🏕️ Court upholds Boulder camping ban
Good Wednesday morning, Boulder. Today’s BRL Today is sponsored by Bank of Colorado, a family-owned community bank serving Coloradans since 1978 with 45 locations statewide. Learn more.
Leading today: The Colorado Court of Appeals has upheld Boulder’s camping ban, rejecting arguments from the ACLU of Colorado and homeless plaintiffs that the ordinance violates the state constitution. The court acknowledged the difficult circumstances facing some unhoused residents but found the city’s ban serves legitimate public health purposes. John Herrick reports.
Also today: Boulder County has identified six potential wildlife crossing sites along U.S. 36 between Boulder and Lyons and is moving into early engineering work after Colorado lawmakers approved a new statewide funding source for wildlife collision prevention projects. The proposed overpasses, underpasses and fencing aim to reduce crashes along one of Colorado’s deadliest wildlife corridors. Por Jaijongkit reports.
Also, in BRL Opinion, Suzanne Bhatt argues Boulder County should test alternating trail-use days as debate grows over the county’s high-profile trail plan.
And finally, a correction: Monday To-Do included an outdated venue for tonight’s Indigo Girls concert. Due to preservation work at Chautauqua, the show has moved to Denver’s Mission Ballroom.
More, Below the Fold:
- BoulderCAST: Rainy stretch before a warm Memorial Day weekend.
- City of Boulder: Share your climate-ready landscape, get a $50 gift card (sponsored).
- Bodycams: Boulder likely to appeal transparency ruling.
- Polis backlash: Boulder Democrats join censure push over Peters clemency.
- Swimming: Union Reservoir beach closed; Boulder Reservoir opens Friday.
Thanks, as always, for reading,
– The BRL team
Bank of Colorado is a family-owned, community focused bank that has been serving the needs of Coloradans since 1978. Throughout our 45 locations across the state, our values of honesty, integrity and clarity guide our every decision. We’re deeply rooted in Colorado’s history and fully invested in its future. Strong, Stable & Local Community Banking – reach out today to experience the best service in banking 303-476-7282.
Colorado appeals court sides with Boulder in camping ban challenge
The opinion acknowledged homeless residents ‘understandably may seek to shelter on public property,’ but found Boulder’s camping ban did not violate the Colorado Constitution. Continue reading…
Boulder County advances wildlife crossing plans on U.S. 36 as Colorado nears new funding source
County officials have identified six potential crossing sites along the highway as Colorado prepares to create a new statewide funding stream for wildlife collision prevention projects. Continue reading…
More rain today, but looking good for the holiday weekend
Rain sticks around in Boulder today and for the rest of the workweek, in fact. As we rise into the upper 50s this afternoon, a few showers, and maybe a rumble of thunder, could pop up, though the best lift stays south of Denver. Either way, it’s still a light‑jacket kind of day with those cooler temps. Lows tonight will be around 40.
Tomorrow brings a noticeable warm‑up into the upper 60s ahead of a cool front sliding down from Wyoming. Expect scattered afternoon storms, with a few additional showers lingering Thursday night as the front pushes through.
Friday cools a bit but becomes more stable behind the front. We can’t rule out a late‑day sprinkle drifting off the Foothills, but most of the area will be quiet.
The real reward shows up this weekend in the form of warmer, drier weather. Boulder will jump into the 70s Saturday and then low 80s by Sunday with only isolated storm potential. After such a gloomy stretch, we’re happy to report that a fairly pleasant Memorial Day weekend is in the works.
— BoulderCAST
Submit your climate-ready landscape to Boulder’s new community showcase (sponsored)
Celebrate the landscapes helping our community adapt to a changing climate. Whether it’s a backyard, a shared neighborhood space or even a small apartment balcony, submit your project or idea and help spotlight the power of climate‑ready design in Boulder.
All projects that meet the basic criteria will be featured in our digital showcase, and the first 200 qualifying submissions will receive a $50 gift card as a thank you for participating.
Read more Colorado appeals court sides with Boulder in camping ban challenge
Boulder likely to appeal body camera ruling in Yellow Scene case
The City of Boulder appears poised to appeal an April Colorado Court of Appeals ruling that found it cannot charge fees for body camera footage requested under the state’s Enhance Law Enforcement Integrity Act.
The city filed a motion this month asking the Colorado Supreme Court for an extension to file a petition for certiorari, describing the petition as “expected.” The case centers on whether the 2020 Enhance Law Enforcement Integrity Act, a Colorado police accountability law enacted following nationwide protests over police killings, requires the city to release footage of all incidents involving an officer misconduct complaint without charging fees.
Yellow Scene Magazine filed a lawsuit in 2024 after the city required journalists to pay more than $8,000 for body camera footage of a December 2023 shooting in which city officers killed Jeanette Alatorre. The Court of Appeals ruling was praised by press freedom and police accountability advocates as a significant win for transparency in Colorado. Boulder has argued that fees are necessary to recover costs associated with blurring and muting sections of footage to protect privacy.
Polis clemency decision draws Boulder County backlash
Several Boulder County elected officials and political leaders have signed onto a formal Colorado Democratic Party complaint seeking to censure Gov. Jared Polis over his decision to commute the prison sentence of Tina Peters, the former Mesa County clerk convicted in connection with unauthorized access to election equipment.
Local signers include Boulder County Commissioner Ashley Stolzmann, Boulder City Councilmember Nicole Speer, Boulder County Democratic Party Chair Ben Cowan, Boulder County Young Democrats Chair Andrew Barton, former BVSD school board member Lisa Sweeney-Miran, and Boulder County treasurer candidates Rachel Friend, a former Boulder City Councilmember, and Superior Councilmember Jenn Kaaoush.
The complaint, which had more than 600 signatures as of Tuesday, argues Polis’ decision undermined the party’s stated commitment to election integrity and asks the state party to formally censure him and temporarily bar him from appearing as an honored guest or featured speaker at party events.
Polis commuted Peters’ sentence last week and ordered her release on parole June 1. He has said her sentence was too harsh and that his decision was not influenced by pressure from President Trump, who had called for Peters’ release. CPR News reported that Polis’ office said he made the decision he believed was right, not popular, and that the Colorado Democratic Party is reviewing the complaint.
Union Reservoir swim beach to stay closed this summer as Boulder Reservoir opens for season
The swim beach at Union Reservoir will remain closed for the 2026 summer season because of expected low water levels, the City of Longmont announced Monday.
“These conditions do not allow for the water depth needed to safely support traditional swim beach operations,” the city said in a news release.
The city said additional sand has been added to the beach area for play, and a designated wading area will be open May 23 through Sept. 19. Because the area includes natural clay and rocky surfaces, children must remain under adult supervision. The dog swim beach will remain open, along with paddleboarding, kayaking and boating opportunities.
Meanwhile, Boulder Reservoir’s swim beach is scheduled to open Friday, May 22. Through Aug. 16, the swim area will operate daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Beginning Aug. 17, the beach will shift to weekends only, plus Labor Day. Hours may vary depending on weather conditions.
Suzanne Bhatt: Boulder County’s alternating trail-use proposal can balance safety, access and conservation
Protecting open space means making room for hikers, bikers and wildlife while reducing trail conflicts and limiting further ecosystem damage. Continue reading…
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Read more Boulder County advances wildlife crossing plans on U.S. 36 as Colorado nears new funding source
