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Boulder Reporting Lab
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Boulder, Colorado's nonprofit digital newsroom. Sign up for our morning newsletter, BRL Today! 📨 https://boulderreportinglab.org/get-our-newsletters/
#Boulder is set to renew its Flock license plate reader contract amid growing scrutiny of the company’s data-sharing practices and privacy concerns that have led other cities to cut ties. boulderreportinglab.org/2025/12/07/b...
Boulder police to renew contract with Flock, the license plate reader company under scrutiny
Other cities are canceling contracts with the AI-powered automatic license plate reader company over privacy issues, including Flock’s sharing of data with ICE after claiming it did not.
boulderreportinglab.org
December 8, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Final campaign finance reports for #Boulder’s 2025 council race show overall spending declined compared to previous years, with a few groups driving most of the activity, including a notable amount of negative advertising. boulderreportinglab.org/2025/12/07/s...
Who tried to influence Boulder’s 2025 council race? Campaign finance reports show key players
Overall spending fell below recent elections, while several groups focused resources on opposing candidates.
boulderreportinglab.org
December 8, 2025 at 6:21 PM
#Boulder’s Afro-Latin dance scene is booming. New festivals, global artists and longtime local teachers are helping the community grow — and reclaim cultural space — through salsa, rumba and Afro-Cuban dance. boulderreportinglab.org/2025/12/07/b...
Boulder’s Afro-Latin dance scene rises with new festivals and cultural movement
A wave of festivals, performances and social dances is spotlighting a scene that blends joy, resistance and cultural reclamation.
boulderreportinglab.org
December 8, 2025 at 6:14 PM
A major East #Boulder redevelopment is taking shape: a proposed 2,500-seat arts venue, 500 homes and a hotel as part of a new “Pearl Arts District.” The project ties into Sundance’s 2027 arrival and would rely on a public-private financing model. boulderreportinglab.org/2025/12/04/p...
A big new development could reshape East Boulder’s arts and housing landscape
Conscience Bay Company proposes a 2,500-seat venue, 500 new homes and a hotel as part of the four-block 'Pearl Arts District.'
boulderreportinglab.org
December 8, 2025 at 6:12 PM
#Boulder’s new city council has been sworn in. Rob Kaplan joins the nine-member body after defeating incumbent Lauren Folkerts. Tara Winer was chosen as mayor pro tem. The election showed lingering divides among voters. boulderreportinglab.org/2025/12/04/n...
Boulder’s new city council is sworn in after 2025 election
Rob Kaplan replaces former Mayor Pro Tem Lauren Folkerts after the 2025 election, and Tara Winer is named mayor pro tem.
boulderreportinglab.org
December 8, 2025 at 6:08 PM
A good news story, out of #Boulder's Casey Middle School: After years of turmoil, a new principal has brought calm, clarity and real academic gains. The culture is shifting, students feel seen, and the turnaround is underway — with more work ahead. boulderreportinglab.org/2025/12/03/a...
Inside the turnaround at Boulder’s Casey Middle School — and the principal leading it
The school hit a low point in 2022 as academics faltered and student conduct frayed. Principal Bryant Shaw, a former pro football player, is rebuilding the culture.
boulderreportinglab.org
December 8, 2025 at 6:05 PM
#Boulder nonprofit EFAA has received a $5M Bezos Day 1 Families Fund grant to expand housing support for families experiencing homelessness. The funding will double EFAA’s shelter capacity and launch new rental assistance programs over the next five years. boulderreportinglab.org/2025/12/03/b...
Boulder nonprofit EFAA gets $5M Bezos grant for homelessness services
The funding will double EFAA’s capacity to shelter families, add new rental assistance and bolster existing support and housing services.
boulderreportinglab.org
December 8, 2025 at 6:00 PM
#Boulder's GHG emissions have fallen nearly 50% since 2005, new data show. Most of the drop comes from a cleaner grid and more EVs. The hardest work remains: Natural gas use is barely falling, and meeting 2030-2035 climate goals will require far faster cuts. boulderreportinglab.org/2025/11/30/b...
Boulder has cut greenhouse gas emissions nearly in half since 2005
New city data show steady progress toward climate goals, but keeping up the pace will be increasingly difficult.
boulderreportinglab.org
December 8, 2025 at 5:57 PM
#Boulder County’s new employee union says the county is dragging out first-contract negotiations amid layoffs and a budget deficit. Officials say delays are typical for a first contract. Workers want protections as 90 positions are cut. boulderreportinglab.org/2025/11/30/b...
Boulder County union accuses county of delaying negotiations in the face of layoffs and a budget deficit
Union members say the county is not negotiating in good faith, while county officials argue delays are typical for a first contract and shaped by a major budget deficit.
boulderreportinglab.org
December 8, 2025 at 5:54 PM
The Broken Drum Tavern served #Boulder’s mechanics and laborers for decades, pouring 3.2 beer until the city demolished it in 1983 to build the 15th Street parking garage. A look back at the last of Boulder’s working-class bars. boulderreportinglab.org/2025/11/30/t...
What happened to Boulder’s Broken Drum Tavern — the city’s last 3.2 bar, once on Pearl Street
Once a hub for mechanics, laborers and early-morning regulars, the Broken Drum was demolished in 1983 to make way for the 15th Street parking garage.
boulderreportinglab.org
December 8, 2025 at 5:52 PM
An ethics complaint tied to a Vail retreat is raising questions for 17 Colorado lawmakers — including #Boulder’s state Sen. Judy Amabile and Longmont state Rep. Karen McCormick. The state ethics commission says the complaints are "not frivolous." boulderreportinglab.org/2025/11/25/e...
Explaining the ethics complaint that names Boulder County's Amabile and McCormick — and 15 other lawmakers
The case centers on whether One Main Street’s support for a Vail retreat violated Colorado’s gift ban.
boulderreportinglab.org
November 26, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Holiday season is here, and #Boulder’s drinking habits are shifting. Bars and breweries are rolling out zero-proof cocktails, NA beers and booze-free spirits as demand surges. boulderreportinglab.org/2025/11/25/b...
Boulder County bars and breweries are going big on non-alcoholic drinks — here’s why
From tiki bars to taprooms, non-alcoholic beers, spirits and cocktails are becoming staples rather than afterthoughts.
boulderreportinglab.org
November 26, 2025 at 6:56 PM
OPINION: "Colorado’s state grant system too often shuts out the very organizations closest to the communities it aims to serve," writes Jorge De Santiago, executive director of El Centro AMISTAD in #Boulder County. boulderreportinglab.org/2025/11/25/j...
Opinion | Jorge De Santiago: Colorado's grant system should work for all — not just the biggest nonprofits
Small, community-rooted organizations like mine are being left behind by a system that wasn’t built for us.
boulderreportinglab.org
November 26, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Doorstep deliveries. Empty shelves. Neighbors afraid to leave home. #Boulder’s community-run food networks say the SNAP lapse revealed a fragile system, and they’re asking for $175K to keep families fed and build a real emergency plan. boulderreportinglab.org/2025/11/23/f...
Fear, empty shelves, lost income: Boulder advocates say SNAP disruption revealed cracks in food safety net
They’re asking for $175,000 in immediate support and calling for a long-term food emergency plan to help Boulder County withstand future disruptions.
boulderreportinglab.org
November 24, 2025 at 8:38 PM
With Prop 125 opening wine sales to grocery stores, #Boulder’s Hazel’s says foot traffic is down 30%. The shop is pivoting — adding groceries, coffee and a fast-growing nonalcoholic section to stay competitive. boulderreportinglab.org/2025/11/23/a...
Boulder’s Hazel’s reinvents itself as grocery stores move into wine sales
The longtime Boulder retailer is expanding into groceries and specialty drinks as Prop 125 reshapes Colorado’s liquor market.
boulderreportinglab.org
November 24, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Nine #Boulder-area governments are urging action at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport, citing FAA data showing high safety incidents and heavy flight-school traffic. They’re calling for limits on training flights and a corrective-action plan. boulderreportinglab.org/2025/11/23/n...
Boulder-area governments urge immediate action at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport
Local leaders are pushing Jefferson County and the FAA to address safety risks tied to heavy training traffic.
boulderreportinglab.org
November 24, 2025 at 8:35 PM
#Boulder City Council unanimously approved a 427-unit student housing project at Baseline Road that will replace the strip mall, including the Dark Horse and Sprouts. The plan adds new housing, retail and public space near Williams Village. boulderreportinglab.org/2025/11/20/b...
Boulder City Council approves housing project that will replace the Dark Horse
The plan replaces a strip mall and parking lot, including the Dark Horse building, with 427 housing units and new commercial space.
boulderreportinglab.org
November 24, 2025 at 8:34 PM
#Boulder County voted to slow its minimum wage increases after hearing from farmers and small businesses. The shift means Boulder city’s wage will soon outpace the county’s, a move worker advocates say leaves wages far below the local living wage. boulderreportinglab.org/2025/11/20/b...
Boulder County walks back minimum wage increases, will soon be outpaced by City of Boulder
Boulder County had one of the most ambitious minimum wage schedules in the state, but walked it back after hearing from farmers and business owners who said the wages were unsustainable.
boulderreportinglab.org
November 24, 2025 at 8:32 PM
A new, controversial statue of Bill McCartney went up this month. McCartney was both a record-setting CU #Boulder coach and an advocate for policies that stripped legal protections from LGBTQ+ people. boulderreportinglab.org/2025/11/23/b...
Bill McCartney statue installed at CU Boulder, drawing protests from LGBTQ+ advocates
McCartney was both a record-setting coach and an advocate for policy that stripped legal protections for LGBTQ+ people. His statue went up this month.
boulderreportinglab.org
November 24, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Don’t know where to give back in #Boulder this year? Our 2025 holiday guide rounds up dozens of local nonprofits — from food and housing to arts, seniors and the outdoors — with concrete ways to donate, volunteer and support your neighbors. boulderreportinglab.org/2025/11/20/w...
Boulder holiday giving guide 2025: How to support local nonprofits and volunteer
From food assistance to housing, seniors, arts and environmental causes, here are dozens of ways to support Boulder County nonprofits.
boulderreportinglab.org
November 21, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Why is #Boulder County kicking out a 27-year-old homeless meal program from the Justice Center lot? Colorado FriendShip says it was blindsided, leaving dozens without their weekly hot meal as they scramble for a new location. boulderreportinglab.org/2025/11/20/b...
Boulder County ejects longtime homeless meal program from Justice Center lot
Colorado FriendShip says it was blindsided by the enforcement decision, leaving dozens without their weekly hot meal as the group searches for a new location.
boulderreportinglab.org
November 21, 2025 at 6:47 PM
#Boulder has its first indoor golf bar. Birdie Factory recently opened on Arapahoe Ave. with five simulator bays, a full bar, games and plenty more. A new spot to drink, play and hang. No golf experience required. boulderreportinglab.org/2025/11/20/b...
Boulder’s Birdie Factory opens as the city’s first indoor golf bar
With five simulator bays, a full bar and games beyond golf, the new hangout aims to be Boulder’s next social hotspot.
boulderreportinglab.org
November 21, 2025 at 6:46 PM
The City of #Boulder says last night’s Flagstaff wildfire was human-caused. Crews ruled out natural and electrical sources. The 1-acre Realization Fire was contained around 1 a.m. Mop-up continues today. boulderreportinglab.org/2025/11/18/b...
Boulder wildfire breaks out near Realization Point on Flagstaff Mountain
Officials said access to the fire was still being determined as smoke rose over the Flatirons.
boulderreportinglab.org
November 19, 2025 at 10:17 PM
What does a legal psychedelic session in #Boulder actually look like? Headphones, eye masks, five hours of “inner healing work” — and a surge of interest as Boulder’s first psilocybin healing centers open. boulderreportinglab.org/2025/11/18/b...
Boulder's first psilocybin healing centers open their doors
At least three facilities are now offering supervised psychedelic mushroom sessions as Colorado’s new regulatory framework takes hold.
boulderreportinglab.org
November 19, 2025 at 6:10 PM
CU #Boulder Athletics says it will not cancel or modify its contract with Key Lime Air, the airline that has drawn protests for operating ICE detainee flights. The contract runs through 2029. boulderreportinglab.org/2025/11/18/c...
CU Boulder Athletics won’t cut ties with airline running ICE deportation flights
The local airline, which has drawn protests for its operation of detainee transport flights for ICE, also contracts with CU Athletics.
boulderreportinglab.org
November 19, 2025 at 6:08 PM