Good Friday morning, Boulder. Today’s BRL Today is sponsored by Visit Boulder. Learn how to open your home for the 2027 Sundance Film Festival in Boulder with a City of Boulder Festival Lodging Rental License.
Leading today’s edition: Boulder City Council has set a pared-down agenda for 2026, shaped by an unusual one-year council term and the city’s preparations for hosting Sundance next January. Councilmembers agreed on six priorities for the year ahead — and left many proposed initiatives off the list.
City officials said the shortened term, combined with Sundance planning and ongoing work on the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan, limited what council could realistically take on. Read John Herrick’s story to find out what made the cut, what didn’t, and why.
Also today: Michael Casey, BRL’s film contributor, takes a look at CU’s International Film Series’ new season. The lineup mixes Oscar-nominated shorts, Sundance discoveries, Hollywood classics and a few delightful curveballs, with more than 50 screenings running through April. Whether you’re chasing awards buzz, revisiting classics or curious about the oddball pick, the season offers plenty to discover in a theater.
Plus more, Below the Fold:
- BoulderCAST: Fire danger lingers despite cold front.
- Police townhalls: Chief launches public meetings, first on Jan. 28.
- Boards & commissions: Boulder seeks new volunteers.
- CO 119: Public input sought on Longmont intersection redesign.
- Sip-erior Beer Fest: New festival pours into Superior Jan. 31.
- MLK Day: Closures and openings across Boulder County.
Thanks, as always, for reading,
– The BRL team
Open your home for the 2027 Sundance Film Festival in Boulder and be part of a cultural moment. With a City of Boulder Festival Lodging Rental License or regular short-term rental license, Boulder homeowners can host Festival guests and help meet lodging demand — while earning income and supporting local businesses. Visit Boulder has partnered with trusted property management companies to make hosting simple, safe and stress-free, or you can self-manage on your own terms.
Boulder City Council sets six priorities for 2026 amid one-year term
The unusually short council term and preparations for the Sundance Film Festival in January 2027 narrowed the scope of policy work for the year ahead. Continue reading…
CU International Film Series kicks off 2026 lineup with Oscar picks, Sundance hits and cult classics
More than 50 films are screening in Boulder from January through April, spanning independent, international and repertory cinema. Continue reading…
Fire danger spikes on this chilly Friday
The second — and decidedly stronger — cold front of the week barreled through Thursday evening, and we’re waking up to a very different feel today. The morning starts off calm enough, but that won’t last. Northwesterly winds will crank up by late morning and especially through the afternoon, with gusts up to 40 mph tossing things around.
Even with the colder air in place, the atmosphere remains bone‑dry. That combination of gusty winds and extremely low humidity will drive critical fire danger across much of northeast Colorado. The most volatile conditions will set up north and east of DIA, where wind gusts could roar to 75 mph — well beyond anything we’ll see in Boulder, but still worth noting for regional impacts.
Highs today only scrape into the upper 30s to near 40, and those persistent winds will make it feel noticeably harsher. Tonight, we tumble into the teens under clear skies and fizzling winds.
The temperature rollercoaster keeps rolling through the weekend and into early next week, but the bigger story is what isn’t showing up: any meaningful precipitation. The extended outlook stays stubbornly dry for Boulder, with only a slim chance for very light snow Sunday night or Monday with our next cold front.
Boulder police chief to launch townhalls as city prepares for Sundance
Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn announced in the department’s newsletter that he will begin hosting regular townhall meetings in 2026 to hear directly from community members, citing frequent questions about policing in Boulder and the department’s preparation for the Sundance Film Festival in January 2027.
“I want to bring back a format for our community to ask questions and hear directly from me and my team about issues that we’re facing,” wrote Redfearn.
The first townhall will be held in South Boulder on Wednesday, Jan. 28, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Cornerstone Church, 1190 S. Lashley Lane. Additional town halls are tentatively planned for April (downtown), July (East Boulder) and October (North Boulder), with more details to be shared in coming months.
Residents are encouraged to submit topics ahead of meetings through an online form, including suggestions for additional speakers. Redfearn noted that many frequently raised topics — such as the department’s use of drones, Flock license plate readers and other technology tied to crime trends — are also addressed on the department’s public dashboards and webpages.
Reminder: Boulder seeks residents for boards, commissions and Police Oversight Panel
The City of Boulder is now accepting applications for openings on several key boards and commissions, including Planning, Housing, Arts, Parks and Recreation, Transportation and the Police Oversight Panel, which is also filling vacancies for 2026. Applications are due Jan. 25.
These volunteer groups advise city council on everything from land-use decisions to public safety policy. Members can serve in person or virtually and receive an EcoPass for unlimited RTD rides. These roles are often a first step into civic service and have historically been a pathway for residents who later run for city council, where you help set city priorities (see today’s lead story).
Help redesign a busy Longmont intersection — survey open through Jan. 20
If you’ve ever sat through backups at CO 119 and Hover Street, Boulder County and CDOT want your input. A reconstruction of the intersection is slated to begin later this year, aimed at cutting traffic delays and improving safety for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.
Residents are invited to take a short online survey by Jan. 20 sharing their experiences, especially around mid-block crossings, as part of the broader CO 119 Safety, Mobility & Bikeway project. The feedback will help shape final design decisions before construction begins.
Questions or comments can also be shared via a project hotline at 720-378-8083 or email at co119safetyandmobility@gmail.com, and updates will be posted as plans move forward.
Sip-erior Beer Fest debuts Jan. 31 in Superior
The inaugural Sip-erior Beer Fest is set for Saturday, Jan. 31, at Superior Civic Space, offering a two-hour tasting experience featuring Colorado craft breweries, distilleries and wineries. Participants can sample beer, cider, wine and spirits from producers including Cerebral Brewing, Shelter Distilling, Bootstrap Brewing, Crooked Stave, 4 Noses Brewing and others, along with food trucks, local vendors and live music. The event runs from noon to 5 p.m. Tickets include unlimited tastings during a designated two-hour session, and a portion of ticket sales will support Superior Rising’s work on the Marshall Fire memorial.
What’s open and closed on MLK Day
Most City of Boulder and Boulder County government offices will be closed Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, though many recreational facilities will remain open.
Open on MLK Day: All City of Boulder recreation centers will be open during normal operating hours, along with the Boulder Reservoir. Open Space and Mountain Parks trails and trailheads will remain open. Flatirons Golf Course will be open from sunrise to sunset, weather permitting.
Closed on MLK Day: City of Boulder administrative offices and Age Well Centers will be closed.
All Boulder County government offices will also be closed, including the 20th Judicial District Court and the District Attorney’s Office. Some county services will still be available online, and essential operations will continue uninterrupted.
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