Good Monday morning, Boulder. Today’s BRL Today is sponsored by Groundworks Art Lab, which opens registration today for fall studio classes in clay, glass, metal, wood and print, welcoming everyone from curious beginners to experienced artists.
Leading today: Boulder entrepreneur Aquiles La Grave is running for mayor, becoming the first candidate to enter the race against incumbent Aaron Brockett. In an exclusive interview, La Grave tells Brooke Stephenson how moving from Venezuela to Boulder County as a teenager and later becoming undocumented shaped his connection to Boulder, and why he wants the mayor to take a larger role in setting council priorities and holding city government accountable.
Also today: In a case that began four years ago, the ACLU of Colorado is asking the Colorado Supreme Court to review a ruling upholding Boulder’s camping ban. Civil rights lawyers argue the appeals court failed to independently interpret the Colorado Constitution and relied on “fiction” rather than the facts. John Herrick reports.
And: A Boulder teenager is suing two police officers who tackled, handcuffed and detained him after mistaking him for a bank robbery suspect. The lawsuit alleges wrongful arrest and excessive force. Herrick reports.
Plus more, Below the Fold:
- Stormy week: Afternoon storms return, with highs in the 90s.
- Gold Hill tragedy: Cyclist, 25, dies after going off road.
- NCAR graffiti: Reddit users cover swastikas on water tank.
- Eldora deal: Nederland says closing could come soon.
- Drought help: Boulder hosts irrigation office hours Thursday.
- Health insurance: Special enrollment runs through Sept. 12.
Thanks, as always, for reading,
– The BRL team
Step out of your routine and into our studios this fall! Groundworks Art Lab opens Session 5 registration on July 27 for studio classes in clay, glass, metal, wood, and print running Aug. 24 through Oct. 18. From curious beginners to experienced artists, our instructors meet you exactly where you are. Classes are offered at three locations in Boulder. Find your class today!
Boulder entrepreneur Aquiles La Grave announces run for mayor
The first-time candidate wants the mayor to play a more influential role, with regular office hours, a constituent affairs office and greater involvement in setting council priorities. Continue reading…
ACLU asks Colorado Supreme Court to review ruling upholding Boulder’s camping ban
Civil rights lawyers argue the Colorado Court of Appeals failed to independently analyze the state constitution and relied on ‘fiction’ rather than the facts of the case. Continue reading…
Boulder police officers named in teen’s lawsuit alleging wrongful arrest and excessive force
Officers pulled a teenager to the ground, handcuffed him and patted him down, according to the complaint and body camera footage of the incident. Continue reading…
Stormy start to the week
After a record stretch of extreme heat, Boulder could see a wetter start to the week, though temperatures will remain hot. Showers and thunderstorms are possible mainly after 1 p.m. today, with a 50% chance of precipitation and a high near 93. Storms could continue into the evening before tapering off around midnight. The overnight low will be around 65.
Storm chances will increase Tuesday and continue Wednesday. Tuesday will begin sunny before turning mostly cloudy, with showers and thunderstorms likely after noon and a high near 90. Wednesday will also bring likely afternoon showers and thunderstorms, with a high near 91.
25-year-old cyclist dies after going off road near Gold Hill
In a tragic incident early Saturday, a 25-year-old man died after going off Gold Run Road while riding his bicycle near Gold Hill, according to the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office.
The man was riding south with a friend shortly after 1 a.m. when the friend realized he was no longer behind him. After retracing his route, the friend spotted a bicycle light about 50 feet down an embankment and found the man unconscious but breathing. First responders attempted to save him, but he died at the scene.
The Sheriff’s Office is investigating, and the Boulder County Coroner’s Office will determine the cause and manner of death. The man’s name has not been released pending notification of his family.
Reddit posts show swastikas painted over on water tank near NCAR
Photos shared in the Boulder subreddit over the weekend showed large swastikas painted across a graffiti-covered water tank near NCAR. Reddit users quickly organized to cover the symbols, with several people offering paint, rollers and help. A follow-up post from a different user showed the swastikas painted over later that day. It remains unclear who painted them or who owns the tank. Boulder Reporting Lab has not independently confirmed the incident or the account of how the graffiti was removed.
Nederland says Eldora acquisition could close soon
Nederland officials say the town’s proposed $120 million purchase of Eldora Mountain Resort could close soon, according to an updated FAQ released July 23. However, they acknowledged that the complex transaction could still fall through.
The deal was originally expected to close by April 30, but the timeline was extended as the parties worked through the remaining conditions. The town has not disclosed a new closing date, citing nondisclosure agreements and legal restrictions related to the bond financing. Officials said more details about the financing, strategy and deal terms would be released after the acquisition.
Nederland expects to finance the purchase with revenue bonds repaid through resort income rather than tax dollars. The town does not currently anticipate seeking a voter-approved tax increase. It also expects to reimburse itself from bond proceeds for eligible acquisition expenses, including about $830,000 already paid or advanced.
If the deal does not close, some contracts would still have to be paid. The town said its reserves are sufficient to cover those costs. Officials have described the acquisition as a way to give Nederland a more stable revenue base and address recurring budget shortfalls.
City to host water-wise landscaping office hours Thursday
With much of Boulder County back in extreme drought, the city will host online irrigation office hours at noon Thursday, July 30. Staff will answer questions about water-wise landscaping, native plants and efficient irrigation. Registration is available online.
The city is also asking residents to conserve water voluntarily. Outdoor watering is permitted only before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m. through September, and sprinklers should be directed away from sidewalks and driveways.
Wildfires trigger special health insurance enrollment period
Ongoing wildfires across Colorado have triggered a special enrollment period for health insurance through Sept. 12. Residents do not need to have been directly affected by a fire to enroll.
Applicants must enroll through Connect for Health Colorado and select the option indicating they lost or will lose insurance, or are uninsured during an active Disaster Relief Special Enrollment Period. Coverage will begin on the first day of the following month.
Boulder County offers free enrollment assistance at 303-441-4530 or healthcoverage@bouldercounty.gov.
☀️ 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 in our Thursday Culture Club newsletter, make sure to submit it to our events calendar.
This email was sent to *|EMAIL|*
Unsubscribe from this newsletter — Opt out of all emails from *|LIST:COMPANY|*
*|LIST_ADDRESSLINE_TEXT|**|IF:REWARDS|*
*|HTML:REWARDS|* *|END:IF|*