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Boulder Reporting Lab

Boulder Reporting Lab

@boulderrl.bsky.social

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Boulder, Colorado's nonprofit digital newsroom. Sign up for our morning newsletter, BRL Today! 📨 https://boulderreportinglab.org/get-our-newsletters/

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Boulder Reporting Lab @boulderrl.bsky.social · 2d

A political group that’s spent big in Denver and Aurora politics explored backing candidates in #Boulder’s city council race before stepping back. Why it matters: Boulder’s elections have long been small-scale and locally funded, though that may be changing. boulderreportinglab.org/2025/10/21/d...

Dark money group weighed involvement in Boulder City Council 2025 election

One Main Street, a political group that has spent heavily in other races to back moderate Democrats, considered endorsing candidates in Boulder’s city elections before deciding to step back.

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Boulder Reporting Lab @boulderrl.bsky.social · 2d

This week’s Nibbles dives into which #Boulder County restaurants truly walk the farm-to-table talk. Slow Food’s Snail of Approval honors local spots living their sustainability values — plus buttery perfection at Dry Storage and oyster-fest season at Jax. boulderreportinglab.org/2025/10/21/n...

Nibbles: Which Boulder restaurants truly walk the farm-to-table talk?

Plus, a chocolate-croissant obsession at Dry Storage, Bobby Stuckey’s Julia Child Award and what’s cooking at Jax Fish House, Gold Hill Inn.

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Boulder Reporting Lab @boulderrl.bsky.social · 2d

OPINION: “I’m pretty sure you don’t want your legacy to be the county commissioners who destroyed neighborhood parks,” writes Bob Yates, urging #Boulder County to preserve the historic Iris Ball Fields rather than sell them for development. boulderreportinglab.org/2025/10/20/b...

Opinion | Bob Yates: Make good choices for Boulder — save the Iris Fields from development

An open letter to the Boulder County commissioners as they consider bids to sell county land at Broadway and Iris.

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Boulder Reporting Lab @boulderrl.bsky.social · 2d

#Boulder faces a 2030 deadline to at least begin transitioning its airport to unleaded aviation fuel, or risk losing state funding. The move follows health research and growing local concern about lead exposure near the airfield. boulderreportinglab.org/2025/10/20/b...

Boulder begins planning to transition away from toxic leaded fuel at city airport

Boulder’s airport faces a looming deadline to at least begin facilitating a switch to unleaded fuel, or risk losing state funding, amid growing community concern.

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Boulder Reporting Lab @boulderrl.bsky.social · 2d

#Boulder’s Nov. 4 city council election could decide whether to raise the “tip credit,” letting employers count more of workers’ tips toward meeting the city’s minimum wage. The change could help restaurants but lower take-home pay for some. boulderreportinglab.org/2025/10/19/b...

Boulder's election could decide future pay for tipped workers

Some city council candidates want to increase the “tip credit,” letting employers count more of workers’ tips toward the city’s minimum wage.

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Boulder Reporting Lab @boulderrl.bsky.social · 2d

Nearly a century later, #Boulder still bears the mark of the New Deal’s Civilian Conservation Corps, the program that built Flagstaff Road, Sunrise Amphitheater and more, while giving young men purpose and pay during the Great Depression. By Silvia Pettem. boulderreportinglab.org/2025/10/19/t...

The Depression-era program that built Boulder’s mountain roads — and rebuilt lives

Nearly a century later, Boulder still bears the marks of the Civilian Conservation Corps, the federal program that put people back to work.

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Boulder Reporting Lab @boulderrl.bsky.social · 2d

"This is not sustainable": #Boulder food banks report surging demand ahead of new SNAP cuts. EFAA, Sister Carmen and OUR Center expect record need and say demand could jump another 25% as aid restrictions take hold. boulderreportinglab.org/2025/10/16/t...

‘This is not sustainable’: Boulder food banks see rising demand even before federal cuts take full effect

Local family resource centers say they’re already over capacity as new federal restrictions on food aid loom.

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Boulder Reporting Lab @boulderrl.bsky.social · 2d

#Boulder City Council wants tweaks to its new waterwise landscaping rules — from lifting tomato plant height limits to loosening mulch restrictions — before a final vote in December. The overhaul aims to cut water use and boost wildfire resilience. boulderreportinglab.org/2025/10/16/b...

Boulder City Council seeks tweaks to city's new waterwise landscaping rules

Boulder City Council asked staff to revise proposed updates to the city’s landscaping code, its first major overhaul in more than 20 years.

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Boulder Reporting Lab @boulderrl.bsky.social · 2d

World-ranked instructor Alexandra Karnasopoulos has opened Kyokushin Karate Colorado in #Boulder. One of the few female shihans worldwide, she’s bringing the full-contact Japanese art to local kids with a focus on discipline and character. boulderreportinglab.org/2025/10/16/k...

World-ranked Kyokushin karate instructor opens dojo in Boulder

Alexandra Karnasopoulos, one of the few female shihans worldwide, launches Kyokushin Karate Colorado with youth classes in Boulder.

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Boulder Reporting Lab @boulderrl.bsky.social · 2d

OPINION: "Families and young people will increasingly find themselves living within someone else’s democracy," Brian Keegan writes. boulderreportinglab.org/2025/10/14/b...

Opinion | Brian Keegan: Boulder's next political divide is generational – and already visible in school enrollment trends

What do demographic shifts and short-sighted policies mean for Boulder’s schools, and its civic future, over the next 25 years?

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Boulder Reporting Lab @boulderrl.bsky.social · 2d

#Boulder County may scale back its minimum wage plan after farmers and Niwot business owners warned rising labor costs could force closures. Worker advocates counter that pay still lags far behind what it takes to live in Boulder County. boulderreportinglab.org/2025/10/14/b...

Boulder County considers slowing minimum wage increases

Farmers and Niwot business owners say current pay hikes could force closures. Worker advocates argue wages still fall far below a living wage in Boulder.

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Boulder Reporting Lab @boulderrl.bsky.social · 2d

Meet Lafayette’s “cheesecake whisperer.” At Cherry’s Cheesecakes & Delights, owner Cherry Shuler serves 160 flavors — plus hugs — in a tiny bakery packed with Southern sweets. John Lehndorff has the story, plus food news from across #Boulder County. boulderreportinglab.org/2025/10/14/n...

Nibbles: Meet Lafayette’s ‘cheesecake whisperer,’ serving 160 flavors and plenty of hugs

Also this week: Wondervu Café’s mountain-view comfort food, brewery wins, restaurant news and where to find the freshest fall produce.

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Boulder Reporting Lab @boulderrl.bsky.social · 2d

Before pavement and traffic, #Boulder Canyon was a rough route carved by wagons, miners and church picnickers — a link between Boulder and the high country. For BRL, Silvia Pettem traces how this once-impassable gorge became a mountain gateway. boulderreportinglab.org/2025/10/13/t...

The making of Boulder Canyon: From impassable gorge to mountain gateway

Horse-drawn wagons, photographers and church picnickers made Boulder Canyon a symbol of adventure and a lifeline for mountain towns.

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Boulder Reporting Lab @boulderrl.bsky.social · 6d

Thousands filled downtown #Boulder for the No Kings 2 rally, part of a nationwide day of action for democracy. Handmade signs, street music and chants echoed through the streets. "This is what democracy looks like." 📸 Aria Brauchli boulderreportinglab.org/2025/10/18/t...

Thousands fill downtown Boulder for 'No Kings' protest: In pictures

Part of a nationwide day of action, demonstrators filled the Boulder Bandshell and surrounding streets to rally for democracy and reject authoritarianism.

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Boulder Reporting Lab @boulderrl.bsky.social · 11d

#Boulder’s first guaranteed income pilot is ending. Over two years, 200 residents got $500 a month, helping families cover basics but not changing long-term stability. The city hopes to raise private funds for a new round next year. boulderreportinglab.org/2025/10/12/b...

Boulder set to end its guaranteed income pilot program

Over two years, 200 residents received $500 a month. Surveys show the money helped meet basic needs and improved well-being but didn’t change long-term financial stability.

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Boulder Reporting Lab @boulderrl.bsky.social · 11d

OPINION: #Boulder County Ballot Measure 1B "will sustain important programming, but we urgently need a plan to bring about the transformational changes our community seeks,” state Sen. Judy Amabile and Councilmember Mark Wallach write. boulderreportinglab.org/2025/10/12/j...

Opinion | Judy Amabile and Mark Wallach: We will vote yes on Boulder County’s mental health tax

The measure isn’t perfect, but it’s a needed step to sustain critical mental health and addiction programs.

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Boulder Reporting Lab @boulderrl.bsky.social · 11d

Meet the candidates for the 2025 #BVSD Board of Education election. Three seats are up this November, but only one is contested. Read where they stand on enrollment, budgets, equity, AI and more in our voter guide: boulderreportinglab.org/2025/10/12/m...

Meet the candidates for BVSD Board of Education in the 2025 election

Three Boulder Valley School District board seats are up for election this November, but only one is contested. Read their questionnaire responses to see where each candidate stands.

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Boulder Reporting Lab @boulderrl.bsky.social · 11d

Where 2025 #Boulder City Council candidates stand on the city budget: With slowing revenue, a hiring freeze and a $380M maintenance backlog, what would they fund — and what would they cut or delay? Here’s what they said: boulderreportinglab.org/2025/10/12/2...

Where 2025 Boulder City Council candidates stand on city budget priorities

With limited funding due to slowing sales tax growth and uncertain federal support, here’s what candidates say they would prioritize, cut or delay.

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Boulder Reporting Lab @boulderrl.bsky.social · 14d

The Department of Energy has canceled nearly $20M in clean energy grants for #Boulder County project — affecting CU Boulder, RMI and local companies — as the Trump administration targets “Democrat agencies.” boulderreportinglab.org/2025/10/09/d...

DOE cancels $20 million for Boulder County clean energy projects

Department of Energy cuts affect CU Boulder, RMI and local companies as administration targets ‘Democrat agencies.'

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Boulder Reporting Lab @boulderrl.bsky.social · 14d

#Boulder City Council approves a $521 million 2026 budget with new fees and cuts — including a proposed “mansionization” fee and a new transportation maintenance charge. Here’s what’s in it: boulderreportinglab.org/2025/10/09/b...

Boulder City Council approves $521M 2026 budget with new fees and cuts

City’s $521 million spending plan trims vacant positions, introduces new housing and transportation fees to close a $7.5 million budget gap.

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Boulder Reporting Lab @boulderrl.bsky.social · 14d

Where 2025 #Boulder City Council candidates stand on the housing shortage: How should Boulder add homes, balance growth and make housing affordable? Here’s what they said: boulderreportinglab.org/2025/10/09/2...

Where 2025 Boulder City Council candidates stand on the housing shortage

Boulder needs thousands of new homes by 2032 to meet demand and keep rents and home prices from rising further out of reach.

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Boulder Reporting Lab @boulderrl.bsky.social · 14d

Where 2025 #Boulder City Council candidates stand on foreign affairs: Should the council take positions on wars like in Gaza — or stay focused on local issues? Here’s what they said: boulderreportinglab.org/2025/10/09/2...

Where 2025 Boulder City Council candidates stand on council’s role in foreign affairs

Where candidates stand on Boulder’s role in foreign affairs, namely the war in Gaza, and the related disruptions in city council chambers.

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Boulder Reporting Lab @boulderrl.bsky.social · 14d

Where 2025 #Boulder City Council candidates stand on wildfire mitigation: Should the city require existing homes to meet fire-hardening standards — like 5-ft noncombustible buffers or bans on wood fences? Here’s what they said: boulderreportinglab.org/2025/10/07/2...

Where 2025 Boulder City Council candidates stand on wildfire mitigation

Candidates share how they would approach wildfire mitigation and home hardening as Boulder’s wildfire risks increase.

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Boulder Reporting Lab @boulderrl.bsky.social · 15d

OPINION: “It would be a complete waste of time and of taxpayer money to appeal,” John Tayer, Leslie Durgin and Jan Burton write on why #Boulder should drop its airport lawsuit against the FAA. boulderreportinglab.org/2025/10/09/j...

Opinion | John Tayer, Leslie Durgin and Jan Burton: Boulder should drop its lawsuit over closing the municipal airport

A federal judge ruled the city must keep the airport open until 2040. With budgets tightening, an appeal would waste even more taxpayer money.

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Boulder Reporting Lab @boulderrl.bsky.social · 15d

“It’s like standing in front of a dead body,” said a shop owner after a fire destroyed more than a dozen businesses at Nederland’s Caribou Village Shopping Center — a cornerstone of the mountain town. boulderreportinglab.org/2025/10/09/i...

Nederland shopping center fire destroys a pillar of the community

More than a dozen businesses were destroyed in the fire, leaving owners reeling and wiping out a mainstay of the mountain town.

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