I’m relatively new to the area and was surprised to learn that child care can cost more than in-state tuition at CU Boulder.

I put together an explainer on a proposed Boulder County property tax that would raise about $30 million annually for child care. The story breaks down how much would go toward affordability, new infant and toddler slots, and workforce support—as well as what still isn’t finalized.

Longmont City Councilman Jake Marsing is involved with Brighter Start Boulder County in a personal capacity, not as part of his council duties. He is scheduled to help present the proposal before county commissioners tomorrow.

I have A LOT of clothes that are in good quality and trendy. I’d like to take these somewhere I can get at least a bit of cash back for them (the rest is just going to Goodwill).

Is there anywhere in the area that might offer me some money? Like a Plato’s Closet type place? Would that be my best bet? I won’t be listing these specific clothes on any apps or websites because they weren’t super expensive and therefore aren’t worth the effort to post and ship.

Headline:

The Tree of Heaven is an incredibly insidious, fast-growing invasive species that looks like a tree .... but is really a hyperactive root-system that will take over open spaces, crowd out other plants, and cannot be easily removed without using herbicides.

Details:

• Tree of Heaven is highly non-native, but that hasn't stopped a rapid spread. It wasn't here 30 or so years ago, but is now well-established in several Boulder neighborhoods: The Hill, The Creek Path, Old North Boulder, and parts of South Boulder.
• It's so new, and masquerades as a different plant (Staghorn Sumac), that people are simply unaware of how difficult it is to control or the damage it is capable of creating.
• It spreads through seeds or roots - its extensive and resource-rich root network can send up new shoots hundreds of feed away. Think of this root system as you would the underwater part of an iceberg: it's where the real strength is, and it's highly underappreciated by people who don't know the species.
• Tree of heaven can take over an entire yard, and those adventurous root systems can and will destroy building foundations.
• Cutting it down without chemical treatment causes the roots to freak out and send up dozens of new shoots.
• Herbicides are most effective from Late July to leaf drop in Autumn, since this period is when the root system transitions into storing energy from above-ground photosynthesis.
• The tree serves as host for the Spotted Lanternfly, which is currently decimating the East Coast but hasn't yet spread to Colorado. Again, "yet".
• Tree of Heaven is one of the few plants that all-but-requires herbicides to control. If you try to cut down any above-ground growth without using herbicides, the below-ground roots will rebel and send up sometimes dozens of new shoots.

If you have this tree and don't know where to start, activists in Denver have put together this website. This will take community involvement to control. Get informed, and tell your neighbors.

https://www.denvertreeofheaven.com/

Thanks to u/FantasticBoar and u/kippikai for these images. Edit: are these rendering correctly? I use old reddit and can't easily add images to text posts like this.

https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpreview.redd.it%2Fm2tzxi6o0oeh1.jpeg%3Fwidth%3D800%26format%3Dpjpg%26auto%3Dwebp%26s%3D42e4060a1ecb0785e4584f0f01e42bad7b47a12d

https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpreview.redd.it%2F1r2sbj4v0oeh1.jpeg%3Fwidth%3D3336%26format%3Dpjpg%26auto%3Dwebp%26s%3D4cfcd92773e355d4262a119dbd9ff8f81a91fe69

Hello fellow Boulderites!

I moved here a few years ago with three small children to start my dream job at NCAR. Unfortunately, I never could have suspected the climate that unfolded from 2024 to present. I was recently let go in January 2026 amid the funding crisis.

Finding another research/academic job right now is proving to be quite challenging due to many hiring freezes and all the uncertainty. Also, due to my spouse's job (firefighter for Boulder and above the age limitations to transfer to another municipality), we are geographically constrained to this area until retirement.

All that said, I've decided to put myself out there and try somethign new. I've always had the dream to turn some of my knowledge into helpful science communications, so I started a YouTube channel.

My research focuses on socio-hydrology (i.e., the human connections to water and how both have been shaped by each other over time.) I grew up along the Gulf Coast (Dad was a tugboat captain), and we lost our home multiple times due to hurricanes, so I studied Civil Engineering / Hydrology to help be part of the solution. I used to work as a practicing engineer before going back for PhD to study socio-hydrology, after learning first-hand how the human elements shape outcomes just as much as the physical designs.

That said, my channel is not reaching very much traffic at all. I think YouTube is having a hard time placing this niche with the right audience using the all-knowing 'algorithm' or whatever. It is recommending my videos after really spammy stuff (think "How to Win $1M by XYZ..."), and so naturally, people are not sticking around to watch the full videos, and my metrics are very low.

I am wondering if it is indeed a quality issue, whether people are simply not interested in this topic, if it is truly an algorithm issue, a timing issue (new channel / summer), or something else. When I speak to people in-person throughout the Boulder area, they seem to be genuinely interested in this concept of socio-hydrology and want to learn more (ask engaging questions, seek follow-up, show true interest in the eyes, etc.).

I think this kind of Reddit group may be my crowd (long-time follower) and hopefully might be interested in helping to support my channel?

If so, please consider watching a few of my latest videos and commenting either here or on the actual YouTube video what you thought. I am open to all insights and suggestions.

If enough people with the **educational / climate-y / science-y** kind of background watch and show genuine interest in the videos, it helps train the algorithm the goal audience and will push future videos out to people with similar watch histories.

(I know, even talking about this algorithm thing is super cringe, so sorry! But from what I am gathering, it is just how the content world is. And if I want more people to hear about and learn about socio-hydrology ... and hopefully start to respect it and humans be integrated more into water policy/planning over time ... I do have to figure out this algorithm hurdle for educational content. And I think I need your help to start the seeds.)

Right now I am working on some scripts about the Colorado River Basin and the social/human response to AI Data Centers right now...as there are some interesting nuggets there through the lens of socio-hydrology I have not yet seen covered. I am open to suggestions for future content as well!

Thank you, neighbors! Cheers!

https://www.youtube.com/@RivulayWater

//

[PS - I checked the group rules before posting, and this seems to be allowed, but of course, if not, please feel free to delete.]

Hello!
My birthday is this weekend and I’m looking for a fun, festive restaurant to take a group of 10ish people! Bonus points if they have a good cocktail menu.
Thanks!

We live in an old house with no cooking ventilation. Does anyone have recommendations in the Denver/Boulder/Longmont area for a company that will do a full service install (ducting installation, range hood install, electrical)?

My impression is that this is too-broad a project for the HVAC companies but too small for most contractors.

Do you think this is a good way to move forward? I'm leaning towards yes. I think the worst thing Boulder can do is nothing. City has to change strategy as it regards downtown and the hill.

join us sunday evening for a chill hike at south boulder creek west! rated EASY. it’s flat but rocky so please wear proper footwear. the trailhead is right off highway 93 & there’s plenty of parking!

JOIN THE DISCORD: https://discord.gg/2shmcsgX

I’m wondering if anyone here in city government, city planning, or otherwise informed knows why there aren’t more roundabouts in Boulder.

I bike or drive down Pine (pictured at 18th) almost everyday and the few roundabouts there are great imho. I drank the KoolAid on roundabouts and traffic circles long ago: Better traffic flow (stopping at a STOP sign at midnight is asinine), gas and brake savings, fewer violent collisions, and effectively zero maintenance once built. Riding down Pine this AM I was reminded of this last item when the lights at Spruce & Broadway were flashing; and of course many traffic lights go out completely during the power shutdowns which are likely to only get more frequent with time.

I lived for a while in Bend, OR - the “Boulder of the West” (although it’s actually very different). Anyway, that town has gone all-in on roundabouts and traffic circles. The entire western half of the city doesn’t have a single light - all roundabouts (or a few Stops). They are even starting to build them at higher speed exchanges (something, say, like Broadway and 36th).

So, why just the couple on Pine, or the few others scattered around? Are those a trial run? Is the city collecting data on those (accidents, etc)? I’m sure the urban planners here can chime in but to me roundabouts are simply a better design, and likely pay for themselves many times over eventually. Curious if any knows the deal.

That's what I get for using talk to text. Xcel sucks too!

Power is out again after a little rain storm... Screw you Excel

I was just coming in on a bus and saw 12 city utilities cars ( the white Chevy Aveos with a light bar) blocking off 13th in front of the tea house and two tow trucks removing parked cars from parking spots. Does anyone know what is going on there? I have never seen this before.

I'm stunned. There are no plans to beautify the bikeway project. It's essentially just restoration. I just drove down it today, and between Jay Rd and Niwot there are *zero* trees for shade. There are only four places between Niwot and Longmont. Who in their right mind would use this in the heat of the summer?

Adding trees has *so many* benefits, especially along this particular corridor.

- Shade

- Carbon sequestration

- stormwater management

- Heat reduction

- Reduced pavement degradation

- Habitat conservation

- Noise reduction

- Wind reduction

I'm not even going to go into the psychological, aesthetic, and economic (including health) benefits.

I'm just kind of dumbfounded that nothing like this was included. I'm not talking about adding 30' trees immediately, but smaller trees that can grow in 5-10 years and really create a beautiful corridor for all pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers.

Does anyone have any information on why this wasn't part of the project? Or perhaps know how to get a project like this in front of the right people? It just makes me sad. I don't think I will ever use this if that's the case. Why would I want to breathe in vehicle fumes for 10 miles? Gross.

Arriving at the Denver Airport around 8:00 PM. I figure, at best... out of the airport and in a rental car by 9:00. Then driving to Boulder. What is the best option for food that is open at this time of night, on the way, and not fast food, or an Applebees, or Chilis type chain.

Hey thanks everyone. It looks like we are just going to have to hit up BJs Brewhouse or B-dub's in Westminster...

...It is ... what it is...

Both seem to be open late...

The 2nd Boulder County Surviving Wildfires wildfire resilience home show is coming to the Boulder County Fairgrounds in Longmont August 21-23. It's free to attend.

After a great show in April we're once again coming together in Longmont to learn and practice wildfire preparedness and resilience.

Come talk to dozens of wildfire mitigation, home hardening, defensible space, wildfire landscaping, roofing, exteriors and wildfire retardant and sprinkler companies as well as non-profits and fire districts and departments talk about wildfire preparedness, the new Colorado Wildfire Resilience Code and the new insurance transparency act.

See the latest mitigation methods and materials as we continue living with widlfires on the Front Range.

The show runs from Friday afternoon through Sunday and is free to attend.

survivingwildfires.com/shows

Would love any advice on where to find some locally :)

Hi everyone! I saw a couple of posts (here and here) earlier this week about wanting an indie theatre in Boulder. As you can probably tell from the username, I am very interested in this topic! I ended up devoting this week's FAB! newsletter to this topic, and am sharing it below in case anyone is interested in taking a peek:

Recently, there has been some chatter on r/boulder about movie theaters and movie culture:

• Indie movie theatre in Boulder
• Opening an indie theater

Across those threads, folks are reminiscing, lamenting, and asking: why doesn't Boulder have an art house cinema?!

This is a topic I've put some thought to. That, along with the fact that today is the three year anniversary of Barbenheimer, inspired me to write about this in this week's FAB! newsletter.

So with all of that in mind, allow me, an avid but very very amateur movie nerd, to share my two cents:

Boulder used to have 6 large screens in town

In one of those threads, u/VR_Robotica pointed out that we used to have way more screens around town:

• Basemar Cinema I & II closed in the early 90s.
• Mann's Arapahoe Village 4 closed in 2004.
• United Artists Village 4 closed in January 2007.
• Mann's Crossroads Commons 6 ran until it became Landmark Crossroads Cinema, then closed in August 2007.
• The Flatirons Theater on the Hill closed in 2009.

Today, we only have a handful of screens left, some of which are part-time: Cinemark Century, The Dairy, International Film Series. Don't get me wrong, I find myself very booked still, and am grateful for the fantastic movies showing in town, especially at IFS. Still, I often find myself needing to drive out of Boulder to the Alamos or the SIE to catch certain reissues and retrospectives.

How does Boulder compare to other similarly sized cities?

I got curious to compare Boulder to other similarly-sized, college towns:

This is not a comprehensive sample, but can maybe suggest that Boulder is an outlier? The art house theatre in my college town wasn't just formative for me during my college years, it was also a center for community learning and growth.

We're seeing a movie theatre comeback

It's been 3 years since Barbenheimer, a huuuge moment that reminded moviegoers (and the business and advertisers) how much people love going to see movies in person. AMC had the biggest single week in its 103-year history that week, with 18.6 million tickets sold across the two films on opening weekend alone.

This past weekend, Nolan blew out that Oppenheimer record with the Odyssey with a massive $124.5M domestic opening weekend, blasting past his 2023 Oppenheimer record of $82.5M. But we here in Colorado weren't quite ready for the format he shot it in. Only 25 theaters in the US can show it in IMAX 70mm the way Nolan intended, and Colorado has 2 of them. Our closest one, in Denver, broke down over opening weekend and is still under repair. The other is all the way out in Colorado Springs.

And Boulder is ripe for it…

Google search trends for "Boulder showtimes" suggest that though we haven't recovered to pre-Covid levels, and we're not nearing our Barbenheimer peak, interest in getting into the theater is higher than it was in 2025, and creeping up.

Not to mention that Sundance is putting money into art and movie venues across town. CU's preparing for Sundance by investing in repairs in Muenzinger Auditorium, Macky auditorium, and Roe Green Theatre (coming soon). And construction is underway on a $17 million renovation project to winterize the Chautauqua Auditorium to extend its programming by 200 days!

So, that's all to say that my extremely not professional opinion is that it's time for Boulder to open an indie/art house theatre. I think there's plenty of demand for good movies here, I believe Sundance will be good for our city, and I'm hopeful that all of this latent demand will blossom into more spaces where we can gather in front of a screen in person and watch all sorts of artsy, goofy, thoughtful movies together.

In the meantime, if you’re out there looking for movies in and around town, me too! I pull everything I find onto my website filmsaroundboulder.com and share out my favorite finds in my weekly newsletter too. It’s totally free, and if you’ve made it this far, you may enjoy FAB! too. 

Anyone know where to find a burger that comes anywhere near the freshness of theirs? It's really the truffle fries that sealed the deal for me

City of Boulder leadership decided to hire a poet for $10,000 a year.
Source: https://bouldercolorado.gov/services/boulder-poet-laureate-program

Then they decided they are going to pay artists $1,000 each (a stipend) to attend a class for 2.5 hours a weekend. That shakes out to be paying them $50 per hour to get trained on how to run a small business.
Source: https://bouldercolorado.gov/news/city-boulder-opens-applications-arts-business-cohort

Meanwhile, the City expects a Budget gap,
Source: https://boulderreportinglab.org/2026/05/17/boulder-predicting-budget-gap-as-economic-forecast-remains-cloudy/

I have some old soccer gear that's still in good condition. I'm looking to donate it to maybe a highschool or club team to help out someone who may not be able to afford gear. Does anyone know who would be a good person to get in contact with for this? I know the schools are out for the summer so maybe a highschool aged club team:?