💵 The $400 million measure shaping Boulder’s election

Good Wednesday morning, Boulder. Today’s BRL Today is sponsored by Shining Mountain Waldorf School, whose gentle, not-scary Wonder Walk returns Oct. 24, perfect for toddlers through second graders.

Leading today: We’re continuing our 2026 election coverage with a look at what has become the defining issue in Boulder’s city election: the proposed $400 million property tax measure. John Herrick breaks down what it would do, why the city says it needs the money and what supporters and opponents are arguing.

Also today: It’s time to get to know your local candidates on the issues that matter most. We’re beginning to publish responses to our candidate questionnaire, with questions chosen by you, our readers. We selected seven from more than 200 reader submissions. Today: housing and Flock, the automatic license plate reader system, with responses from candidates for mayor and city council. Five more questions are coming.

Finally: Boulder County just gave San Lazaro residents a major boost in their race to buy the mobile home park they call home, committing $11 million toward the $42.5 million purchase. More than 800 residents have until Dec. 8 to counter an offer from an unknown buyer and still have roughly $31 million to raise. Brooke Stephenson reports.

Plus more, Below the Fold:

BoulderCAST: Polo’s rain misses Boulder, bringing a brief cooldown before warmth returns.
Oversight lawsuit: Judge dismisses former panel member’s claims against Boulder.
Former deputy charged: Ex-Boulder County deputy faces felonies after shootings.
Wildfire mitigation: Cattle return to graze near Chautauqua.
Loneliness walk: Cross-country effort makes a stop at Boulder Farmers Market.

Thanks, as always, for reading,

– The BRL team

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Step into a fairytale this autumn! Guided by a gentle angel, your little ones will embark on an enchanting journey through our transformed campus. Along the winding path, they’ll encounter whimsical inhabitants of the Shining Kingdom and collect special natural treasures. Create unforgettable, magical seasonal memories for your family today!

Boulder’s $400 million property tax measure is shaping the city election. Here’s what to know.

The measure would allow the city to borrow $400 million to pay for major renovations, potentially including replacing the South Boulder Rec Center. The debt would be repaid through higher property taxes. The measure is dividing city council candidates. Continue reading…

Boulder County commits $11 million to help San Lazaro residents buy their mobile home park

Residents have until Dec. 8 to counter a $42.5 million offer from an unknown buyer. County commissioners hope their $11 million grant will spur other governments and nonprofits to help close the gap. Continue reading…

How can Boulder make housing more affordable for the people who work here? City council candidates weigh in.

BRL asked mayoral and city council candidates how Boulder can make housing more affordable for teachers, nurses, police officers and firefighters who serve the city but are priced out of market-rate homes. Continue reading…

Should Boulder keep using Flock license plate readers? City council candidates weigh in.

BRL asked mayoral and city council candidates whether Boulder should continue using automatic license plate reader companies like Flock. Most candidates favor ending or pausing their use, while others want more community discussion or stronger safeguards. Two support continuing to use the technology. Continue reading…

Polo’s remnants miss Boulder, bringing cloudy skies instead

After all the buzz about a possible widespread soaking, that rain chance just didn’t materialize for Boulder. The remnants of Hurricane Polo are staying over southern Colorado, which honestly fits the theme of the last few months: plenty of promise, not much payoff for Boulder County.

With the beneficial rain off the table, today shapes up as a gray, cool, mostly uneventful day around town. Expect overcast skies and just a few sprinkles or spotty showers in the afternoon and evening. Highs land in the mid-60s.

Tonight dips to near 50 with clouds hanging around and a couple of isolated showers still possible.

Tomorrow could start with some leftover morning clouds as the big storm exits the state, but sunshine will win out quickly. Highs rebound to near 70.

From there, it’s all about the return of summer. We’re looking at a bright, warm weekend and likely several more days beyond that, with highs back into the 80s. In fact, the first week or two of October will likely be quite warm and dry as a persistent heat dome sets up shop in the West.

—BoulderCAST

Federal judge dismisses lawsuit over removal of Boulder police oversight panel member

U.S. District Judge Regina M. Rodriguez has dismissed a lawsuit against the City of Boulder over the removal of Lisa Sweeney-Miran from the city’s Police Oversight Panel. Sweeney-Miran had argued the city violated her constitutional rights to free speech and due process.

The lawsuit stems from the Boulder City Council’s 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 had determined that the committee responsible for nominating her had failed to properly evaluate candidates for bias. The Police Oversight Panel reviews investigations into complaints against officers.

Sweeney-Miran, executive director of a local homeless shelter and a political organizer, sued the city in January 2024, alleging it violated her First Amendment and due process rights. She later dropped the due process claim. By the time of the latest ruling, her remaining claims alleged the city retaliated against her for publicly criticizing police and for her role in a pending lawsuit seeking to halt enforcement of the city’s camping ban.

Rodriguez dismissed the remaining claims, stating that Sweeney-Miran’s removal would not chill a “person of ordinary firmness” and that she is “free to continue expressing her views on police conduct.” However, Rodriguez suggested Sweeney-Miran’s removal could affect the panel.

“To be sure, Plaintiff’s removal from the POP panel may give future or current POP members pause when publicly addressing police conduct,” Rodriguez wrote. Read more on BRL.

Former Boulder County deputy faces felony charges after shootings at sheriff’s office, Broomfield police department

A former Boulder County sheriff’s deputy accused of opening fire at the sheriff’s headquarters and shooting at police vehicles in Broomfield is facing multiple felony charges, including a new assault charge stemming from an alleged incident after his arrest.

Tyler Boyd Reilly, 40, faces charges including attempted first-degree burglary, felony menacing and criminal mischief in connection with the Sept. 28 shootings. He is also charged with second-degree assault on a peace officer causing bodily injury for an alleged incident at the Boulder County Jail after he was taken into custody, according to the sheriff’s office.

Authorities say Reilly fired multiple rounds from an AR-15-style rifle into the entrance of the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office headquarters after making threats against sheriff’s facilities. Investigators say he also fired at several Broomfield Police Department vehicles. No one was injured in either shooting, and law enforcement officers did not fire their weapons.

Reilly worked for the sheriff’s office from 2012 until May 2024, when he resigned in lieu of termination for cause. Sheriff Curtis Johnson said he would have fired Reilly had he not resigned. The investigation remains ongoing.

Cattle return to Chautauqua to help reduce wildfire risk

Cattle are grazing on about nine acres west of Chautauqua’s historic cottages as part of Boulder’s wildfire mitigation efforts. The targeted grazing, which began Monday, is intended to reduce grasses that can fuel fast-moving wildfires. Temporary electric fencing will contain the cattle, and no trail closures are currently planned. The city asks visitors to give the cattle space and keep dogs leashed where required. “These are working cows and they may be cute but they aren’t to pet,” the city said.

National loneliness walk comes to Boulder Farmers Market today

A national walk will arrive at the Boulder Farmers Market this afternoon to collect stories and raise awareness about chronic loneliness.

The walk is led by Lucy Rose, founder and president of the Cost of Loneliness Project. Titled “Walk With Me: A Journey Toward Connection,” the route stretches from Santa Monica, California, to New York City, with stops in 45 cities across 17 states. Along the way, Rose is meeting with community leaders, nonprofits and residents to collect stories about how people build connection.

Rose and the Cost of Loneliness Project team will have a table at the Boulder Farmers Market from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m., with information about the walk and a postcard station. Visitors are encouraged to write a postcard to someone they’re thinking about, which the team will mail for them.

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