalls. Continue reading…
Fortezza Ristorante opens in Niwot with seasonal Northern Italian cuisine
Adam and Natalie Moore, who grew up in Longmont, bring their love of Northern Italian food and wine to the former Farow space. Continue reading…
Look out for a soggy start to the week
Clouds will build through Monday, with showers and a chance of thunderstorms likely after noon. Expect a high near 77. Rain continues into the night, with more showers and possible storms on Tuesday and a much cooler high near 59. Overnight lows will dip into the 40s — you might want to dig out that extra layer. Skies begin to clear by Wednesday.
Fire restrictions lifted in western Boulder County
Stage 1 fire restrictions in western unincorporated Boulder County, in place since Aug. 11, were lifted Friday morning. Sheriff Curtis Johnson made the decision after reviewing fuel moisture, the weather forecast and fire activity.
Officials urge residents to remain cautious when having recreational fires. Permits are still required for open burning and prescribed fires, and residents must notify the sheriff’s office before starting a permitted burn. Fire restrictions will be reinstated if conditions worsen.
League of Women Voters to host Sept. 27 city council candidate forum
The League of Women Voters of Boulder County and Emergency Family Assistance Association (EFAA) will host a city council candidate forum on Saturday, Sept. 27, from 10–11:30 a.m. at the City Council Chambers, Penfield Tate II Municipal Building, 1777 Broadway. The event will be livestreamed on the city’s YouTube channel and broadcast on Boulder 8 TV (SD channel 8 and HD channel 880).
Community members can submit questions for candidates by Sept. 25 at this link. Catch up on all the Nov. 4 election news here.
Colorado still short more than 100,000 homes
Colorado needs about 106,000 more homes to meet current demand, according to the State Demography Office. The gap was larger in 2019, at 140,000 homes, but slower population growth and faster construction — averaging 43,000 new units a year since 2020 — have reduced the shortfall. Still, the state will need to build more than 34,000 homes each year over the next decade just to keep up, and housing is less affordable today than at any time since 2000. As the report concludes: “Colorado confronts a substantial housing shortage and historically low housing affordability.”
In Boulder, a regional planning study estimated the city will need 10,700 more homes by 2032 — a 23% increase in supply — with most needed to be affordable for lower-income residents. Nearly two-thirds of Boulder renters are already cost-burdened, spending at least 30% of their income on housing, the highest share among Front Range cities. The shortage has fueled rising costs, commuter traffic and worker shortages in essential sectors like education and firefighting.
Boulder seeks artists for 2026 rec center exhibitions
The City of Boulder is inviting local artists to apply to display their work in the city’s three recreation centers next year. Painters, photographers and mixed-media artists are all encouraged to apply.
Selected artists will be able to showcase and sell their work at the North Boulder Rec Center, East Boulder Community Center or South Boulder Rec Center. Exhibitions stay up for at least a month. Applications are due Wednesday, Oct. 8, with selected artists notified by Friday, Oct. 31. Details and the application are available on the Boulder Parks and Rec website.
☀️ 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.
Negroni Week at /por/ wine house- Reimagined Classics: Monday, Sept. 22, 3:00 p.m., Por Wine House, 836 1/2 Main St, Louisville. Read More
Astronomy on Tap free event: Monday, Sept. 22, 6:00-9:00 p.m., Rayback Collective, 2775 Valmont Rd. Read More
Classics with Jeffrey Kash: I Know Where I’m Going: Monday, Sept. 22, 7:00-8:30 p.m., Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St. Read More
Kevin Barry–“The Heart in Winter”: Wednesday, Sept. 24, 6:30 p.m., The Boulder Book Store, 1107 Pearl St. Read More
Iris and the Shade: Wednesday, Sept. 24, 7:00 p.m., The Velvet Elk Lounge, 2037 13th St. Read More
SSF@Dairy Arts Center: Locals’ Only: Wednesday, Sept. 24, 7:00 p.m., Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St. Read More
eTown Taping with Ruthie Foster and Special Guest: Wednesday, Sept. 24, 7:00 p.m., eTown, 1535 Spruce St. Read More
Rock the Dead w/ Dave Abear & Friends!: Thursday, Sept. 25, 6:00-10:30 p.m., The Riverside, 1724 Broadway. Read More
2025 Street Wise Mural Festival Walking Tours: Friday, Sept. 26, 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Crowd on Pearl, 1711 Pearl St. Additional dates: same day, 1:30-3:00 p.m., Saturday Sept. 27 same times. Read More
Aristo Sham, piano: Friday, Sept. 26, 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Macky Auditorium, 1595 Pleasant St. Read More
Voodoo Lily at the St Julien: Friday, Sept. 26, 6:00-9:00 p.m., St Julien Hotel & Spa, 900 Walnut St. Read More
Annual Pig Roast: Saturday, Sept. 27, 2:00 p.m., Twisted Pine Brewing, 3201 Walnut St. Read More
Mafalda Minnozzi: Saturday, Sept. 27, 7:30 p.m., Ironwood Bar and Grille, 5706 Arapahoe Ave. Read More
Arts in the Open presents “La Llorona” by Miguel Muñoz: Saturday, Sept. 27, 3:00-5:00 p.m., Chautauqua Park, 900 Baseline Rd. Additional dates every weekend through Oct. 26. Read More