Good Wednesday morning, Boulder. Today’s BRL Today is sponsored by Groundworks Art Lab — mark your calendar: The Chili Bowl returns Sunday, Sept. 14, with live music, chili tastings, local beer and a fall art market.
Leading today’s edition: Boulder’s city council election is less than two months away, with four seats up for grabs. In these early days, it can be hard to distinguish candidates. But at a forum this week, a divide emerged on a critical public safety issue: transportation safety, as John Herrick reports.
Also leading today: Brooke Stephenson recently covered the long-running water problems at the San Lazaro mobile home community, which sits outside Boulder’s water system and relies on Cline Pond, leaving many residents dependent on bottled water. Today we’re following up: This weekend, residents joined local environmental groups and Boulder County to install solar aerators, biochar and beneficial bacteria in the pond. The goal: to curb algae, improve taste and odor, and reduce PFAS — “forever chemicals” now found above new federal limits. Organizers call it a rare community-led effort to try to solve what annexation and regulations have not.
And finally: It’s Nibbles day — John Lehndorff on whether Noodles & Company is losing ground, plus local food news and events.
More, Below the Fold:
- BoulderCAST: Sunshine with a side of storms.
- Comedy night in Louisville: I’m My Therapist’s Favorite — cathartic laughs guaranteed. (sponsored)
- Bear scratches man on High Street: CPW urges trash precautions.
- Voter drive: League of Women Voters to host Sept. 16 event.
- Healing Trail: City seeks input on Fort Chambers site.
- Lit fest returns: Jaipur Festival brings global voices to Boulder.
Thanks, as always, for reading,
– The BRL team
Chili Bowl returns Sunday, September 14! Groundworks Art Lab’s biggest annual fundraiser is a free, family-friendly celebration of art, food, music and community. Attendees can enjoy live music, chili tastings, local beer and cider, and hands-on art experiences. The Fall Art Market features unique handmade items donated by students, staff, and friends of Groundworks. Don’t miss this lively event supporting art in the community.
At candidate forum, Boulder City Council hopefuls split on Iris Avenue and other transportation projects
Several incumbents defended the Core Arterial Network initiative, while challengers questioned cost, design and public input. Continue reading…
San Lazaro mobile home park turns to natural fixes for undrinkable water
Environmental groups, working with residents and Boulder County, are leading an effort to test whether biochar, bacteria and solar aerators can succeed where regulations and annexation have stalled. Continue reading…
Nibbles: Why Noodles & Company is losing ground in Boulder, the birthplace of fast-casual dining
Our food editor finds pasta bowls falling flat as the Colorado-born chain faces rising competition and shifting tastes — plus food news, restaurant openings, events, and more from across Boulder County. Continue reading…
Warm temps, spotty storms linger
Boulder will be under a protective bubble of high pressure for the next couple of days, keeping major storm systems and Canadian wildfire smoke out of the picture. But with lingering summer moisture in the mix, we’re still in line for a few late-day popcorn storms — about a 10% chance today and 20% Thursday. Think light rain, gusty winds, and maybe a flash of lightning. Temps will stay on the warm side, hovering in the mid- to upper 80s.
Headed to the mountains? The rain potential will be quite a bit higher across central and western Colorado over the next few days, so plan accordingly.
By Friday, a weak Pacific storm system will push across the northern Rockies. It won’t be anything major for us, but it should boost our rain chances and bring a modest cool-down to wrap up the week.
Comedy night in Louisville: I’m My Therapist’s Favorite (sponsored)
I’m My Therapist’s Favorite: An evening of stand-up comedy at the Louisville Underground on Sunday, Sept. 14. Come for the laughs, stay for the catharsis. From awkward breakthroughs to hilarious breakdowns, this is comedy at its most relatable. Featuring Joe Huisman, Stephanie Sprenger, Hannah Jones and headliner John Novosad.
Bear scratches man on High Street, prompting Boulder trash warning
Colorado Parks and Wildlife is reminding Boulder residents to lock up trash after a bear injured a man walking his dogs along High Street late Saturday. CPW says the sow, with a cub nearby, scratched the man’s back after he tripped over his leashes. His injuries were described as superficial.
Officers found an overturned trash can but could not locate the bears. Officials warn that during fall hyperphagia, bears eat up to 20,000 calories a day and are more likely to forage in town. Trash is the top attractant. Residents are urged to use bear-resistant bins, keep garbage secured until pickup, and remove other food sources.
“While bears are trying to bulk up for winter, it’s especially important to stay vigilant about trash so they are not rewarded with non-natural food,” said CPW’s Jason Duetsch.
League of Women Voters hosting voter registration drive Sept. 16 to boost turnout
The League of Women Voters of Boulder County will mark National Voter Registration Day on Tuesday, Sept. 16, with in-person voter registration help and information on ballot issues. Volunteers will be available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Front Range Community College, 2190 Miller Drive in Longmont (Building C Commons).
Residents can also check or update their registration anytime through VOTE411.org, a nonpartisan tool that provides candidate and issue information.
League officials say local participation is critical: Turnout in Boulder County general elections averages 84%, but off-year elections drop to around 44%. This year’s registration push supports the League’s national Unite & Rise 8.5 initiative, which aims to activate 8.5 million voters amid what the group calls ongoing threats to democratic systems.
City seeks input on Healing Trail at Fort Chambers, site tied to Sand Creek Massacre
The City of Boulder is collecting public input on signs, art, seating and other features for a new “Healing Trail” at the Fort Chambers/Poor Farm site — land connected to the 1864 Sand Creek Massacre. Fort Chambers was used to train men in Boulder before they joined the Third Colorado Cavalry, which carried out the massacre that killed about 230 Cheyenne and Arapaho people who believed they were in a protected area. BRL previously spoke with Southern Arapaho Sand Creek representative Fred Mosqueda about Boulder’s role.
A community workshop is Monday, Sept. 22, 2–4 p.m. at the Open Space and Mountain Parks Hub (2520 55th St.). An online questionnaire will be open Sept. 22–Oct. 5. The trail is being designed with Arapaho and Cheyenne Tribal Representatives.
Boulder Public Library to host international literature festival this weekend
The Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) Colorado returns to the Boulder Public Library this weekend, Sept. 13-14, bringing two days of free panels, music and author talks to 1001 Arapahoe Ave. The event is open to the public.
Now in its 11th year, the festival will feature more than 26 speakers, including Pulitzer Prize–winning novelist Andrew Sean Greer. Discussions will cover a wide range of topics — from the global water crisis and indigenous resistance to evolutionary feminism, mathematics and creativity, and the power of storytelling.
Founded in Jaipur, India, in 2006, JLF has grown into the world’s largest free literature festival, drawing more than half a million attendees annually and spawning satellite events around the world. Since 2014, JLF Colorado has brought international authors, artists and thought leaders to Boulder.
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