🎬 Is Boulder pricing out Sundance attendees?

Good Monday morning, Boulder. Today’s edition is sponsored by Downtown Boulder Partnership. Bands on the Bricks returns to the Pearl Street Mall this summer with free Wednesday night concerts, dancing under the stars and happy hour specials June 10-July 29.  

Read more Lyons considers resolution opposing Boulder County trail-use pilot

Leading today: Sundance hasn’t arrived yet, but sticker shock already has. Some Boulder homes are being listed for more than $5,000 a night during the festival — higher than what some longtime Sundance attendees say they paid in Park City. Festival veterans worry the prices could push attendees to stay elsewhere, reducing spending in Boulder and undermining the walkable, communal experience organizers hope to create. While property managers expect rates to fall as more rentals come online, festivalgoers are already looking outside the city. John Herrick reports.

Also today: Boulder County’s only contested countywide race will be decided this month. Former Boulder City Councilmember Rachel Friend and Superior Town Councilmember Jenn Kaaoush are competing in the Democratic primary for county treasurer. Because no Republican filed for the race, the winner of the June 30 primary will become the county’s next treasurer. Read our candidate questionnaire before casting your ballot. And if you missed it last week, we also published our University of Colorado Board of Regents District 2 candidate questionnaire. Brooke Stephenson reports.

And in Local History: Before there was a Pearl Street Mall, there was a stick in the dirt. Gold prospectors mapped out Boulder in 1859 by sighting a marker toward Valmont Butte, creating the street that became the heart of downtown. More than 165 years later, one mystery remains: No one knows where the name Pearl came from. Silvia Pettem reports.

Plus, Below the Fold:

• Heat: Summer temperatures return this week.  
• Trails: Lyons may oppose Boulder County trail-use pilot.
• Juneteenth: Flag raising kicks off week of celebrations.
• Preparedness: County seeks input on wildfire, flood and disaster risks.
• Art: New Flatirons-inspired sculpture installed downtown. 
• Things to Do: Tarot art, bike show, throat singing, comedy fest, Flatirons Sounds, a 1940s ball + more.

Thanks, as always, for reading,

– The BRL team

Boulder bet $34 million to land Sundance. High lodging prices are raising concerns.

High rental prices could push attendees to stay outside Boulder, diminishing the festival experience and reducing the economic impact city leaders are counting on. Continue reading…

Meet the candidates for Boulder County treasurer in the 2026 Democratic primary

Former Boulder City Councilmember Rachel Friend and Superior Town Councilmember Jenn Kaaoush are competing to oversee county finances and property tax collection. Continue reading…

The mystery of Pearl Street: Nobody knows how Boulder’s most famous street got its name

Gold prospectors laid out Boulder with a stick in the dirt in 1859. More than 165 years later, nobody knows where the name “Pearl Street” came from. Continue reading…

Summer heat arrives again this week

Enjoy today’s mild weather while it lasts. Monday will be sunny with a high near 78 and an overnight low around 54.

Then the thermostat jumps. Tuesday brings sunshine and a high near 89, followed by a warm night with temperatures only falling to around 63. Wednesday looks even hotter, with sunny skies, breezy conditions and highs approaching 100 degrees.

Lyons weighs resolution opposing Boulder County trail-use pilot

The Town of Lyons Board of Trustees — seven elected officials, including the mayor — will consider adopting a resolution today opposing Boulder County’s proposed alternating trail-use pilot program, which would limit trail use for certain groups on certain days. Mountain bikers are the group most likely to be targeted by the pilot.

The board is considering the resolution at the request of the town’s Economic Vitality Commission. Lyons, which has a population of just over 2,000, is bordered by two trail systems being considered for the pilot: Hall Ranch and Heil Valley Ranch. 

The commission noted that Lyons’ economy, identity and tourism sector are closely tied to outdoor recreation, particularly mountain biking.

“The EVC expressed concern that limiting bicycle access to these trails could negatively affect local businesses, recreation-based tourism, and the community’s broader economic vitality,” reads a June 11 letter from the commission to the board.Read more on BRL.

Boulder kicks off Juneteenth celebrations with flag raising Wednesday

The City of Boulder will host its annual Juneteenth flag raising and commemoration Wednesday from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Penfield Tate II Municipal Building, 1777 Broadway. The event will feature remarks from city and community leaders, live music and free ice cream.

The ceremony kicks off a week of events commemorating Juneteenth, which marks the end of slavery in the United States on June 19, 1865. Boulder County’s official Juneteenth kickoff will take place Friday at 6 p.m. at the Longmont Theater and will feature the premiere of “13 Fires,” a play about a thriving Black neighborhood in Indianapolis that was nearly erased.

Performances of “13 Fires” will run June 24-26 at the Dairy Arts Center. A panel discussion inspired by the play is scheduled for June 22 in Boulder and will feature City Councilmember Taishya Adams, historian David L. Williams and playwright Curtis K. Rogers, among others.

Additional Juneteenth events include a celebration hosted by the Illèye Hill Organization on June 20 and a dance workshop and celebration with Rocky Mountain Equality on June 21.

Boulder County updating disaster plan, seeks public feedback

Boulder County is seeking public feedback as it updates its Hazard Mitigation Plan, which identifies natural hazards and strategies to reduce risk. The plan covers wildfire, flooding, drought, landslides and other severe weather events and is updated every five years.

County officials say community input will help identify how different hazards affect neighborhoods, businesses and vulnerable populations. An online survey is now open, and additional public engagement opportunities are planned. Survey responses may be shared with local, state and federal partners.

Read more The mystery of Pearl Street: Nobody knows how Boulder’s most famous street got its name

New Flatirons-inspired sculpture unveiled at Spruce Garage

A new public art installation has been added to the 11th and Spruce Garage. Titled “Strata Uplift,” the aluminum sculpture by David Franklin and Aaron Whelton depicts the layered geology of the Flatirons.

The garage is currently closed for improvements and is expected to reopen in October. The city plans to mark the reopening with a dedication event for the artwork.

The sculpture is part of Boulder’s broader effort to expand public art as outlined in the Boulder Arts Blueprint.

☀️ Explore events in Boulder and use the self-submission form on our events page to reach thousands in our community — for free! To have your event featured on our Monday to-do list, make sure to submit it to our events calendar.

The Arcana and the Seven Spheres: Monday, June 15, 6-10 p.m., Rembrandt Yard, 1301 Spruce St. Read more. 

Money Education & Craft Chocolate Tasting: Monday, June 15, 6:30-8 p.m., Confluence Collective, 75 Waneka Pkwy, Lafayette. Read more. 

Stories of our National Forests: Monday, June 15, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Boulder Book Store, 1107 Pearl St. Read more. 

Boulder Concert Band Pops in the Parks: Monday, June 15, 7-8 p.m., Martin Park, 36th Street & Eastman Avenue. Read more. 

Boulder Bike Show: Wednesday, June 17, 5-7:30 p.m., Vision Quest Brewing, 2510 47th St. Read more. 

Live Music at the Studio with Olivia Roumel & Eric Luba: Wednesday, June 17, 6:30-8 p.m., Kin Studio and Gallery, 4725 16th St, #104. Read more. 

eTown Presents Alash: Thursday, June 18, 7-9:30 p.m., eTown, 1535 Spruce St. Read more.  

Boulder Comedy Festival: Thursday, June 18, 7-8:30 p.m., Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St. Alternative dates: June 19-21, multiple locations. Read more. 

DJ Nights: Friday, June 19, 5-9 p.m., Boulder Social, 1600 38th St. Alternative dates monthly. Read more.

Your Native Plants, All Grown Up! with Dave Sutherland: Saturday, June 20, 1-2:30 p.m., Harlequin’s Gardens, 4795 26th St. Read more. 

1940s Ball at Boulder Airport with Glenn Miller Orchestra: Saturday, June 20, 6:30 p.m., Boulder Airport, 3393 Airport Rd. Read more. 

Print Date Night: Saturday, June 20, 7-9 p.m., Groundworks Art Lab – Main Location, 3750 Canfield Street. Alternative dates available. Read more. 

Plant Forward Boulder: Dine with a Dietician: Sunday, June 21, 3-4:30 p.m., North Boulder Library, 4500 13th St. Read more. 

Ian Coury & Igor Souza Duo (Colorado Brazil Fest): Sunday, June 21, 7-8:30 p.m., Roots Music Fest, 4747 Pearl, Suite V3A. Read more. 

Flatirons Sounds Music Festival 2026: Sunday, June 21, 8 p.m.-12 a.m., Chautauqua Park, 900 Baseline Rd. Read more.

Read more Meet the candidates for Boulder County treasurer in the 2026 Democratic primary