Good Monday morning, Boulder. After a much-needed, record-breaking stretch of weekend rain, we’re starting the week with patchy morning fog, a bit of sun — and some news.
Leading our edition today:
As the city prepares to welcome the Sundance Film Festival — and tens of thousands of visitors — one of its most iconic hotels is turning the page, Amber Carlson reports. The Hotel Boulderado, a downtown anchor since 1909 and one of Boulder’s most recognizable landmarks, has officially changed hands. After more than four decades of ownership, Colorado restaurateur Frank Day has sold a majority stake to AJ Capital Partners, the Chicago-based company behind the Graduate Hotels chain.
Known for its boutique hotels in college towns, AJ Capital plans to eventually rebrand the Boulderado under its Graduate banner. While some locals worry the hotel’s historic charm could be lost, hotel representatives say the Boulderado name will stay — and that the company was drawn to the property specifically for its character, legacy and loyal following.
More, Below the Fold:
- Rain record shattered: 2.33 inches fell this weekend — most since Jan.
- Boulder Canyon open: Rock slide cleared near Boulder Falls.
- Coach Prime: CU extends Sanders through 2029.
- Smoke alert: Prescribed burns near Superior, Louisville this week.
- EV boom: Registrations jump 42% in Boulder County.
- Trail closed: Doudy Draw bridge shut through April 4.
- Help wanted: City needs volunteers for food tax rebate program.
- Hosting an event? City workshop covers alcohol permit rules.
- Things to Do: Parade, plunges, art openings, flamenco and disco.
Thank you, as always, for reading,
– The BRL team
Boulder’s iconic Hotel Boulderado sold after four decades under same owner
Frank Day, who has owned the Hotel Boulderado for over 40 years, has sold a majority share to new owners who plan to rebrand and renovate the historic property. The sale could mark a new chapter for one of Boulder’s venerable institutions. Continue reading…
More rain — and maybe snow — on the way after record-breaking weekend
After a weekend of hail, steady rain and even a few snowflakes, Boulder recorded 2.33 inches of precipitation — nearly as much as the city saw during the entire first three months of 2025, according to our friends at BoulderCast. Saturday alone broke a 123-year-old daily precipitation record for March 29, more than doubling the previous high set in 1902.
The wet pattern isn’t over yet. Monday brings a slight chance of afternoon showers with a high near 60. Rain is more likely overnight and into Tuesday, when highs will dip into the mid-50s. Temperatures could fall to around freezing Tuesday night, with a chance of rain mixing with snow.
Boulder Canyon reopened Sunday after overnight rock slide
Boulder Canyon (CO 119) reopened around 3:30 p.m. Sunday after a rock slide near Boulder Falls shut down the road in both directions overnight.
The slide, reported late Saturday near mile marker 33.3, led to closures between Nederland and Boulder as crews assessed the area and removed debris. Geotechnical teams confirmed the canyon was stable earlier in the day, and maintenance crews completed cleanup and repairs by mid-afternoon. The road is now fully open to traffic.
Coach Prime signs contract extension through 2029
Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders is staying in Boulder. CU Boulder announced over the weekend that it has extended Sanders’s contract as head football coach through the 2029 season — a five-year, $54 million deal.
In two years, Sanders has led the Buffs from a 1–11 record to nine wins and a bowl appearance. CU football became one of the most-watched programs in the country in 2024, drawing more than 54 million viewers over the season, according to the university. CU also reports a 20% increase in overall applications — including a 50% jump in applications from Black students. Last season, the football program generated nearly $94 million in direct economic impact for the city, the university claims. (City officials have said the fiscal boost tied to Coach Prime hasn’t been enough to offset a broader flattening in sales and use tax revenue.)
The extension will make Sanders the highest-paid coach in the Big 12 and one of the top 10 highest-paid coaches in the country. CU says the contract will be funded entirely through the Athletic Department’s budget — not tuition or state dollars.
“We’ve just scratched the surface of what this program can be,” Sanders said.
Expect smoke near Superior and Louisville this week — prescribed burns planned
Boulder County Parks & Open Space and the Sheriff’s Office Fire Management Program plan to conduct several small agricultural prescribed burns from today, March 31, through Friday, April 4, if weather conditions allow.
The burns, each under 2.5 acres, are intended for research purposes and to remove unwanted vegetation. Some involve cattail areas and are expected to produce heavy, dark smoke visible in the area.
Burn locations include areas near McCaslin Boulevard, State Highway 128, and Coal Creek Drive in Superior, including the Mayhoffer, Cohig, Zaharias-Thomas and Bush properties.
Burns will only proceed under favorable weather conditions, including appropriate humidity, wind, and fuel moisture. Fire managers will remain on-site to monitor each project until it is fully extinguished.
EV registrations rose 42% in Boulder County last year, new report shows
Electric vehicle ownership is accelerating in Boulder County. According to the Boulder County Clerk & Recorder’s newly released 2024 Public Accountability and Services Report, EV registrations rose by 42% over the past year. Hybrid vehicles saw a 13% increase over the same period.
The numbers come as the total number of actively registered vehicles in the county was more than 270,000. While the report doesn’t break down exact totals for electric and hybrid cars, the trend reflects a growing shift toward cleaner transportation.
We’ve previously reported that EVs have made up almost a quarter of new, local car sales in recent years. But in the long term, widespread availability of public chargers is critical to the county’s goal of making 30% of all cars electric by 2030 — and 100% by 2050.
Bridge on Doudy Draw Trail to close for maintenance through April 4
The City of Boulder will close the bridge over Community Ditch on the Doudy Draw Trail starting today, March 31, for maintenance work. The closure is expected to last through Friday, April 4, weather permitting. Crews will replace the wooden deck boards as part of broader citywide trail infrastructure improvements.
The closure will block access to trails south of the bridge, including Spring Brook Loop and Flatirons Vista. All other nearby trails will remain open, with alternate access available via the Flatirons Vista Trailhead and the Fowler Trail access point.
You can search the location on the city’s trail map.
Volunteer to help process food tax rebates for Boulder residents
The City of Boulder is looking for two volunteers to support its Food Tax Rebate program, which helps lower-income residents get back the sales tax they pay on groceries. Volunteers are needed five hours each Wednesday, from April 15 to June 30. The program receives more than 1,000 applications in just a few months, and extra office help is especially needed. Apply here.
Hosting an event with alcohol? City workshop can help
The City of Boulder is holding a Special Event Liquor Permit Workshop today, March 31 at 4:30 p.m. for nonprofits, event organizers, and business owners. The hybrid session will walk through the permit process, compliance tips and best practices for serving alcohol at events. A Q&A with licensing experts is included.
This is the first in a new series of licensing workshops from the city.
☀️ 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 this list, make sure to submit it to our events calendar.
Opening Reception for Pieced Together: Monday, March 31, 2025, 6:00–7:30 p.m., Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, 1750 13th St. Read More
BOCO Flamenco presents ‘Vahagni Quartet ft. Manuel Gutierrez’: A Tribute to Emery: Tuesday, April 1, 2025, 6:00–7:30 p.m., Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St. Read More
Left Hand Artist Group Absurd April Fool’s Day Parade: Tuesday, April 1, 2025, 6:18–7:18 p.m., from 910 Longs Peak Ave. to 954 Longs Peak Ave., Longmont. Read More
Franz Ferdinand with Telescreens: Tuesday, April 1, 2025, 8:00 p.m.–11:59 p.m., Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St. Read More
Vermiglio: Wednesday, April 2, 2025, 4:30–6:30 p.m., Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder. Additional dates: April 3, 4, 5 and 6. Read More
Billy Wynne — “The Empty Path”: Thursday, April 3, 2025, 6:30–7:30 p.m., Boulder Book Store, 1107 Pearl St. Read More
Comedy Fempire: Thursday, April 3, 2025, 7:00–9:00 p.m., Junkyard Social Club, 2525 Frontier Ave., Unit A, Boulder. Read More
Open Studios’ Big 3-0 | Party Like It’s 1995: Friday, April 4, 2025, 4:00–8:00 p.m., Open Studios Gallery Boulder Junction, 3075 Pearl Pkwy. Read More
Boogie Machine 70s Disco Party!: Friday, April 4, 2025, 7:30 p.m., Nissi’s, 1455 Coal Creek Dr., Unit T, Lafayette. Read More
Downtown Boulder Mural Walking Tour: Saturday, April 5, 2025, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., Creature Comforts Cafe, 1647 Pearl St., Unit 2. Read More
Boulder Polar Plunge: Saturday, April 5, 2025, 11:00 a.m., Boulder Reservoir, 5565 51st St. Read More
“Hands Off” – A National Day of Action: Saturday, April 5, 2025, 1:00–2:00 p.m., Gazebo on Thunderbird Lake, across the street from Frasier Meadows Retirement Community, 350 Ponca Place. Read More
Taste of Pearl 2025: Sunday, April 6, 2025, 2:00–6:00 p.m., 1301 Pearl St. Read More
An Evening with Jesse Welles: Sunday, April 6, 2025, 8:00 p.m., The Fox Theatre, 1135 13th St. Read More