Good morning, Boulder. Hereās whatās leading todayās edition:
For some, it may be hard to remember a time when Boulderās occupancy limits werenāt a hot topic. When we launched BRL, the debate was in full swing, fueled by a ballot measure campaign to change the rules on how many unrelated people could live together.
Since then, John Herrick has covered the issue extensively. Today, he brings what may be his final story on occupancy limits ā at least for now.
Last night, Boulder City Council unanimously repealed the cityās occupancy limits, following a new state law that made them illegal.
āTonight really matters,ā said Councilmember Nicole Speer, as she fought back tears while introducing the motion for a vote.
Also today: Environmental justice advocates are shaping Boulderās first Peopleās Climate Justice Plan, working to ensure historically excluded voices help shape the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan, the city and countyās long-term blueprint for growth, development and sustainability. Rossana Longo-Better reports on the plan and a recent workshop where residents explored sustainable housing, infrastructure and food systems. Meanwhile, the city has launched a paid community assembly to expand public input. Advocates say the real challenge will be turning ideas into action.
Below the Fold:
- Lawsuit update: Judge denies Boulderās motion to dismiss Police Oversight Panel suit.
- CU South flood mitigation: City council approves $66M in bonds.
- Rec center closures: South Boulder shuts down in August; East Boulder in March.
- Tariff impact: Trump tariffs could cost Colorado businesses $1.4B.
- Down payment aid: Nearly $1M grant to help Boulder County homebuyers.
- Jane Lynch at BIFF: Actress to receive Entertainer of the Year award on March 15.
Have a great weekend ā weāll see you Monday.
ā The BRL Team
Boulder City Council unanimously ends occupancy limits after decades of debate
The decision closes a chapter in a contentious fight over the restrictive housing regulations, prompting some councilmembers to reflect on the policyās fraught history. Continue readingā¦
Grassroots movement drives Boulderās first-ever Peopleās Climate Justice Plan
Community leaders push to embed historically excluded voices in the city and countyās long-term growth and sustainability strategy through the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan. Continue readingā¦
Sunny weekend ahead after a chilly Friday
Expect a brief dose of winter today with light snow and highs in the 30s, but the clouds will clear just in time for the weekend. Boulder will see sunshine all weekend, with highs reaching the upper 40s on Saturday and climbing into the 60s by Sunday.
Federal judge allows lawsuit over Boulder Police Oversight Panel removal to proceed
U.S. District Judge Regina Rodriguez has ruled that two key claims in a lawsuit against the City of Boulder over the removal of Lisa Sweeney-Miran from the cityās Police Oversight Panel can proceed.
The lawsuit stems from Boulder City Councilās decision in May 2023 to remove Sweeney-Miran from the panel after some residents alleged she was biased against police. A city-appointed special counsel later determined that the committee responsible for nominating her had failed to properly evaluate candidates for bias. The Police Oversight Panel is tasked with reviewing investigations into complaints against the Boulder Police Department.
Sweeney-Miran, executive director of a local homeless shelter and a political organizer, sued the city in January 2024, alleging violations of her constitutional rights. She brought three claims:
- A First Amendment retaliation claim, alleging she was removed from the panel due to her public criticism of police.
- A First Amendment coercion claim, alleging the city pressured her into withdrawing from a separate lawsuit over Boulderās camping ban.
- A Fourteenth Amendment due process claim, alleging she was not given an opportunity to defend herself before her removal.
The city sought to dismiss the coercion and due process claims. Judge Rodriguez granted the cityās request to dismiss the coercion claim but allowed the retaliation and due process claims to move forward.
The city must now file an answer to the complaint. The case could proceed toward a judgment, settlement or trial. Read on BRL.
Boulder City Council approves $66 million in bonds for CU South flood mitigation
Boulder City Council last night unanimously approved an ordinance authorizing $66 million in bonds to fund the South Boulder Creek flood mitigation project at CU South.
The project aims to protect about 2,500 residents from potential 100-year floods. It includes a flood detention wall along U.S. 36 to help prevent floodwaters from overtopping the highway. Construction is expected to begin this year.
Joe Taddeucci, Boulder’s Utilities Department director, told councilmembers that the bond authorization will allow the city to begin bidding for a construction contractor. The city is finalizing the design and securing permit approvals for the project. Read on BRL.
Boulder to swap rec center shutdowns to allow South Boulder repairs
The City of Boulder is adjusting its annual rec center maintenance schedule to accommodate critical repairs at South Boulder Recreation Center, which is nearing the end of its lifespan.
South Boulder will now close in late August, swapping slots with East Boulder Recreation Center, which will shut down March 22-30 for its routine maintenance.
Why the change?
The city plans to complete major repairs at South Boulder, including fixing pool fans and the HVAC system, along with other maintenance identified in a recent facility assessment. Parks and Recreation Director Ali Rhodes said the goal is to ākeep South operating as long as we can while we plan for whatās next for recreation in South Boulder.ā
Last fall, city officials announced that the South Boulder Rec Center was reaching the end of its functional life, with no plans for replacement. The decision sparked pushback from some community members, leading the city to explore ways to keep a rec center in the area ā including a potential ballot measure this year to fund a new facility.
What’s changing at East Boulder?
During East Boulder Recreation Centerās March 22-30 closure, programs and activities will be adjusted:
- Spring break camp will move to North Boulder Recreation Center
- Gym and fitness programming will be relocated to South Boulder Rec Center when possible
- Additional swim times will be offered at North Boulder and South Boulder rec centers
- The East Age Well Center will close Monday, March 24, but remain open the rest of the week; Older Adult Services programming scheduled for that day will be rescheduled.
More details and updates will be posted on Boulder Parks and Recreationās website. Read on BRL.
New tariffs could cost Colorado businesses $1.4 billion, according to reports
The Trump administrationās 20% to 25% tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico and China ā countries that account for nearly half of Coloradoās imports ā could cost the state’s businesses an estimated $1.4 billion if implemented, according to an analysis by Trade Partnership Worldwide, the The Colorado Sun reported. That estimate does not include potential retaliatory tariffs from those countries.
Gov. Jared Polis warned that the tariffs would drive up prices on groceries, clothing, homes, technology, cars and other everyday items. āPresident Trump is playing chicken with peopleās pocketbooks, small businesses, and our economy, and it is harmful,ā he said.Ā CPR also reported that the stateās craft beer industry will be affected.
For some local businesses, the impact is already adding up. Gail Ross, COO of Boulder-based outdoor apparel company Krimson Klover, told the Sun the new tariffs have tacked on an additional $29 per sweater imported from China, increasing the retail price of a $210 sweater to $239. This comes on top of a 32% import duty and a 7.5% sweater tariff implemented during the first Trump administration.
āWeāre still grappling with what we need to do,ā Ross told the Sun. She previously testified alongside 300 other companies before U.S. trade representatives regarding tariffs on Chinese imports but believes the administration is less receptive to input this time around.
Nearly $1M grant to help Boulder County residents with down payments
A new grant aims to make homeownership more attainable for low- and moderate-income residents in and around Boulder County. The Local Change Foundation has secured nearly $1 million from FHLBank Topekaās Affordable Housing Program to launch a downpayment assistance initiative in partnership with Elevations Credit Union.
Set to begin in mid-2025, the program will provide $10,000 grants to an estimated 95 first-time homebuyers earning 80% or less of the area median income (AMI), with nearly half of the funds reserved for those below 60% AMI. Eligible buyers must secure their mortgage through Elevations. For context, 80% AMI for an individual in Boulder County is about $82,000.
āWith these funds, we can make homeownership a reality for so many people who canāt afford it today and uplift communities in Boulder and beyond,ā said Jennifer Hinderliter, executive director of the Local Change Foundation.
Jane Lynch will accept Boulder International Film Festival Award next Saturday
Emmy and Golden Globe winner Jane Lynch will be honored as Entertainer of the Year at the Boulder International Film Festival (BIFF) on Saturday, March 15, at 8:30 p.m. at the Boulder Theater.
Lynch will receive the award immediately following an hourlong career-retrospective interview moderated by The Hollywood Reporterās executive editor Scott Feinberg. The conversation will explore highlights from her career, including Glee, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Best in Show, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Only Murders in the Building.
Tickets are $25 and available here.
BIFF runs March 13-16. See the full schedule.
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