Good Monday morning, Boulder — hope you had a great weekend, whether you stayed local or got away.
Leading today’s edition: Boulder County is shutting down its in-house foster care program. After decades of running its own program, the county is winding it down and turning casework over to private agencies, a move officials say will save money, improve services and align with national policy trends. But some longtime foster families say they feel blindsided and worry the change could disrupt care for vulnerable children. Sally Bell breaks down what’s changing — and what it actually means.
In other news: A paramedic has been charged with manslaughter in the death of Jesus Lopez Barcenas after a December arrest at CU Boulder. Boulder County DA Michael Dougherty said the paramedic’s actions — including a face-down restraint and sedative injection — contributed to Barcenas’ death. The Boulder police officers involved were not charged.
And: Darren O’Connor, a former NAACP Boulder County executive committee member, is urging a federal judge to let his lawsuit against city officials proceed. He alleges they retaliated against him for opposing the hiring of Police Chief Steve Redfearn, a claim the city strongly denies. The case highlights a broader fallout between former NAACP leaders and the city. Read all the background here.
More, Below the Fold:
- Civic redesign, popsicles & Jeff & Paige: Help shape Boulder’s Central Park, today.
- New $175M STEM building: Construction underway at CU Boulder.
- Compost site study: Focus narrows to Longmont property.
- Waterline project: Long-term 63rd/61st closure begins.
- Pine beetle alert: What to watch for in Boulder trees this summer.
- Things to Do: Paddleboard yoga, pet portraits, poetry, local art, classical music, markets and more
Thanks, as always, for reading,
– The BRL team
Boulder County is ending its foster care program. Families are bracing for change.
County officials say the change will save money and better align with national trends. But some foster families worry it could disrupt care for children. Continue reading…
Paramedic charged with manslaughter in death of man after arrest at CU Boulder
Prosecutors say paramedic’s actions, including face-down restraint and sedative injection, contributed to CU Boulder arrest death. Continue reading…
The heat is climbing back
After a stretch of milder days, temps are expected to creep back into the 90s this week — starting with a high near 93 today. There’s a chance of thunderstorms after noon, so keep an eye on the sky if you’re out.
Tuesday looks a lot like today: sunshine, another round of possible afternoon storms and a high near 91.
Ex-NAACP Boulder member asks judge to keep lawsuit against city alive
Darren O’Connor, a former executive committee member of the NAACP Boulder County, is asking a federal judge to reject the City of Boulder’s motion to dismiss his lawsuit, which alleges city officials retaliated against him for publicly opposing the hiring of Police Chief Steve Redfearn.
In a court filing submitted on June 30, O’Connor argues that Redfearn and City Manager Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde used their official positions to retaliate against him for exercising his First Amendment rights. He alleges they submitted complaints, made public statements and sought criminal charges in response to his criticism of Redfearn’s employment history and promotion. O’Connor’s lawsuit, filed on April 29 in U.S. District Court, argued these actions were part of a broader effort to discredit him and suppress dissent.
In seeking to dismiss the lawsuit, the city sought to draw a legal distinction between a public official’s right to respond to criticism and the improper use of power to coerce or punish. The city attorney cited a 2024 U.S. Supreme Court ruling shielding government speech from First Amendment claims unless a plaintiff can show the conduct “could be reasonably understood to convey a threat of adverse government action in order to punish or suppress speech.” Read more on BRL.
Help shape Boulder’s Civic Area — and catch a Jeff & Paige concert while you’re at it
The City of Boulder is hosting a community engagement event today, July 14, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Central Park (1212 Canyon Blvd) to gather feedback on the next phase of the Civic Area design.
The project aims to create more accessible gathering spaces, expand recreational opportunities and enhance safety. Attendees can weigh in through interactive stations, maps, and questionnaires — plus enjoy free popsicles and a performance by local children’s musicians Jeff & Paige.
The event is adjacent to the new Wild Woods Nature Discovery Area, a pop-up play space made from recycled local trees. The Civic Area Project spans from 9th Street to 14th, between Canyon and Arapahoe, and connects to CU via the Arboretum Path.
CU Boulder breaks ground on major new STEM facility
CU Boulder has begun construction on a $175 million chemistry and applied mathematics building — dubbed CHAP — along Regent Drive near the Business School Field. The 139,000-square-foot facility will house the Departments of Chemistry and Applied Mathematics, with state-of-the-art labs, a 237-seat auditorium and a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) core.
Designed with cross-laminated timber and low-temperature hot water systems, CHAP is expected to be one of CU’s most energy-efficient research buildings. The project also includes space for quantum research and will help alleviate overcrowding on campus, freeing up space in existing science buildings. Completion is expected in summer 2027.
Compost facility study narrows focus to Longmont-owned site
Boulder County is exploring the feasibility of a new local compost facility, with results from Phase 1 of its study expected later this month. Phase 2, which includes financial analysis and site evaluation, will be completed in September.
According to Boulder County, the facility is needed to meet local composting demands after A1 Organics began limiting what materials they accepted in 2023. What is still accepted by A1 must be transported to a facility in Keenesburg, 50 miles away. A new local site would help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower costs and support the county’s goal of diverting more organic waste from landfills.
The site being studied is the Distel Property in Weld County, owned by the City of Longmont. While other locations in unincorporated Boulder County were considered, they will not be identified in the report.
Longmont is currently considering a land swap that would allow the Distel site — currently designated as open space — to be used for municipal purposes like a compost facility. The swap would involve trading the Distel Property with the Tull property, which is owned by Longmont’s Utilities and Public Works Department. However, the city’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Board recently voted 3–2 against recommending the swap. City council can override the decision and will hold its first meeting on the issue July 22.
Boulder County plans to host community feedback events between September and November.
Long-term road closure starts Monday as Boulder replaces aging waterlines
Starting today, July 14, the City of Boulder will fully close 63rd/61st Street between Jay and Valmont roads to replace aging waterlines serving the Gunbarrel area. The closure is expected to last through spring 2026. Local access will remain open with detours. The project is part of a multi-year effort to upgrade nearly 2 miles of vulnerable water infrastructure.
Spot a sick pine? It could be mountain pine beetle. Here’s what to look for.
Boulder County is urging residents to watch for signs of mountain pine beetle, a native insect that’s been killing more trees across Colorado since 2020. While not yet at outbreak levels, local forests — especially ponderosa, lodgepole and limber pines — remain vulnerable.
Look for needles fading from green to yellow to red, reddish dust (frass) at the base of trees, popcorn-like pitch tubes on bark and blue-stained wood beneath it. Woodpecker holes may also indicate beetle activity.
The beetles emerge in early to mid-July, and the county advises against moving potentially infested wood after July 15 to help prevent spread. Left unchecked, infestations can lead to widespread tree death and increased wildfire risk.
☀️ 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.
Yeehaw Lake Day Adventure: Monday, July 14, 5:00-9:30 p.m., The Wheel House, 101 2nd Avenue #Suite B, Niwot. Read More
Paint Your Pet: Tuesday, July 15, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Avery Brewing Company, 4910 Nautilus Court North. Read More
Colorado Poets Center Poetry Reading & Open Mic: Tuesday, July 15, 6:30 p.m., Boulder Book Store, 1107 Pearl St. Read More
Brentano String Quartet: Tuesday, July 15, 7:30 p.m., Chautauqua Auditorium, 198 Morning Glory Drive. Read More
Superior Summer Market: Wednesday, July 16, 5:00-8:00 p.m., Downtown Superior. Additional dates monthly through October. Read More
A Tale of Two: Wednesday, July 16, 6:00 p.m., Gold Hill Inn, 401 Main St. Read More
Improvised Theater by the Improv Collaborative: Thursday, July 17, 7:00-8:30 p.m., Boulder Public Library, 1001 Arapahoe Ave. Read More
Pearl Street Arts Fest: Friday, July 18, 3:00-8:00 p.m., Pearl Street Mall, 1108 Pearl Street. Additional dates Saturday 10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. and Sunday 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Read More
Boulder Environmental/Nature/Outdoors Film Festival: Out There: A National Park Story: Friday, July 18, 4:30-6:00 p.m., Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St. Read More
Standup Paddleboard Yoga: Saturday, July 19, 8:30-10:00 a.m., Boulder Reservoir – Rocky Mountain Paddleboard, 5565 N. 51st St. Additional date in August. Read More
Local Author Book Fair: Sunday, July 20, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., 129 N Harrison Ave, Lafayette. Additional date August 24. Read More
Tchaikovsky & Beethoven with Hayoung Choi: Sunday, July 20, 6:30 p.m., Chautauqua Auditorium, 198 Morning Glory Drive. Read More