It’s Wednesday, August 14, 2024.
Good morning, Boulder, and a good first day of the new BVSD school year to you.
Today, we’re covering the Boulder County commissioners’ decision to advance the crucial design phase for a a separated bike lane along U.S. 36 between Boulder and Lyons. Since 2005, seven cyclists have died on U.S. 36, mostly along the North Foothills Highway. The 11-mile path would cost nearly $100 million and has already received backing from the city’s Transportation Advisory Board. It went before the commissioners while a separate project is being developed to add a bike path along the median of CO 119 between Boulder and Longmont.
Also, we’re covering Yellow Scene Magazine’s lawsuit against the City of Boulder. The magazine sued after Boulder tried to charge $1,425 for 13 minutes of police bodycam footage from a 2023 fatal shooting. A judge ruled in the magazine’s favor, citing a 2020 state law. The ruling is expected to make it easier for residents to access police video evidence. Finally, a Democratic vacancy committee has picked a new nominee for the highly competitive House District 19 race.
Have a tremendous hump day. I’ll see you Friday.
— Tim, reporter
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Featured stories
Boulder County to begin designing long-anticipated North Foothills Bikeway as soon as this year
The project, years in the making, would provide a safer alternative to riding on U.S. 36, one of the county’s deadliest highways for cyclists. Continue reading…
Boulder cannot charge for body camera footage of fatal police shootings under Colorado police accountability law, judge rules
The order follows a lawsuit by Yellow Scene Magazine against the city for charging fees for body camera footage related to a fatal police shooting in December 2023. Continue reading…
ICYMI – Uncertainty hits Boulder Valley School District amid enrollment decline, new funding law and tax cap measure
We’re re-upping this story for the first week of school: Amid budget woes from declining enrollment, a new school funding law should bring in more state money for the district, but a history of underfunding and a property tax measure on the November ballot leave leadership uneasy. Continue reading…
Boulder Reporting Lab is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization that empowers our community through non-partisan, locally focused journalism that informs and connects.
In other news
Heat returns
On Sunday, it looked like we’d enjoy the low 80s through the end of the week. Alas, it seems ’twas not to be. Today will reach the high 80s, with 90s following fast on its heels. I’d like to report a cooling soon, but the forecast shows temps in the high 80s almost through the end of the month. Bugger.
Jillaire McMillan selected as Democratic nominee for House District 19
A Democratic vacancy committee last week selected Jillaire McMillan, a first-time candidate and small business owner from Weld County, as the Democratic nominee for House District 19, a highly competitive seat that includes eastern Boulder County.
“While I believe my combination of public service, community relationships, and nonpartisan advocacy has uniquely prepared me to be the candidate and legislator HD19 needs, I don’t think anything can really prepare you for the experience of being a candidate,” McMillan said in a statement. “This condensed process packed so much work and emotion into a short time. I want to thank my kids for telling me to ‘Go for it!’ and my husband for being supportive every time I’ve come home and told him what I just volunteered to do.”
She will run against Dan Woog, a Republican who narrowly lost his reelection bid in 2022, in the upcoming general election.
McMillan’s selection by a vacancy committee comes after State Rep. Jennifer Parenti, a first-term Democrat from Erie, announced in July that she was not running for reelection, citing the job’s conflicts with her values. Read on BRL.
$500K in climate innovation grants to local organizations
Boulder County has awarded over $500,000 in 2024 Climate Innovation Fund grants to five organizations: Boulder Mushroom, Eco-Cycle, High Plains Biochar, MASA Seed Foundation and The Watershed Center. Their initiatives include using mushrooms to prevent wildfires, creating a composting network for local farms, expanding biochar production and studying carbon sequestration in streams.
“Supporting local solutions to local environmental challenges is at the heart of this fund,” said Susie Strife, Boulder County’s director of sustainability, climate action & resilience. The grants come as NASA announced July 22, 2024, as the hottest day on record, with this year also being the hottest on record.
Colorado bipartisan Pulse Poll reveals rising concerns about mental health, housing and political polarization
The Colorado Health Foundation’s 2024 Pulse Poll reveals growing shared concerns among Coloradans. Nearly 60% of respondents reported experiencing anxiety, depression, loneliness or stress in the past year.
Political polarization is also a significant issue, with 40% of respondents saying their political beliefs create a barrier to feeling a sense of belonging in their communities.
Housing costs remain a top concern, with 70% worried they can’t afford to stay in the state. This concern rises among parents, who fear their children won’t be able to live here in the future, and jumps to 90% among current renters.
“This year’s Pulse Poll results don’t just show that Coloradans perceive housing issues as a problem – they see them as a crisis,” said Dave Metz, Democratic pollster for Pulse and president of FM3 Research. “Nearly nine in 10 rate the cost of housing as a ‘very serious’ problem – more than any other issue, even the overall cost of living.”
Regarding crime, only 25% of Coloradans considered it very serious in their neighborhoods, while more than half were very concerned about wildfires.
Pace of new business formation in Colorado slows with filings down 22%
The pace of new business formation in Colorado slowed significantly in the second quarter of this year, with filings dropping nearly 22% compared to last year, CPR reports. This marks the largest annual decline since 2005.
Economists suggest the drop may be partly due to the return of the regular $50 filing fee after last year’s temporary reduction to $1. Other factors, such as high interest rates and economic uncertainty, could also be contributing to the slowdown.
“There seems to be more uncertainty and apprehension between the election and other things … So there could be other factors there, but we can’t tease that out,” said University of Colorado economist Richard Wobbekind.
Final event in 1-2-3 Electrify Series to be held tomorrow
The final event in the 1-2-3 Electrify Series, “Step 3: Perfect,” is set for Thursday, Aug. 15, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Louisville Recreation & Senior Center. Hosted by the Town of Superior, the City of Louisville and other partners, this interactive workshop will help residents refine their electrification goals. It will feature presentations, Q&A sessions and guidance from local experts and city staff. The event is free, but attendees are encouraged to register in advance.
Check out BRL’s recent reporting on heat pumps — can they really handle our cold winters? — and geothermal systems.
Serve on a Lafayette board or commission
Lafayette residents can make a difference by volunteering for city boards, commissions and committees. The City of Lafayette is launching a new biannual recruitment process, beginning with a Boards and Commissions Recruitment Fair. The fair, set for Thursday, Aug. 29, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Bob L. Burger Recreation Center, will give interested residents a chance to learn about each role. Applications open on Aug. 26 and are due by Sept. 20, with new appointments starting Dec. 1.
Explore ALL upcoming events in Boulder. If you have something to promote, use the self-submission form on our events page, for free.
