Good Wednesday morning, Boulder. Fallout, firings and fierce debates — here’s what’s happening.
“We’re traumatized.” “People go home at night and cry.” “Gut-wrenching.”
Boulder’s federal workforce is in crisis after firings under the Trump administration. Brooke Stephenson reports on the fallout and those affected. About 80 Boulder NOAA employees were abruptly terminated last week — no warning, no severance, just an email and an hour to pack up before being escorted out. Some left in tears.
With thousands of local jobs tied to federal funding, the impact is growing. More than 1,000 people protested on Monday, led by former congressman David Skaggs, who urged demonstrators to engage in “good trouble.” Meanwhile, fears of a local economic ripple effect and a “brain drain” of young talent are mounting.
Also in today’s news: We’ve been tracking the Chapman Trailhead construction project, which begins this week and has sparked concerns among cyclists who rely on the popular trail. John Herrick breaks down what the project involves, why it’s stirred controversy, and how early miscommunication led some to believe the trail would be closed. While Chapman Drive will remain accessible, users will need to cross Boulder Canyon Drive — raising new safety concerns.
More, Below the Fold:
- Snow incoming: Rain turns to snow late Thursday.
- Mass firings fallout: 500 federal workers in Colorado file for unemployment.
- Hall Ranch burns: Slash pile burns through March 7. No trail closures.
- Boulder goes LED: City replacing 4,500 streetlights to cut costs.
- Twitter vs. landlord: X faces eviction lawsuit over unpaid rent in Boulder.
- Bird closures start March 15: Nesting protections limit OSMP access.
- Bias exhibit at JCC: “The Bias Inside Us” runs through March 23.
Thank you, as always, for reading.
– the BRL team
‘A total beheading’: Fired NOAA and other federal workers in Boulder share their stories
Federal workers in Boulder describe the mass firings as inhumane, upending their careers and putting their families at financial risk. In response, over 1,000 people showed up to protest the layoffs. Continue reading…
Boulder begins Chapman Drive trailhead expansion and new bridge, sparking debate over its need
The project has raised access concerns for one of Boulder’s popular trails, but users can still reach the base of Chapman Drive by crossing Boulder Canyon Drive. Continue reading…
A midweek lull before more snow
Enjoy the calm while it lasts — Wednesday brings quiet, mild weather with a high near 52 before the next storm system moves in.
By late Thursday into Friday, expect rain transitioning to snow, with highs in the upper 40s and lows dipping to the mid-20s. While snowfall appears light, an 80% chance of precipitation could make roads slick.
Nearly 500 federal workers in Colorado file for unemployment amid firings
Today, we reported on the fallout in Boulder from Trump’s mass firings, including the abrupt termination of 80 workers at the NOAA office. But the impact extends far beyond, affecting hundreds more across Colorado. Now, we have a clearer picture of just how many.
Unemployment claims from Colorado’s federal workforce have surged since the start of President Trump’s second term, CPR reported. A total of 474 claims have been filed by federal employees — more than three times the number from this period last year. The Department of Agriculture has been hit the hardest, with 111 claims, followed by the IRS with 87.
With federal agencies required to submit deeper budget cut plans by March 13, unemployment claims are expected to climb even higher. In the meantime, Boulder resident Emily Loker, who lost her job at the Department of Energy, told CPR the state has been slow to process her claim. “My claim is still verifying my employment, so I don’t know when I will receive unemployment benefits.”
Read more on BRL on the fallout in Boulder here and here.
Slash pile burns planned at Hall Ranch
Boulder County plans to conduct slash pile burns at Hall Ranch, west of Lyons, through March 7 as part of ongoing forestry work. Burns will proceed only if snow cover ensures safe containment and air quality advisories are absent.
No trail or property closures are expected. Smoke and flames may be visible for up to 72 hours, and residents are urged not to call 911. Officials will monitor the area to ensure fires are fully extinguished. More details. Questions: bcforestry@bouldercounty.gov.
Boulder begins LED streetlight conversion after buying 4,500 lights from Xcel
Boulder is launching a major streetlight upgrade after purchasing 4,500 lights from Xcel Energy. Funded by the Community, Culture, Resilience, and Safety (CCRS) Tax, the project is part of a long-term effort to bring streetlighting under local control, reduce costs and improve service.
Starting in early March, the city will begin replacing old fixtures with energy-efficient LEDs, a process expected to take 15-18 months. The upgrade will enhance visibility, lower maintenance costs by up to $1 million annually and cut carbon emissions by about 1,000 metric tons — the equivalent of removing about 250 gas-powered cars from the road. The new lights will allow for faster outage detection and repairs.
Residents helped shape the plan through a pilot program to balance efficiency with reduced light pollution. The city will post updates as work progresses.
Twitter’s Boulder HQ lands in court over eviction dispute
Twitter’s (now X) abandoned 64,557-square-foot Boulder headquarters is at the center of a legal battle in Boulder County District Court, where landlord Lot 2 SBO is suing Elon Musk’s social media company for failing to pay four months’ rent on the $40 million railyard’s building renovation, Courthouse News Service reported.
The space at 3401 Bluff Street, customized with a grand staircase and commuter showers, was meant to house Twitter for a decade. But X claims it was wrongfully evicted after the company fell behind on rent at other locations. The landlord argues that X failed to pay rent as agreed, while X contends it was unfairly targeted and denied the ability to apply improvement allowances toward rent.
The trial began Monday and is expected to last five days. Meanwhile, the building remains mostly vacant, as the landlord struggles to find a new tenant willing to take on the extensive remodel.
Seasonal wildlife closures begin March 15 to protect nesting birds
To protect nesting osprey, northern harriers and American bitterns, the City of Boulder will close select areas from March 15 to Sept. 10. The closures affect sites managed by Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) and Boulder Parks and Recreation, limiting access to key nesting areas while keeping nearby trails open for wildlife viewing.
OSMP Closures:
- Axelson – Near Boulder Reservoir.
- Boulder Valley Ranch – West of 51st/55th Streets, near Eagle Trail and the ranch pond.
- Sawhill Ponds – Southwest corner of the property, west of 75th Street.
Boulder Parks & Recreation Closures:
- Boulder Reservoir & Dry Creek – Various areas east and west of 51st/55th Streets, near Boulder Valley Ranch.
- Coot Lake – Western fenced area.
These closures protect sensitive bird habitats during nesting season. Nearby trails remain open for wildlife observation. For full details, check out the city’s interactive wildlife closure map.
Smithsonian exhibit on implicit bias on display at Boulder JCC
A Smithsonian traveling exhibition on the science and impact of implicit bias is now open at the Boulder JCC through March 23. “The Bias Inside Us” explores how unconscious biases shape decision-making and social structures through storytelling, multimedia and interactive elements.
The exhibit includes special events and discussions on topics such as ableism, cultural identity and social change. Boulder Reporting Lab is a community partner for the exhibition, which aims to spark dialogue and reflection.
☀️ Explore other 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 Monday’s to-do list, make sure to submit it to our events calendar.