Good Friday morning, Boulder. Today’s BRL Today is sponsored by EFFA and its Friend Fest.
Leading today: John Herrick reports that the state has ordered TGTHR, a Boulder nonprofit that serves unhoused youth, to temporarily shut down its shelter and residential program after a licensing audit found issues with staff background checks. The closure affects The Source and Chase House, which serve youth ages 12 to 21, and leaves some without a place to sleep — straining Boulder’s already-limited shelter system. TGTHR says the problem was logistical, not safety-related. The shutdown could last days or weeks. If it extends beyond two, staffing cuts may follow — potentially with long-term consequences.
In other news: Local brands say Trump’s new tariffs could seriously strain Boulder’s outdoor industry, forcing price hikes and cutting into already-thin margins. “These amounts are so high you almost inevitably have to pass something on,” one trade expert said.
And after more than 50 years, Dr. Warren Hern has retired, leading to the closure of Boulder’s historic abortion clinic — one of the few in the U.S. to offer later abortion care.
More, Below the Fold:
- BoulderCAST: Gloomy Friday, sunny weekend ahead.
- NOAA firings: Environmental group sues Trump administration for more info.
- CIRES at risk: Colorado lawmakers push Commerce Dept. to stop NOAA research cuts.
- Gross Dam: Denver Water says it’s ready to take expansion fight to Supreme Court.
- Canyon fall: Climber rescued after 15-foot drop in Eldorado Canyon.
- Housing open houses: Tour rentals in Longmont and Lafayette next week.
- Conservation awards: Nominate a local environmental hero by June 13.
Thanks, as always, for reading,
— the BRL team
For over 100 years, EFAA has served as Boulder’s community safety net, helping thousands of families and individuals navigate through times of need. This past year, EFAA provided support to a record 8,571 Boulder residents with food, financial assistance, and other essential resources. Join us at Friend Fest to learn more about EFAA and ways to support our mission — while enjoying a fun-filled afternoon for adults and children alike.
Boulder shelter for young people abruptly closes over licensing issues
The Source and Chase House, both run by TGTHR, have temporarily shut down after a state audit flagged logistical issues with employee background checks and qualifications. Continue reading…
Friday gloom ahead of a pleasant weekend
Today we’re stuck beneath a blanket of low clouds and fog, with misty drizzle and a few chilly showers. It’s the kind of day that calls for an extra layer — and maybe an extra cup of your favorite warm drink. Highs will struggle to escape the 40s this afternoon.
But don’t let today’s gloom get you down. This weekend, Boulder’s famous “300 days of sunshine” will make a comeback! Saturday brings a warm-up into the 70s, and by Sunday, temperatures will flirt with 80 — perfect for those outdoor adventures. Hang tight — brighter days are just around the corner.
Boulder companies brace for tariff fallout
The Trump administration’s sweeping new tariffs — including a 10% across-the-board hike and a 145% duty on Chinese goods — are already hitting Boulder’s outdoor industry.
Local outdoor gear and apparel brands say they’re feeling pressure as they navigate new costs, uncertainty and changing customer behavior. Some are scaling back retail partnerships and rethinking inventory levels to avoid financial risk. Others warn of growing backlash overseas, with European customers increasingly hesitant to buy from U.S. brands. Despite the administration’s stated goal of boosting domestic production, industry leaders say technical gear manufacturing isn’t coming back — the infrastructure, machinery and labor force no longer exist.
“We moved on in the ’90s,” said Trent Bush, co-founder of Artilect. “That knowledge base is gone.” Read more on BRL.
Warren Hern retires, closing Boulder’s historic abortion clinic
After more than five decades in operation, Boulder’s first abortion clinic has closed. The Boulder Abortion Clinic, founded and led by Warren Hern, was Colorado’s first and one of the few in the country to offer late-term abortion care.
Hern, 86, has been an outspoken advocate for maintaining access to later abortion procedures, which are almost always performed because a woman’s health or life is at risk. For years, he has been a target of threats and harassment. In one instance, a gunman fired five bullets through the clinic’s window. In 2009, a close friend of his, also an abortion provider, was murdered because of his work.
“Although I love my work, I have wanted for years to be free from the operating room and the daily cares of a private medical practice. When I have a patient, I can’t do anything else. Nothing else matters while her life is at stake. I must now leave this sacred commitment to others,” Dr. Hern wrote in a statement on his website.
In an interview with Boulder Reporting Lab in early 2024, he said the 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade had significantly affected his practice. “For a while we were seeing about as twice as many patients as we normally do,” he said, adding that with his small practice and limited staff, the situation was untenable. “There’s a limit to how many patients we can see, so we’re scheduled several weeks out now, which is very bad for patients.”
He also spoke about protesters. “In front of my office all the time harassing patients,” he said. Read more on BRL.
Environmental group sues over NOAA staff cuts, as concerns grow in Boulder
The Center for Biological Diversity has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for failing to release records about mass firings at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The suit follows a March 4 FOIA request seeking job descriptions, work plans and communications related to staff cuts and a White House-ordered reorganization. Federal agencies are required to respond within 20 working days. No response was received.
The lawsuit warns that a lack of transparency “may be imperiling wildlife, fisheries management, and ocean safety.” A source inside NOAA told Boulder Reporting Lab that the agency is expected to lose about 25% of its workforce, including early retirements encouraged by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), in addition to probationary firings.
In Boulder, where NOAA employs more than 700 people across several research labs, concern is growing. Already, probationary firings have affected about 10% of staff. On Monday, an impromptu protest formed outside NOAA’s main building after rumors circulated that DOGE employees were on site. While the rumors were unfounded, employees expressed alarm over the sweeping and opaque nature of the cuts. Additional reductions are expected following a leaked White House budget document revealing plans to gut climate and research programs — though it remains unclear how much can be done without Congressional approval.
Colorado lawmakers urge Commerce Dept. to preserve CIRES and halt NOAA cuts
Reps. Joe Neguse and Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper are urging the U.S. Department of Commerce to abandon a budget proposal to terminate funding for NOAA’s Cooperative Institutes — including CIRES at CU Boulder and CIRA at Colorado State University — warning the cuts would be “extremely short-sighted and costly.”
In a letter sent this week, the lawmakers said the Cooperative Institutes are vital to public safety and scientific progress, supporting research on wildfires, drought and extreme weather. Together, the institutes employ hundreds of researchers, students and staff across Colorado.
“Even short-term interruptions in their research could threaten the safety and economies of the communities that CIs serve across the nation,” they wrote. “We implore you to reconsider any plans to substantially diminish these powerful and important capabilities.”
Denver Water says it’s ready to take Gross Dam fight to U.S. Supreme Court
Denver Water says it’s prepared to take its legal battle over the expansion of Gross Reservoir in Boulder County all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, Fresh Water News reports. The utility is seeking to overturn a federal court ruling that temporarily halted construction of the $531 million project, after a judge found the Army Corps of Engineers failed to fully consider climate-driven declines in Colorado River flows.
The case pits Denver Water against the nonprofit Save The Colorado, which secured the injunction and argues the expansion would cause environmental harm. A decision from the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals could come soon.
The outcome may shape how future water infrastructure projects are permitted and challenged in Colorado. “Is this going to be the new normal?” asked Ron Redd, general manager of Parker Water, which is pursuing a new water project of its own.
Climber rescued after fall in Eldorado Canyon
A 55-year-old man was rescued Tuesday evening after falling about 15 feet while climbing at Eldorado Canyon State Park. Boulder County officials said he was tied in and being belayed, but the cause of the fall remains unclear.
He was on The Wind Tower, a 5.9 slab trad route known for sparse protection — meaning there are few secure spots to place gear. One climber on Mountain Project called the route “relatively unprotected” and wrote, “a fall would probably kill you regardless” of whether gear was placed.
Rescue crews reached the man in under 20 minutes and transported him to a local hospital for treatment.
Tour new affordable housing options in Longmont and Lafayette
The Boulder County Housing Authority is hosting two open houses next week to showcase below-market-rate rental homes in Longmont and Lafayette. The homes are available to people with a Housing Choice Voucher or those earning 50–60% of the area median income — $52,750–$63,300 for one person, or $75,300–$90,360 for a family of four.
- May 6, 4–6 p.m. | Spoke on Coffman, Longmont (518 Coffman St.)
Includes tours, application help and the grand opening of Best Day Ever Coffee and Crepes, a new workforce café. First 200 guests get a free coffee or crepe. - May 8, 2–6 p.m. | Willoughby Corner, Lafayette (928 Canterbury Dr.)
Includes home tours, application support, and free food.
Nominate a local conservation hero
Boulder County Parks & Open Space is now accepting nominations for its annual conservation awards, which recognize individuals, families, community groups and organizations that have made lasting contributions to land conservation, environmental stewardship, community connection or cultural and historic preservation.
Nominations are open through June 13. Efforts in unincorporated Boulder County and one-time projects with long-term benefits will be prioritized. Self-nominations and nominations of one’s own group are not eligible.
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