If underground powerlines reduce wildfire risk, why are so many in Boulder still above ground? A 1970 funding deal set the pace for undergrounding. More than 50 years later, costs and constraints still limit how quickly Boulder can bury its remaining powerlines.

Why are #Boulder’s powerlines still above ground, even in fire-prone areas? About 140 miles remain. This story traces 50 years of decisions, funding gaps and tradeoffs that shaped today’s system. boulderreportinglab.org/2026/04/12/b...

Boulder has a new saloon focused on Australian-style hard ginger beer Founded by a former tech entrepreneur, the Pearl Street saloon is building a local market for a fast-growing Australian staple.

An Australian-style hard ginger beer brewery has opened in East #Boulder, bringing a fast-growing category to local taps. TooSteppin started as a side project and is now pouring at dozens of spots, with a new saloon and live music on Sundays. boulderreportinglab.org/2026/04/12/b...

Boulder cannot charge fees for police bodycam footage in misconduct cases, court rules The ruling stems from a lawsuit by Yellow Scene challenging Boulder over fees the city sought for footage related to a fatal police shooting.

The Colorado Court of Appeals ruled #Boulder cannot charge fees for bodycam footage in alleged misconduct cases, siding with a lawsuit over an $8,000 request tied to a fatal 2023 police shooting. The decision could expand access to police video statewide. boulderreportinglab.org/2026/04/09/c...

Boulder weighs future of aging rec centers as $400 million funding gap looms For now, councilmembers backed minimal repairs to failing buildings, with broader investment decisions coming next month.

#Boulder City Council backed minimal repairs to aging rec centers as a $400M funding gap looms. A bigger decision is coming next month, with South Boulder residents pushing for a full replacement at the center of the debate. boulderreportinglab.org/2026/04/09/b...

New affidavit: Boulder dance studio owner staged break-in, claimed $500K in insurance Attorney General records allege Cindy Burdine received more than $500,000 in fraudulent insurance payouts after staging a break-in.

New affidavit: #Boulder dance studio owner Cindy Burdine allegedly staged a break-in, hired men to pose as burglars and filed false claims to collect nearly $500K in insurance payouts. She faces 21 felony charges. boulderreportinglab.org/2026/04/06/s...

UCAR asks court to halt NCAR breakup while lawsuit unfolds UCAR warns transferring a Wyoming supercomputing center could disrupt forecasts and cost jobs while the case proceeds.

UCAR in #Boulder is taking Trump’s NCAR breakup plan to court. It says moving a key supercomputing center could disrupt forecasts, cost jobs and weaken disaster response. A judge could pause the plan while the case moves forward. boulderreportinglab.org/2026/04/07/b...

Boulder’s wildfire work is uncovering a hidden power system built in 1910 Tree removal along a fuel reduction corridor on Tram Hill overlaps a key piece of Boulder’s early hydroelectric system, built in 1910.

A wildfire mitigation project on Tram Hill is uncovering a hidden piece of #Boulder history: a 100+ year-old hydro system still running today. The tree removal corridor overlaps a pipeline built in 1910. boulderreportinglab.org/2026/04/07/w...

Boulder’s Dark Horse memorabilia goes up for auction April 9 Items from the 51-year-old Boulder bar go up for bid April 9, with proceeds supporting former employees.

The Dark Horse may be gone, but its artifacts are up for grabs.
An auction launches April 9, with memorabilia from the 51-year #Boulder staple. Bidding closes April 14, and proceeds will support former staff. boulderreportinglab.org/2026/04/07/b...

Is Boulder’s camping ban constitutional? Colorado Court of Appeals hears arguments Judges question constitutional limits and pressed both sides on whether the ordinance targets conduct or the status of being homeless.

"It’s pretty plainly targeting the unhoused."

The Colorado Court of Appeals is weighing #Boulder’s camping ban, with judges questioning whether it punishes conduct or homelessness itself. The case could hinge on how the state constitution is interpreted. boulderreportinglab.org/2026/04/07/i...

Goat Trail wildfire in Boulder prompts evacuation warning in North Boulder Sheriff’s office urges residents in the warning area to gather essentials and evacuate early if they may need extra time.

Update: Goat Trail wildfire (≈2 acres) is now 100% contained. Evacuation warnings lifted; crews still on scene. It’s the third wildfire this year to put #Boulder on the edge of evacuation orders, and it's only early April. boulderreportinglab.org/2026/04/08/g...

Goat Trail wildfire in Boulder prompts evacuation warning in North Boulder Sheriff’s office urges residents in the warning area to gather essentials and evacuate early if they may need extra time.

Update: #Boulder Goat Trail fire update: now ~75% contained and all evacuation warnings have been lifted as of around 8 a.m. The fire burned just under 2 acres near the Sanitas Valley/Dakota Ridge area. Crews remain on scene. boulderreportinglab.org/2026/04/08/g...

Goat Trail wildfire in Boulder prompts evacuation warning in North Boulder Sheriff’s office urges residents in the warning area to gather essentials and evacuate early if they may need extra time.

Update: Goat Trail fire in #Boulder is now 50% contained. Evacuation warning lifted east of 3rd St and Spring Valley Rd, remains in effect to the west. Crews continue working and the scene remains active. boulderreportinglab.org/2026/04/08/g...

Sanitas wildfire in Boulder prompts evacuation warning in North Boulder Sheriff’s office urges residents in the warning area to gather essentials and evacuate early if they may need extra time.

NEW: Goat Trail wildfire near the Sanitas Valley and Dakota Ridge trails is 1.7 acres with no new active flames, but not yet contained. Evacuation warning remains in North #Boulder. Door-to-door evacuations carried out in some areas as a precaution. boulderreportinglab.org/2026/04/08/g...

Boulder crews respond to vegetation fire south of Chautauqua Half-acre vegetation fire south of Chautauqua near Mesa Trail largely burned out as crews respond.

NEW: #Boulder crews are responding to a vegetation fire south of Chautauqua near Mesa Trail Sunday night. The fire burned in dry brush under calm, low-wind conditions. By about 9:44 p.m., crews said it was largely burned out and not spreading. boulderreportinglab.org/2026/04/05/b...

Boulder turns to divers to tackle invasive milfoil at reservoir after herbicide plan stalls After abandoning a herbicide plan, Boulder will use divers and composting to contain Eurasian watermilfoil and protect recreation and water supply.

#Boulder is turning to divers to fight invasive milfoil at the reservoir after a herbicide plan fell through. Officials warn the fast-spreading plant could threaten recreation, strain city finances and affect water quality if left unchecked. boulderreportinglab.org/2026/03/31/b...

Opinion | Brian Keegan: What 822,505 words reveal about how Boulder’s comprehensive plan has changed A full-text analysis shows the 2026 draft diverges more than any previous version, with a shift toward climate resilience, equity, housing and community identity.

OPINION — "The 1977 plan asked how much #Boulder should grow; the 2026 draft asks who Boulder serves and how it adapts, reflecting a shift from a focus on the city’s size to its values and priorities," writes Brian Keegan. boulderreportinglab.org/2026/03/31/b...

Opinion | Brian Keegan: What 822,505 words reveal about how Boulder’s comprehensive plan has changed A full-text analysis shows the 2026 draft diverges more than any previous version, with a shift toward climate resilience, equity, housing and community identity.

My latest Charting Boulder column for @boulderrl.bsky.social analyzing the evolution of the regional comprehensive plan since 1977. boulderreportinglab.org/2026/03/31/b...

Boulder CU regent race narrows to two Democrats, setting up competitive primary Kubs Lalchandani and Edie Hooton will face off in the June primary, with data scientist Murray Smith also seeking to petition onto the ballot for the 2nd Congressional District seat.

Two Democrats advanced in the CU regent race for #Boulder’s district, setting up a competitive June primary. Kubs Lalchandani and Edie Hooton will face off, with a third candidate seeking to petition onto the ballot. boulderreportinglab.org/2026/03/29/t...

CU delays ChatGPT rollout after backlash over $2M OpenAI deal After announcing a systemwide ChatGPT partnership, CU delayed student access following backlash over governance, academic integrity and transparency.

CU has delayed student access to a university-specific version of ChatGPT after backlash over its $2M OpenAI deal. Hundreds of students and faculty raised concerns about transparency, privacy and academic integrity. Access is now pushed to August. boulderreportinglab.org/2026/03/29/c...

Thousands rally in Boulder against Trump in latest 'No Kings' protest Drummers, singers and thousands of marchers filled downtown Boulder in the latest wave of anti-Trump demonstrations.

Thousands rally in #Boulder against Trump as “No Kings” protests sweep the country, drawing millions to more than 3,000 events nationwide. boulderreportinglab.org/2026/03/28/t...

Boulder residents push vacancy tax targeting empty homes and commercial spaces The tax revenue would go toward affordable housing, commercial activation incentives and wildfire mitigation.

#Boulder voters may weigh a vacancy tax this fall. A new proposal would tax homes and commercial spaces left empty more than half the year, with revenue going to housing and wildfire mitigation. boulderreportinglab.org/2026/03/26/b...

Area III expansion back on the table in Boulder, with up to 8,700 homes possible After moving to halt the idea in January, the board voted 4-3 to resume studying the 493-acre planning reserve, one of Boulder’s largest potential housing sites.

After nearly shutting it down in January, #Boulder’s Planning Board now backs studying Area III expansion. The site could add up to 8,700 homes, one of the city’s largest potential housing opportunities. boulderreportinglab.org/2026/03/26/b...

Polis signs HOME Act making it easier to build housing by overriding local zoning The law allows public agencies and nonprofits to build housing on sites up to five acres regardless of local zoning, starting in 2028.

Polis signs the HOME Act, letting public agencies and nonprofits build housing on sites up to 5 acres, overriding local zoning. Projects could reach 45 ft, above #Boulder’s usual limits. Takes effect in 2028. boulderreportinglab.org/2026/03/26/p...

'A really bad fire season'? Boulder County official says conditions are already in place After a dry winter, a county fire manager explains what crews are seeing and how residents should think about risk heading into spring.

#Boulder County is heading into spring with dangerously dry conditions. “Our fuels are fully cured … they’re fully available to burn,” one fire official said, warning the region could be set up for a “really bad fire season” if conditions persist. boulderreportinglab.org/2026/03/24/a...

He roamed Boulder with a camera for decades. Now his photos define the city’s past. Known as 'Rocky Mountain Joe,' Joseph Bevier Sturtevant spent decades photographing Boulder, creating a visual record of the city’s earliest years.

“Rocky Mountain Joe” roamed #Boulder with a camera from the 1880s to 1910, capturing images that now define the city’s early history. The eccentric photographer left behind one of Boulder’s most enduring visual records. Silvia Pettem's latest in local history: boulderreportinglab.org/2026/03/24/h...

Boulder’s water supply is OK for now. Conservation warnings could be next. City officials say reservoirs are in good shape despite a dry winter, but are preparing conservation messaging as neighboring communities already restrict water use.

#Boulder’s water supply is stable for now after a dry winter, but officials say conservation measures are likely. The city is monitoring conditions closely and may urge residents to limit water use as drought concerns grow across the region. boulderreportinglab.org/2026/03/24/b...

Boulder police oversight tensions rise after union complaint, chief says more are possible Chief says union has the right to file complaints, as oversight panel member calls recent complaint retaliatory and describes personal impact.

#Boulder police oversight tensions are rising after a union complaint against a panel member. The police chief says more complaints could follow, as disputes grow over bias findings, officer discipline and trust in the system. boulderreportinglab.org/2026/03/24/b...

Boulder schools faced a bitter consolidation in 2000. Now it could happen again. A rushed school consolidation in 2000 sparked protests and mistrust. Enrollment decline is forcing the district to confront the issue again.

BVSD is weighing school closures in #Boulder again, and a bitter 2000 consolidation still looms. Back then, an abrupt plan sparked protests, recall efforts and mistrust. Now, with bigger enrollment declines ahead, leaders say they aim to do it differently. boulderreportinglab.org/2026/03/22/a...

Erie declares drought emergency, threatens water shutoffs for sprinkler use After unusually high early irrigation use, Erie officials warn they may shut off water service as the town scrambles to manage limited supply.

Town of #Erie has declared a drought emergency and is warning residents to stop using sprinklers, or risk water shutoffs. Officials cite unusually warm, dry March conditions and limited capacity. The town is targeting a 45% reduction in water use. boulderreportinglab.org/2026/03/22/e...

Opinion | Simona Martin: Colorado's data center boom needs public health guardrails As AI infrastructure expands across the state, lawmakers face a choice about who bears the costs and risks.

OPINION — "SB 26-102 ensures that large new electricity users pay their full infrastructure costs. That principle is simple and fair: Those who drive the demand should cover the cost," writes physician Simona Martin. boulderreportinglab.org/2026/03/22/s...