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CTE and RTD Announce Milestone $9.3 Million in Funding To Increase Frequency of Certain Bus Routes

Guest Contributor — Tue, 12 May 2026 23:16:54 +0000

Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

May 7, 2026

Marya Washburn, CDOT Policy and Programs Communications Manager

720-378-4587 | marya.washburn@state.co.us

Kiernan Maletsky. RTD Director of Long-Range Planning

719-440-8370 | kiernan.maletsky@rtd-denver.com

CTE and RTD Announce Milestone $9.3 Million in Funding to Increase Frequency of Certain Bus Routes

Agreement marks first funding through SB24-230 transit formula grant program.

Statewide — The Colorado Clean Transit Enterprise and RTD announced a $9.3 million grant to increase frequency and launch new service on key bus routes as well as restore service on some routes, while providing extra capacity for high-volume events.

This funding, authorized under Senate Bill 24-230, marks the first award under the new formula grant program created by the legislature and signed by Gov. Jared Polis, representing the largest single investment CTE, a state-owned business housed within the Colorado Department of Transportation, will make for Fiscal Year 2026.

“I signed SB24-230 to protect our clean air and increase transportation options for Coloradans, and now Coloradans are seeing the benefits,” the governor said. “Coloradans want more transportation options that get us where we want to go, saving time and money, while reducing traffic and pollution. Thanks to this important law, Coloradans along busy bus routes will see increased service.”

The agreement signals an expanded partnership between the state and RTD. In a move to directly support RTD’s June 7, 2026, service changes, CTE and CDOT expedited the execution of this grant at RTD’s request. This rapid turnaround underscores a shared commitment to addressing RTD’s current fiscal challenges by providing immediate, tangible financial support to Colorado’s transportation system.

“Providing public transit services is more costly per revenue mile than it ever has been, and that fact is not unique to RTD,” said RTD General Manager and CEO Debra A. Johnson. “The agency recognizes the limits that are inherent in its existing funding sources, and I am appreciative of the continued collaboration with the state that has brought us to this point. Collaborations like these will only be more important as RTD partners with the communities it serves to provide the services that customers need.”

CDOT Executive Director and CTE Board Member Shoshana Lew said the agreement was a testament to agencies cooperating across different levels of government.

“We know that frequency and reliability are critically important factors when people choose how to get to where they need to go,” Lew said. “Investing in transit running more often can help riders have more choices as they navigate their lives, and can make transit a viable option for more Coloradans.”

By law, the SB24-230 funding is dedicated to the expansion and restoration of transit services. RTD has identified several high-priority areas where these funds will be immediately applied to increase frequency, launch new routes, and restore services that have been dormant for several years. Key service improvements funded by this grant include:

Frequency Increases and Pattern Revisions: Routes 1E/44 (ART Shuttle), 37, LD3/287, the 16th Street FreeRide, and 21E.
Service Extensions: Expansion of Route 19 to serve more destinations.
Reinstatement of Service: Bringing back Routes 53 and 80 to restore vital neighborhood connections.
New Regional Connectivity: A brand-new route connecting Longmont directly to Denver International Airport.
High Volume Event Support: Dedicated resources for high-volume events in order to help manage congestion during major stadium and city events.

The SB24-230 Formula Program is a centerpiece of Colorado’s strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The program is funded by revenues generated by the state’s Oil and Gas Production Fee, specifically designed to reinvest in sustainable transportation and rail infrastructure. Allocations for transit agencies across the state are determined by a data-driven formula that considers factors such as service area population, ridership levels, transit service statistics, and other local zoning policies that support transit-oriented development. In record time, CTE and CDOT worked collaboratively with RTD and the broader Colorado transit community to establish the program’s framework, ensuring funds could be deployed effectively and efficiently to support increased service levels.

“This is a great example of how our state and regional partners are working together to deliver results for Coloradans,” said Craig Seacrest, director of the Clean Transit Enterprise. “By collaborating on important infrastructure and transit projects, CTE and RTD are helping to improve multimodal access, reduce traffic, and help meet our state’s climate goals.”

This collaboration between CTE and RTD serves as a concrete example of Colorado’s strategic investment in the future of public transit. By working in tandem, CTE and RTD are not only addressing immediate service needs but also laying the groundwork for a more robust transportation network. CTE and RTD are poised to help maximize the impact of state resources and create a more integrated and accessible transit network for all Colorado residents and visitors.

About CTE

The Clean Transit Enterprise was established by the Colorado General Assembly in 2021 as part of Senate Bill 21-260 and gained expanded resources and responsibilities through the passage of Senate Bill 24-230. Housed within CDOT’s Office of Innovative Mobility, the CTE is tasked with supporting the efforts of public transit agencies to replace existing gas and diesel vehicles with electric or other zero-emission options and to support increased transit and rail services throughout the state. Through grants, loans, and rebates, the enterprise funds zero-emission vehicle planning, vehicle acquisition, and the specialized infrastructure and facility modifications necessary to support a zero-emission fleet, and provides funding for increased transit services, creation or improvement of multimodal facilities, and development of passenger rail.

About RTD

The Regional Transportation District (RTD) was created in 1969 by the Colorado General Assembly to develop, operate, and maintain a mass transportation system that now benefits more than 3.1 million people in the Denver metro area. The transportation agency is governed by a 15-member publicly elected Board of Directors and has a service area of 2,345 square miles. RTD provides transit services via 126 local and regional bus routes, six light rail lines, four commuter rail lines, and paratransit and demand-response mobility options.

About CDOT

The Colorado Department of Transportation’s mission is to provide the best multi-modal transportation system that most effectively and safely moves people, goods, and information. CDOT maintains more than 23,000 lane miles of highway, more than 3,400 bridges, and 35 mountain passes. Our team of employees works tirelessly to reduce the rate and severity of crashes and improve the safety of all modes of transportation. CDOT leverages partnerships with a range of private and public organizations and operates Bustang, an interregional express bus service. Find more details at codot.gov.

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Erie Moves First on Irrigation Limits as Drought and Historic Low Snowpack Grip Colorado

redtornado — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 21:04:08 +0000

Colorado is entering spring after one of the warmest and driest starts to a year in more than a century of records., with snowpack across the state far below normal and drought conditions expanding across much of the Front Range.

Against that backdrop, the Town of Erie is asking residents, homeowners associations, and businesses to keep sprinkler systems turned off through the end of March as water demand surges beyond what the town’s winter system can supply.

Officials say current water demand is about 30 percent higher than typical for this time of year, largely driven by residents turning on irrigation systems weeks earlier than normal.

If irrigation continues, the town says it may shut off water service at property taps for residents, HOAs, or businesses that do not comply.

For large HOAs, the shutoff would typically affect irrigation systems only. For individual homes or smaller properties, however, the measure could cut water service to the entire household or building.

Town officials say they have been urging residents for roughly two weeks to turn off sprinklers, but demand has continued climbing.

“We really don’t have any buffer room,” town spokesperson Gabi Rae told the Denver Post. “Every day it’s been increasing by 200,000 to 300,000 gallons as people turn on their sprinkler systems. We will hit capacity and run out of water in a couple of days if they don’t stop.”

Erie’s winter water system currently distributes about 3.5 million gallons per day, far less than what becomes available once summer water supplies come online.

Black line shows 2026 snowpack levels falling below the state’s previously recorded minimum. (Natural Resources Conservation Service)

A Dry Winter Across Colorado

The situation in Erie reflects broader conditions across Colorado.

State data shows Colorado’s snowpack currently sits well below normal, with several watersheds between roughly 38 percent and 65 percent of typical levels for this time of year, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Governor Jared Polis recently activated the Colorado Drought Task Force, citing record warmth and one of the driest starts to a year in more than a century of statewide records.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, moderate to severe drought conditions now cover much of Colorado.

Meteorologists say the unusually warm winter has prevented snowpack from building to the levels normally needed to replenish rivers and reservoirs in the spring.

Photo credit: Longmont firefighter Patrick Kramer

Early Fire Season Concerns

The dry winter is also raising concerns about early wildfire risk along the Front Range.

Warm temperatures, strong winds, and dry vegetation can quickly turn small grass fires into fast-moving blazes, even outside the traditional summer fire season.

The Marshall Fire, which destroyed more than 1,000 homes in Boulder County in December 2021, demonstrated how quickly wind-driven fires can spread across the Front Range during dry conditions.

For communities like Erie, maintaining adequate water supply is not only about household demand but also about fire protection and hydrant pressure during emergency situations.

Town officials noted that upcoming windy conditions could further increase fire danger in the region.

Other Cities Preparing Water Restrictions

Erie is not the only community beginning to respond to the dry winter.

In Aurora, officials are recommending Stage I watering restrictions that could take effect April 7 if approved by city leaders. The proposed rules would limit outdoor watering to two days per week and call for a 20 percent reduction in overall water use.

Nearby Lafayette has also asked residents to refrain from running irrigation systems.

Water managers across the Front Range warn that drought conditions could affect municipal water supplies throughout the coming spring and summer if the region does not receive significant precipitation.

Waiting for Summer Water Supplies

Erie officials say part of the problem is timing.

During winter months, the town receives less water through its supply system than it does during the summer irrigation season. Additional supplies typically arrive in early spring when the Carter Lake canal system begins distributing water.

“That’s what we’re waiting for,” Rae said.

The canal system is expected to open April 1, after which Erie can begin transitioning toward normal irrigation schedules.

Until then, the town is asking residents to delay outdoor watering as long as possible.

At the earliest, Erie recommends:

Even numbered addresses begin irrigation April 4
Odd numbered addresses begin irrigation April 6

Residents may still use a hose to water trees, shrubs, and gardens, but officials are asking the community not to water turf grass.

Regional Water Projects Face Uncertainty

Longer term water supply questions also remain across northern Colorado.

One major project intended to help meet future demand is the Northern Integrated Supply Project (NISP), a proposed reservoir system designed to provide water storage for growing Front Range communities.

However, the project has faced rising costs and increasing scrutiny. In 2025, the Fort Collins Loveland Water District, one of NISP’s largest participants, announced it was reviewing whether to remain involved due to escalating costs and financial risks.

The cost of the project has climbed from an early estimate of roughly $400 million to more than $2 billion.

Other regional water projects, including Windy Gap and Chimney Hollow, have also experienced delays tied to construction issues and environmental concerns.

While those projects are intended to expand long term supply, Erie officials say the current issue is much simpler.

With drought conditions worsening and irrigation starting early, the town’s winter water system simply cannot keep up with demand.

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Letter to the Editor: Erie Residents Deserve Transparency on Mineral Rights Deal

Guest Contributor — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 14:13:17 +0000

Editor’s note: This letter was sent to Yellow Scene Magazine. As with all Letters to the Editor, the views expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the publication. We value providing space for community voices. The following letter was also submitted to the Boulder Daily Camera. The author reached out to Yellow Scene with the message below before sending their letter.

Very much appreciate the journalism you do over there to keep Erie informed. […] Erie council has silently been using executive sessions to work to accept a bid for the town’s mineral rights without making the voters aware. A couple of residents spoke about this at the last city council meeting this week after doing some digging. We shouldn’t have to dig this hard for information.

What would you do if decisions that could affect your home’s value, your neighborhood, and millions of public dollars were being made behind closed doors?

Erie residents may soon face exactly that situation.

The Town of Erie recently received a bid for mineral rights that could allow expanded gas drilling on town property. Instead of informing residents and opening a public discussion, the town quietly hired a consultant to help pursue the bid. That consultant is a former executive of the very company—Civitas—making the offer.

The consultant reportedly helped write his own contract and was hired without the town seeking competing bids from other firms. Even more concerning, the town has already committed up to $4.5 million to this consultant before residents have even seen a final proposal.

Much of this work is occurring in executive session, where the public cannot attend. Residents are being told they won’t see the details until the town already has a finalized bid in hand—after the most important decisions may already have been made.

The stakes are significant.

Expanded fracking near residential areas can affect property values and the long-term character of our community. Under Colorado’s pooling laws, homeowners may have little say if drilling occurs beneath their property.

Erie residents deserve transparency before millions of public dollars are spent and irreversible decisions about our community’s mineral rights are made.
A decision with consequences this significant deserves an open, competitive, and transparent process—not one conducted largely out of public view.
This process should be paused and brought out into the open

Tonia Sharp, Erie, CO

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Erie Approves Town Center Zoning, Debates Detention Pond

Salem Goodman — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 15:15:39 +0000

Last Tuesday, the Erie Town Council authorized the initiation of a zoning amendment for the Erie Town Center planned development, heard public concerns regarding construction at Vista Ridge detention ponds and approved interim town manager appointments during its Feb. 24 meeting.

During public comment, several Vista Ridge residents expressed frustration over ongoing construction at detention ponds A19 and A20 near the Colorado National Golf Club, citing a lack of communication and transparency. Derek Tuz of Erie said he has sought answers about the ponds since 2014 and described ongoing confusion among the town, metro district and homeowners association regarding maintenance responsibilities. Tuz said recent construction began without residents receiving renderings or detailed information about the final design.

“We have zero answers,” Tuz told council members, noting that more than seven trees have been removed despite earlier notices stating tree removal was not anticipated.

Steve Clark, a new Vista Ridge resident, said the ponds and surrounding landscape were a significant factor in his decision to purchase his home. He described the site as a “mud pit” following tree removal and drainage work and asked the council to share final design renderings with the community. Clark also raised concerns about environmental impacts and potential effects on property values, urging council members to visit the site.

Derek Tuz, an Erie resident, speaks to Erie Town Council on February 24, 2026 about his frustrations with the town’s detention ponds and a lack of accountability.

Former Mayor Justin Brooks said he plans to meet with the Vista Ridge HOA president and will follow up with staff regarding renderings.

Immigration concerns also surfaced during public comment. Shannon Millican, a Thornton resident whose child attends school in Erie, urged the council to publicly acknowledge fears among residents related to immigration enforcement activity in surrounding communities. Millican said while U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has not been active in Erie, reports from nearby cities have created anxiety among some residents. She called on the council to communicate directly with impacted community members.

“When leadership does not acknowledge these fears, it does not create neutrality,” Millican said. “It teaches people that belonging is conditional.”

No formal council action was taken on the matter.

Turning to general business, the council unanimously approved a resolution authorizing staff to initiate a land use application to amend the Erie Town Center planned development, originally adopted in 2020. Planning and Development Director Deborah Craig, who is retiring after 27 years with the town, presented the proposal during her final council meeting. Town officials recognized her tenure and service to the community.

The proposed amendment is intended to provide greater flexibility in the mixed-use development area and address challenges encountered during implementation.

Key changes under consideration include:

Allowing live-work units in certain commercial areas.
Expanding permitted uses in general urban (GU) zoning districts to include hotels, museums, urgent care facilities and parking structures.
Permitting civic buildings and parking garages up to 45 feet in height, consistent with current hotel allowances.
Clarifying frontage build-out requirements and excluding driveways and pedestrian accessways from frontage calculations.
Establishing parking maximums at 125% of standard requirements.
Updating sign regulations to align with the town’s Unified Development Code.
Adding a trail connection from the Creekside neighborhood to County Line Road.

Craig emphasized that Tuesday’s action only authorizes initiation of the amendment process. The proposal will still require staff review, referral agency input, a neighborhood meeting, a Planning Commission public hearing and a final public hearing before the Town Council.

Council members discussed balancing commercial tax base goals with added flexibility for residential and mixed-use development. The measure passed unanimously. Staff will incorporate council feedback and return the items for future consideration.

Following the executive session, the council approved two resolutions related to town leadership.

The council formally appointed Melissa Wiley to serve as acting town manager from Feb. 18 through midnight Feb. 24. Members then unanimously appointed Administrative Services Director Meredith Muth to serve as interim town manager effective Feb. 25. Council members thanked Muth for stepping into the role. The meeting adjourned following the appointments.

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Front Range Foodie: Apres

Katie Mcgarity — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 20:36:59 +0000

Crosscut Pizzeria & Taphouse

I can’t imagine a better spot for a post-ski beer and pizza than Crosscut. This is one of my favorite places to take friends from out of town. If you find yourself coming off Eldora after 3 pm, stop into this cozy corner of Nederland. Crosscut is an underrated option; it’s up there and smaller space-wise, but once you smell the wood-fired pizza and sit back to enjoy the view of fresh snow falling out the window, it’s perfect for Apres. My favorite post-ski/work/weekend order is the Mario Pizza: Colorado hot Italian sausage, pickled shallot, basil, cremini mushrooms, mozzarella, and herbed ricotta sauce. Pairs well with a beer on tap or Crosscut’s Colorado-drafted root beer.

Jungle

The liveliest of our apres options! Jungle is a tropical-themed tiki bar and burger (with tropical twists!) shack. Located in Boulder on 10th Street, it’s known for fun, island-inspired cocktails and a huge variety of rum from all over the world. Food-wise, they offer a creative menu that includes burgers, plantains, and vegan/vegetarian options. They’re open from 4-11 pm on weekdays, 11 am-12 am Fridays and Saturdays, and closed Sundays. They’re the ideal spot for ski buddies who love to have a great time on and off the mountain. I kept it simple with a Cheeseburger—that Hawaiian bun makes it!—and a frozen Piña Colada.

Bitter Bar

Looking for apres drinkies only? I know just the spot. Bitter Bar in Boulder is off of Pearl Street on Walnut, which is noticeably quieter just one street over. It’s great to decompress after ski traffic. Bitter Bar is laid back, and you won’t want to spoil your dinner as it serves drinks only. It’s a unique spot that’s a happy change from pub fare and beer if you need something new. I love the loungey, Japanese cocktail bar vibe they have going on, but they still keep up a neighborhood bar energy. My go-to lately has been their Fire & Ice cocktail, which is bourbon, ginger beer, Angostura bitters, and candied ginger–a little something to warm up after a cold day.

West End Tavern

If you’re down from the mountains but not quite ready to head home, take a turn onto Pearl Street and visit West End Tavern. They have an incredible view of the Flat Irons if you need to show off for your ski buddies, and their BBQ is the ultimate comfort food after a hard day of skiing. I keep coming back to their Fried Chicken Sandwich, Sticky Style, which is a delectable piece of fried chicken paired with spiced honey, smoked garlic mayo, green apple, and crunchy kale slaw, all on a buttered brioche bun. It hits different after you’ve taken your boots off, trust me.

Rosetta Hall

The snow hasn’t been so great this year, folks, I don’t need to tell you that! It was an early day off the mountain, and we needed a little something for everyone, so we checked out Rosetta Hall. It features eight restaurants and two bars, which offer seasonal, craft cocktail menus that are made with fresh-squeezed, organic citrus and small-batch spirits. I was appreciative to have so many options, from Thai food to Italian, so everyone could enjoy what they wanted rather than trying to decide as one big group. Hangry skiers were thankfully avoided, and we got to make the most of a not-so-great ski day. Rosetta Hall also has live music on Tuesdays and the weekends, which I hope to catch one of these days!

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Community Corner: Michael Dougherty on ICE and Knowing Your Rights in Colorado

Guest Contributor — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 18:11:49 +0000

(Community Corner is provided as local contributions from experts in their field as well as local residents.)

As communities across the country continue to voice valid concerns about ICE, it is crucial that people understand their rights in Colorado and the many ways we can protect ourselves and our immigrant communities. Every person has constitutional rights, regardless of immigration status. Those rights include:

You are permitted to film and voice record ICE activity.
You have the right to remain silent and do not have to answer questions about your immigration status.
In Boulder County, local law enforcement officers will not ask any questions about one’s immigration status and, if it is learned, will not report it to ICE.
You do not have to open your door unless ICE presents a federal warrant approved by a judge. Civil immigration detainers are not warrants under Colorado law (C.R.S § 13-1-403). To determine if the document is a warrant, look for the word “warrant” and the name and signature of a federal judge.
If you encounter ICE, you can ask if you are free to leave. If the answer is yes, you may calmly walk away.
If you witness misconduct by ICE or other federal agents, you can report it to 911, your local District Attorney’s Office or the Attorney General’s Office.
- District Attorney 303-441-3700
- Colorado Attorney General’s Office 720-508-6000 or online at www.coag.gov
Colorado law prohibits civil immigration arrests at courthouses, probation offices, medical facilities, or schools (C.R.S § 13-1-403 and 13-1-402).
If you are engaging in a protest or encounter, please do so safely. Do not obstruct or put yourself and others at risk. You can, and should, document and report any misconduct.
If there is an incident in Boulder County involving ICE, there will be a full investigation and charges brought for any illegal activity. No one is above the law.
The Boulder County District Attorney’s Office offers Know Your Rights trainings on the role of ICE, legal protections for immigrants, how to protest safely, and the authority of local law enforcement and prosecutors. To inquire about these presentations, please email boulderda@bouldercounty.gov.

Michael Dougherty, District Attorney

Boulder Office: Justice Center 1777 6th Street|Boulder, Colorado 80302|303.441.3700
Longmont Office: 1035 Kimbark|Longmont, Colorado 80501|303.441.3700
https://bouldercounty.gov/district-attorney/|TDD/V: 303.441.4774

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Feb. 5: House Business Committee to Consider Worker Protection Act

Guest Contributor — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 21:07:48 +0000

Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

MEDIA ADVISORY

For Planning Purposes: February 5, 2026

Contact: Jenny Davies, 720-296-9545, jenny@progressive-promotions.com

Supporters seeking to protect and expand worker rights, make it easier to organize

DENVER – Workers, union activists, business owners and grassroots organization leaders from Colorado Worker Rights United (CWRU) will testify in favor of the Worker Protection Act in front of the House Business Affairs & Labor Committee on February 5th.

When billionaire-backed corporations and the politicians who listen to them benefit from a system that keeps workers quiet, keeps wages low, and makes it incredibly hard to form a union, corporate profits soar but leave families struggling with higher and higher costs. Unions are a key way to address the affordability crisis because when workers can stand together, wages go up, workplaces get safer, and families have a real chance to live and thrive in Colorado.

WHAT: Worker Protection Act House Business Affairs & Labor hearing

WHO: Pro-WPA testifiers will include:

Ski patroller, barista, social worker, server, medical assistant cook & more
Local business owner
Labor union leaders & experts
Community leaders, including clergy

WHEN: Thursday, February 5, 2026 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Colorado State Capitol, House Business Affairs & Labor Committee, Old State Library
200 E. Colfax Ave., Denver 80203

Colorado Worker Rights United is a coalition of labor unions and community groups building worker power through organizing and solidarity in Colorado. CWRU is dedicated to modernizing Colorado’s labor laws to make it easier to organize and empower Colorado workers, 70,000 of whom are currently organizing to form a union.

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Legislation to Protect Colorado Nonprofits from Federal Threats Passes Senate Committee

Guest Contributor — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 20:56:37 +0000

Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 3, 2026

CONTACT: Nina Krizman
Senate Majority Communications Director
nina.krizman@coleg.gov
913-981-3713

SB26-009 would allow Colorado nonprofits who have had their federal tax-exempt status revoked for political reasons to maintain their exemption from state sales tax

DENVER, CO – The Senate Finance Committee today unanimously approved legislation to protect Colorado nonprofits from hostile federal actions.

SB26-009, sponsored by Senators Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs, and William Lindstedt, D-Broomfield, would ensure that nonprofit organizations that have lost their federal tax-exempt status for politically motivated reasons remain exempt from state sales tax.

“Nonprofit organizations in our state are cornerstones of their communities, supporting countless Coloradans through difficult times,” Snyder said. “Chaos in the federal government threatens to upend these organizations’ ability to serve their communities. This bill would offer much-needed stability and dependability to charitable groups across our state.”

“Political retribution from the federal government could throw essential nonprofit organizations and the Colorado families who rely on them into chaos and financial distress,” Lindstedt said. “This legislation would fulfill our state’s responsibility to offer stability to valid charitable organizations amidst federal turbulence.”

SB26-009 would ensure that valid 501(c)(3) organizations maintain their state tax exemption, even if the federal government removes their federal tax-exempt status for political reasons. It would also ensure that the state maintains its authority to deny tax exemption for organizations that have lost their federal nonprofit status for legitimate reasons.

Over the past year, Colorado nonprofits have increasingly struggled to navigate frenzied federal actions that call into question their budgetary futures and ability to serve their communities. SB26-009 is another in a host of actions Colorado Democrats have taken to protect Coloradans’ way of life amid federal threats.

SB26-009 now moves to the Senate floor for further consideration. Track its progress HERE.

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Born and Raised, A Rare Breed: Coloradans talk about what they love and what has changed about the state in their lifetime

Madison Duncan — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 03:27:00 +0000

Coloradans talk about what they love and what has changed about the state in their lifetime

Over the past few decades, more people have flocked to Colorado: first for the outdoors, then legalized marijuana, then for the booming tech industry. Each rush brought changes and growth. However, a rare breed, the born and raised Coloradan, has remained to witness the changes.

Several of these locals took time to discuss the changes in the state, what they love, the growing pains, and everything in between.

Colorado is well-rounded with the glorious Rocky Mountains to the west and the rolling plains to the east. Despite being landlocked, it boasts natural lakes and waterfalls hidden in the crevices of the mountains. It became clear very quickly that the natural environment is what keeps Coloradans here and continuously brings them back.

“People are drawn to Colorado because they love nature. I think it’s something that unites people,” Jennah Synnestvedt explained.

As the population increases, the environment changes, and the political climate polarizes, Coloradans remain strong in their unwavering pride for the state. Most agree that Colorado is still special with its hidden gems and versatility. Like Trinity Jacobs put it, “You appreciate different sparks,” as the state evolves.

Coloradans

Emily Sanchez, Thornton

Sanchez has lived in northern Colorado for the majority of her life and has memories all around the state. She spoke warmly about memories of visiting Steamboat Springs, hiking a 14er this year, and going to Elitches. She said that regardless of the area’s quick expansion, “It feels like home. Everybody’s very united, very close.”

“Everything I like doing is here. I get a little bit of outdoor activities. I get the city vibes. I get out in the countryside. Colorado is a state that has a little bit of everything for everyone. You have to go out of your way and look for that spark now, but its there.”

Trevor Klaus, Lafayette

Klaus reflected on the memories he has with his family in the outdoors. After being, as he put it, dragged outside by his mom and experiencing things like camping in the Sand Dunes, he gained an appreciation for the nature that Colorado has to offer. He spoke passionately about the national and state parks here, saying that he hopes we take care of them for future generations.

“If they start messing with them, the environment will get worse. I think the parks are the biggest part of Colorado.”

Kristen Coats, Longmont

Coats has watched Longmont’s population climb and appreciates the different personalities that have joined the mix. She values the creativity that shines here and the ways that the community has come together to back one another in their crafts.

“I love the hospitality, the creativity, and the willingness to explore new possibilities. We’re open to supporting the community and talking about important subjects without always fighting about it, which is really cool. In other places you can voice an opinion and get shot down, but we actually talk about it. We go through it in depth.”

Ky Pettie, Denver

Ky Pettie, Denver Photo by Lucinda Lazo

Growing up in Pueblo and then attending CU Boulder gave Pettie a unique look into the similarities between the communities. Even though the cities are almost 150 miles apart, he said, “The sense of community between Coloradans has remained the same. We all kind of get each other.”

He expanded on the sense of togetherness Colorado has, saying, “Politically, there’s a lot of safeguards in place for people to be free. It’s a great thing that people would want to come to Colorado for those things – to be in a safe area.”

Jim Roedel, Thornton

Roedel grew up in Fort Lupton before attending Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction and recently returning north. He spoke optimistically about the future of Colorado and hopes that we maintain spaces where human connection is possible.

“I’d love to see the arts and the culture and the connection preserved, which is of extreme importance as we move into the future and as humanity changes a little bit.”

“The energy is still very adventurous. I do think there’s just this feeling within Colorado that you don’t really see in other states. There are all the natural landmarks that are here and remain in our history. Red Rocks, for example, is one of those places that will always be that destination. It’s not going to change in my lifetime. There are those traditional things that will be always here that make it a really cool state.”

Tyler Hinrichs, Broomfield

Hinrichs also vouched for the mountains being one of Colorado’s main selling points. He was outspoken about his love for the open space that the state has to offer and named the natural environment as his reason for remaining in Colorado.

“It’s the natural environment, the views. The mountains are just marvelous. You can see from anywhere really and just being able to look at them is what’s special about Colorado. Being able to go into them and ski and hike and whatnot is what really makes Colorado special,” he said.

Jadyn S, Westminster

Schelir and her fiancé spent most of their lives in Fort Collins. She shared her love of Colorado proudly and gave us a small glimpse into the memories they’ve created. She highlighted how much more there is to the state than its typical stereotypes.

Even though she’s lived here her entire life, she laughed about how she hasn’t visited all of the Colorado staples.

“There’s so much I haven’t seen, but I can tell you where to get a cinnamon roll that’ll blow your mind on the way to Estes Park. It’s the random, little things that you know people who aren’t from here can’t relate to.”

Trinity Jacobs, Westminster

Jacobs has lived in several regions of Colorado and experienced the differences between communities. She made it clear that she loves the state even with its nuances, saying that she hopes we continue to keep “all of it” alive and exciting.

“It’s just such a cool state. Politically, it’s great, and I’m very comfortable with a lot of the areas I’m in. I like the protections with laws and I appreciate the community. There are a lot of kind-hearted souls here and it’s a beautiful state.”

Samantha Clark, Colorado Springs

Clark has lived her whole life in Colorado Springs with memories of climbing the Manitou Springs incline and gaining some scars from falling down the bar trail. She hopes for more spaces where people can come together recreationally while acknowleged “the magic that Colorado offers” with its variety.

“I’m all here for diversity and I think if we could have more people that look different and come from different walks of life, there are always positives in that.”

Jennah Synnestvedt, Lafayette

Synnestvedt moved back to Colorado from New York in 2010, saying, “The mountains called me back.” She explained that the outdoors and diversity were important factors in her decision to return.

“The population increase has put more people in nature, so it’s more taxing on the land, but it’s also brought some more creativity, innovation, and technology here. It is a sanctuary state too, where it’s friendly to people of different backgrounds.”

Justice Humphrey, Northglenn

Experiencing the four seasons and optimism have kept Humphrey here for her entire life. She spoke about her love for the diversity in Colorado and hopes that we protect that facet of the state. Her openness to the change – while still preserving our history – was inspiring.

“We have a lot of people moving here who are liberal and all on the same page. As a kid, everything was very different, and I see things from a different point of view now. I’ve grown, and the city has grown differently, and it’s making new changes.”

Mark Cavanaugh, Denver

Cavanaugh has 60 years of sentimental memories in Colorado and seemingly infinite stories about how the state has evolved. His love was clear in our over-30-minute conversation, filled with memories of Denver ramping up and suddenly exploding with people.

He values the essence of his home state, saying, “Colorado embodies the spirit of the American West. It’s a place where you can remake yourself or become whatever it is you want to be, rather than what you’re supposed to be or what you think you’re trapped to be.”

“We welcome all. It is shaped like a big welcome mat and we welcome people. That’s true Colorado spirit. We have always been a very welcoming and tolerant state.”

Rita Kendrick, Louisville

Kendrick and her family settled down in Colorado after moving to California twice. As an educator, she values the state’s history – both its achievements and harms – and passing the culture down to future generations. She spoke about the nostalgia of visiting places like 16th Street Mall, Casa Bonita, and Frisco and being able to share those places with her children.

“I think a lot of has to do with the outdoors. The outdoor environment, the mountains, being able to ski, being able to hike. I hope that we don’t continue to build, and build, and build, and lose that character of the mountains. Lose the wilderness. Lose the animals. The scenery is beautiful. And the lifestyle – we’re laid back.”

Lena Wenzel, Louisville

Wenzel’s parents settled down in a farmhouse in Louisville in the late 60s. She spoke fondly of her memories rollerskating at Wheels, eating at the LA Diner, and participating in the Pearl Street Mall Crawl. Despite moving across the world to Morocco and integrating into a completely different culture, Wenzel came back to Colorado.

“I guess I had to go all the way across the world to understand how important this place is to me,” she said. “I do feel very safe here. It’s a bubble, but I enjoy my bubble.”

Living just blocks away from the 2021 Marshall Fire gave Wenzel a deeper gratitude for Colorado and the community that has been built. She is still in proximity to her childhood friends and old restaraunt owners. Even with the “urban sprawl” and commercialization of the area, she has roots in Louisville. She and her partner volunteer at the Louisville Historical Museum and own The Aristrocrat Studios.

Kristen Wells-Wrasman, Englewood

Kristen Wells-Wrasman, 34, was born in the highest incorporated town in the United State, Leadville. After attending Colorado College on a full scholarship, she left the state briefly to get her PhD from Stanford University, before returning to settle down in Englewood. She explains, “The biggest, obvious change in Colorado is ski traffic.” Wells-Wrasman, an avid hiker, also notes, “fires and parasites [mountain pine beetle] have really changed the Colorado forests as well.”

Sandee Miller, Leadville

Sandee Miller, 72 is a second-generation Coloradan, coming from a family of Mexican immigrants who fled to Colorado Springs when Pancho Villa took control in Mexico. For her, there have been many changes, also citing the growth of cities. Additionally, she mentions shopping as a major change, “When I was young, you went to shops downtown. Kids would meet there with kids from other parts of the west side, north end etc. Then malls were popular. Now I never think of going to a mall. Grocery stores were a place to get necessities. There were more independent grocers. Many in converted houses in neighborhoods. Even then many were kinda funky. Not that fresh. You would just walk to these neighborhood stores like the Egg House in Colorado Springs. Now grocery stores are shopping adventures.

Amanda Slater, Louisville

Amanda Slater, 39 was born and raised in Broomfield, Co. After a brief stint in Montana, she settled with her family in Louisville. An avid outdoor enthusiast, Slater has spent a fair amount of time skiing, cycling, and hiking around the state. “Suburban sprawl and traffic are the biggest changes I have seen.” While Slater doesn’t mind the additional enthusiasm for the state, the recent growth has made some big changes in the Boulder Valley.

Alisandra Gulic, Eagle

Alisandra Guilic, 35 has spent her life in the Vail Valley, living on a family ranch and working in childcare. In her time living and working in the mountains, she has seen the area change.

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The post Born and Raised, A Rare Breed: Coloradans talk about what they love and what has changed about the state in their lifetime appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Commuting Solutions and the Northwest Mayors & Commissioners Coalition to Host 17th Legislative Breakfast on January 8 at CU Boulder’s Glenn Miller Ballroom

Guest Contributor — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 00:25:44 +0000

Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:

Audrey DeBarros, Executive Director

Commuting Solutions

303-330-4939 | audrey@commutingsolutions.org

MEDIA ADVISORY

Commuting Solutions and the Northwest Mayors & Commissioners Coalition to Host 17th Legislative Breakfast on January 8 at CU Boulder’s Glenn Miller Ballroom

What: Now in its 17th year, the Legislative Breakfast brings together elected officials, transportation partners, public and private sector innovators, and nonprofit leaders in advance of the Colorado legislative session. This year’s event will celebrate the achievements of Governor Polis and explore the challenges and opportunities in sustaining and building upon his transportation legacy.

Who: The 17th Legislative Breakfast is presented by Commuting Solutions and the Northwest Mayors and Commissioners Coalition. Esteemed speakers at the event will include:

Governor Jared Polis, State of Colorado
Senator Katie Wallace, Colorado, District 17
Representative Andrew Boesnecker, Colorado, District 53
Mayor Guyleen Castriotta, City and County of Broomfield
Patrick O’Keefe, Board Vice Chair and District H Director, RTD
Sal Pace, General Manager, Front Range Passenger Rail District
Kirsten Schuchman, Board Chair, Commuting Solutions and Associate Vice Chancellor for External Partnerships, Office of Outreach and Community Engagement, CU Boulder
Audrey DeBarros, Executive Director, Commuting Solutions

When: Thursday, January 8, 2026, 7:45 – 9:45 a.m.

Where: Glenn Miller Ballroom, University Memorial Center, University of Colorado, 1669 Euclid Ave. Boulder, CO

***A full agenda is available on the event webpage. Media should contact Audrey DeBarros or reply to this email if you are interested in covering this event.

###

About Commuting Solutions

Commuting Solutions is dedicated to delivering innovative transportation options that connect commuters to their workplaces, businesses to their employees, and residents to their communities. Through advocacy for infrastructure and transportation improvements, partnerships, and education, we create progressive, flexible transportation solutions. commutingsolutions.org.

About the Northwest Mayors & Commissioners Coalition

The Northwest Mayors & Commissioners Coalition (NW MCC) includes the jurisdictions of Boulder, Boulder County, Longmont, Erie, Lafayette, Superior, Louisville, City & County of Broomfield, and Westminster. The NW MCC and Commuting Solutions have advocated for multimodal, safety, and transportation investments that reduce the impacts of transportation on greenhouse gas emissions and climate change in the northwest metro region for over 20 years. For more information, view the 2025 fact sheet.

The post Commuting Solutions and the Northwest Mayors & Commissioners Coalition to Host 17th Legislative Breakfast on January 8 at CU Boulder’s Glenn Miller Ballroom appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Can Colorado provide your family with affordable health care and excellent benefits?

Guest Contributor — Sun, 21 Dec 2025 18:28:36 +0000

Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

SB 25-045: Colorado Health-Care Payment System Analysis passed the legislature, and Gov. Polis signed it!

Read the bill: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb25-045

Check out this dedicated webpage on the Analysis from the Colorado School of Public Health.

Donate to the analysis here!

In 2021, the results from the bipartisan Colorado Health Care Cost Savings Act of 2019’s study showed Colorado could cover everyone and save billions with a single nonprofit payer for everyone’s health care

Attend an Event

A single payer health care payment system wins the day, saves millions to billions, and helps ALL coloradans, Colo. study finds

A nonpartisan Colorado Health Care Cost Savings Act of 2019 resulted in a study, delivered to Colorado Legislators on Sept. 1, 2021, that analyzed how a single nonprofit payer for our privately delivered health care would perform compared to our current health care system in Colorado and a system aiming toward universal coverage via many payers including for-profit health insurers.

The results show a single nonprofit payer for our privately delivered health care in Colorado would not only cover everyone and save money; it would net savings upon savings upon savings—and benefits on top of benefits.

Read our media release here.

Read the HB19-1176 Task Force Summary Report to the Legislature

Read the HB19-1176 CSPH Full Report

Gov. Jared Polis and Colo. Legislators: Act on the data! Cover everyone with health care the single payer way ASAP.

Americans are now more afraid of health care bills than we are of getting sick. In Colorado more than 350,000 are uninsured while about double that number have health insurance but cannot afford to use it due to high deductibles and copays.

In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, due to the harsh risks of having one’s health insurance tied to employment, one in four Coloradans are on Medicaid. The US and Colorado still struggle under the most expensive and outlandishly complex health care system in the world. Why? Because that system profits billionaires who stop at nothing to defeat universal health care.

But now you have clear data showing you the way forward! Want to save Coloradans money on health care? Your own experts, hired at the bequest of a bipartisan bill, tell you how.

Act on the data!

Contact your Legislators

Phone Script

Email Script

Just 5 minutes of your day could get our communities one step closer to a more just health care system. Please remember—personal stories are the keystone to a good email or phone call.

Want to get more involved? Join our Legislative Action Team. Email Jim Potter.

Spread the Word

Interested in writing thoughtful blog posts or letters to the editor? Email Bill Semple.

Colorado Foundation for Universal Health Care

Phone: (720) 441-1950
Email: info@couniversalhealth.org

Diane Dunn, Registered Agent
1568 Perry St.
Denver, CO 80204-1459

The post Can Colorado provide your family with affordable health care and excellent benefits? appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Disability Activists File Federal Lawsuit Against RTD in Denver

Vincent Chandler — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 19:47:03 +0000

Hair whipping in the wind, the late morning sun obscured by the towering federal courthouse behind, and a smattering of news teams pointed their cameras and microphones. Before the media, holding placards above their head, were the plaintiffs in a newly filed federal lawsuit.

Friends, families, their attorneys and Colorado state representative Meg Froelich joined Dawn Russell, Dr. Claudia Folska, and representatives of Atlantis / ADAPT as they laid out their grievances plainly in the cold air.

Dr. Claudia Folska speaks during a press conference in front of the federal courthouse in Denver, Colorado on Monday, December 8, 2025. Dawn Russell, Dr. Claudia Folska, and representatives of Atlantis / ADAPT filed a federal lawsuit with law firm Newman | McNulty alleging that Colorado’s Regional Transportation District violated the American with Disabilities Act through recent budgeting restructuring and service options impacting the disabled community. (Photo by Vince Chandler / Yellow Scene Magazine)

After an introduction from civil rights attorney Andy McNulty of Newman | McNulty, fresh from lobbying the federal legislature in Washington, D.C., Dawn Russell rolled her wheelchair toward the makeshift c-stand lectern.

Institutionalized as a child following her diagnosis with cerebral palsy, she found an avenue for her voice and fiery commitment when she joined Atlantis / ADAPT in 1996. Living with a disability, she had a lifetime of experience having to advocate for herself. It was time to use that experience lifting everyone around her.

Through almost there decades with ADAPT she has seen success in preserving and protecting the Affordable Care Act and Medicare, access to transportation for all, is an active participant in the assisted suicide policy discussion, and is currently working toward housing equity fighting to pass the LaTonya Reeves Freedom Act.

“It’s been fifty years since the Gang of 19 fought for our right to ride public transportation,” Russell read unflinchingly, beginning her brief statement. “Yet, today ADAPT must again ask a court to make RTD honor it.”

ADAPT was founded in Denver in 1975 by disabled members of a nursing home community founding their own housing solution, Atlantis, with collaboration from Reverend Wade Blank.

The organization got their organizing start protesting for accessible public transit. The organization, and their infamous Gang of 19, set national precedent by winning a lawsuit against RTD requiring the addition of lifts and ramps to public transit vehicles.

“RTD lied,” Russell told the amassed press and their audience. “To you and to me. We should be outraged.”

Attorney Mari Newman speaks during a press conference in front of the federal courthouse in Denver, Colorado on Monday, December 8, 2025. Dawn Russell, Dr. Claudia Folska, and representatives of Atlantis / ADAPT filed a federal lawsuit with law firm Newman | McNulty alleging that Colorado’s Regional Transportation District violated the American with Disabilities Act through recent budgeting restructuring and service options impacting the disabled community. (Photo by Vince Chandler / Yellow Scene Magazine)

The Regional Transportation District, or RTD, made the decision to raise the costs and limit the access to a hard-won option for mobility in the disabled community: Access-on-Demand. The program allows qualifying users to call for rides from third party platforms for curb-to-curb transit, subsidized by RTD.

For those with few route options, the inability to drive to a park and ride, or who have to carry cumbersome equipment, the program allows for autonomy for the disabled with low barriers through proximity to transportation.

“What is she supposed to do, quit her fulltime job and just drive me around?” Dr. Folska asked rhetorically during her time at the microphone, standing next to her adult daughter.

A former RTD Director herself, Dr. Folska founded All Access Transit Solutions in 2020. Blind most of her life, she has worked as a nonprofit director and disability activist throughout her life.

“It causes me great pain and disappointment to see where RTD is today. Today, RTD is killing Access-on-Demand for thousands of people with disabilities when in fact it’s the best service they’ve ever had,” she said.

Taking effect January 2026, the Board of Directors voted in fall 2024 to lower the maximum amount they’d underwrite, increase fares for its use, and create a base fare for all users. RTD says that they are operating with an expected nearly $230M budget deficit for the new year and hope these cost increases for the disability community will alleviate some of that burden.

Dr. Claire Folska and Dawn Russell reflect together after announcing a federal lawsuit during a press conference in front of the federal courthouse in Denver, Colorado on Monday, December 8, 2025. Dawn Russell, Dr. Claudia Folska, and representatives of Atlantis / ADAPT filed a federal lawsuit with law firm Newman | McNulty alleging that Colorado’s Regional Transportation District violated the American with Disabilities Act through recent budgeting restructuring and service options impacting the disabled community. (Photo by Vince Chandler / Yellow Scene Magazine)

“We are outraged by the fact that RTD is treating the rights of people with disabilities as some sort of line item that can just be cut,” Mari Newman, who is representing the plaintiffs. “People have been working for half a century for these rights that they’re entitled to.”

Folska, Russell, and Atlantis/ADAPT say that these changes, and their impacts’ ripples, are in violation of the ADA. The lawsuit reads that disabled users will be “excluded from participation in and deny the benefits of services, programs, or activities provided by RTD,” including equitable access to transportation, in violation of Title II of the ADA. The filing asserts that RTD is denying those with disabilities service, while providing greater access for Coloradans without disabilities.

“To the hundreds of folks who rely on Access-on-Demand for their freedom and independence – you showed-up and spoke-up for two years of RTD Board Committee meetings, and we thank you,” Russell said during her speech. “Let’s make RTD relevant for everyone.

Filed with motions for a preliminary injunction and to have the hearing expedited, the attorneys for Newman | McNulty hope to be able to prevent any interruption to existing service by delaying immediate implementation.

“Getting a federal lawsuit together in about a month is a tough thing to do and that’s what we did here,” McNulty said, answering a question after prepared statements concluded. “We’re looking to stop the wrong and unlawful cuts to RTD services.”

The ones who dared to fight City Hall.

When Boulder denied public access to police body-cam footage, we took it to court. Our fight for transparency is now before the Colorado Supreme Court — because accountability doesn’t stop at the city line.

Through December 31, every gift to Yellow Scene will be matched — dollar for dollar — through the Colorado Media Project’s Matching Grant.Give & Get Democracy this Holiday Season. Your $8 recurring monthly support not only gets you YS delivered to your house, but it’s matched for the entire year, bringing that $8/month to $192.

Because Independent journalism isn’t just about telling stories. It’s about protecting your right to know, holding power accountable, and keeping democracy in the light. This is #newsCOneeds Becoming a sustaining supporter today for $8 a month!

The post Disability Activists File Federal Lawsuit Against RTD in Denver appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Give Life Back to Organizations Threatened by the “Nonprofit Killer” Bill: 2025 Giving Guide

Katie Mcgarity — Thu, 27 Nov 2025 18:55:20 +0000

Last month, I was texting with my dear friend from grad school, who is a pre-school teacher, and she said, “This government shutdown is about to make my job a lot harder.”

I asked, “How so?”

She puts it plain and simple. “Most of the kids I work with are low-income. Kids being fed isn’t a priority, but God knows we have money for a ballroom.”

As of November 1, 2025, SNAP benefits were on hold nationwide, leaving thousands of Colorado families in limbo. Since that time, benefits have been temporarily restored — but only after eight breakaway Democrats, none of whom are up for reelection, crossed the aisle to pass a stop-gap budget that funds the government only through January. The move ended the immediate crisis without offering any long-term stability.

The compromise brought SNAP back online, but it came at a steep cost: those same Democrats agreed to a budget that did not include continued protections for ACA health-care subsidies, leaving millions facing higher premiums or potential coverage loss in 2026. In other words, food assistance resumed for now, but the broader safety net remains at risk — with the most vulnerable families once again bearing the consequences of political maneuvering.

Colorado counties continue processing SNAP applications and recertifications so residents can receive benefits the moment federal dollars arrive, but that reassurance doesn’t change the reality: the deal five Democrats made traded long-term health-care security for a short-lived funding patch that expires in January.

This stop-gap fix may have reopened federal offices, but it left millions exposed. Families relying on SNAP, Medicaid, and ACA subsidies are now living month-to-month under the threat of another shutdown, higher health-care costs, or both — while the lawmakers who made the deal won’t face voters any time soon.

As I sit down to write this year’s Giving Guide, I start at the source: the U.S. Department of Agriculture website. In a rust-orange callout block — a color that feels almost borrowed from Thanksgiving — a “special reminder” jumps out from the usual, expected information.

Let me be clear: I can verbalize my disappointment in the language of this announcement. The question is whether anyone actually wants to hear it. We demand opinions these days, but mostly so we can tear them apart — feeding the machine that tells us we’re all wrong, driving the same wedge that was supposedly meant to bring us together.

It reads as follows:

“Senate Democrats have now voted 12 times to not fund the food stamp program, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Bottom line, the well has run dry. At this time, there will be no benefits issued November 01. We are approaching an inflection point for Senate Democrats. They can continue to hold out for healthcare for illegal aliens and gender mutilation procedures or reopen the government so mothers, babies, and the most vulnerable among us can receive critical nutrition assistance.”

I know it’s more complicated than that, or maybe it is all black and white. What do I know? I’m just a writer.

What I do know is this: we’re keeping food from hungry kids and adults trying to catch a break during a month of abundance and gratitude, just because some of us believe in universal healthcare. And both, to me, should be included in the pursuit of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

Phrasing it differently: the unborn and hungry are deserving of our empathy but not our action, apparently. And, apparently, Trans kids don’t deserve either empathy or action, which I also feel strongly about.

It’s hard not to sigh heavily as I get started, but here we go again…

On Tuesday, October 28th, Colorado joined a 22-state lawsuit “suing to force the Trump Administration to tap into an emergency reserve fund to provide federal food aid in November as the government shutdown grinds on” (Colorado Public Radio).

In joining the lawsuit, Attorney General Phil Weiser stated, “It is clear President Trump and his USDA are making a deliberate, illegal, and inhumane choice to not fund the SNAP program during the federal government shutdown despite the availability of contingency funds. The government is legally required to make payments to those who meet the program requirements.”

This is the first time in history that SNAP benefits have been delayed since the program’s inception in 1939.

Then, there’s H.R. 9495, also known as the “Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act,” which was introduced by sponsor, Rep. Claudia Tenney [R-NY] on September 9th, 2024. Also known as the “Nonprofit Killer” Bill, it states “To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to postpone tax deadlines and reimburse paid late fees for United States nationals who are unlawfully or wrongfully detained or held hostage abroad, to terminate the tax-exempt status of terrorist supporting organizations, and for other purposes.”

Confused by that wording? I was, too.

In a Civil Society Letter on September 20th, 2024, 354 civil liberties, religious, reproductive health, immigrant rights, human rights, racial justice, LGBTQ+, environmental, and educational organizations wrote to The House of Representatives and urged opposition to H.R. 9495, which includes the following:

“It grants the Secretary of the Treasury virtually unfettered discretion to designate a U.S. nonprofit as a “terrorist supporting organization” and to strip it of its tax-exempt status if the Secretary finds that the nonprofit has provided material support to a terrorist group, even if the “support” is not intentional or connected to actual violence.”

It took a few more rounds of research for me to make sense of it. Short version? If a nonprofit were to unknowingly support an individual who was an immigrant who also happened to have a family member in the drug cartel, that nonprofit could lose its 501(c)(3) status, which also means that the organization is no longer available to provide resources and assistance to others who need it.

H.R. 9495 passed the House on November 21st, 2024.

This “Kill Nonprofits Bill” is, candidly, the executive branch’s misuse of authority to shut down an organization it disagrees with without due process. In a time when SNAP benefits are on hold and the possibility of vilifying organizations doing their best to fill those gaps while government organizations take petty jabs at “the other side” does not, to me, seem in the best interest in the people.

Now, friends, is the time to protect free speech and uplift the causes closest to our hearts.

I won’t get into how this bill would allow the executive branch to wrongly deem any nonprofit they don’t like as a “terrorist organization.”

I won’t carry on about the inflammatory language about “healthcare for illegal aliens and gender mutilation procedures,” distracting from the fact that we’re not helping to feed hungry families this month.

I won’t give you my editorial jibe about something-something “Let them eat cake,” because frankly, the remark has been made one too many times before.

I’d like to focus, instead, on the community-forward organizations in Boulder County that we can support now. Regardless of your affiliation, I sure hope we’re all on the same page about feeding those who need a plate this month of Thanksgiving. The greatest impact we can make starts with our communities, one kind interaction at a time, at home. I do my best to not let the wedge between us grow.

Colorado Gives Day 2025 is on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, but I encourage you, please don’t feel that you have to wait until then to donate to the causes you care about. If you’re in need of ideas, please check out our guide below.

This year’s Giving Guide focuses on food security and supporting resources for immigrants.

Feeding and Supporting Families

Sister Carmen

Sister Carmen Community Center is the only organization providing comprehensive basic needs services and resources to the most vulnerable residents in East Boulder County (Lafayette, Louisville, Superior, and Erie). Through family-centered programming, they promote health, safety, well-being, and economic stability by meeting one-on-one with the people we serve. SCCC aims to improve the quality of life for our participants, and assist them in recovering from challenging experiences by providing timely and meaningful wrap-around support in our program areas.

Broomfield FISH

Broomfield FISH (Fellowship In Serving Humanity) has been a vital community resource serving economically disadvantaged residents for more than 60 years. Originally founded in 1963 by a group of women from six local churches, FISH recognized that many community members were going hungry and began collecting and distributing food to those in need. In 2001, the organization incorporated and in 2002 filed for 501©3 status. FISH began as a food pantry, but has since expanded services to include an array of resources and programs designed to help people become more self-sufficient. In 2018, FISH became the only Family Resource Center (FRC) in Broomfield County. After joining the Colorado Family Resource Center Association, we began focusing on whole-family, two-generational health and well-being. Generally, FISH serves residents in Broomfield County living at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, offering food, emergency financial assistance, referral services to more than 30 partner organizations, and strengths-based, whole family development pathways.

EFAA (Emergency Family Assistance Associate)

EFAA is building a community where all of our neighbors can meet their basic needs and springboard themselves and their children out of poverty. For over 100 years, EFAA has served as Boulder County’s safety net, collaborating with volunteers, donors, partners, and participants. They ensure the community has access to food, housing, and other resources to move toward financial stability and resilience. When families thrive, the community is stronger.

Boulder WIC

Boulder County Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) promotes and maintains the health and well-being of nutritionally at-risk pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women and infants and children by providing: supplemental nutritious foods; nutrition and breastfeeding information; referral to other health and nutrition services. Many working families qualify. Individuals who participate in other programs, such as SNAP (food stamps), Medicaid, and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), may automatically be income-eligible for the WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program. […] WIC does not ask about citizenship status, and WIC cannot track the citizenship status of its clients.

Community Food Share

At Community Food Share, the mission is to ensure everyone in Boulder and Broomfield Counties has access to the nutritious food they need to not just survive, but thrive. However, they are more than a food bank they are a neighbor and a friend. Life can get hard ,and when it does, they will always be here to support you when you need it the most. There are multicple food programs

Coal Creek Meals on Wheels

The mission of Coal Creek Meals on Wheels is to support independence and quality of life for Lafayette, Louisville, Erie & Superior residents by providing nutritious meals and social contact. Coal Creek Meals on Wheelsenvisions a future where every individual, regardless of age or circumstances, enjoys access to nutritious meals and meaningful connections. They aspire to foster a community of dignity, where no one goes hungry or feels alone, where compassion and support thrive, and where all individuals are empowered to lead healthy, fulfilling lives.

OUR Center

Founded in 1986, OUR Center is a community-based, non-sectarian Family Resource Center serving the St. Vrain Valley. With two Longmont locations, they connect families and individuals to coordinated services that address urgent needs while building long-term stability. Supported by strong community partnerships and operating with just 13% administrative costs, they strive to help help their neighbors thrive with dignity and opportunity.

Harvest of Hope

Harvest of Hope Pantry opened in 2012 and is the only food pantry in Boulder that serves everyone who comes to the door. They offer a client choice shopping experience where individuals select their preferred foods within our shopping allowances. We provide fruit, vegetables, bakery items, canned foods, dairy, meat, and frozen foods. The Pantry serves individuals and families from a variety of backgrounds and circumstances. Their aim is to provide a welcoming shopping experience where everyone can leave with the food they need, often filling the gap that other services are unable to offer.

A Precious Child

A Precious Child, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2008, provides essential resources and opportunities to children and families in need across eight Denver Metro counties, helping every child reach their full potential through cradle to career programming. Each year, they serve 50,000 children and 14,000 caregivers with cost-free essentials like clothing, hygiene items, food, and diapers – provided with dignity. Our programs also offer access to sports, arts, education, and resources like backpacks and holiday gifts. Through their workforce readiness program, they help build skills for long-term success. With the support of 7,000 volunteers and our network of 300 Agency Partners, we are building a thriving society for all. Learn more at APreciousChild.org.

St Aidan’s Episcopal Church

St. Aidan’s is a church of ancient tradition, warm community, and meaningful service. Through our worship and our community life, we support each other so that we might serve and share the Gospel, the way of love, with the world around us. When you look around at St. Aidan’s, you will see a diverse community that includes people of all ages and many different backgrounds. Some have found the Episcopal Church as adults, some were raised in this congregation, and all have found it to be a whole and life-giving spiritual home. You’ll see retirees, families with children, students and grad students, faculty, singles, and more. You are welcome at St. Aidan’s no matter what religious or spiritual background you come from or no religious background. They are fully LBGTQIA+ affirming. LGBTQIA+ people are welcome to participate fully in our communal life and may take on leadership positions, be married, and receive all the means of grace available to all members of the community.

Immigration/Latino Assistance

Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition

The Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC) is a statewide, membership-based coalition of immigrant, faith, labor, youth, community, business and ally organizations founded in 2002 to improve the lives of immigrants and refugees by making Colorado a more welcoming, immigrant-friendly state. CIRC achieves this mission through non-partisan civic engagement, public education, and advocating for workable, fair and humane immigration policies.

El Centro Amistad

El Centro Amistad creates opportunities and programs that promote equity in Health, Education, and Quality of Life for the Latino Community in Boulder County. Each year they conduct over 100 community activities in Boulder County, helping people of all ages, interests, and needs. Language is a powerful tool in any community, and AMISTAD values ??the importance of intentional terminology in our work. Their programming approach is to provide meaningful opportunities for the community to engage in and explore the formation of its identity in a way that honors its process and cultivates autonomy in individual and collective self-identification. They recognize the diversity that exists within our communities through Indigenous heritage, race, gender, migration histories, culture, and more. Our communities are not homogeneous, and moving away from general colonial and institutionalized terms is a movement to reclaim identities that have been oppressed, and this process should be respected, honored, and celebrated.

El Comite

El Comité is a social justice and human service organization that supports, educates, connects, and advocates to eliminate barriers and empower Latino and immigrant community members. Founded by the community and born from advocacy, El Comité has spent more than four decades standing with and for Latino and immigrant families in Boulder County. As the only fully bilingual and bicultural human service provider in Boulder County, thier services are vital for the over 3,000 people we serve annually. Everyone deserves access to trusted legal support—regardless of income or background. They offer low-cost consultations with experienced attorneys to help make the best possible decisions for yourself and your family.

Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network

Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (RMIAN) is a nonprofit organization that serves low-income adults and children in immigration proceedings. RMIAN promotes knowledge of legal rights, provides effective representation to ensure due process, works to improve detention conditions, and promotes a more humane immigration system, including alternatives to detention.

Immigrant Legal Center of Boulder

The mission of the Immigrant Legal Center of Boulder County is to expand access to reliable legal services for the immigrant community, to educate the immigrant population about U.S. Law and to educate the general public about legal difficulties encountered by immigrants in this country.

The ones who dared to fight City Hall.

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The Ones Who Dared to Fight City Hall — and Why It Matters

redtornado — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 20:54:50 +0000

Give and Get Democracy: Your support keeps local journalism unbossed and unbought.

Dear Champions of Local News,

The first Yellow Scenes

It’s hard to believe 25 years have passed since Yellow Scene first hit Boulder County. I had just left Boulder Weekly and was living in Erie, thinking East County could use its own local source. Funny how times change. I sold ads before I even had a product—or, for that matter, a business. It proved how much local businesses needed a true community voice.

That same spirit of taking a risk on a hunch still drives us today. We look for what the community needs and strive to fill it. Most people pick up the magazine and say, “There’s interesting stuff in here.”

It’s startling that people are surprised by the quality of reporting in a local magazine. Having started in media at 21, my career has been rooted in local journalism. I grew up believing in its mission, which is simple: Who has the power? And who is causing the harm?

With 85% of U.S. media now controlled by six major conglomerates, what we’re served often protects those in power—or worse, isn’t journalism at all. We have plenty of “lifestyle” magazines filled with sponsored content.

Yellow Scene is the last locally owned, independent publication serving all of Boulder County—and we still print. Even though it could ease the financial challenges of independent media, we refuse pay-to-play content and hold ourselves to high standards. Being interesting is the point.

Over the years, we’ve never shied away from hard subjects. Recently, one of our reporters went undercover at the ICE facility to talk to a detainee not receiving the medical care they needed. Another zigzagged through the heartland, talking to people resisting the current administration—sleeping in his car to keep costs down. Our lawsuit against the City of Boulder isn’t for money; there’s no payout if we win. But the people of Colorado will benefit, because a win would set a statewide precedent for transparency and the public’s right to know.

Local advertising alone can no longer sustain a newsroom. We could have made it easier on ourselves—taken the sponsored content and played it safe—but that’s never who we were. We chose the harder path: to stay people-powered and independent. This is the kind of journalism your support makes possible.

For $8 a month, you can enjoy Yellow Scene delivered to your door—award-winning stories, bold design, and coverage that connects our community. Right now, every dollar you give is matched through Dec. 31 by the Colorado Media Project. Your $8 monthly commitment counts as $96 for the year, which doubles to $192 with the match.

Fifty-two new sustaining supporters by Dec. 31 will help us reach our goal. Please consider joining today, because local democracy is just as important as what’s happening in D.C.

When you become a sustaining supporter, our only boss is you.

Give & Get Democracy Today.

This is #newsCOneeds.

The post The Ones Who Dared to Fight City Hall — and Why It Matters appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

2025 Election Guide: Boulder County & the North Metro

Lexi Miller — Sat, 18 Oct 2025 15:57:07 +0000

For 25 years, Yellow Scene Magazine has been a trusted voice in local election coverage. Every candidate featured here was interviewed in person, by phone, or via video—never by email. We believe voters deserve authentic, unscripted answers, and the only way to achieve that is through real conversations that allow for follow-up and nuance.

Our writers—Guethshina Altena, Mandie Johnson, Akshaya Krishnan, Jamie Lammers, Owen Swallow, and Noell Wolfgram-Evans—approached each interview with integrity and fairness, ensuring candidates were heard in their own words.

Endorsements were determined collectively by our editorial board, including our team of writers, Associate Editor Lexi Miller, and Publisher Shavonne Blades, based on which candidates best align with the values of Yellow Scene Magazine and the communities we serve.

Update 10/22: Sean McKenzie was added and endorsed for Broomfield Ward 4.

Update 10/24: Austin Ward, upon more review, was endorsed for Broomfield Ward 2.

Board of Education

Board of Education Questions:

ENROLLMENT

Enrollment has been declining; what can be done to keep kids in public schools?

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (two parts)

What are your thoughts on the attempts to defund and dismantle of the Department of Education at a federal level?

How do you plan to support schools if the DOE is dismantled?

STUDENT SUPPORT

What is most important in supporting students in today’s climate?

TEACHER SUPPORT

Colorado has experienced a staffing shortage; how can teachers best be supported?

SAFETY

How can safety be implemented in schools?

St Vrain Valley School District

District B

Peggy Kelly: REFUSED INTERVIEW

Hadley Solomon – ENDORSED
Safety: In addition to keeping students physically safe, we must ensure they feel honored, respected, and valued for who they are. A strong school culture should make students feel safe without even having to think about it.

Teacher Support: Teaching must remain an appealing career. That means creating an environment that’s supportive and well-compensated. Our starting salary is the highest in the state, showing our commitment to helping teachers work and live without financial stress.

Student Support: Technology is moving fast, but education must stay human-centered. Students can bring what they learn from technology into the classroom to expand understanding.

Enrollment: A strong public school system unites a community. We need to show the value of public education in what our kids learn and how that benefits all of us.

Defunding the Department of Education: Colorado’s funding system is complex, and losing federal support would create major shortfalls, especially for Title I schools. We’ll need to untangle finances to ensure every child continues to receive a quality education.

District D

Meosha Babbs – Incumbent, ENDORSED
Safety: Safety is one of our top priorities. Funding from the 2024 bond issue is improving both physical and non-physical safety measures. Every high school now has an SRO, and middle schools have campus supervisors to ensure students feel secure.

Teacher Support: We’re not seeing a shortage of teachers because we prioritize staff. We give them the tools and support they need to succeed. Our P-Teach program lets students earn transferable credits toward a teaching degree, helping grow our next generation of educators.

Student Support: It takes the whole community to educate children. We can’t rely on the government alone. Parents, teachers, and volunteers must work together to keep our schools strong.

Enrollment: Our 411-square-mile district serves 33,000 students. We use data—birth rates, housing, and business trends—to forecast needs and use resources effectively.

Defunding the Department of Education: Lawmakers need to value education as they do defense or infrastructure. Too many decision-makers haven’t been in a classroom. We must invest where we claim our values are—our schools.

John Ahrens
Safety: Safety is central to everything we do—at school, online, and in the community. Our SRO program protects students while also building positive relationships with police.

Teacher Support: We offer the highest starting pay in the state, but support goes beyond pay. We provide opportunities for professional growth, credential renewal, and recognition. Respect and appreciation go a long way.

Student Support: Technology should enhance—not replace—learning. School should be a safe place for students to stretch their wings, make mistakes, and grow.

Enrollment: Attracting great teachers draws families. Programs like robotics, drones, and sports strengthen our appeal and keep students engaged.

Defunding the Department of Education: Most of our funding comes from local and state sources. Federal cuts would hurt students facing hardships, but this community always finds ways to meet needs and support mental health.

District E (Uncontested)

Jocelyn Gilligan: Did not interview – Incumbent, UNCONTESTED
Sarah Hurianek: Did not interview – Incumbent, UNCONTESTED

Boulder Valley School District

District B

Nicole Rajpal – Incumbent, ENDORSED
Enrollment: To attract students, we must meet their needs and showcase our programs. Hosting BVSD showcases and analyzing why some families choose other districts help us adapt and strengthen community ties.

Department of Education: Most of our funding comes from the state, so advocating for stable and increased state funding remains a key priority.

Student Support: Our renewed strategic plan lays out specific supports for classrooms, schools, and staff. The board must ensure the superintendent stays focused on these goals.

Teacher Support: Great teachers make great classrooms. We need relevant professional development and access to the resources teachers rely on.

Safety: Recent events like the Fairview lockdown showed our safety systems work. Strong emergency protocols save lives.

Overall Campaign Goals: Every student deserves access to high-quality education. We’ve made progress, but must continue closing gaps in achievement, growth, and discipline while supporting student well-being.

District E

Deann Bucher – Incumbent, ENDORSED
Enrollment: Boulder Valley’s open-enrollment system attracts families from other districts, including students with special-education needs. While this can stretch resources, it’s a testament to our quality. I believe in neighborhood schools—they build community and belonging in ways that can’t be measured. As enrollment shifts, we must manage budgets carefully without losing what makes local schools vital.

Department of Education: The potential dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education deeply concerns me. Without federal oversight, we risk losing accountability and protections for students of color, students with disabilities, and other marginalized groups. The DOE enforces Title IX and ensures equity—critical safeguards that can’t disappear.

Student Support: Inclusion means giving every student freedom and voice. Years ago, opening our schools to all clubs—from Bible study to Gay–Straight Alliance—showed that fairness comes from welcoming all perspectives. When students feel heard, they feel safe.

Teacher Support: After 27 years teaching in BVSD, I know how hard educators work. I want them to have an ally on the board—someone who listens and advocates. We need creative ways to bring new teachers into the field, like paid training and internships that make the profession more accessible.

Safety: Gun violence has made some young people afraid to teach. We must strengthen mental-health support within schools—most school shooters are current or former students. Caring for the whole child means creating trusted, supportive environments.

Overall Campaign Goals: I’m running to protect BVSD from political attacks on public education. We were among the first to adopt LGBTQ+ protections and defend inclusion in court. I’ll continue that legacy by ensuring every student—especially trans students and students of color—feels safe, supported, and proud to belong.

Jeff Anderson
Enrollment: We can’t fix low enrollment school by school. Over the next four years, we need a holistic approach that addresses districtwide impacts, starting with our elementary schools.

Department of Education: The Department of Education has been remarkably effective since its creation under President Carter. Losing its funding and services would strain local budgets. We must protect students while being efficient with taxpayer money.

Student Support: Students need guidance in managing both AI and the mental health challenges that can come with it. We should help them use technology wisely and maintain balance.

Teacher Support: Teachers must be trained to use AI effectively—it can multiply what great instructors can do. They also need competitive pay and community respect. Building public support for teachers helps everyone.

Safety: We can never make any school completely safe, especially high schools, but we must keep working to protect both students and staff.

Overall Campaign Goals: Safety and inclusion are my top priorities. I want every student in BVSD to feel welcome, supported, and secure.

District F

Ana Otting Temu
Enrollment: Declining enrollment is shaped by many factors—housing, zoning, and school choice. We need to understand those forces and work with the community to address them.

Department of Education: Many programs we’ve built over decades are now at risk. We need to be explicit about what works and maintain programs that directly support our students.

Student Support: Good governance requires equity and transparency. We must avoid policies that draw unnecessary political attention to our students and instead focus on meeting their needs.

Teacher Support: A strong union contract gives teachers the safety net they need to stay in the classroom and keep doing their work.

Safety: Safety includes emotional well-being. Programs that provide mental health resources are essential to keeping our students healthy.

Overall Campaign Goals: Open communication with the community and transparent decision-making are key. We must preserve the programs that serve our students and staff best.

City Council and Mayoral Questions

The questions our team asked were determined through consensus and were the same for all candidates. Each candidate was asked identical questions.

HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT

The State requires a percentage of land to be dedicated to Affordable Housing. Would you like to increase the above state regulations?

HOMELESSNESS AND POVERTY

Like many Front Range communities seeing increasing conversations about homelessness. What role should the city play in addressing homelessness versus relying on county or regional programs?

OPEN SPACE

Broomfield passed a new Open Space 20-year roadmap in 2024 with goal of 40% of land remaining dedicated to Open Space. What would you like to see come from that?

FIRE MITIGATION

What are your goals to prevent wildfires that would put homes at risk?

CLIMATE-CHANGE/FIRE (two-part question)

New text needed

INTERNATIONAL CONFLICT/ GAZA

What is the role of local governments in dealing with international conflict, such as what is going on with Gaza?

SAFETY

What is the biggest threat to safety in your town?

More and more police departments are getting military grade weapons, including Lafayette. How will your police respond to overdoses, the unhoused, school shootings and protestors?

ICE

Do you support the police department working with ICE?

TRANSPORTATION

What are the issues facing transportation in your town?

BUSINESS SUPPORT

What is needed to encourage small businesses in your community.

Broomfield Election 2025

Mayor

Guyleen Castriotta – ENDORSED

I was first elected Mayor of the City and County of Broomfield in 2021 after serving four years on City Council and two years as Mayor Pro Tem. I was re-elected in 2023 in an uncontested race.

Housing
Broomfield has expanded affordable housing through new zoning, policy, and regulatory changes. We’ve increased density to encourage compact, lower-cost development and aligned with recent state laws to speed up construction. In 2023, we strengthened our Inclusionary Housing Ordinance, now requiring that 20 percent of new units be affordable to households earning 60 percent of the area median income. These updates broaden housing options across income levels and help ensure that our community remains accessible to residents of all backgrounds.

Homelessness
Broomfield provides a comprehensive range of housing stability and homelessness prevention services through the Housing Alliance and local partnerships. The Housing Alliance connects individuals and families to home referrals and voucher programs, while during periods of extreme cold, we partner with Almost Home to activate the Severe Weather Activation Program (SWAP), offering hotel vouchers to those who need safe shelter. These programs reflect our commitment to compassion, dignity, and stability.

Open Space
Residents approved a quarter-cent sales tax dedicated to the preservation and acquisition of open space. These funds are used to purchase land for recreation, conservation, and outdoor activities, as outlined by the city charter. This approach gives residents a direct say in how open space is managed and maintained.

Transportation
Broomfield lacks sufficient representation on the RTD Board, which limits our ability to advocate for local transit needs. This has led to service gaps, particularly for transit-dependent populations, including paratransit users. Some neighborhoods, like The Grove, have been left without service since route discontinuations. I’m committed to working with regional partners to restore reliable, equitable transit options for all residents.

Business
Attracting new businesses often requires strategic incentives, especially in competitive retail and dining sectors. We’ve successfully redeveloped underutilized mall and big-box spaces into mixed-use developments featuring ground-floor retail—often local businesses—and residential units above, some reserved for residents earning $60,000 or less. These projects revitalize our economy and reflect Broomfield’s values of smart growth and community balance.

Safety
Broomfield’s police force is known for professionalism and ongoing training focused on de-escalation and community safety. Our co-responder program pairs officers with mental-health professionals to address crises compassionately. This approach keeps Broomfield’s violent-crime rate the lowest along the Front Range and reflects our city’s commitment to public well-being.

Fire Mitigation
The Marshall Fire was a near miss for Broomfield when the winds shifted at our border. That event prompted us to review emergency plans, strengthen wildfire education, and prepare to adopt Wildland-Urban Interface codes requiring fire-resistant materials in future development, especially in high-risk areas.

International Issues
Local governments must focus on what they can control—our neighborhoods, safety, and infrastructure. While broader issues matter, my responsibility is to keep Broomfield strong, safe, and resilient.

Kimberly Groom: DID NOT RESPOND

City Council

Ward 1

Elizabeth Law-Evans

Affordable Housing
We certainly have a deficit of affordable and attainable housing in Broomfield. One question we must carefully assess is who is coming in. If we’re asking citizens and taxpayers to be generous with their resources, we must ensure those resources go to people who already have ties to Broomfield.

Homelessness
Rather than focusing solely on short-term fixes, I support a holistic approach that prioritizes mental health treatment, addiction recovery, and transitional housing. Working in partnership with nonprofits and regional programs will ensure lasting solutions.

Open Space
Maintaining 40 percent open space is a remarkable achievement and a reflection of Broomfield’s relative affluence. Our scenic trails and parks add to the city’s appeal, but that desirability also contributes to rising housing costs and property taxes. Preserving open space is vital, but it must be balanced with housing affordability.

Transportation
I fully support Broomfield’s police and will work with the chief to assess whether more officers or resources are needed for traffic enforcement. Highway 7 is a vital corridor that deserves long-term investment for safety and regional connectivity. As a cyclist and former member of the sustainability committee, I’m committed to expanding infrastructure for pedestrians, cyclists, and all forms of non-car transportation.

Safety

I have great respect for our police and first responders. Broomfield consistently ranks among the highest in the state for crime clearance, and I’ll continue to support law enforcement with access to the best technology and resources available.

Business Support
As a former small business owner in commercial real estate, I understand the challenges owners face. Too much time is lost to paperwork, regulations, and taxes. Rather than relying on incentives, I believe the best way to support small businesses is to simplify government processes so owners can spend less time on compliance and more on growing their business.

International Issues
Local governments should focus on local matters rather than taking positions on national or international concerns. As a member of the North Metro Fire Rescue District Board, I’ve seen firsthand the dedication of our firefighters—many of whom risk their own homes to protect others. With new wildfire mapping, we now have tools to strengthen prevention and build comprehensive plans for community safety.

Julie Twiss – ENDORSED

Affordable Housing
Affordable housing is personal to me—I got my start in affordable housing, and I want my kids to have the same opportunity here. As a supporter of the Broomfield Housing Authority, I’ve worked to expand income-aligned housing and support inclusive developments for seniors and people with disabilities. I also support higher-density housing, efficient project approvals, and creative redevelopment—like the former FirstBank Center site—to meet our growing needs.

Homelessness
As a public librarian, I work every day with people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Broomfield has strong partners, like The Refuge, but resources are stretched thin. We should expand programs that help residents stay housed—such as utility assistance—and strengthen partnerships with nonprofits to ensure vulnerable residents have the support they need, especially during extreme weather.

Safety
I strongly support Broomfield’s well-trained, community-focused police. Funding increases have expanded training and programs like the Mental Health Co-Responder initiative, which I’ve seen work effectively. As a parent, I’m deeply concerned about school safety and gun violence. These issues require thoughtful legislation and bipartisan cooperation to keep our community safe.

Open Space
I’m passionate about protecting and expanding Broomfield’s open spaces. Living near Broomfield Commons, I see every day how access to nature shapes our community’s quality of life. As we grow, we must balance housing needs with preservation to ensure future generations enjoy the same access to the outdoors that we do.

Transportation
Transportation will be a major focus of Broomfield’s 10-year strategic plan launching in 2026. It’s an opportunity to improve how we move through the city and strengthen our transit infrastructure. I’m especially concerned about RTD service cuts; Broomfield residents continue to pay RTD taxes, yet many routes haven’t returned since the pandemic. I’ll work to hold RTD accountable and ensure our community gets the service it pays for.

Local Businesses
Community feedback on the upcoming Town Square project shows residents want walkable, locally focused spaces with independent restaurants, cafés, and shops. I share those priorities and want the city to do more to help local entrepreneurs thrive. Creative incentives and financial support can help small businesses grow and ensure that development reflects Broomfield’s character.

Fire Mitigation and International Issues
My mother’s neighborhood was evacuated during the Marshall Fire, so I understand how quickly wildfires can escalate. We must strengthen regional collaboration, public education, and communication for residents in high-risk areas.

As a City Council member and County Commissioner, I believe it’s appropriate—and often necessary—for local officials to speak out on broader issues when they affect our residents. Representing Broomfield means reflecting the values and concerns of our community, even when those concerns extend beyond city limits.

Ward 2

Austin Ward -ENDORSED, INCUMBENT

Affordable Housing
Since 2020, we’ve enforced an inclusionary housing ordinance requiring that 20 percent of new rental units be affordable for households earning 60 percent or less of the Area Median Income. Developers can also opt to pay a “cash-in-lieu” fee or a mix of both. Flexibility is important, but so is accountability. We’re also focused on supporting residents earning below 30 percent AMI, where housing and childcare costs make basic needs unaffordable.

Homelessness
Because Broomfield operates under a consolidated city and county model, we can deliver housing and workforce programs efficiently. Strengthening these services for low-income and working families remains a priority, especially for those struggling to meet basic needs.

Open Space
Our open space roadmap ensures that all residents—regardless of income or background—can access open lands, parks, and green spaces. Our goal is for every resident to live within a 10-minute walk of a park. Moving forward, we’ll prioritize investments in neighborhoods that currently lack access.

Fire Mitigation
Western and northern Broomfield face the greatest wildfire risk. We’re enforcing fire-resistant building standards, managing vegetation, expanding public education, and strengthening coordination with neighboring cities. Wildfires don’t stop at city borders, so our preparedness can’t either.

Safety and Police
Public safety is holistic—it means preventing crime but also addressing the social and economic conditions that affect security. Broomfield’s police department is fully staffed, and our officers reflect community values. Through our BCORE program, officers partner with mental-health professionals to respond compassionately to crises, ensuring residents in distress get help, not punishment.

Immigration and ICE
Our police follow the law, but immigration enforcement should remain the responsibility of federal agencies. Local officers are here to protect residents, build trust, and keep the community safe. It’s not appropriate for them to assist in federal immigration operations.

Transportation
Broomfield’s transit access is similar to nearby cities, but we need to do better. RTD must apply equity when planning routes—too often, financially vulnerable residents are overlooked. Expanding microtransit, improving sidewalks, and adding protected bike lanes will give residents safe, reliable alternatives to cars.

Local Businesses
Broomfield’s small business grant program has already made a difference, helping companies like LaBelle replace essential equipment and stay open. Expanding these programs and adapting financial incentives for small, locally owned businesses will strengthen our economy and community ties.

Community Values
I’m committed to ensuring Broomfield remains a place where everyone—regardless of income, gender, or immigration status—feels safe and supported. Being undocumented is not a crime. Everyone deserves stability and a sense of belonging.

Colin Dielmann: DID NOT RESPOND

Ward 3

Peter B. Crouse

Housing
I’m a pro-density candidate. Advocating for construction law reform at the state level is critical to housing affordability. Strategic zoning and smart density help preserve open space and reduce air pollution.

Homelessness
Homelessness will continue to grow, and mental health plays a major role. I’ve been involved with Broomfield FISH, which my mother started in 1965. The city must coordinate with state and federal partners to ensure we have the resources to address homelessness effectively.

Open Space
Open space comes with costs—less room for development and ongoing maintenance. While preserving 40 percent of land is a laudable goal we’re close to achieving, it also involves difficult trade-offs we must manage responsibly.

Fire Mitigation
Higher density means less pollution and a smaller carbon footprint. Open spaces must be actively managed—through trimming, equipment, or grazing—to reduce fire risk.

Safety
Broomfield has the lowest crime rate of the seven metro counties. I recently toured our police department and jail, which serve as national models. We’re a safe community, and I’ll work to keep it that way.

ICE
I do not support ICE working with our police.

Business Support
As a restaurant owner in Broomfield, I know success depends on performance and customer loyalty. I don’t believe city funds should subsidize private business; success should come from service and quality.

Sarah Braun – ENDORSED

Housing
A few years ago, we proudly passed an Inclusionary Housing Ordinance to expand income-aligned housing across Broomfield. It’s been an important step, but we still need innovative approaches. I’m especially interested in partnerships like those some Colorado school districts are exploring to provide housing for teachers and essential workers. Too many can’t afford to live where they serve. I’d work with the Broomfield Housing Alliance and our schools to explore solutions that keep vital professionals rooted in our community.

Homelessness
Keeping people safe and supported is foundational to Broomfield’s long-term success. We’ve partnered with nonprofits that connect residents in crisis to vital resources, but seniors on fixed incomes remain especially vulnerable. I’m a strong supporter of our Co-Responder Program, which pairs mental-health professionals with police officers to connect unhoused residents with services compassionately. It’s a smart, humane approach that reflects our community’s values. We must continue strengthening these partnerships so everyone can live with dignity and security.

Open Space
I’m a strong proponent of protecting open space and believe maintaining around 40 percent is a healthy, balanced goal for Broomfield. Residents consistently tell me open space is what they love most—our mountain views, easy access to trails, and proximity to nature. It’s what makes Broomfield special. We need to keep prioritizing and protecting these lands because they define our community’s character, contribute to our well-being, and preserve the natural beauty that draws people here.

Transportation
Speeding and congestion are ongoing concerns, and I’m glad the city completed a year-long Transportation Safety Action Plan focused on our most dangerous intersections. There’s also discussion about speed cameras, which must be implemented thoughtfully and transparently—I value privacy and accountability. We can’t rely solely on delayed federal funding; safety improvements should move forward with urgency. My goal is to make our roads safer for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians while ensuring solutions align with community values.

Safety
Public safety is essential, and I’m meeting with our police department to understand their operations and ensure alignment with community values. Broomfield is fortunate to have a low crime rate, and a second police station will help maintain responsiveness as we grow. I believe in balanced policing—officers available when needed, but engagement grounded in trust and transparency. True safety is about partnership, accountability, and ensuring law enforcement reflects the community it serves.

Business Support
Many Broomfield businesses open with excitement but struggle to stay. If we want a resilient local economy, we must help entrepreneurs thrive. I’ve seen firsthand how our Economic Vitality Department supports small businesses with training, loans, and grants. Continuing to invest in these programs strengthens our local identity and keeps opportunity close to home. Supporting small businesses isn’t just about commerce—it’s about sustaining the people and relationships that give Broomfield its heart.

Wildfire Mitigation
With a master’s in public administration focused on emergency management, I take wildfire risk seriously. Broomfield sits on the wildland-urban edge, and as fires intensify statewide, preparedness is essential. I support the new WUI building code and believe education, transparency, and community readiness are key. Residents should understand their risk, insurance coverage, and mitigation options. We also need better early-detection systems. Acting proactively will protect our homes, families, and long-term resilience.

Ward 4

Sean McKenzie– ENDORSED

Affordable Housing
Not everyone, not every resident in Broomfield, is going to be able to make career adjustments or grow their income with inflation. I’m particularly concerned about the seniors, because from what I know, their population is set to double as we increase the overall population of Broomfield, that specific population is set to double. I want to make sure that our seniors can stay with us and live in Broomfield and be able to downsize if they need to.

Homelessness
When I think about the budgets, I think about, how can we optimize the budgets and make it efficient so that we can help our partners, like Broomfield Fish, maximize the work that they can do. But, think beyond supporting these

Open Space
I’m very supportive of the open space the 40% and I think that as we build and develop as we grow towards the build out and maturity of the city over the next 2030, years, it’s important to have and keep that commitment And to weave in these aspects of open space connection to nature through the development process. When it comes to development, we need to think holistically and not just have it sectioned off, but sort of an integrated approach.

Wildfire Prevention
We need t mitigate risk in all dimensions. We need to partner with law enforcement and the fire department to ensure safety as well as work on sustainability. Climate change is only going to get worse with more droughts and decreasing snowpack.

Public Safety
Broomfield as a relatively safe community; the biggest threat to our safety is inadequate funding for first responders.

Immigration/ICE

I am not supportive of the way in which the immigration agenda has unfolded in our country. And again, I think as a city and county council member. My job is to focus on my city and county and making sure that our police department are focused on their job, keeping crime down, keeping us safe.

Transportation
We are going to continue to grow as a city and county so as population increases, there may be more possibility for accidents and things of this nature. The majority of residents in Broomfield work outside of the city. We need to keep up with road maintenance and make sure law enforcement is appropriately funded.

Local Businesses
Better funding for local businesses means that they can hire more local employees, keeping the money and work in Broomfield. With funding and support, we can create an ecosystem where small businesses can weather the storm and survive.

Larry Hardouin

Affordable Housing
I’m aware that Colorado law (CRS § 29-32-105) requires local governments to increase affordable housing by at least 3% annually. While Broomfield has made progress, I haven’t seen public reporting tied directly to that target. The Broomfield Housing Alliance (BHA), now our official Housing Authority, plays a key role. If elected, I’ll collaborate closely with the BHA to ensure compliance with state requirements, track our progress, and pursue data-driven solutions that promote housing stability and affordability.

Homelessness
Because Broomfield is both a city and a county, we must take responsibility at the local level while also collaborating regionally. I support partnerships with neighboring cities—including Westminster, Erie, Lafayette, Louisville, Superior, and Boulder—to share data, expertise, and resources. Working together allows us to better plan, coordinate outreach, and provide consistent support for people experiencing homelessness. Regional collaboration is essential to addressing this challenge compassionately and effectively across our interconnected communities.

Open Space
Broomfield’s Charter requires maintaining 40% of land as open space, and any change would require voter approval. I support honoring that commitment. We should develop a clear plan for acquiring remaining open space to meet this goal and ensure we have long-term maintenance strategies in place. Open space is vital for recreation, environmental health, and our community identity. Protecting and maintaining it for future generations must remain a top priority.

Wildfire Prevention
The new 2025 Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code (CWRC) will take time to study and implement. Broomfield hasn’t yet adopted it but is piloting a local mapping project using the state’s required methodology. In early 2026, we’ll hold a study session and community meeting before any adoption decision. Reducing wildfire risk is an ongoing responsibility, and as a Council member, I’ll continue supporting prevention efforts, community education, and preparedness to safeguard homes and residents.

International Issues
City Council’s focus must remain on Broomfield’s local priorities—housing, transportation, and public safety. While international and federal issues matter deeply, they generally fall outside our jurisdiction. If a federal issue directly affects Broomfield residents or local operations, we can and should share feedback through our congressional representatives. My goal is to keep City Council’s energy focused on practical, community-centered action where we can make the greatest local impact.

Public Safety
Public safety consistently ranks as one of Broomfield’s highest community priorities. Resident surveys show strong satisfaction with police, fire, and emergency services. The city tracks how safe people feel, along with police responsiveness, equity, and respect across neighborhoods. These metrics drive ongoing improvement. I believe Broomfield’s public safety performance is excellent, and we’ll keep building on that foundation through transparency, responsiveness, and community engagement to ensure residents continue to feel safe and supported.

Transportation
Traffic management in Broomfield requires ongoing attention. I support continuing traffic studies, safety audits, and incremental improvements to address congestion and speed concerns. There’s no single solution—progress will come from steady, data-informed planning. By prioritizing road safety, intersection improvements, and collaboration with regional partners, we can make transportation more efficient and safer for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians throughout our growing community.

Local Businesses
Supporting small and locally owned businesses starts with listening. I plan to meet with business owners to learn what’s working and where city policies can improve. As Broomfield grows, we must balance residential and commercial development. The city currently spends more on services for homes than it collects in taxes, so commercial growth helps close that gap. Encouraging both local entrepreneurship and responsible corporate expansion is critical to maintaining fiscal balance and community vitality.

Chad Swenson: DID NOT RESPOND

Ward 5

Todd Cohen – Incumbent, STRONGLY CONSIDERED

Affordable Housing
For residents earning 60–80 percent of the area median income, affordable housing remains a challenge. We’ll keep working with developers to expand options, and the new zoning law allowing higher density in select areas will help address worker housing insecurity.

Homelessness
Many people face hidden homelessness—living in cars, with friends, or couch-surfing. Solving this requires affordable housing, job access, and homeowner assistance programs that prevent families from slipping into crisis.

Open Space
Our long-term goal of preserving 40 percent open space continues. These lands offer room to breathe, protect wildlife, and enhance quality of life. Broomfield’s ranking among the healthiest places to live is no coincidence.

Transportation
We’re working to make Broomfield more connected to major highways while encouraging pedestrian-friendly design and dedicated bike lanes. Though we remain car-dependent, we can build a more walkable city.

Local Business Growth
Our Economic Vitality Department and Chamber of Commerce actively recruit and support businesses. With strong amenities and an affluent population, Broomfield is well-positioned for growth. We’ve managed resources efficiently since becoming a county in 2001 without raising tax rates.

Fire Mitigation
We’re conducting audits and collaborating with the state to improve safety. After the Marshall Fire, maintaining open spaces to prevent hazards is a top priority. Safety and environmental stewardship go hand in hand.

Safety
We’ve invested heavily in public safety—boosting police staffing by 50 percent and implementing the Co-Responder Program, which pairs officers with social workers. These efforts have helped maintain the lowest per capita crime rate in the region.

International
Broomfield focuses on local governance but remains open and inclusive. Every resident—immigrant, refugee, or longtime local—deserves equal access to services and to feel welcome in this community.

Boulder Election 2025

Boulder City Council (At-Large)

Matt Benjamin – INCUMBENT

Housing
We’re on track for 15% affordable housing by 2035—we’re already around 9% with a decade to go. The key is making it easier and faster to build what we want by streamlining permits and removing cost-driving barriers. We must free up places to build—CU South includes five acres for affordable housing, and the Area III Planning Reserve offers long-term potential with careful annexation. I support a vacancy tax and stronger renter protections (advance notice and relocation assistance) to stabilize neighborhoods.

Homelessness
I support the city’s data-driven 2025 Homelessness Strategy, which sets measurable goals to end rough sleeping. “Housing first for everyone” isn’t sustainable; we need rapid assessment and diversion to connect people with the right services—medical care, treatment, job support, or short-term shelter—rather than automatically entering long-term housing queues. This is regional: Boulder and Longmont can’t act alone. I’m pressing Boulder County for a cohesive strategy so cities complement rather than duplicate each other’s efforts.

Open Space
I support extending the Open Space Sales and Use Tax but shifting focus from acquisition to stewardship. We’ve purchased enough; now we must maintain and manage what we have. Farmers leasing county open space face competitive pressure from wage disparities across counties. To sustain local agriculture and climate resilience, we should consider subsidies or coordinated city–county–state policies that address “patchwork” wage issues so Boulder’s producers aren’t priced out by neighboring counties.

Wildfire Mitigation
Boulder isn’t ready for a major wildfire. The risk lies in thousands of existing homes—especially on the west side—without defensible space. We need retroactive mitigation: limb trees, remove juniper, and create five-foot noncombustible zones. Education and incentives should lead, but minimum standards will be necessary. This is about protection, not punishment. Losing hundreds of homes would spike prices overnight, so mitigation safeguards both lives and long-term affordability. We must act before disaster, not after.

Transportation
Boulder’s system must work regionally. RTD is restoring service; BRT on the Diagonal and Front Range Passenger Rail could be transformative. Locally, Vision Zero is the priority: redesign high-crash intersections, improve management, and add protected bike lanes and safer crossings. Budget constraints limit expansion, but targeted safety investments and regional collaboration can reduce severe injuries and deaths. Transportation isn’t just about moving cars; it’s about connecting people safely and sustainably across the region.

Local Businesses
Boulder has lacked a real economic development strategy; recruitment has been reactive as other cities grew. I support a comprehensive plan to recruit and support local businesses, tackle office vacancies with creative conversions, and lower barriers for startups. Rising costs hit independents hardest. I’d explore fee relief (e.g., outdoor dining), review tip-credit adjustments, and consider rebates to keep small operators competitive. Boulder should feel local, not just look expensive.

Safety
After the Pearl Street firebombing, many—especially in our Jewish community—don’t feel safe. That attack targeted people peacefully calling for hostages’ return. Antisemitism and hate speech have no place here. Silence enables hate; leaders must be vocal, consistent, and proactive in protecting every community—regardless of race, religion, gender identity, or background. Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected in Boulder.

Police
Under Chiefs Maris Herold and Steve Redfern, BPD has raised standards and embraced the Reimagining Policing Plan with clear accountability metrics. Oversight—through the Police Oversight Panel and an independent monitor—balances transparency and collaboration. Officers are trained in de-escalation and nonviolent response, including with unhoused residents. BPD does not partner with ICE absent a judicial warrant; ensuring body-cam documentation protects rights. Collaboration with profiling activities is off the table.

Mark Wallach – INCUMBENT

Public Safety
Downtown, the mall, and the Creek Path have conditions that are unacceptable. Without public safety, you don’t have a successful community—property values fall, businesses leave, and sales-tax revenue drops. My goal is to restore safety and stability in public spaces so residents and businesses feel confident in Boulder again.

Infrastructure
We have more than $300 million in unfunded projects: fire stations (two still in houses), rec centers, bridges, roads, and the police building. My first objective is to renew the infrastructure tax and start addressing fundamentals. A successful community takes care of its basics.

Wildfire Resilience
Boulder is in the 97th percentile for wildfire danger. With wooden homes and junipers—“gasoline on a stick”—we must harden the city: five-foot noncombustible zones, pruning, and replacing wood mulch with rock. Open-space fuel management is underfunded at ~$100,000/year; that’s inadequate. I support cost-share programs to help homeowners mitigate now—before one cigarette becomes a conflagration.

Open Space
Open space is central to why people live here. Changing its use for convenience—housing or otherwise—would be a nightmare. We should invest more in maintenance: grazing, mowing, and fuel reduction near neighborhoods without altering its character. Focus on managing what we have rather than constant acquisition.

Housing
Middle-income promises often ignore the math. The market won’t sell a $2M unit for $600K. The practical path is city-owned land where we control price and require the right mix—potentially including decommissioning the airport. I strongly support Boulder Housing Partners. Duplex zoning won’t deliver true middle-income when outcomes are $1.2–$1.4M; we need financially realistic approaches.

Homelessness and Mental Health
We can improve outcomes, but won’t eliminate homelessness altogether. Focus on diversion, centralizing services at All Roads, and continuing to enforce the camping ban. Prioritize families and long-time residents who’ve fallen on hard times. I support a treatment-plus-housing facility using adaptive reuse so police can focus on crime rather than revolving crises.

Transportation
Boulder’s system isn’t functioning: buses are erratic and often empty; not everyone can ride e-bikes in winter. We should improve reliability, shelters, and walkability, but anyone promising quick fixes is “blowing smoke.” These are long-term challenges requiring state and federal support we don’t currently have.

Jennifer Robins: Refused Interview

Nicole Speer – Incumbent, ENDORSED

Housing
We legalized ADUs citywide, allowed duplexes/triplexes, and updated fees to favor smaller, more affordable homes. We streamlined approvals; partnered with BVSD and Habitat to open a modular-housing factory; and scaled eviction prevention for ~1,000 residents annually while piloting guaranteed income for 200. Next, I’ll track impacts of zoning changes, strengthen tenant protections (notice and relocation), lower household costs like childcare/transportation, and advocate for statewide single-payer. Housing connects to everything.

Homelessness
Our strategy emphasizes evidence over punishment. Peer-support shows >90% housed at six months; prevention is cheaper and more humane. I want a full cost picture for ending family homelessness and to plan for it. Our rental-assistance program prevents >95% of evictions. Regionally, through DRCOG, I helped launch the Regional Housing Strategy targeting people under 50% AMI. Housing insecurity is regional; solutions must be too.

Open Space
Roughly 90% of our wildfire-mitigation work occurs on open space. These lands serve recreation, conservation, and a fire buffer. We partner with local farmers for grazing to reduce fuels. As climate risks rise, we must monitor ecosystems and integrate agriculture and food systems into open-space planning so it supports resilience across climate, food, and community well-being.

Wildfire Mitigation
The community pushed for stronger mitigation, and we’re delivering—especially along the western edge where risk is highest. Continued investment and regional coordination are critical. It’s unglamorous work that saves lives and property, and we need to scale it as conditions grow more volatile.

Transportation
We’ve expanded the downtown station, opened Boulder Junction with RTD, and designed safer roads via the Core Arterial Network. We must strengthen regional links. DRCOG’s countywide transit plan will align local and regional systems. I support $1 micro-transit-style options for short trips and a transportation-maintenance fee to fund repairs and operations. Federal dollars remain vital.

Local Businesses
We’re building Boulder’s first real economic-development strategy and exploring a Downtown Development Authority to reinvest in districts. Commercial vacancies hurt safety and walkability. Solutions require landlords, banks, and business owners at the same table—loan terms often limit “vacancy taxes.” We’ve embedded the SBDC to help entrepreneurs navigate costs. Affordability is the deeper issue; if only large corporations survive, we lose what makes Boulder special.

Safety
We can’t police away every tragedy; prevention and mental-health investment reduce risk. Our Reimagined Policing Plan shifts toward prevention, alongside gun-violence ordinances, partnerships, and Fire-Rescue education. Real safety comes when basic needs—mental health, housing, connection—are met.

Police
Culture is improving: accountability, transparency, and relationship-building with Latino residents. I helped strengthen the Oversight Panel and bring in independent safety consultants. We’ve expanded co-responders so behavioral-health specialists can de-escalate and prevent harm. Police shouldn’t handle every crisis alone.

Immigration and ICE
I opposed the 2022 FBI MOU over civil-liberty risks; it’s ended. As long as I’m on council, Boulder won’t partner with ICE. We protect residents from data-sharing and overreach. Our chief is rebuilding trust with immigrants; Boulder officers are not ICE. No one should fear calling for help.

International Policy / Divestment
We need clear, consistent criteria for if and how we engage in international issues so processes are transparent and fair. Boulder residents have global ties; we owe them principled, predictable decisions, not ad-hoc reactions.

Overall Campaign Goals
My focus is affordability, stability, and inclusion. I’m finishing our shift to outcome-based budgeting and pushing for a more stable revenue mix beyond volatile sales tax. After losing my job to federal cuts, I know how precarious middle-class work is. We must attract stable industries, retrain workers, and help families stay in Boulder.

Lauren Folkerts – Incumbent, ENDORSED

Housing
As an architect, I’ve pushed zoning reforms that stop incentivizing only large, expensive units and align supply with need. I want 100% affordable projects to move quickly and more “missing middle” options—duplexes, triplexes, ADUs—by cutting red tape so local owners can participate. Prices have softened slightly, showing supply helps. For renters, I support stabilization (e.g., Tacoma-style relocation fees) and overturning the state’s rent-control ban.

Homelessness
I serve on the county Homelessness Task Force and support the new affordable-housing tax and state reforms. Our updated strategy tracks entries, exits, and the money needed to scale proven programs until exits match demand. Budgets are tight, but these investments reduce human suffering and neighborhood strain.

Open Space
Open space is a core asset spanning recreation and agriculture. We lease land to local farmers despite rising ag-land costs. It’s not perfect—prairie dogs, water, and wages all matter—but overall we balance conservation, recreation, and working lands. I support extending existing funding to keep this resource strong.

Wildfire Mitigation
Voters approved a wildfire tax; now we’re expanding mitigation along the western edge where risk is highest. I see tangible progress near South Boulder and on open space. I’ll keep pushing a data-driven approach that ramps up pace and scale to match community expectations.

Transportation
Land use and transit must be planned together. High-capacity transit works with corridor density; running big buses through low density isn’t cost-effective. We don’t control RTD, but we’re pursuing state-level fixes and building partnerships. Safety is paramount. The Core Arterial Network is designed; now we need grants and funding for protected bike lanes and multimodal options.

Local Businesses
Council made economic development a priority. I support a Downtown Development Authority, tax-increment tools, and restructured entities for predictable reinvestment. Let’s expand technical help so small businesses can navigate hiring and rules, convert vacant offices to housing/active uses, and simplify permits so startups without deep pockets can open.

Safety
Colorado underfunds mental health; unmet needs become safety risks. I support the county mental-health tax and stronger school/community supports. We updated council-chamber procedures and will keep evaluating what helps people feel safe.

Police
Prevention is better than the last line of defense. I support de-escalation, preparedness, and strong accountability—independent oversight, public use-of-force stats, and timely video releases. Trust and transparency are essential.

Immigration / ICE
Our goal is keeping residents safe. We don’t collect immigration status unless required by a specific grant, and officers don’t assist in deportation or share information for that purpose. People should feel safe reporting crime and seeking help.

Rob Kaplan

Housing
I focus on buildable, middle-income ownership. To get deed-restricted homes families can own, waive the 25% in-lieu fee for projects delivering AMI-based, permanently affordable units—so townhomes and three-bedroom homes pencil out. I’m open to land-lease on city land to keep affordability permanent. Prioritize local developers and community-driven proposals, like the North Boulder Little League concept preserving fields, adding senior housing, and designing with neighbors.

Homelessness
The intent is good, but coordination is lacking. I support one HIPAA-compliant, centralized database so nonprofits, outreach teams, ambassadors, and city staff can share information and reduce duplication. I’ve seen separate apps tracking the same people—inefficient and fixable. Regional collaboration with clear roles and accountable outcomes beats simply spending more without the right tools.

Open Space
Budgets are tight. I won’t rubber-stamp every tax or fee. From my Parks & Rec Board experience, costs are up across the board. We need transparency and outcome-based decisions. I love open space, but the priority now is maintaining what we have and investing where it’s most critical.

Wildfire Mitigation
Eighteen years in fire service—including Marshall—taught me wildfire drives insurance, business viability, and housing. I want a practical WUI code and retroactive mitigation that’s effective but not punitive. Increase grants and focus on high-impact steps like limbing and basic hardening. On land, manage forests with shaded fuel breaks and ladder-fuel removal; agriculture can buffer. This also signals insurers we’re serious.

Transportation
Housing and transportation are linked. We paid for rail that never arrived; I’d build it tomorrow if I could. Meanwhile, invest strategically: protected bike lanes and multimodal upgrades must match growth and evacuation needs. For Iris, weigh road-diet plans against potential high-density proposals and consider routing a two-way protected bikeway on Balsam/Alpine/Edgewood. Near-term: maintain 300 miles of streets, snow plowing, and accessible sidewalks.

Local Businesses
As a founder, I’ve felt the drag: months to approve a sign, then the code changes. We need a one-stop permit shop, faster responses, and more in-office staff presence to solve problems face-to-face and boost downtown activity. Use AI code-cleanup to cut conflicts and hurdles. Favor local ownership—PE-driven ROI pressures raise rents and cut maintenance.

Safety
Public safety is foundational. With Sundance bringing tens of thousands, we need visible patrols in high-incident corridors—not a “police state,” but presence that deters crime and boosts confidence for residents, workers, and visitors. Safety must be felt to be real.

Police
Support must show up in pay and benefits. After arbitration, police got 4.75% instead of 6%; we’re losing officers to nearby cities with better compensation and mental-health coverage. That’s a false economy—turnover costs more. I’ll prioritize competitive pay and strong wellness support to retain talent.

Rachel Rose Isaacson

Housing
We need better renter protections and data. Landlords should report rent increases so the city can publish an annual Fair Rental Guideline and offer a voluntary pledge tied to grants, tax credits, and services. Rent control is illegal, but we can encourage stability. “Affordable” isn’t always attainable—I’ve seen units at $1,600 sit vacant while rooms at $1,000 exist. Use city-controlled land (including parts of Area III) for permanently affordable and true middle-income homes.

Homelessness
I support the Clutch strategy: compassionate and pragmatic. Centralize resources, improve data sharing, and partner with state, regional, and nonprofit providers. Prevention matters: require more advance notice for large rent hikes and stronger notice for no-fault evictions, including a winter pause. Protect tipped-wage workers’ earnings—cuts push families toward homelessness. Regional gaps are real: we lost the county’s only youth shelter, and 1,000+ BVSD students experienced homelessness; childhood homelessness predicts adult homelessness.

Open Space
Given the deficit, I’m open to increasing funding for open-space management and upfront wildfire mitigation. Stewardship now prevents higher costs later, but we must balance against other urgent needs.

Wildfire Mitigation
Mitigation should be part of our culture. If we consider mandates in higher-risk areas, pair them with financial help so lower-income homeowners aren’t left behind. Focus on “low-hanging fruit”: limbing, removing flammable landscaping, and smarter fences/mulch. I’d support community fundraising to help neighbors harden homes for everyone’s safety.

Transportation
Many workers commute from nearby cities, and congestion spikes when students return. We should build a more accessible regional transit system while pacing investments during a deficit. Better access remains a clear goal.

Local Businesses
Keep dollars local: support local nonprofits and spending. Small businesses face rent, property-tax, and cost pressures. We can simplify and digitize permits, set clear timelines, and expand technical help. Offer grants for critical equipment and explore startup incentives given vacant space. Housing policy also helps—shorter commutes improve hiring.

Safety
Everyone deserves to feel safe. Crime is trending down in many areas, but not all. A stronger law-enforcement presence on Pearl can boost real and perceived safety. The oversight committee was a good step; I’m open to giving it more power so accountability is clear.

Maxwell Lord – ENDORSED

Housing
Affordability spans street homelessness, rent-burdened households, and priced-out buyers—each needs tailored tools. Strengthen renter protections; enforce inclusionary requirements without loopholes. Enable small owners to convert vacant offices to housing and support pop-ups that enliven downtown. Shift from luxury pipelines to attainable ownership; consider city-backed loans for first-time buyers. Don’t loosen STR rules for events like Sundance—owner-occupied is fine, but not corporate profiteering. Use vacancy penalties for idle units/storefronts and bolster tenant unions.

Homelessness
Make boarding houses and hostels easier to build to catch people before they fall further; they’re distinct from shelters. Boulder lacks sober-living and robust rehab capacity—72-hour holds aren’t enough. Partner with nonprofits like Bridge House on transition and work, while building treatment resources they can’t provide. The mental-health tax’s three-year window is too short for permanent infrastructure; our strategy overemphasizes diversion. We need deeper, long-term solutions and stronger regional coordination.

Open Space
Preserve open space and extend the tax. Protect the workforce that stewards it: OSMP’s seasonalization hurts retention and skills. I support better job stability, benefits, and organizing rights. As use grows, improve trails and basics so the public can recreate responsibly.

Wildfire Mitigation
Resilience takes builders, firefighters, and land managers. Make home hardening easy—noncombustible zones, ember-resistant vents, and safer fences/landscaping—without bureaucratic barriers. Improve outreach about real risks (like junipers against walls). On the land side, support crews that reduce fuels, maintain native grasses, and remove invasives.

Transportation
Reliability hasn’t returned to pre-COVID levels. When routes fail—especially evenings and east-west—drivers fill the roads. We need dependable service and regional partnerships to win RTIP grants. In a tight budget, favor near-term wins: smarter bus scheduling and clear bike wayfinding so new riders navigate safely. Support Core Arterial elements that protect cyclists, paired with frequent, reliable transit.

Local Businesses
Red tape and delays keep storefronts empty. Streamline permits, enable sensible conversions (office to art/retail), and let locals take smart risks. Promote shopping local and ensure locals can access spaces currently locked up by corporate players.

Safety
Diplomacy matters. After the Pearl Street attack, I support a community where peaceful demonstrators feel safe and we avoid painting whole movements by one person’s actions. Leaders should model dignity and respect.

Police
Support the department while broadening safety responses. Deploy social workers and mental-health professionals to crises where officers aren’t the best first tool. Avoid militarization, align training with Boulder’s values, and build trust with migrants. I oppose local cooperation with ICE.

Aaron Stone

Housing
Affordable housing hasn’t kept pace despite higher density. I want to exceed the 15% goal by 2035 and rebuild confidence about going downtown—if people don’t feel welcome or safe there, housing and economic strategies won’t work as intended.

Homelessness
Shelters and outreach have been underfunded. I support reliable funding for beds and day services and proactive outreach so people know where to find help. Treat unhoused neighbors with dignity and help them stabilize.

Open Space
Open-space access defines Boulder. Keep trails and lands open, and expand bike connections through open space where appropriate to improve access and safety.

Wildfire Mitigation
Require new construction in fire-prone areas to meet strong standards first, and build neighborhood buffer zones—defensible space, smart landscaping, and safer design—to reduce risk community-wide.

Transportation
Run routes that make economic sense, keep them frequent and dependable, and continue free transit for riders under 18 while expanding access for low-income residents. When buses are affordable and predictable, ridership grows.

Local Businesses
A few owners control commercial rents; independents are getting squeezed. The city should engage those landlords to reach workable rates and consider public co-ops or shared spaces so small businesses can thrive without selling out to corporations.

Safety
Free speech is a right. We won’t all agree, but no one should be threatened or attacked for beliefs. Schools have implemented strong safety drills and protocols; I want that culture of preparedness and respect citywide.

Police
Direct collaboration between BPD and schools—training, education, and community support—prevents crises and builds trust. I support strengthening that partnership.

Robert Smoke: Did not reply

Montserrat Palacios – ENDORSED

Housing
Affordable housing is essential. We should be less lenient with developers and stop allowing fees in lieu of building required units. I support strict guidelines, cutting red tape, allowing ADUs, and rezoning for duplexes/triplexes. Boulder needs denser, vibrant neighborhoods like Holiday—not one house on 40,000 square feet. Trust ownership isn’t inherently a problem, but we need clearer, neighborhood-by-neighborhood rules to deliver ADUs and multiplexes where appropriate.

Homelessness
Our shelter should never run at capacity; there should be beds for residents in emergencies. Many unhoused are transient; I prioritize services for people with local ties. Drugs and safety are serious concerns; police need full funding and support. Enforce the camping ban while building a regional response—Boulder cannot solve this alone.

Open Space
I strongly support open space, height limits, and accessible trails. I back the county’s open-space tax extension, the mental-health sales tax, and the city’s infrastructure tax—long-term investments in community health.

Wildfire Mitigation
Get ahead of risk without imposing costly mandates on residents. Rather than banning wooden fences, focus on banning flammable trees/plants and on education and prevention. Teach homeowners how to protect buildings while keeping costs manageable.

Transportation
Anyone who wants an EcoPass should get one. Expand routes and service hours—service shouldn’t end near midnight—and consider higher wages to attract drivers. I support the Core Arterial Network and protected bike lanes for children and families. Be transparent with corridor neighbors, including along Iris.

Local Businesses
Local, small businesses make Boulder special. Work with owners and landlords—even when it’s difficult—to reduce long vacancies and encourage realistic lease rates. Incentivize filling storefronts rather than holding out. Offer discounted EcoPasses for employees to support workers and employers.

Safety
Public safety is a shared priority. Fully fund and equip police and work with CU Boulder on crime in the Hill and citywide. Pair enforcement with compassion and community-wide education to identify improvements in policy and practice.

ICE
As someone born in Mexico, I oppose ICE’s nationwide tactics. Boulder should remain a sanctuary city—no raids, no family separations, no fear. Work with state and local partners to maintain safety and trust without dividing the community. I also support quarterly open sessions for broader public concerns so people feel heard.

Firestone Election 2025

Trustee

John Damsma

Affordable Housing
I support an increase in affordable housing within Firestone in order to support those who do not have accessible housing options. Alongside this, I would also like to see an increase in the diversity of housing within the city in order to provide more accommodations.

Homelessness
I believe that a partnership between the city and local organizations is the best way forward. The town works with local agencies and creates their own policies to help those who are having a tough time economically.

Open Space
I support preserving open spaces while finding a balance between development and conservation. In Firestone, as discussions continue around Central Park, there’s a clear divide between pursuing economic development and creating a community-focused park. I believe the town needs open, shared spaces, and I fully support developing the park as a community hub. I’m committed to realizing residents’ vision for Central Park as a vibrant, people-centered space—not a commercial destination.

International
I believe that before we can focus on international issues, we must first focus on taking care of business in our own neighborhood. If our town abides by the Constitution and functions for the benefit of our community, then other issues will fall into line. I think from where we are, we can facilitate resources to spread awareness of international issues, but ultimately as a small town we must remain nonpartisan.

ICE
I support the work of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement within the law. I believe immigration should be done through legal channels, and anyone who has not done that has already broken the law.

Transportation
While one day we are hoping to establish a bus service through the town, there are still options to use more accessible transportation in Firestone. Though the city’s agreement with AVIA, there are options for public transportation that are at little to no cost for the user. This is a policy I support and am hoping to continue.

Business Support
Many new businesses have been coming to Firestone as a result of increased housing, which is leading to a lot of new, overall growth for the city. Due to new developments such as office buildings, there are many available spaces open for small businesses to function out of. There are also many new corporations coming to town, such as Target, Porsche and Chick-fil-A, which also provide new opportunities for residents.

Samantha Meiring: DID NOT RESPOND

Michael Malek – ENDORSED

Housing
I am for a portion of housing being delegated towards affordable housing for people with middle to lower incomes. The town of Firestone has done moderately good job of doing this, and I know that they have upcoming plans to further increase homes that are in affordable price range.

Homelessness
The homeless problem is very bad, and very likely to get worse. Combining our resources, may be a partial solution. I really believe in unification, resources, because not all towns have financial resources or land availability in order to solve these issues.

Open Space
Firestone has done a fairly good job of creating open space areas where citizens can enjoy time in nature. ?I would like to see the town of Firestone open up some of the water reservoirs or lakes that were intended for water storage for drinking could be also opened up for some level of public use.

International
I don’t know that it is going to be dealt with locally. But efforts from a local resources need to be combined with the efforts of a county or a state. For example, with Gaza, I’m horrified by what I see going on over there.

Safety
In one of the neighboring cities, we had a situation where one of the oil field systems failed, and there was an explosion, and poisonous gases were being emitted into the atmosphere. That, to me, is probably the greatest danger that I can see with the town of Firestone. ?In addition, Firestone itself is undermined by a lot of old coal mines, underground coal mines, and the tunnels, and other things that are under there, need to be very carefully monitored with the oil drilling.

ICE
I personally do not support ICE. I see that the situation as having many, many abuses and the immigration processes. Grabbing people off the street that,for just suspecting them as being immigrant, to me, that is un-American. ?According to our Constitution, your innocent, until proven guilty, and ICE is grabbing people without any regard for that.

Transportation
We are not paying the RTD tax yet, so transportation is not fully integrated. It is easier to introduce to the newer parts of Firestone, especially those, do I 25 and Highway 119. I am not sure it would be feasible in the old, historic Firestone.

Small Business
The newer parts of Firestone are doing well with development. My plan would be to revitalize the center part of historic Firestone. ?This part of town has not received the level of attention that I think it deserves for creating new small businesses in this area. I would like to see it revitalized to reflect the core part of town.

Keith Foster: Did not reply

Drew Martinez: Did not reply

Kevin Plain: Did not reply

Lafayette Election 2025

City Council (AL)

Crystal Gallegos – Incumbent, ENDORSED

Affordable Housing
I think we are the leaders in affordable housing in our area, and it is important to work as partners with other communities in order to mirror what we have done here. When it comes to development, making sure we are developing smartly — having suitable infrastructure, good water quality and an attainable volume — are all things we need to consider when looking at a new project.

Homelessness
While our city funding is limited, I want to do more as a city to offer support to our unhoused citizens. Our county partners, such as Sister Carmen, have been doing a great job in that area. We try our best to support those organizations and our residents who are in need. I would want to work on utilizing grant funding and applying it to the organizations that can better make a difference with those funds.

Open Space
We need to take a responsible approach to growth that does not come at the expense of our open spaces. I want to do what I can to preserve this beautiful space, while also allowing ourselves room for growth within our community.

Fire Mitigation
Our sustainability department has a great program that teaches community members about how to select gardens that are less fire prone. This kind of education is something I would love to see continue. I want to be sure we are working in conjunction with our fire department in order to spread more education regarding fire safety.

Safety
Chief Bashor has done a great job running the police department for the decade I have lived here. While it is unsure who will be replacing him once he retires, I hope they will continue to honor Bashor’s legacy of being compassionate.

International
Focusing on local issues first is important. If we have community members passionate about international topics, I would love to sit down and talk with them and see how the city could better support them.

ICE
I would love to start discussions with our Human Rights Commission to hear what they advise as the proper protocol and how to move forward in the future. I want everyone to continue to feel safe, and our immigrant community has made so many wonderful contributions to our town. They are built into our culture.

Transportation
I am working on improving transportation within our highway corridors and enhancing our roads to allow more types of alternative transportation. We have just launched our Vision Zero Action plan, which aims to prevent crashes on the road as well. So I think we are moving in the right direction when it comes to improving transportation, although there is still work to be done.

Business Support
I advocate for a partnership between our city and chamber of commerce with the Downtown Development Authority to ensure that we are retaining and supporting our local businesses while also bringing new businesses into our vacant commercial spaces.

Luke Arrington: Did not reply

Josh Beryl – ENDORSED

Housing
The city should have oversight on development. It is a balancing act to have enough affordable housing without overdevelopment. I believe strongly in making sure that we have the opportunity for people to work in Lafayette and also live here and be able to afford to live here and afford food for their families.

Homelessness
As a community, we need to get creative with solutions. Creating our own shelter or food banks or other types of social programs through the community center and library that can help folks who are unhoused either find housing or find jobs again. Additionally, it is crucial to raise wages to a livable level.

Open Space
We need to respect and protect our open space, both from an environmental and a quality-of-life standpoint. I am not willing to sacrifice our open space in the interest of large corporation development. That being said, we do need to make some room for affordable housing.

Safety
I want to see our law enforcement and police officers acting in kind and humane ways. I think militarization of our police forces is a problem. Prioritizing the availability of Narcan, treatment programs, support for the unhoused, stronger gun laws, and, as much as I hate to say it, teaching safety measures to students and teachers can all keep our community safe. Protesters are part of our community, so police must respond to them peacefully and respectfully.

ICE
ICE should absolutely not be working with our local police department. I see ice kidnapping people from the street, and that is not okay. One of my core issues is protecting the most vulnerable people in our community, including people of color, immigrants, LGBTQ, and plus folks. And so I want to keep ice out of Lafayette in any way that I can

Transportation
Traffic going through communities is a major concern for citizens. Working to divert or slow down traffic driving through communities is one solution. I am a big believer in automobile safety, and I think there needs to be the same training for bikes and e-bikes.

Small Business
Supporting small businesses is multifaceted. One part is taxing corporations and big companies, so if they operate here, they pay to do so. It can also be subsidizing local businesses,with public loans or bonds to help bring new small businesses into town.

Eric Ryant

Affordable Housing
I am for affordable housing. When all is said and done, I think we are leading our community in this work, and it is important that we communicate with our neighbors to spread what we have learned in our own efforts. When pursuing more affordable housing in the future, I would want to analyze our community more and be certain it can handle the infrastructure.

Homelessness
Some communities have designated areas for a shelter or community, so that would probably be my approach. This is an issue many communities are dealing with, and if it is a burden to the community we must address it.

Open Space
There has to be a careful balance when it comes to development and open spaces, as we all want our nature to be preserved. I really want to keep these places protected. When considering developments, I think we must take this into account before we make a decision.

Fire Mitigation
We have to make sure that the fire department has the proper tools, equipment and staff to run effectively. A number one priority of mine would specifically be to ensure they are staffed adequately. They are in life and death situations sometimes, and they need our support to ensure their safety. You cannot put a dollar amount on someone’s life, and I endorse the fire department strongly.

Safety
I am pro-police. I think the city and Bashor does a good job with the way the department is being handled. Their deescalation policy is something that I would like to see continue. The U.S. can be a violent place, and we need protection, and our department is doing a good job at handling that.

International
I do not feel international issues are relevant to our community in terms of policy. But on the humanitarian side of things, the situation in Gaza must stop.

ICE
I am against the way ICE is handling things as it stands, and I think they are overstepping their boundaries. On the federal level, there is not much we can do.

Transportation
As a baseline, I think we need to watch our congestion. I think the easiest growth opportunity is the south baseline, where the RTD runs, and they may be able to manage more growth. Ultimately, I think it needs to be studied in order to make a well-informed decision about how to improve.

Business Support
Working together to make sure our independent businesses are supported is critical. I would like to sit down with our local entrepreneurs to see which issues are hitting them the hardest in order to tackle those issues first.

Kyle Beaulieu

Affordable Housing
This is a structural challenge affecting communities across the state. One of the best ways to address it is by building coalitions with neighboring cities—leading, advocating, and finding key partners to tackle development issues together. I believe the most effective path to affordable housing is simply to build more housing. While there are always nuances, collaboration among communities allows us to determine what approaches best fit our shared goals and local needs.

Homelessness
Being a city councilor means focusing on small, meaningful actions while pursuing big solutions. Many of us are only a crisis away from homelessness, and ignoring the issue won’t make it disappear. People experience homelessness for many reasons, so our policies must address job loss, mental health, and substance abuse. Partnering with local nonprofits already doing this work allows us to provide coordinated, compassionate support and begin making real progress for those in need.

Open Space
A big part of what I love about our town is how beautiful our environment is. These spaces should be protected, and I think there are other ways to develop things such as housing without harming them. This is where I propose a higher housing density, which would allow us to protect our open spaces while allowing Lafayette room to expand. Our open space is the crown jewel of what makes Lafayette beautiful, and we should protect it for future generations to enjoy.

Fire Mitigation
I think one of the biggest things we can do is listen to the experts and build city ordinances from there. Learning towards materials that are not incendiary, plants that are less incendiary, is a good place to start from when safeguarding from future disasters. I think this would also be best achieved working in tandem with neighboring municipalities, so we can all work together to protect each other.

Safety
I strongly believe in deescalation when it comes to law enforcement’s interactions with the public. After working with the FBI, I saw firsthand the value of extensive training, and I’m proud that Lafayette’s Police Department demonstrates that same commitment. However, I’m uncomfortable with military-grade weapons on our streets. Such equipment belongs in national defense, not our neighborhoods. Police should be viewed as neighbors and protectors, not as an intimidating or oppressive force.

International
The genocide that Israel is committing in Gaza is a catastrophe, and it is a shame our tax dollars are going to fund it. While foreign policy is decided in Washington D.C., and not Denver, what we can do here is signal to our Jewish and Palestinian neighbors that they are members of our community, and we will do what we can here to protect them.

ICE
I view ICE as one of the worst excesses in modern American history. If elected to city council, I would uphold the law but oppose assisting a predatory, militarized agency. Municipal government should model cooperation and compassion, working to make our community stronger through unity and respect for diversity. Residents deserve to know their local leaders are here to help and on their side, providing an example of collaboration and effective, humane leadership.

Transportation
I think the biggest transit issue that we can tackle from a city councilor’s position pertains to the skyrocketing rates of individual car ownership and use. So how can we get cars off the road normally? Investing in better busing infrastructure, train infrastructure, would help so our children do not have to deal with the structural and environmental effects of expanding our roadways. I think incentivizing electric car usage and building up our infrastructure to support this is also something that is critical when it comes to improving transportation.

Business Support
As the cost of living and the cost of owning a business skyrockets, anything we can do to afford more opportunities to local businesses is really important. There are many complaints of the amount of red tape entrepreneurs have to go through just to begin their businesses, so what can we do to make those things easier for them? I would be interested in exploring a digital one-stop-shop of resources in order to gather the steps together and simplify the process for owners.

Adam Gianola

Affordable Housing
Many members of the community are concerned about development, and rightfully so. Lafayette is one of the communities in the area that has the most affordable housing. When it comes to zoning issues surrounding affordable housing, I think it is best left to Lafayette to decide what is best for us rather than leaving it to the state. This would allow us to focus on more in-fill and accessory dwellings rather than building more empty houses that no one can afford.

Homelessness
I think working with regional partners and encouraging mental health access and job development to those in need to get back on their feet is a way we can tackle this issue on a city level. Working with our regional partners is the best opportunity to do this work.

Open Space
There is no chance that the city’s open spaces should be used for development, that is a non-starter. I think taking the community’s vision into what land should be developed for what purpose is the most important thing that city council can do.

Fire Mitigation
Education and providing resources to our community is one of the easiest ways to help mitigate the risk of fires. Helping let people know about fire prone materials or removing their juniper bushes is a good way to begin. We also need to help maintain our fire departments, but the impetus for the city is education more than anything else.

Safety
Keeping our police departments funded is important. The city has done a good job of that. They are sufficiently supplied with what they need to protect our communities, and I would be hesitant to support more access to assault type weapons within the department. Staying in touch with community partners would take us a long way in dealing with more delicate issues.

International
I am in support of human rights, and I am not in favor of those who are abusing them. So, if there are policies that Lafayette could enact to support those rights, I am in favor of that.

ICE
No, thank you. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement is their own department and they have their own substantial funding. They do not need our department’s assistance or resources. I would rather use our resources on supporting our immigrant community members and making sure they have the resources they need to thrive.

Transportation
I believe Lafayette should focus its efforts on improving the quality and safety of our roads. We’ve had a lot of head-on collisions, and improving the quality of our roads would help lessen these issues. I’d love to see more Lafayette-exclusive local transit as well.

Business Support
One of the great things about Lafayette is how the small business community supports one another. So I think the city should do more to support these efforts when possible. Whether that is through grants or tax incentives, or simply making starting a business quicker, this would really help our community.

Rob Glenn

Affordable Housing
Lafayette is already the leader in affordable housing in Colorado, and my priority if elected is to make sure we would stay in that position. An important thing that I want to focus on is the county and state qualifications for affordable housing. Many Lafayette residents moved here due to the rising cost of housing in Boulder. So I believe there needs to be more consideration from the state and the county to adjust affordable housing percentages based on where it is needed the most.

Homelessness
I think the city has resources in order to support unhoused populations, and is willing to give support. If there was a good site available, I would be open to building a shelter in a more eastern community to support the need.

Open Space
The beauty of Lafayette is what attracted me to move here, and that is something I want to protect. The most important thing is smart development. While growth is inevitable, we have to be conscious about how it is done. I would love to see our open space portfolio continue to expand.

Safety
Our population has grown significantly over the years, and our police force has grown with it. We rely on the security they provide, and I believe our department does an excellent job. It’s essential that all emergency departments — police, fire, and EMTs — receive proper training to handle delicate situations. As paid public servants, they have a responsibility to offer the highest level of support and care to every member of our community.

ICE
I don’t want any person who lives in the United States to live in fear, whether they came here legally or illegally. Our local police department has to walk a fine line as they have certain limitations, but nobody deserves to live in fear.

Transportation
As our town and neighboring towns are growing, it is natural that we are going to see more traffic. I think in the short term, something that will help is creating more access to safe biking infrastructure. There is still more to do when it comes to opening up bike lanes for commutability, especially as it grows in popularity.

Business Support
A big platform point of mine is supporting small businesses. There is plenty of undeveloped space along the mainstrip of Lafayette that would present many opportunities for new business owners to add to the unique culture of our city. I think working to improve the permitting process and implementing code changes would help to aid in the development process, but we can also support local businesses on the individual level by making sure we spend our time there.

Saul Tapia Vega – Incumbent, ENDORSED

Affordable Housing
Lafayette is too expensive to live in, but we’re actively advancing projects to fix this issue. We’re not just proposing ideas—we’re ensuring progress, as seen with La Luna Cooperative. I believe we’ve become a model for others to follow. Moving forward, we must focus on responsible development—balancing what we allow with what our community needs. I want a community-driven approach to achieving sustainable, inclusive growth that truly reflects Lafayette’s values and priorities.

Homelessness
While county partners who are working to solve this issue already exist, it is on us as a city to continue to support them. It’s why I am proud of our Mental Health and Human services tax, which helps goes towards funding these organizations. As a city, we shouldn’t take a backseat, we should be proactive in supporting our partners from the ground up.

Open Space
To me, this is an all-hands-on-deck situation. When it comes to development, we need to be sure we are being transparent about what will happen. Ensuring that what we are doing fits our community is key, and that includes protecting our open spaces. The climate action plan that I passed while on council helps to tell us where we’re going in the future, and works towards fitting our city to its residents.

Fire Mitigation
I think we need to have both a proactive approach and a reactive approach. Proactive, by utilizing planning and development to take into consideration what our city will look like 30 years from now and how we can plan for that. Reactive, by ensuring we have a strong emergency response in the unfortunate case there is a natural disaster. It is about having a robust system on both ends.

Safety
I think we are in a privileged situation in Lafayette where our police department really focuses on community policing, and does a good job at it. As a person of color, I understand not having trust in these departments, especially during the times we are living in. The city of Lafayette has done a great job at putting community first. We just have to ensure that we maintain strong ties between our community and the city’s departments, and to me, that bridge is our elected officials.

ICE
There is no role for the city to work with ICE, and I’ve confirmed this through recent conversations with our police department and state officials. There is absolutely no collaboration. As the child of immigrants, I take this responsibility personally. It’s vital that our council continues educating residents about their rights and guiding them through these situations. This isn’t a distant issue—it’s happening here, and we must stand together to protect our community.

Transportation
While we have a stronger system than many other municipalities, it is still not perfect. I think what we can do now is work on getting people out of cars and offer other alternative forms of transportation. So expanding bike lanes and multimodal expansion, but also making sure we do it in a way that ensures their safety. I want to make our city more walkable and accessible for everyone.

Business Support
Our small businesses are what make up our community, and I want them to be able to expand and thrive. So I want to cut some of the red tape that our businesses experience by shortening the permitting process. This will eliminate unnecessary barriers to entry, and make Lafayette an even more welcoming environment for those looking to start entrepreneurial careers here.

Michael Watson

Affordable Housing
The affordable housing we have now is not necessarily affordable for all who need it. One of the solutions I would like to see in terms of affordable housing is taking a more community-focused approach. Many people own single-family homes where members have either moved out, or they may simply have an extra room. Instead of relying on the passive income that comes with another empty property — such as AirBnB — converting single family homes into duplexes or renting out individual rooms is an attainable step in the right direction.

Homelessness
Overall, we should act with kindness towards those who are experiencing homelessness in our community, whether it be providing odd jobs around town to help people get back on their feet or offering a bite to eat or a place to stay. Through the city, we can offer our services and provide shelter and food. We also need to look at the root causes of homelessness, such as the economy we are living in or mental illness and addiction. If we really want to solve the problem in a way that makes sense, we have to build together a coalition of people and communities who can help provide these resources.

Open Space
There must be a balance when it comes to attaining proper development and protecting our open spaces. I am an environmentalist, and it is imperative that we protect these spaces. I am an advocate for regenerative agriculture, and this is a good way to begin protecting our natural spaces. I would love to live in a community where we welcome outsiders and take care of our environment together rather than getting stuck in a “limited resources” argument.

Fire Mitigation
Taking care of our first responders is what comes to mind, fire and foremost. Making sure they have proper equipment and training is very important when it comes to fighting these natural disasters. I think another way to help this mitigation is to offer suggestions on materials builders and homeowners could use to make their properties more resistant.

Safety
While I support the police in having military grade weapons and think it is necessary for some of the situations they handle, I do not think it should be the public face of the department. There need to be strict rules of engagement when it comes to when and where these types of weapons should be used. Optics matter, and I think a form of policing that is community focused is best.

International
We have plenty of problems to solve at home. I think small town government should focus on small town issues, and we hopefully can fix our national government who would be much more capable of addressing these larger international issues with more morality and ethics then we are seeing now.

ICE
In a perfect world, I would want to see cooperation and humane policies coming from the federal government and its agencies regarding immigration. That is not the world we are living in today, so I would like to see local law enforcement making sure that we have safe communities. In how it is operating now, I don’t think we would be able to cooperate with ICE and maintain our morals. They do not get to come here and kick our people out.

Transportation
When the population grows, the roads are going to get more congested. Ultimately, we are a driving culture, but I think bringing more accessibility to transport through walkability or the like is a good way to keep our foot-traffic in our town while getting some people off the roads. I also like the idea of a local communal transportation system outside of the bus system we already have that functions within city limits.

Business Support
Keep it going. I would love to work to offer something like an in-town currency that can only be spent on local businesses. I like the ideal because it preserves people’s ability to choose, while also encouraging them to choose a more locally-based, sustainable option.

Annmarie Jensen – ENDORSED

Affordable Housing
I think two things that can immediately be done is provide more incentives for accessory dwelling units alongside utilizing inclusionary housing ordinances so we can work on redevelopment and infill rather than continuing to develop out.

Homelessness
The homeless shelter in Boulder should be supported by all the communities that feed into it, and we need to work together as a coalition of smaller communities in order to continue to support the agencies and entities that are helping homeless populations. Mental health services are also something I support, so I think that is an aspect we can address in order to help our homeless populations.

Fire Mitigation
Flexibility in zoning is something that is important when it comes to addressing these disasters. I think we can help promote the resources that the city already provides when it comes to how to protect your home through landscaping and zoning, since as of now most people do not know they are there. The best role for the city is letting people know they have options available.

Safety
I support the community policing model that Lafayette has embraced. A rigid law enforcement that just arrests people is not what we need, but when we build one that interacts with the community through providing resources, then that is the law enforcement I want to see in Lafayette.

ICE
I do not support cooperating with ICE. That is not the local government or law enforcement’s job. This is important for public safety, as undocumented people need to be unfearful of coming forward in the event they are the victims of a crime. I think it is important to focus on what the city can do in the event this happens.

Transportation
I believe we need to improve our existing structures, such as our sidewalks, crosswalks and bike lanes. This is something that would rapidly improve the quality of Lafayette’s alternative transportation options. We need to inventory the routes that people could use to utilize nonmotorized transportation, especially to large locations such as the grocery store or the recreation center — major things that are cornerstones of the community. We need a systematic way for neighbors to make requisitions of transportation related improvements.

Business Support
I think reaching out and communicating with our local businesses about how and why they are struggling is key. This way, we can help both the business be successful and be able to have workers being paid a living wage. We have to figure out how to create a diverse portfolio of businesses — small and large — to ensure that our town can remain supported.

Louisville Election 2025

Ward 1

Josh Cooperman – Incumbent, ENDORSED

Affordable Housing
In Boulder County a number of years ago there was a non-binding agreement made to try to get 12% of all units across the county to be deed-restricted affordable by 2035. Right now we’re only at about 3%. There are a few things that could help us increase that number. For example we set aside $2 million this year in capital funds to be used for affordable housing initiatives. We also may need to look at rezoning some areas for residential development.

Homelessness
As far as I know the city doesn’t offer any direct services for the homeless. I was talking to a resident who volunteers at All Roads in North Boulder. They said that Louisville doesn’t contribute to the facility even though All Roads is one of the primary providers for homeless services in the county. I saw a breakdown of services provided and there are people reporting to be from Louisville who are going there. Louisville should contribute to support its residents.

Safety
I feel that, for the most part, people feel we have a very safe community. The only concern I hear about over and over are electric bicycles. People are afraid they are going to get hit or they are going to hit someone. I’ve suggested that our police department might need to step up their education and enforcement activities.

Business Support
When I talk to downtown business owners, one of the consistent concerns I hear is a need for more foot traffic to be able to support their business. To some extent, business follows rooftops so I’d like to look for some opportunities to create more housing in downtown and around the downtown area. I think that would help create some foot traffic and help with hiring and retaining employees which is also an issue that I hear some businesses are struggling with. There are also some city development processes that need to be addressed.

International
I have five or so years of experience in local government and I can’t think of any instance when Louisville has weighed in on something international. There are so many horrible things in the world, how do we choose which ones to engage with? Saying that, I initially got involved here because of climate action and of course that’s certainly a global issue so we do try to do things like reduce our greenhouse gas emissions here in Louisville. We certainly are influenced by global or larger issues but there are things that I think we can’t necessarily do locally.

Denise Montagu

Affordable Housing
Louisville is a great little town but affordable housing, attainable housing, is a really big problem. We need to be able to accommodate the people who work in our community so that they can live here. We should look at things like providing down payment assistance. Or consider if there are other places in town that you could add ADUs (accessory dwelling units.) I’m not suggesting we put up a skyscraper downtown to accommodate housing needs, but there’s a solution someplace in between.

Homelessness
When I go around town, I don’t see a lot of signs of homelessness. I know that right now there is a project, I believe it’s a government subsidized housing project that would house people who are at risk of being homeless or who are currently homeless. I believe that it is being done by Boulder County in Lafayette, just across the border from us. Louisville doesn’t have a lot of space left to build, so I suspect that’s why Lafayette was selected.

Safety
The biggest safety concerns are the interaction between pedestrians, bicycles and vehicles. A lot of our roads are two lanes, they’re not designed to handle the volume of traffic that they’re handling. So you see some car, bike, and pedestrian interactions that concern me.

Business Support
For such a small town, there’s a lot going on, but we do have a lot of empty storefronts. I’ve been making a concerted effort to get with the folks at the Chamber of Commerce and then just going to local businesses and asking them, what’s it like to do business here? Without fail, I hear that this city has some antiquated policies and procedures that make it hard for a business to open or make any changes to their current business. I know that rewriting codes and changing processes can be daunting and it’s a big deal but just because it’s hard doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do it.

International
Personally, I don’t believe there is a role for local governments in world affairs. I think it’s a distraction from the work at hand, which is leading our community. I think that we elect leaders up in higher levels of public office and that’s their job. I don’t want leaders in those roles to come and tell me how we have to run our community and I don’t want to get into their business.

Ward 2

Judi Kern – Incumbent, UNCONTESTED

Affordable Housing
We need to have better diversity in housing and housing prices. To achieve that, since we’re not that big of a city, we have to look for creative solutions. That could be infill solutions, utilizing spaces that have been traditionally zoned only for commercial development, or by helping developers move more efficiently through city processes with their projects. We need to address this with thought but it also needs to be effective and quick.

Homelessness
We do have people living here who have run into hard times so we partner with places in Boulder and Lafayette who are providing facilities and services. There’s already a good base of resources there so it makes sense to help support and expand that. In town we’ve got to use our police department, library, and other organizations as places to have information about how residents who need those resources know where they are and how to access them.

Safety
We hired a new police chief a couple of years ago and he has really increased the community ceiling of safety. One of the biggest areas of concern I hear about now is disaster preparedness. With the Marshall Fire we saw a number of public safety areas that needed to be improved and I believe that will be a focus for us.

Business Support
We need to make it easier for businesses to do business. That means things like approving permits faster and offering different business incentives like the PACE program or our sustainability program which can help a business convert to more efficient utility systems. I think we can also work to facilitate more activity to get people into the shopping districts. Doing that is a great way to get people into the shops and bring the community together.

International
Our responsibility on the city council is to put good policies together that keep this community a place where people want to live and raise their children. I think our primary goal is to make sure the day to day lives of our residents are elevated. We need to base all of our decisions on what our residents are looking for.

Ward 3

Dietrich Hoefner – Incumbent, UNCONTESTED

Affordable Housing
The city is finalizing a comprehensive plan that will help increase housing in undeveloped areas and in areas that have the potential for infill development. The plan does also hold the possibility of rezoning certain locations to increase the amount of residential or mixed-use residential properties. Additionally I think there may be opportunities to develop partnerships with the state and county for land banking and affordable housing developments. At the end of the day it’s going to take what I would call an all-of-the-above strategy.

Homelessness
This is really a regional problem so we should be partnering with our neighboring communities as well as the county to connect people with the resources and assistance they may need. We need to recognize we’re part of a larger community and need to contribute to those efforts to help those who are struggling with housing.

Safety
Regionally, we’ve seen a troubling increase in property crime with things like catalytic converter theft. We want to make sure those trends don’t come to Louisville. That said, everyone has a lot of confidence in the Louisville Police Department and their efforts. That includes the work they do in crime prevention and addressing crimes when they do happen.

Business Support
Getting new permits approved can take far, far too long for many small businesses. One of the things I want to do is look at our development code and some of the difficulties that we hear from the business community about working through the development review process. We hear that it can be pretty lengthy and involve a significant number of public hearings that have to be scheduled on a certain timeline and cadence. I think we can speed up and simplify that process.

International
There are certainly many issues, of tremendous importance, happening nationally and internationally, that are worthy of lots of attention and certainly lots of work. But I think the Louisville City Council is at its best when we focus on issues that directly impact Louisville. Our time together is best spent keeping the water running and the streets paved and the library running and the recreation center open and so on. I think that’s what the voters have elected us to do.

Longmont Election 2025

Mayor

Sarah Levison

Housing
We need to grow at a slower pace to fully assess the impacts of Longmont’s growth and course-correct from the early 2000s building boom. We need more community input on what affordable housing truly means, because labeling something “affordable” doesn’t guarantee it’s attainable for low-income families. We must consider regional impacts, cost of living, and whether current subsidies and requirements—like the 12% rule, fee-in-lieu, or land donations—actually help families access housing.

Homelessness
I do think we need a shelter, but we need to rethink how it’s done. We need spaces that are safe for families and people willing to put in the effort, supported by wraparound services. We also need to find ways to offset other costs associated with living and raising a family, like childcare, transportation and food. We can’t do it alone and will need to rely on state and regional programs however, we need access to those programs within the city limits of Longmont, so it’s not creating extra barriers to access those programs.

Wildfire Mitigation
We need to follow what the state and engineers recommend and pay attention to pockets of susceptible areas. We need to remain vigilant and proactive and continue to make the efforts we are already making as a city.

ICE
Our police do not work with ICE. We do need some border controls, but we also need to consider helping those on a track to naturalization with the process. And we need to keep our police force separate from ICE because we need to continue building that trust between them and our community.

Transportation
Big picture, we need to readjust expectations. Leave the house 5 minutes earlier and be courteous to one another on the roads. Also, consider looking at light cycles, alternative routes, and pay mind to how we’re building roads in new developments. The Vision Zero program has also been great for the city. We need to continue to push the use of public transportation and find potential for busing to schools that work with the implications of open enrollment. We also need to streamline how public transportation works for our residents.

Business Support
We need to streamline the process around permits and licensing. We also need to put economic development monies into small business instead of awarding primarily to large businesses. The Chamber of Commerce and the Latino Chamber are great resources for small businesses as well. I would like us to gather more feedback from the community on what our up-and-coming businesses need in the form of support from the city.

Susie Hidalgo-Fahring – Incumbent, ENDORSED

Housing
We need a balanced strategy that includes public and private partnerships, streamlining permitting processes for developers and making sure we create more attainable housing options in the process. It’s important to note the need for both the aging population and the demand for more affordable living spaces for new families. I would be in support of an increase in the city’s affordable housing requirement to help working class families access affordable, and attainable, housing.

Homelessness
I support expanding services for the unhoused, including a shelter that meets residents’ needs. Parents, children, and women often feel unsafe in shelters—what alternatives can address this? Unhoused individuals deserve support, including mental health care. I’ve lobbied for funding to expand resources and train first responders alongside mental health professionals. As a CORE/LEAD Steering Committee member, I help strengthen crisis outreach, diversion, and rehabilitation services through county and nonprofit partnerships providing wrap-around support.

Fire Mitigation
It’s important we continue our efforts of maintaining our existing practices for fire prevention and community education while ensuring the city hires and retains quality staff to address these issues. I want to highlight Longmont’s status as a UN resilience hub, while being the first location to be awarded this honor in the US. It was through the proactive flood and fire mitigation efforts that we were provided this recognition and I’d want those efforts to be continued.

Safety
Through my son’s struggles with drug use and mental health, I’ve been driven to address gang and drug-related issues. We must build trust between the community and public safety through art workshops and engagement events. The main barrier to safety is the lack of trust and connection between residents and city departments, which limits crime reporting. Residents also need greater vigilance against crimes of opportunity, such as unlocked vehicles and open garages.

ICE
No. We should remain diligent with criminal activity but we should not participate in discriminatory practices and need to uphold due process for those working towards naturalization. I have a background as a trained DACA clinician and my commitments to supporting immigrants rights while they work through the complexities and delays of the immigration process is important to me.

Transportation
I support Vision Zero, which has reduced traffic deaths and improved safety for pedestrians and cyclists. I helped implement flashing light crosswalks and encourage using affordable microtransit options like “Ride Longmont.” I’ve worked with RTD representative Karen Benker to improve routes, and while the Front Range Passenger Rail project is coming in 2029, Longmont deserves better from RTD. I’m committed to ensuring Longmont sees a real return on its 20-year investment through experienced leadership.

Business Support
We need better communication and representation of local businesses, particularly small and BIPOC-owned ones. I propose exploring ways to reduce their tax and fee burdens and want to focus on understanding the barriers that prevent businesses from opening and thriving. I also want to foster a closer relationship between the Chamber of Commerce and the Latino Chamber to address these issues as a united front.

Diane Crist

Housing
I want to see the right affordable housing projects built in the right places. My background in accounting and business development prepares me to address these challenges as mayor. While the fee-in-lieu option can fund projects, it often concentrates low-income housing instead of integrating it. We should aim for balanced, community-wide inclusion—around 12% affordable units across neighborhoods—so families of all incomes can live together and feel part of one cohesive, supportive community.

Homelessness
We must make the homeless community feel included and valued. The placement of affordable and transitional housing matters—people need opportunities to grow beyond their struggles. When individuals feel seen as contributing members of the community, they gain confidence to move forward. Longmont leads in addressing homelessness and mental health through programs like The OUR Center and the Veterans Community Project, which help people build skills, stability, and independence toward long-term self-sufficiency.

Wildfire Mitigation
We have some ecological staff in Longmont that works on keeping us safe and informing city members and residents on things we can do to mitigate potential fire risks. We also work with farmers in the area that live near city and county boundaries that have been instrumental in alerting those teams if they see risks.

Safety
We must make the homeless community feel included and valued. The placement of affordable and transitional housing matters—people need opportunities to grow beyond their struggles. When individuals feel seen as contributing members of the community, they gain confidence to move forward. Longmont leads in addressing homelessness and mental health through programs like The OUR Center and the Veterans Community Project, which help people build skills, stability, and independence toward long-term self-sufficiency.

ICE
Coming from a family of immigrants, I think what’s most important is helping those who have immigrated here to receive the help they need in order to become citizens because I feel we’ve failed with that as a society. I’ve added to my website the four ways to become a citizen because we care about our people and they need to know their rights.

Transportation
Traffic has long been centralized, so we need a four-corners approach, using major roads like Hover, Airport, Pace, and County Line to ease congestion. We’ve partnered with RTD and expanded microtransit options like Ride Longmont, a $2 service connecting residents to key destinations and the Bustang HUB in Firestone. Beyond current systems, Longmont should continue its innovative spirit by exploring advanced, technology-driven transportation solutions—like Hyperloop—that could shape the future of regional travel.

Business Support
I’ve added 44 things to my website that are over-burdensome to small businesses at the state level. One of the main things we need to address is property tax for businesses. We need to look into why empty commercial buildings are just sitting unoccupied. Local businesses, the jobs they create and the revenue they bring to the city is so important in the broad landscape of things. If we’re going to be able to continue to grow and improve our community, it takes sales tax to do those things.

Shakeel Dalal

Housing
I advocate allowing incremental growth in every neighborhood in the city, rather than concentrating our growth in just a few neighborhoods, as we’re doing right now. Currently, only 65% of our neighborhoods allow for townhomes, which forces people to buy big single-family homes they may not be able to afford.

Homelessness
Longmont does a pretty good job of providing temporary housing or shelter, but we need a long-term solution. As a city, we have a moral obligation to help people in need. We have a moral obligation to the city to solve this problem structurally, beyond short-term housing. Overall, more affordable housing and smaller dwellings may be more beneficial than a shelter. Our minimum wage is not enough for people to be able to survive on in the city of Longmont. I support raising the minimum wage to $16.50 by 2027.

Wildfire Mitigation
Wildfire management is one of the biggest safety risks to Longmont. I would like to see the Wildfire Partners Project, started by Boulder County, extend up further into Longmont. Additionally, I would like to see less water being used on non-native grasses and wildflowers- they help spread wildflowers and are not efficient with the water they use. There is also a staffing shortage in the Longmont fire department, requiring 50% overtime. That does not help response time.

International
I have strong personal feelings about what’s happening internationally, but I don’t think that it is the role of local government to get involved in international affairs.

Safety
A big threat to safety is when there are public spaces where there is an absence of people, and so as a result antisocial behavior can occur.I would like to see Longmont promote walking and biking throughout. When people walk and bike, they pay more attention to the space that they are traveling through than they do when they’re in a car, and that just makes it much more socially unacceptable to engage in destructive vandalism-type behavior or public drug use, which contributes to disorder and a feeling that the city is not as safe

Longmont City Council

Ward 1

John Lembke

Housing
I would like to legalize the building of more types of housing such as courtyard cottages, duplexes, and single staircase apartments so growth doesn’t feel so overwhelming. I don’t know that increasing affordable housing is a true solution. While I want to support those who need it, I think we will struggle to make an impact until the ability to build various housing types is resolved.

Homelessness
I want to put our resources towards what will make the most significant impact in the shortest amount of time. The main way to help the unhoused is to lower rent costs. If there was good evidence that providing another shelter would improve crime and homelessness in Longmont, I’d be in favor of it. I don’t want to rely on federal, state or county programs for our unhoused challenges and want to be able to be big and bold in addressing homelessness in Longmont.

Wildfire Mitigation
We need to restrict new developments from planting high-fire-risk plants and legalize xeriscaping. Boulder County has programs to help homeowners remove non-native plants that aren’t resistant to fire. I would love to see Longmont stand up a wildfire risk assessment program for residents to assess their potential fire danger and help with the cost of mitigation efforts for those plants and structures that are not recommended.

Safety
I think we need to address our pedestrian crosswalks and where they’re placed, especially in school zones. In general, I think our children need more safe places to be able to play and need to feel they’re supported by our local police enforcement. I also think putting some common-sense gun control on the demographic most responsible for school shootings is essential.

ICE
No, ICE lost their credibility in my mind when people are being restrained and deported without due process. It ruins community trust, especially when American citizens commit most crimes. We need to be mindful of us not utilizing our local resources for a federal initiative.

Transportation
Cities are complex, and if we want to address traffic we should have traffic circles in intersections, narrower roads to reduce speeding and redo zoning so businesses are closer to where we live. I like to use the term “stroads,” which is a combination of “street” and “roads”. Roads are meant for larger flows of traffic and high speeds, while streets are meant for local driving. We have Stroads, like Hover, where it doesn’t function well as either a byway or a pedestrian-friendly street. We’re also not densely populated enough yet for public transit to gain its focus, which leaves us driving our cars. I also think we need to provide more protection for bicyclists if we’re going to get more residents to bicycle.

Small Business
I would love to change our property tax code for businesses to a land value tax. Currently, enterprises get taxed when they install new equipment or make improvements, forcing businesses to look at renting equipment vs buying or not making improvements at all. We also need to reduce the time it takes to obtain licenses and permits for our small businesses. Another idea is to partner with CU Boulder and its startup business program to help some of those businesses land here in Longmont.

Alex Kalkhofer

Housing
I would collaborate with developers to lower costs and incentivize construction of affordable homes to address concerns about density and community impact. I would be in favor of increased affordable housing requirements for new developments, to help more residents achieve the American dream.

Homelessness and Poverty
I would prioritize providing temporary shelter to unhoused families and those who are willing to take steps to improve their situation. We would work with non-profits for wrap-around services that will ensure self-sufficiency.

Wildfire Mitigation
I would continue the efforts the team in Longmont has already made to create defensible space. There is also a continued need to educate and offset costs associated with fire mitigation to protect those homes we already have.

Safety
Public safety is a top priority for me. I see transportation, crime and homelessness as the key to address. We have already made progress with the Vision Zero Action Plan. Our law enforcement, and their relationship with the community, will continue to improve crime rates.

ICE
Police work should be independent of ICE and unless there is a crime that would warrant cooperation. My background is diverse, half Cuban and half Austrian, so I would suggest a balanced approach of supporting legal immigration while ensuring that undocumented immigrants have a path to naturalization and are allowed due process.

Transportation
I would address traffic congestion and accidents by utilizing smart traffic technologies and collaborating with CDOT infrastructure improvement. As a member of the Transportation Advisory Board, my goal is to ensure that Longmont’s transportation system meets the needs of all residents, whether they’re driving, biking, walking or using public transit.

Business Support
I grew up in a working class family who owned and ran a small business. I could effectively advocate for small business initiatives like streamlining city permits, pushing for a permit liaison, and by considering utilizing AI to help eliminate the need for follow-up from the applicants to the city.

Crystal Prieto – ENDORSED

Housing
One of my top priorities is smart, balanced growth. We’re not paying enough attention to programs, infrastructure, and resources that should grow alongside development. Can schools, roads, and childcare support planned growth? I want a holistic approach. Growth is inevitable and healthy, but we should move more strategically. Constituents want more for-sale workforce housing. Affordable housing must work for developers, the city, and available land—how do we build it now instead of relying on fee-in-lieu models?

Homelessness
I work with the Emergency Family Assistance Association, but the process can be lengthy. My hope is for better collaboration between the city and nonprofits to streamline resources into one place—showers, food, resume building, and housing. Can we create a hub for those in need and truly empower them to move forward? It’s easier to find a job and apply for assistance when you’re not worrying about shelter and food first.

Wildfire Mitigation
We should make sure to continue funding the agencies that are already addressing these issues, partnering with other cities so we’re prepared and being conscious of how weather is changing and that private property owners have the knowledge of mitigation best practices.

Safety
I do think drugs are becoming a safety threat, specifically with our children. I’m concerned we haven’t put enough attention on this issue and we need to bring more awareness to the general public and children about this subject. Traffic is also another area that needs improvement. Vision Zero has aided in this initiative but this could be expanded upon.

ICE
I want to make sure our community is protected. I think the police department’s collaboration should be kept to a minimum unless it’s a case of true criminal activity.

Transportation
We need more bus routes and to hold RTD accountable for the investments Longmont has made. Alternative routes can help reduce congestion on major roads. We also need to consider future development and incorporate mixed-use neighborhoods, allowing people access to what they need without traveling far, which helps prevent additional traffic congestion.

Business Support
I had a conversation with the CEO of the Chamber of Commerce and asked, if I had a magic wand, what could we do to help small businesses? The answer was “shop at them.” How can the city encourage people to shop and do business locally? I’d like creative ways to drive local transactions, support new start-ups, and offer resources to help new business owners build the skills they need.

Jake Marsing

Housing
I don’t want to see us grow in a way that seems haphazard. My approach is analyzing “how do we build housing that meets community needs.” Having served on the housing and human services board, I know which tools work. I want to invest in for-sale workforce housing and continue incentivizing growth that protects the community. I’d increase affordable housing to 15% and ensure fee-in-lieu incentives support for-sale housing, not large apartments.

Homelessness and Poverty
I’ve worked on this as an advocate for housing-focused shelter—get people into shelter, wraparound services, then permanent housing. That’s the approach that works best. We need to recognize the problem’s complexity, improve shelter processes, and ensure nonprofits can provide wraparound services. Preventing homelessness also needs attention. The city leans heavily on nonprofits, and we need a city-led liaison to lead coalitions with these organizations.

Wildfire Mitigation
What I want to see us do is keep the issue front of mind as the potential for fire events potentially increases. I want to continue to work with the experts already addressing these issues and make sure that residents are aware of what they can do in order to mitigate risks around fire proactively.

Safety
The drug use epidemic with fentanyl and usage in public spaces comes to mind. We need to continue to lean on local law enforcement for assistance and make sure that they have the resources they need. However, cops should be able to do their jobs but shouldn’t be asked to be mental health providers. To address the root of the problem we need wraparound services to address these issues within the community.

ICE
No. Period, stop. City of Longmont has a policy that’s over a decade old that we don’t cooperate in any of the activities of ICE. I would like to see the city provide more help around our residents rights, what they can and can’t do, to empower them when encountering ICE agents.

Transportation
Longmont used to be a place where you could get across town in 10 minutes, and that’s not the case today. Vision Zero work is important as we evaluate intersections for safety and infrastructure. That work must continue. Mixed-use development will be essential to reduce car use, and we need reliable public transportation and more commitment from RTD. I want to expand Ride Longmont and ride-share programs, including airport transportation.

Business Support
I want Longmont to be the easiest city on the Front Range to open and operate a business in. We’re not currently working collaboratively, and to small businesses, it can feel like the city works against them. It shouldn’t take four months to get a permit reviewed. We need a public liaison in planning to hand-hold the process and reduce red tape and

Riegan Sage

Housing
I think we should be building smaller and addressing the housing needs of people already living here. We lack starter homes and options for older families to downsize without only having large apartments. We should repurpose unused retail zoning. As a city representative, my job is to listen to constituents and consider increasing affordable housing percentages. Fee-in-lieu can further segregate communities, and we must recognize the different layers and needs within affordable housing.

Homelessness
I need to understand the details of our homeless community better before I make any true recommendations on this topic. But it will be a top priority to understand the needs before I make any determination on how the city can assist. I do think we need to lean on the non-profit organizations that aid in this area already and collaborate with these groups. Then we can determine where the holes are in support for the homeless and focus on supporting those areas through the city.

Wildfire Mitigation
I think we’re doing a pretty good job educating our residents on fire mitigation. We need to be conscious of balancing vegetation versus fire resistant hardscaping because those alternatives come with its own risks around flooding and further heating. We also need to continue funding our fire mitigation teams and fire departments.

Safety
I would like to see us communicate better with the community on how our law enforcement agents are advocates for our residents. I want our police department to build community so we can have more honest conversations about the real issues that are impacting our constituents the most.

ICE
No. I don’t feel that ICE is working under the guidelines of our constitution. 25% of our population is hispanic and while we need to follow federal law when crime is involved, we don’t have to put our residents doing the right things in a vulnerable position.

Transportation
I would like to see RTD step up more. We need to make it easier to break the “car habit.” It’s beautiful most days, so how do we entice people to bike and walk? Flex Ride could help with school traffic congestion. We should incentivize families to use public transportation, creating familiarity for future generations. We also need better communication about current options like Flex Ride and a multi-pronged approach to reach residents, especially during large events.

What things would you change or implement in order to support current local business growth?
We need to re-examine our permitting and licensing process for business owners to fast track approvals. I want to look at our tax and fee structures that we’re imposing on businesses as well. We need to bolster our small businesses because they are what makes Longmont different and unique. With that uniqueness we can drive more consumers here from other surrounding cities.

Steve Altschuler

Housing
Most residents I speak with are frustrated by the constant construction of high-density apartments and the resulting traffic. Developments like the one at 3rd and Martin—over 300 units with limited access—will create major congestion. Recent parking ordinance changes, reducing required spaces by about a third, add to the problem by pushing overflow parking onto neighborhood streets. People feel city council isn’t listening to their concerns about growth, traffic, and the overall impact on our community.

Homelessness
The first thing we have to do is get real help for homeless people. Providing meals and clothes doesn’t help anyone get out of homelessness. We need to help those who need and want help, but stop enabling those comfortable staying that way. Businesses and families deserve safe spaces without tents blocking entrances. My goal is simple: help people who truly want change, but don’t allow homelessness to overtake our community.

Wildfire Mitigation
It is an ongoing concern to mitigate underbrush and excessive growth, so the fires have less fuel, should a fire start.

Safety
Police need to crack down on crime, and part of that responsibility lies with the government. If someone’s driving 55 in a school zone, they should be ticketed, and if unlicensed, arrested. A few years ago, Governor Polis changed the law so theft under $995 a day is a misdemeanor. Since then, shoplifting has increased, and criminals feel emboldened because they’re not being punished. We need to start enforcing laws already on the books.

ICE
ICE is only following the law. If you don’t like the law, change it. But if people entered our country illegally, they need to leave. They’re taking jobs, increasing traffic, and in some cases, crime. They’re also raising rents through higher housing demand. I’m not against legal immigration — our country admits 1.5 million vetted people each year. But we must follow federal law, and local police should support ICE in doing so.

Transportation
The talks of developing the old Sugar Mill into housing would only make traffic more obscene. Years ago, most people worked in Longmont, but now over half commute elsewhere. We need more successful small businesses and a few large employers offering higher-paying jobs so residents can work closer to home, reducing traffic. I plan to join the Chamber of Commerce, meet regularly with business owners, and listen to their needs to help them succeed and grow within our community.

Business Support
I’ve already promised to join the Long Chamber of Commerce. On day one of announcing my run, someone asked how I’d help small businesses. I said that’s not up to me—I’d go to the Chamber, talk to business people, and let them tell me what they need. Some may need fewer restrictions, better signage, or a stop sign. I’ll make myself available and help connect them to the right resources. Many also say businesses suffer from people loitering, and needles are sometimes found nearby.

Ward 2

Matthew Popkin – Incumbent, ENDORSED

Housing
Housing is one of my top priorities. We should focus on urban renewal areas, places that already have access to transportation, businesses, and parks like the Sugar Mill. I support expanding affordable housing but believe it must be done thoughtfully.

Homelessness and Poverty
Addressing homelessness means enhancing existing shelters while exploring creative transitional housing options. I’ve worked with Habitat for Humanity and the Veterans Community Project to better understand these challenges. Coordinated efforts between public safety, mental health, and nonprofit services are essential for long-term stability.

Wildfire Mitigation
We need to prioritize infill development. Strengthening aging electrical and broadband infrastructure is key, along with promoting drought-resistant, native landscaping. A smarter approach to land use and natural resource management will make our community safer and more resilient.

Safety
Public safety means more than enforcement, it also includes mental health. Pairing officers with paramedics and mental health professionals gives us flexibility and compassion in handling crises. Continuing to invest in that approach will improve outcomes for both residents and first responders.

ICE
Police should assist when criminal issues are involved, but not in civil immigration matters. Civil warrants are the federal government’s responsibility, not the city’s. Our focus should remain on local safety and community trust.

Transportation
We need proactive planning to ensure that as the city expands, it does so with safe roads, bike lanes, and transit routes already in place. Growth management and transportation planning must work hand in hand to create a connected, efficient city.

Business Support
We should plan around areas with strong foot traffic and transit access, and coordinate with businesses ahead of major events like the Sundance Film Festival. I’d also like to review the city’s permitting process to reduce costs and streamline approvals for small businesses. Making it easier to operate locally will strengthen our economy and build a more vibrant downtown.

Teresa Simpkins

Housing
Residents aren’t opposed to growth, they just don’t want large apartment complexes that change the neighborhood’s character. We need housing options for seniors, veterans, and families at a range of income levels while keeping development consistent with existing neighborhoods. I support fee-in-lieu options for developers, which allow the city to build affordable housing where it’s most needed most.

Homelessness and Poverty
Longmont’s Coordinated Entry system connects unhoused residents to services like job training and mental health support. I believe in strengthening that approach. Above all, we must treat every resident with compassion and dignity.

Safety
Fentanyl and other deadly drugs are serious threats to our community. We need to confront the drug crisis while also protecting our immigrant neighbors and maintaining trust between law enforcement and the community.

ICE
I don’t support police cooperation with ICE,and neither does our department. Local officers should focus on community safety, not immigration enforcement. I’m committed to protecting residents who are working toward naturalization and ensuring that process is respected. We must defend the people who contribute to Longmont’s strength and diversity.

Transportation
We need long-term, creative solutions that reflect current realities. Many accidents come from commuter traffic and red-light violations. I agree with residents that we need a clear action plan to manage growth and traffic safely as our city evolves.

Small Businesses
Small businesses give Longmont its identity. The LDDA and Chamber of Commerce already do great work attracting and supporting small businesses. I want to build on that foundation. Longmont’s charm draws visitors from surrounding towns and our job is to keep that spirit thriving to make it easier for small businesses to succeed.

Thornton Election (North of 104th) 2025

Ward 2

Eric Montoya – ENDORSED

Housing and Development
I have been on the housing authority for Adams County for 10 years and worked on projects to bring affordable housing options to Thornton. The community has long-standing traffic and parking concerns that will likely persist. We need to provide working-class families with affordable homes, despite those concerns about traffic and parking.

Homelessness and Poverty
The key is regionalism. The biggest reason for homelessness is the lack of affordable housing options. We need to help lower the cost of homes. By providing families with more options and approving more developments. We need to provide subsidies for the resources the city provides, such as water, trash pickup service, and sewage, to help people with lower incomes.

Open Space
It is about balance. We need to continue maintaining open spaces and increase the difficulty of development in open space areas. We should incentivize developers to build in areas that will not impede open spaces. The key is equitability when it comes to developing projects and preserving open space.

Safety
Thornton should allocate more resources where we see an increase in crime, such as car break-ins. Thornton has a large Hispanic community, and many of them are afraid to come out to be contributing members of society due to the threat of being detained by ICE. We should strive to create a safe environment where all members of our communities can feel safe in Thornton.

ICE
Our local police department should not work with ICE. We should work with our federal-level Congress and Senate to require ICE and its agents to be more transparent.

Transportation
We will continue to advocate for increased funding to extend and improve the accessibility of train station tracks beyond their current capabilities. Regionally, we need to make sure that we are unified and organized in the North Metro area to rival the connectivity in the South Metro area.?

Business Support
We need to ensure our businesses are thriving because when they succeed, the city does too. Sales tax is a great source of income for Thornton. Providing grants to local businesses is an important way to offer resources and support that help them offset some of their costs.

Mayor Jan Kulmann
The accusations against Mayor Jan Kulmann are warranted. The city council should hold the mayor accountable. We need to elect the right people to the city council to advocate for the residents of Thornton.

John Alge – STRONGLY CONSIDERED

Housing and Development
Effective communication is crucial for developing affordable housing in strategic locations throughout the city. We need to have a balance between addressing the needs of residents and meeting the city’s housing needs. Thornton needs more affordable housing, especially in the affluent North area of Thornton.

Homelessness and Poverty
We will continue to support and expand the Thornton Homeless Outreach team within the parameters of our budget. We need to have programs in place for people who are on the verge of poverty and Section Eight to provide support on issues such as food insecurity.

Open Space
I am a proponent of open space. We want to expand on park systems and trails in Thornton. We plan to collaborate with developers and city staff to ensure that open space and development are properly balanced, aiming to increase the number of open spaces beyond our current levels.

Safety
We will collaborate with the Thornton Police Department to enhance patrol presence, aiming to help mitigate the current rise in property crime. Creating more community policing and neighborhood watch programs in additional communities around the city is also a key factor in helping the police gain valuable information on rising safety concerns.

ICE
We will not support the police department working with ICE. Maintaining an open line of communication with law enforcement would be a top priority to ensure a clear agreement and continued mutual understanding.

Transportation
We need to evaluate where to prioritize paving roads and building speed bumps to ensure growth with up-to-date infrastructure. We want to see the RTD bus service expanded and provide more public transportation for the residents. We aim to reduce the time it takes for transportation routes to be approved, developed, and ready for public use.

Business Support
I am an ally of the Thornton area Chamber of Commerce, bringing a background in business and labor. We will continue to support and expand on the outreach of the city of Thornton’s economic development team and the Thornton Chamber of Commerce.

Mayor Jan Kulmann
We have seen leaps and bounds in the last two years. We will work with anyone, including Mayor Kullmann, if elected, but we will also push back if necessary, if there is any type of bullying or abuse taking place. We will show up for the community and commit to listening and working together.

Rebecca Berner

Housing and Development
Thornton needs various types of housing, including affordable housing for low-income individuals. It is essential to employ creative zoning solutions to disperse housing throughout the community, rather than concentrating it in a single area. We believe it is essential for elected officials to be accessible to their constituents, particularly when it comes to housing and development projects.

Homelessness and Poverty
The city council should connect the unhoused community with services available in Thornton that can help them achieve a better quality of life. We need to effectively manage our budget and collaborate with other agencies to address homelessness. It is our responsibility as a city to ensure the safety and well-being of unhoused individuals, especially during the winter months.

Open Space
We recognize the importance of maintaining the open spaces in Thornton. I am for using a comprehensive plan to evaluate and update zoning and development policies. We need a variety of open spaces, including both passive and active parks, to accommodate the diverse needs of our residents.

Safety
Car break-ins are significant issues and suggests implementing enforcement, traffic engineering solutions, and targeted police efforts to address them.

ICE
We support the police working with other agencies within the laws that we have in place.

Transportation
We need to improve our arterial corridors and regional roadways to reduce traffic congestion in the city. Interstate 25 and other major roadways should not be so essential to get around the city, as they are now. We have work to do to incorporate pedestrian and bike accessibility in transportation projects.

Business Support
We should help small businesses advertise their business, educate them, and provide them with resources to succeed. We should establish small business development centers and provide community support to encourage growth, ultimately leading to economic development through increased job opportunities in the city.

Mayor Jan Kulmann
I have not read the articles regarding Mayor Kulmann’s accusations of alleged abuse of power and lack of communication. It is impoprtnat to have open communication with citizens and her commitment to being accessible and responsive to residents’ concerns.

Ward 3

Mark Gormley

Housing and Development
We aim to construct more multi-story housing, including apartments and townhomes, rather than spreading out construction projects across the city. The taxes on housing in metropolitan districts are significantly higher than in non-metropolitan districts. To create more affordable housing, the metro district’s concerns need to be taken into consideration. We would hold meetings to gather residents’ input on future developments before proceeding.

Homelessness and Poverty
We need to be more proactive in addressing homelessness. The City of Thornton’s Homeless Outreach Team should have more resources to tackle its responsibilities and prevent some of the ensuing higher costs, such as cleaning up unhoused encampments.

Open Space
Thornton generally does a great job at preserving open space. In an extreme case, the city added an unnecessarily large park in a townhouse complex, leading to higher metro district fees for homeowners. There was already a park 1,000 feet north of the construction site. We need to avoid developing excessive green space to the detriment of residential areas.

Safety
The city needs to strike a balance between programs that promote residents’ safety, such as education and after-school activities, and funding for the police department. The city should maintain a well-funded police program to continue serving its residents effectively.

ICE
We do not support the police department working with or supporting ICE. If there are specific matters and valid warrants, then ICE should handle its concerns independently.

Transportation
We should explore expanding public transportation options, such as a cable car system, to limit the number of vehicles. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in traffic. As a solution, we should educate the public about transit and encourage the use of alternative modes of transportation.

Business Support
It is important to review tax policies to prevent excessive taxation on small business owners. I support small businesses and are committed to collaborating with various departments to develop effective policies that help them thrive in our community.

Mayor Jan Kulmann
I am unaware of the accusations levied against the mayor, citing the difficulty of communication with residents and the alleged abuse of power. He would need to gather more information before forming an opinion on the situation.

Devin Byrd: Did not reply

Sam Nizam – ENDORSED

Housing
We must balance the needs of citizens with the density issue to achieve affordable housing in the city. We cannot be a nation of renters. Sam wants to deliver attainable housing to residents by listening to their needs and major concerns and collaborating with them in the early stages of construction.

Homelessness
I will support more programs that help families struggling with poverty. Providing more resources to the less fortunate people will ultimately save us money in the long run. We will avoid more costly consequences, such as those affecting safety and security, which would require an increased police presence and fire department deployment.

Open Space
I am an advocate for protecting our open spaces to preserve the natural beauty and openness of our city. When it comes to zoning the city for open spaces, development, or mixed-purpose land, we will listen to what the citizens need and take the city’s best interests into account.

Safety
I will aim maintain and expand our police force and first responder capabilities within the fire department by providing them with the necessary training and resources to combat crime. It is a delicate balance that is tied to our city’s budget. Speeding and petty theft are significant concerns for the city, and we want to equip the police force to reduce these crimes.

ICE
We need to listen to the council for guidance and to understand where our rights as a home rule city end and what is legally allowed. I need more information to give a definitive answer on whether the police department should collaborate with ICE.

Transportation
I support improving Interstate 25 to ensure it is safe for all residents. We also support bike accessibility and the expansion of routes to Highway 7 that will ultimately help increase traffic to businesses along the highway. If elected, we aim to partner with the state and the Regional Transportation District to have the N line, the commuter rail line connecting Denver to Thornton, end at Highway 7.

Business Support
We understand the specific challenges that small businesses face in Throrton. We want to expand the grant program, streamline the process, and increase funding for small businesses. For new businesses, we want to offer incentives and funding to help them get started.

Mayor Jan Kulmann
The council should not be an “us versus them” environment. We are employees of the citizens of Thornton, and our accessibility should be available at all times. I prefer not to pick a side, and if elected, he would work on getting things done for the city.

Ward 4

Jason Anaya-Ledeboer – ENDORSED

Housing and Development
We need affordable housing. We have to advocate for diverse housing options. I want individuals to be able to afford living and working in our community. We need to have conversations upfront, between the city, community, and developers, about what is best for the city when it comes to development. We should be looking long-term for decisions on how to best develop the city.

Homelessness and Poverty
We must ensure that Thornton is taking care of the people who are unhoused in our community, beyond county or regional programs.

Open Space
I will work to develop with a strategic plan to ensure the development can meet our infrastructure and public safety needs.

Safety
The police should have the necessary resources, staffing, and training to protect our community. As someone endorsed by professionals from Public Safety, Adams County Sheriff, Adams County District Attorney, and Thornton Firefighters, Jason is adamant about his commitment to balancing the safety that the Thornton community needs.

ICE
I support the police department and its stance on remaining neutral when it comes to ICE. I am in favor of the recent update by the city council and law enforcement to refrain from involvement in activities related to ICE operations in Thornton.

Transportation
We are reimagining our infrastructure to maximize safe transit across various modes of transportation, including driving, biking, and walking. We need to continue working with our partners, such as the Regional Transportation District (RTD), our county, and our state, to offer people various options so they can find what works best for them.

Business Support
We need to provide resources and tools to support our small businesses. As a commercial banker for a local credit union, I plan to leverage that experience to help existing businesses grow and open doors for new businesses to be created. Expanding the grant program for businesses would be a great start.

Mayor Jan Kulmann
Any elected official needs to represent their community, be accessible, and listen. Our best days are ahead when we value different perspectives and work together; we can accomplish great feats and build a strong community.

Amanda Pedrianes: DID NOT RESPOND

Drew Morris: Did not reply

Westminster Election 2025

Mayor

Bruce Baker

Housing
Westminster used to be an affordable, owner-occupied city, but neighborhoods have become investment vehicles for corporations, pension funds, and the wealthy. That’s not what neighborhoods are for. City staff ignores it, instead pushing high-density housing that keeps people as renters. A third of our homes are rentals now, which means fewer homeowners and fewer people in charge of their own destiny.

Homelessness
Homelessness isn’t the city’s responsibility. That falls to Adams and Jefferson counties, which run social services.

Open Space
Roughly a third of Westminster is preserved as open space thanks to a sales tax voters approved in 1985. We’ve exceeded our goals, and it’s been effective. I’m not worried about losing open space—what matters now is how it’s used, and that’s a different discussion.

Business
We need the same rules for everyone. Incentives are just a nice word for bribes that benefit big corporations while hurting small businesses. These major brands know how to play cities against each other, and we shouldn’t be rewarding them.

Transportation
Westminster was built for cars, but the city keeps making traffic worse. We even paid over a million dollars to study removing a lane from Federal Boulevard—a road that’s already a nightmare. We’ve been going down the wrong path for years because city staff and council keep buying into bad ideas.

Public Safety
We’re an extraordinarily safe city because our residents care for their neighborhoods and look out for one another. That’s where safety really comes from.

ICE
Federal law is the law of the land. Immigration enforcement is a federal job. Westminster welcomes everyone who is lawfully here, and we’re proud of that.

International Issues
It’s fine for residents to bring forward resolutions on international issues. I’d support that, even if the resolutions conflict. We have multiple viewpoints in this city, and I don’t want to stifle anyone’s voice. Everyone deserves access to that platform through the city council.

Claire Carmelia – Endorsed

Housing
We’ve been discussing a whole variety of things we as a city can do to make homeownership more possible for folks. We could look into creating a housing fund. We would need to take a look at what monies went into that pool and see who would qualify. The reason for doing that, separate from the state, is that we could create our own guidelines to fill in the gaps for folks who have state and federal housing funds set. We have a housing shortage, and that can be an uncomfortable subject because folks don’t like change — building and construction is not fun to live around for any of us, but making housing available for homebuyers is a necessity. I support more multifamily housing in Westminster, and we’ve made considerable strides in the last couple of years to support multifamily housing.

Homelessness

we can address homelessness on a needs basis. We do that by hiring homeless navigators. We’ve expanded our homeless navigator program over the past year, and we’ve doubled it from two to four. Those navigators work with people to understand what they need, if they recently lost their home or employment, helping them fill out applications or their resume, and get them back in the job field. If there is somebody who has suffered from substance abuse or has mental health needs, that needs to be addressed first, then we should look at that. Ultimately, everyone needs a house before they can do anything.

Open Space

First, we have to consider if we are meeting the needs of our residents, and do we have the necessary housing. Second, when it comes to our open space, if it is dedicated as open space within our city ordinances, then it means that it stays open space period. When it comes to additional land, I think we have to look carefully at our budget. Personally, I’m a preservationist. I have an environmental science background and I would like to see all land kept as open land for its own intrinsic value. Ultimately, we need to keep a look at our budget and the needs of the community.

Business
The goal is really to encourage our economic development department which has been doing a great job of looking for ways to attract our neighbors in nearby cities like Arvada, Thornton, and even North Denver to come and shop up here. I believe in our small businesses and always try to shop local between my grocery shopping and dining out. I always try to support mom and pop shops. I think it’s a great way to boost our local economy, it also helps our immigrant neighbors get the jobs they need as they often end up in food and dining industries.

Transportation
I’ve been pushing very hard for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), which will be coming soon. That should offer folks a way to get from our city to Denver. It’s going to be an accessible and affordable solution because we’ve had such difficulty getting a train in our city. This will be a bus that operates like a train; it’ll stop every 15 minutes up and down Federal, and I think that’s precisely what we need. We really need to be thoughtful about where we can find dollars to work on more community and regional transportation options because funds are coming up short across the board. I think we can look into supporting more micro transit options. Let’s make it easier for bikers to get off the road. I support more pedestrian access, safer bike lanes, and the ability for our city to be more connected.

Public Safety
We’re fortunate that we were one of the first cities on the Front Range to fully staff and resource our police department after the COVID-19 pandemic. We have the resources we need. Along with other cities across the Front Range, we’ve seen a decline in violent crime, which I want folks to know is the case. We should be celebrating that. What is somewhat on the rise is retail theft, especially as economic uncertainty grows. From what I hear from our residents, the biggest threat to our city’s safety is speeding, which is a real problem with the number of accidents we see on the roads.

ICE and Immigration
We can do a better job of serving our immigrant communities by making our city services accessible in more languages. Historically, we haven’t done a great job with that. We’ve only recently started expanding our languages offered, and even now, we only really provide services in two languages. Westminster has dozens of languages spoken here; we have one of the largest Hmong populations in the US. South Westminster is majority Spanish-speaking, so everything we do in our town halls and city events should not only have translation services, but also printed materials in several languages so that people know what is even going on in our city. I believe we can be doing better outreach, involving leaders in these communities because otherwise they may end up not involved in the civic process.

International Issues
At a regulatory level, we have nothing to do with internal politics, period. We’re here to support and protect the city and its infrastructure at a local level. However, we do have a job to do when it comes to protecting freedom of speech and people’s civil right to gather and voice their opposition in whatever regard. If we know there is going to be a protest or event, then we want to make sure that we have first responders circulate that neighborhood to make sure people are safe.

David DeMott

Housing
With less than 4% of developable land left, we must balance housing needs with resources—especially water. We’ve approved new “missing-middle” and attainable housing, and another housing study will guide what comes next. I believe Westminster has the right mix of multifamily housing for now. On homelessness, I favor a “jobs-first” approach that helps people regain stability, while supporting our navigators who connect residents to services and keeping public safety a priority.

Transportation
We’re updating Westminster’s traffic-signal system using AI to improve light timing and reduce congestion. Right-sizing roads for multimodal use—cars, bikes, and pedestrians—is also key. I’d like to strengthen trail connectivity through better mapping, signage, and planning that links new development to existing paths. Smarter technology and design will help us manage growth while improving daily commutes and walkability.

Open Space
Our open-space ordinance ensures new developments dedicate land for parks, but maintaining those spaces is just as important as acquiring them. While we’ve met our preservation goals, we need to prioritize upkeep and ensure we have the funding to develop and care for what we already own. Residents have repeatedly supported taxes for parks and open space, showing how deeply our community values these areas.

Business
Westminster’s economic-development team, led by Lindsay Kimball, has done a strong job engaging local businesses. We partner with schools and the Chamber of Commerce to align workforce training with business needs. By supporting small, medium, and large employers alike, we’re helping Westminster’s economy stay balanced, innovative, and resilient.

Public Safety
Strong leadership and community partnership keep Westminster safe. Our police department emphasizes outreach, transparency, and preparedness—from protests to school-safety coordination. It’s vital to protect everyone’s rights while ensuring justice is applied fairly. Supporting our officers while holding them accountable builds trust, and that balance is what earned me the endorsement of the Fraternal Order of Police.

ICE
Immigration enforcement is primarily a federal responsibility. I want local and federal agencies to stay in their respective lanes while ensuring all laws are followed. Our police should focus on community safety and enforcing local and state law, not federal immigration duties.

International Issues
Global conflicts aren’t within the local government’s scope, but we have a duty to uphold First Amendment rights. I fully support residents’ right to protest, on any issue, as long as demonstrations are lawful and don’t infringe on others’ rights. Protecting free expression is part of the oath I took to uphold our Constitution.

City Council

Kara Hucke: Did not reply

Jack Johnson: Did not reply

Phillip Romero

Housing
Westminster has done well supporting first-time homebuyers, but we need more options for the middle class. We can’t control interest rates, but we can ensure new developments are accessible and affordable. I support more multi-family housing like Denver’s Central Park model—mixed communities of condos, apartments, and townhomes that let people stay rooted in their neighborhoods. Smart growth means keeping Westminster livable for families and working residents.

Homelessness
Having worked for the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, I know effective solutions require city-county partnership. People shouldn’t be pushed from one community to another. We need infrastructure—rehabilitation clinics, job navigation, and transitional housing—to help people rebuild stability. Supporting shelters and nonprofits that provide food, showers, and medical care gives residents the foundation to recover, work, and rejoin society.

Open Space
I value preserving Westminster’s open space for environmental and community reasons. Property owners have the right to develop their land, but the city must weigh each proposal carefully. I’m open to hearing new ideas, yet I don’t support unchecked vertical development or sacrificing open land unnecessarily. Preservation should remain a priority whenever possible.

Public Safety
Public-safety responses depend on the situation. A person panhandling and someone overdosing require very different approaches. I want our officers to respond based on their training and the context of each call. Compassion, awareness, and proper judgment are key to keeping both residents and officers safe.

ICE
Colorado law limits cooperation between local police and ICE. As a city council member, I would follow that law. Local law enforcement should focus on protecting residents and enforcing city and state laws, not federal immigration operations.

Business
Large businesses like Trader Joe’s or the Old Spaghetti Factory bring visitors and tax revenue, but incentives must be fair across the board. I’m committed to supporting local shops that form the backbone of our community. As a Colorado native, I’ve seen too many small businesses close—I’d like to explore local tax incentives to help them stay open and thrive.

Transportation
Colorado’s rapid growth has increased congestion across the region. We can’t stop it, but we can plan smarter. I support investing in better public transit, protected bike lanes, and safe walking paths to reduce short car trips. We need affordable, cleaner transportation options and a realistic, proactive strategy to manage regional traffic.

International Issues
I strongly support free speech—especially having lived in countries where it’s not protected. But city council should stay focused on local issues like roads, safety, and city services. Residents are free to discuss national or international matters privately or outside meetings, but council time should be devoted to Westminster’s immediate needs.

Sarah Nurmela – Incumbent, ENDORSED

Housing
While we can’t control market forces, the city can incentivize developers to build more affordable housing through funding partnerships and flexible fee structures. As an urban planner, I know land and construction costs drive prices most. We’ve already zoned for multifamily housing—it’s the market that hasn’t caught up yet. Our role is to create conditions that make building attainable housing possible through collaboration and smart policy.

Homelessness
We’re expanding partnerships with counties to connect residents to housing and services, including hotel stays and temporary shelter options. Our navigators work daily in parks and across the city to link people to resources. These partnerships—especially with Jefferson County—allow us to extend our reach and better serve those experiencing homelessness. Collaboration and compassion are key to helping people move toward stability.

Open Space
Westminster has already surpassed its goal of preserving 30% of land as open space, supported by a voter-approved tax. Our current focus is on connecting existing spaces with continuous trails and improving accessibility. With less than 4% of land left to develop, it’s important to balance preservation with thoughtful, connected planning.

Public Safety
Crime is down in Westminster, and our police department has reduced turnover and strengthened internal support. Co-responders now assist officers on mental health calls—a program officers say has been transformative. We’re also working with businesses to address safety in commercial areas and parking lots. Collaboration and proactive engagement keep Westminster safe and responsive.

Business
Our economic development team partners closely with local entrepreneurs to help unique businesses and restaurants thrive. We’re also working with cultural and neighborhood organizations to diversify events and support Westminster’s vibrant, multicultural identity. A strong mix of creative business and cultural collaboration keeps our community dynamic and welcoming.

Transportation
As we grow, Westminster is prioritizing pedestrian-friendly, gridded neighborhoods like downtown and the Orchard area. We’re expanding bike corridors through our Bicycle Master Plan and working with RTD on rapid bus transit along Federal, with hopes to extend service to Sheridan and Wadsworth. Regional cooperation remains key as we address congestion, speeding, and traffic safety through shared solutions like speed mitigation and better transit access.

Immigration
Westminster’s strength lies in its diversity. Rising housing costs threaten that, so we’re partnering with cultural organizations to ensure every community feels welcome and supported. Projects like the new Hmong community center and memorial reflect that commitment. We strive to be a buffer against national tensions—a city where everyone feels safe and valued.

International Issues
Local government’s role is to meet local needs and ensure residents feel safe and heard. When global conflicts heighten tensions, we respond locally—like increasing police presence at religious institutions facing threats. Residents are welcome to share their perspectives with council, and it’s our responsibility to listen while clarifying what actions fall within our scope. Our focus is safety, dialogue, and connection.

Obi Ezeadi – Incumbent, ENDORSED

Housing
Colorado faces a housing crisis, and cities must make building easier and more affordable. During my time on council, we’ve preserved existing affordable housing and planned new multifamily options to meet the needs of seniors, working families, and students. With only 1.7% of developable land left, smart, higher-density projects are the most efficient way to expand access while balancing open space, parks, and resources like water.

Homelessness
Helping unhoused residents has been a top priority. We expanded our navigator program, which connects people with housing, addiction treatment, and mental-health care—and it now has a 60% success rate in placing residents within six months. Last year, Westminster invested nearly $1 million in homelessness response, the most among suburban Denver cities. It’s still not enough, but it’s making a measurable difference. We must keep investing in what works.

Open Space
Westminster has some of the best open space in the state, and it’s essential to protect it. But we can also repurpose vacant commercial properties for housing instead of building over parks. Redevelopment keeps our green spaces intact and supports sustainability goals by reducing climate impacts. The key is balance—building in the right places while maintaining the city’s natural beauty.

Transportation
We recently made the largest road-investment in city history, though supply limits have slowed progress. Beyond fixing roads, we’re expanding multimodal options—adding trails, paths, and micro-mobility networks so residents without cars can move safely around the city. A balanced approach that includes bikes, transit, and smart-road technology will create a more connected and accessible Westminster.

Business
Small businesses are the backbone of Westminster. We’ve expanded grants, training, and retention programs to help them stay resilient. Keeping local dollars circulating strengthens the community far more than large corporate chains do. My priority is making sure entrepreneurs have the support, resources, and partnerships they need to grow and thrive here.

Public Safety
When I joined council in 2021, our police department had a 13% vacancy rate; today, it’s 1%. We improved pay, support, and recruitment while launching a co-responder program pairing officers with mental-health professionals. That initiative has reduced recidivism and improved community outcomes. Expanding it further will help first responders address emerging public-safety challenges with care and effectiveness.

ICE
As an immigrant and first-generation American, I believe local police should focus on Westminster—not federal ICE operations. Most undocumented residents are hardworking people caught in a broken system, and they deserve dignity. We’re expanding translation services, starting with Spanish and soon more languages, to make city meetings and programs accessible for all. Westminster should remain a city where immigrants feel welcome, respected, and safe.

International Issues
The city’s role is to listen and show empathy, even on global issues. Westminster is home to both Jewish and Palestinian residents, and I’ve met with many from both communities. While we don’t have jurisdiction over international conflicts, our words matter. I’ve called for a two-state solution and believe acknowledging residents’ concerns builds trust and unity. Local leadership means listening with compassion, even when the issue reaches beyond our borders.

Jeremy Nuanes

Housing
City council’s role is to partner with staff and developers to find realistic housing solutions. I support requiring developers to include affordable units in new projects rather than putting that burden on taxpayers. We can explore denser, smaller housing options and collaborate with the county on affordability. But I don’t support raising taxes to do it—we need to prioritize existing funds and ensure every dollar is spent transparently and responsibly.

Open Space
Open space is already protected in Westminster’s charter, but I’d like to see the city pursue more where possible. Parks and green spaces make communities livable and are essential as density increases. We need to make sure new developments—especially multifamily ones—still include places for people to walk their dogs, get outside, and breathe fresh air.

Homelessness
I believe both housing-first and jobs-first strategies have value. People need stable housing to get back on their feet, but they also need opportunities to work and support themselves. Solving homelessness requires coordination between the city and counties, since Westminster spans both Jefferson and Adams. Real progress depends on strong city-county partnerships that combine housing, job training, and social services.

Business
I’m an engineer, so I like to see the numbers. Property taxes don’t bring in nearly as much as sales tax, so attracting businesses—especially small, local ones—strengthens our economy. We should make permitting easier and, when it makes sense, offer incentives or subsidies to help businesses improve their sites. I’d rather see local shops and restaurants than a city full of big-box chains.

Public Safety
Homeless encampments can be unsafe, and addressing them requires close coordination with law enforcement. As a council member, I’d rely on the police to tell us what resources they need—whether that’s more patrols or better training—and make decisions based on clear data. Public safety depends on partnership and accountability, not assumptions.

ICE
City law prevents council members from assisting ICE operations, and I respect that. However, anyone committing violent or serious crimes should face the same legal consequences regardless of their immigration status. Law enforcement should focus on criminal behavior, not immigration enforcement.

International Issues
Local government should stay focused on local issues, not national debates. City politics shouldn’t be about party lines or polarizing topics—we’re here to fix roads, manage budgets, and serve residents. Respectful dialogue matters, but national controversies have no place in city chambers.

Additional Note
I strongly oppose the amount of debt Westminster has taken on for projects like the new water treatment plant and courthouse. Taxpayers deserve transparency on how their money is spent, and I don’t support borrowing beyond our means to fund infrastructure. We need fiscal responsibility, not new debt.

Kathy Stroud

Housing
I would like to see more home ownership. Going back to when there were tracked homes, 900-1000 square feet and closer together to make it more affordable.?We want young people to have a piece of the pie to get their foot in the door for ownership.

Homelessness
First, we have to find out why these people are unhoused, so can attack it from that angle first. Because I don’t think it’s going to be a one-size-fits-all all approach to everybody out there. ?And once we find out why, then we can go to the next step. Do they just need a job? Do they need treatment? And go from there.

Open Space
In the past, Westminster would purchase tracks of land, specifically for open space, and the citizens, that’s what we wanted. We like our open space in Westminster. ?And we were different from a lot of other cities around here because we actually had that in our plan, to maintain a certain amount of open space. I understand there’s growth, but I think we have to stick to the plan. And if we don’t have enough for housing, well, we have several cities nearby that do.

Karen Kalavity: Did not reply

Ballot Issues 2025

Boulder County Ballot Measures:

Boulder County voters will be able to vote on two ballot measures from Boulder County in the November 2025 election: Issue 1A pertaining to open space sales and use tax, and Issue 1B, which introduces a sales and use tax in support of mental and behavioral health.

Boulder County Ballot Issue 1A, YES

Explanation: The Open Space Sales and Use Tax Extension offers a resolution of the Board of County Commissioners of Boulder County approving and to extend in perpetuity the existing 0.15% countywide Open Space Sales and Use Tax. This resolution is for the purpose of acquiring, improving, managing, and maintaining open space lands and other open space property interests, including agricultural open space.

For: County issue 1A would add a .1% sales tax, adding up to roughly $11 million in additional funding, which would help Boulder County prepare for the next fire. Colorado sees a prolonged fire-risk season, so this sales tax would help homeowners make properties more “resilient”. The .1% tax would further fund the Wildfire Partners program to defend against wildfires, like the Marshall Fire.

Against: This tax would be in addition to other property taxes Boulder County home- and land-owners are already taxed on. Due to open space over-reach due to fast-paced expansion in the last 15-30 years, this ballot measure may not be viewed as a solution, especially in combating future fires.

We vote yes on this issue because it will better prepare our communities in the event of another wildfire.

Boulder County Ballot Issue 1B, YES

Explanation: This measure introduces a sales and use tax in support of mental and behavioral health to impose for three years, an additional sales and use tax of 0.15% for the purposes of addressing unmet needs of youth, adults, families, unhoused individuals, and older adults in Boulder County. This includes, but is not limited to: suicide crisis prevention and intervention; substance treatment, recovery services, and use prevention; resources for unhoused individuals; and grants to community providers.

For: Approves a 0.15% countywide sales and use tax for three years, generating about $13.8 million annually for mental health and addiction services, and provides community-funded support in an area some community members have noted has a gap in resources.

Against: Those opposed have claimed this ballot measure is too broad and might potentially further disenfranchise the very people it seeks to support and protect because of risks in backfilling existing programs, rather than building new capacity for the long-term. However, it is likely this measure will pass, given Boulder County’s need for mental health services.

We vote yes on this issue because it better serves our community as a whole. Mental health is human health.

City of Boulder Ballot Measures:

Ordinance 8710: Permanent Extension of the Community, Culture, Safety and Resilience Tax (CCRS), YES

Explanation: Permanent Extension of the Community, Culture, Safety and Resilience Tax (CCRS). Voters will decide whether or not to make the city’s existing 0.3% CCRS sales and use tax permanent. If approved, the extension is expected to generate about $15 million annually for projects including, but not limited to: road and bike lane improvements; recreational area renovations; snow and ice removal response; and fire and police renovations.

For: Permanently extend the CCRS tax, authorizing up to $262 million in new debt for capital projects to fund public improvement, including community non-profits that serve the Boulder community. Otherwise, the city may lose up to roughly $15 million in annual funding for capital projects.

Against: There’s skepticism about city spending and concerns about already high property taxes, which currently fall heavily on lower-income tax payers. The 0.3% CCRS tax will expire in 2036 unless extended.

Ordinance 8711: Increasing Debt Capacity, YES

Explanation: The above measure, Ordinance 8710, which voters will decide on the Permanent Extension of the Community, Culture, Safety and Resilience Tax (CCRS), could also authorize Ordinance 8711, which would allow the city to increase its debt capacity for capital projects up to $262 million.

For: As mentioned in the “For” section for Ordinance 8710, Ordinance 8711 would authorize up to $262 million in new debt for capital projects to fund public improvements. The combined funding could help to address a $380 million backlog in maintenance and repair needs faced currently by the City of Boulder, like trail and bike lane maintenance, recreational area renovations, snow and ice removal response, and fire and police renovations.

Against: A city survey showed strong support with more than 60% of respondents favoring the sales tax extension. However, the same survey found that only 38% of voters supported the “public realm tax,” which adds to community skepticism about city spending and concerns about already high property taxes.

Broomfield Ballot Measures:

Overall, these ordinances concern updating the Broomfield Charter to ensure that it reflects current governance needs while maintaining transparency and ethical standards. The following explanations were provided from Citizen Portal’s notes of the July 9th, 2025, Broomfield County Council meeting.

1A: Ordinance 2276 – General Updating and Clean Up, YES

Explanation: Make general overall changes to the Charter, first adopted in 1974, that update language references without altering the substance, including:

Change “City” to “City and County”
Remove “municipal” or change “municipal” to “City and County” or “Broomfield” unless the context requires the use of “municipal”;
Change “municipal” election to “coordinated” election
Remove outdated language from the original submission of the Charter to the voters.
Reference Broomfield’s voter-approved state constitutional amendment, Article XX, Section 10;
Add language that acknowledges Council’s ability, as a governing body of a city and county, to create boards to perform county functions.

This ordinance will aim to revise the charter so it reflects Broomfield’s status as a city and county in 2025, updating outdated language to ensure clarity.

1B: Ordinance 2277 – Council Qualifications – No Duel Office, YES

Explanation: This amendment would change Section 4.6 to add a provision that an elected official cannot concurrently hold any other publicly elected office. This ordinance would prohibit elected officials from holding another publicly elected office to ensure that conflicts of interest are minimized.

1C – Ordinance 2278 – Vacancies

Explanation: This amendment would change Section 4.7 of the Charter regarding vacancies to:

Expand the time frame for Council to elect a person to fill a councilmember vacancy would be 60 days, not 30 days.
Make it that a person appointed to fill a vacancy in a councilmember seat will only serve until the next general or coordinated election (Currently, the person completes the entirety of the original term).
Requires that a vacancy in the office of the mayor shall be filled by the current mayor pro tem, who shall serve until the next general or coordinated election (Currently, mayoral vacancy is filled in a special election unless vacancy occurs 4 months or less before the next election)

This ordinance also introduces an attendance requirement, stating that a council member who fails to attend 50% of meetings within a rolling 12-month period would create a vacancy. It also extends the time frame for filling vacancies from 30 to 60 days. In July 2025, public comments were invited, with one resident raising a concern about the attendance requirement and its implications for temporary medical incapacity.

1D – Ordinance 2279: Requirement that Council establish a code of ethics, YES

Explanation: This amendment would require Council to adopt a code of ethics. Broomfield currently has a code of ethics in Chapter 2-70 of the Broomfield Municipal Code, approved in 2001. However, there is no requirement in the Charter that such a code of ethics be adopted or remain in the code. This amendment would formalize the requirement for a code of ethics in the charter, ensuring that ethical standards are maintained for elected officials.

1E – Ordinance 2280: Emergency ordinance effective immediately, not in 8 days, YES

Explanation: The proposed change would allow emergency ordinances to take effect immediately upon passage, rather than after an eight-day waiting period, facilitating quicker responses to urgent situations.

1F – Ordinance 2281: IGA approved by majority vote, not 2/3 vote, YES

Explanation: This ordinance seeks to allow Intergovernmental Agreements (IGAs) to be approved by a simple majority vote instead of the current two-thirds requirement. It would formalize the ability of the council to delegate signature authority for these agreements and change Section 16.2 to permit IGAs to be approved by a majority vote of Council present, to formalize the ability of Council to delegate signature authority for IGAs, and to recommend that IGAs be published on the Broomfield website when practical and feasible. You

We vote yes on all of these amendments. Today, they will make little difference, but they will make it easier for the town/ county to streamline changes in the future.

Firestone Ballot Questions:

Resolution 25-74, YES

During the July 9, 2025, meeting, the Board of Trustees approved Resolution 25-74, which officially approves the ballot question language needed to submit a question to the voters to change the Town’s regular Municipal Election date from April to the November Coordinated Election. This change aligns with the Board’s goal to increase voter turnout, cut administrative costs, and enhance election efficiency.

This measure asks Firestone voters whether to move the town’s regular municipal election from April to the November coordinated election held in even-numbered years.

Currently, Firestone holds municipal elections on the first Tuesday in April every two years. During those elections, the mayor, who serves a two-year term, is always on the ballot, and half of the six Board of Trustees members are up for election to four-year terms. If approved, this measure would alter the election schedule so that town elections coincide with the statewide November election, when federal, state, and county races are also held.

The goal of this change is to increase voter participation, reduce administrative costs, and make elections more efficient by consolidating them with other coordinated elections managed by Weld County.

A “Yes” vote means Firestone’s regular municipal elections would move to November of even-numbered years, aligning them with state and national elections. This could lead to higher voter turnout and lower election costs for the town.

A “No” vote means municipal elections would continue to be held in April of even-numbered years, keeping Firestone’s local elections separate from county, state, and federal ballots.

We vote yes on this matter, as it would help the town be able to cast their votes.

Dacono Ballot Questions:

Shall the City of Dacono Home Rule Charter be amended to provide that a special meeting of the City Council may be called upon the written request of the City Manager?, YES

This ballot measure asks voters whether to amend the City of Dacono’s Home Rule Charter to allow the city manager to formally request a special meeting of the city council.

Under the current charter, only the mayor or two city council members can call a special meeting. The proposed change would add the city manager, the city’s appointed administrative officer, to that list. Special meetings are held between regular sessions when urgent or time-sensitive issues arise that require council action.

The amendment would also clarify the procedures for these meetings. It specifies that at least 48 hours’ written notice must be given to each council member, either personally or via city email, unless all members agree to meet sooner. Public notice would be posted at City Hall and on the city’s website.

A “Yes” vote would allow the city manager to request special meetings in writing, giving city leadership greater flexibility to address immediate issues.

A “No” vote would keep current rules in place, meaning only the mayor or two council members could call a special meeting of the city council.

We vote yes in order to bring some speed to city voting.

Shall the City of Dacono Home Rule Charter be amended to provide that, upon conviction of the Mayor or a Councilmember of a disqualifying crime, the office shall be declared vacant effective on the date of such conviction?, YES

This measure would amend the City of Dacono’s Home Rule Charter to state that if the mayor or a city councilmember is convicted of a disqualifying crime, their office would automatically become vacant on the date of conviction.

Currently, while the charter disqualifies individuals with certain criminal convictions, such as felonies or crimes involving moral misconduct (such as bribery, fraud, embezzlement, perjury, or other acts showing moral turpitude), it does not clearly define when a seat must be vacated if the conviction happens after the person has taken office. This amendment would close that gap by making the vacancy effective immediately upon conviction, allowing the city to begin the process of filling the seat without delay.

A “Yes” vote means the charter would be updated so that if the mayor or a councilmember is convicted of a disqualifying crime, they would lose their position immediately on the date of conviction. This is intended to promote accountability and uphold public trust in city leadership.

A “No” vote means the current charter language would remain in place. The timing of when an office becomes vacant after a conviction could continue to be unclear, potentially allowing an elected official to remain in office during or after criminal proceedings.

Shall the City of Dacono Home Rule Charter be amended to provide that elected official compensation shall be established by ordinance of the City Council, provided such compensation shall not be increased or decreased during the term for which the mayor or councilmember has been elected?, YES

This measure would amend the City of Dacono’s Home Rule Charter to allow the city council to set the compensation of elected officials by ordinance, while keeping restrictions on when those changes can take effect.

Currently, any increase in pay for the mayor or city council members must first be approved by voters at a regular election. The proposed amendment would remove that requirement and instead authorize the city council to set or adjust pay levels through the normal ordinance process. However, the charter would continue to prohibit any change in compensation, either an increase or a decrease, from taking effect during an official’s current term.

This means that any adjustment made by the council would only apply to future officeholders, not to those already serving. The measure is designed to simplify the process of making compensation decisions while maintaining safeguards against officials voting to raise their own pay.

A “Yes” vote allows the city council to establish compensation for elected officials by ordinance, effective only for future terms.

A “No” vote keeps the current system, meaning any increase in pay for the mayor or council members would still require voter approval at a regular election. ??

Shall the City of Dacono Home Rule Charter be amended to provide that the offices of mayor and councilmember shall be considered separate offices for the purpose of term limits and to clarify that terms are considered consecutive unless they are at least four years apart, as set forth in the Colorado Constitution?, YES

This measure would amend the City of Dacono’s Home Rule Charter to clarify how term limits apply to the mayor and city council members.

Under current rules, no elected official may serve more than three consecutive three-year terms; however, the charter does not clearly state whether service as a council member and as mayor counts toward the same limit. This amendment would specify that the two roles are separate offices for the purpose of term limits. For example, someone who has served as a councilmember for three terms could still run for mayor and serve up to three additional terms in that office.

The measure would also clarify how consecutive terms are counted. Terms would be considered consecutive unless they are separated by at least four years, which aligns with the definition in the Colorado Constitution. This provides consistency with state standards and ensures that local term limits are applied uniformly.

A “Yes” vote clarifies that term limits apply separately to the offices of mayor and councilmember and defines consecutive terms as those less than four years apart.

A “No” vote keeps the current charter language, which does not clearly distinguish between the two offices or define what constitutes a consecutive term.

City of Lafayette Ballot Measures:

City of Lafayette Ballot Issue 2C – Funding Recreation Center Improvements, a New Civic Center, and Service Center Improvements, YES

Shall City of Lafayette debt be increased $74 million, with a repayment cost not to exceed $120 million (principal and interest), for the following purposes:

Renovating and expanding the Bob L. Burger Recreation Center, including enhanced and expanded aquatics amenities, expanded space for fitness and older adult services, and programming for community members of all ages;
Constructing a new Civic Center to replace the existing City Hall, to provide more accessible public services, municipal court, community spaces, and space to support City services;
Renovating and repairing the existing Parks/Public Works Service Center to improve the efficiency, delivery, and sustainability of key City services, including snow plowing, utility repairs, and maintenance of parks, streets, and open spaces. You

And shall City property taxes be increased not more than $6 million annually to pay such debt, and shall the mill levy be imposed in any year without limitation as to rate but only in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of, premium (if any), and interest on such taxes and any investment income earned from such proceeds and revenues be collected and spent without limitation or condition as a voter-approved revenue change and an exception to the limits that would otherwise apply under Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution or any other law?

This measure asks Lafayette voters to approve the issuance of $74 million in city debt, with total repayment cost of up to $120 million, to fund several major public facility projects. The funding would come through general obligation bonds, repaid by property taxes that could increase by no more than $6 million annually.

The bond would pay for three main projects: renovating and expanding the Bob L. Burger Recreation Center with improved aquatics facilities and fitness areas, constructing a new Civic Center to replace City Hall and provide space for municipal services, the municipal court, and community use, and renovating the Parks and Public Works Service Center to modernize city maintenance and operations.

Supporters believe the improvements would expand recreational options, make city services more accessible, and strengthen infrastructure for essential services, including snow removal, utility work, and park maintenance.

A “Yes” vote authorizes the city to issue up to $74 million in bonds and increase property taxes as needed, up to $6 million per year, to repay the debt, allowing the proposed projects to move forward.

A “No” vote means the city would not issue the bonds or raise taxes, and the proposed facility upgrades and construction projects would not proceed at this time.

We vote yes for the betterment and safety of a public space.

City of Louisville Ballot Measures:

Ballot Issue 300, NO

Shall the City of Louisville adopt an initiated ordinance amending chapter 17.16 of the Louisville Municipal Code to prohibit residential rezoning of the following properties: Centennial Valley (consisting of the property within the 2015 Centennial Valley General Development Plan); Redtail Ridge (consisting of the property within the 2010 ConocoPhillips General development plan); and Avista Adventist Hospital (consisting of the property within the 2002 Avista Adventist Hospital General Development Plan); and to create an exception to such prohibition for the development of housing that includes 30% on-site deed-restricted affordable housing limited to households at or below eighty percent (80%) of the area median income (AMI)? You

This measure asks voters whether to prohibit residential rezoning within three areas of Louisville: Centennial Valley, Redtail Ridge (the former ConocoPhillips site), and Avista Adventist Hospital. The change would prevent new housing in these areas unless at least 30% of the units are on-site, deed-restricted affordable housing for households earning up to 80% of the area median income (approximately $115,000 for a family).

The rule would apply to all housing types, including single-family homes, apartments, and mixed-use projects that include residences. It would also apply to vacant and developed land currently used for commercial, medical, or office purposes.

Supporters believe the measure protects commercial land that supports city services through sales tax revenue, maintains Louisville’s community character, and still allows affordable housing under specific conditions.

Opponents argue that the restriction could exacerbate the housing shortage, limit flexibility for landowners, and deter investment. They also argue that it could conflict with state law, which prohibits anti-growth measures, and lead to costly litigation.

A “Yes” vote prohibits residential rezoning in the listed areas except for projects meeting the 30% affordable housing requirement.

A “No” vote keeps current rules, allowing the city to consider residential rezoning through its existing review process.

We vote no; if passed, this bill could limit housing, both affordable and new builds. Limiting growth in Louisville could drive out the middle and lower classes.

Ballot issue 301, NO

Shall the City of Louisville adopt an initiated ordinance amending Chapter 3.18 of the Louisville Municipal Code to increase the categories of capital facilities for which impact fees are imposed in connection with new development (specifically including library, transportation, parks and trails, open space, recreation, emergency services, municipal buildings, water, wastewater, sewer, flood control, and affordable housing); require a new impact fee study by June 1, 2026 and updated studies every five (5) years thereafter by outside consultants; and require the formation of an Impact Fee Liaison Committee to advise City staff and consultants?

This measure asks Louisville voters whether to expand the types of impact fees the city collects from new development and add new oversight requirements for how those fees are studied and updated.

Currently, impact fees are charged to offset the costs of new development on city facilities such as libraries, parks, and transportation infrastructure. The measure would broaden the list of facilities funded by these fees to include transportation, parks and trails, open space, recreation, emergency services, municipal buildings, water, wastewater, sewer, flood control, and affordable housing.

The proposal would require the city to hire outside consultants to complete a new impact fee study by June 1, 2026, and update it every five years. It would also establish an Impact Fee Liaison Committee, comprised of representatives from city boards and commissions, to advise on the studies and promote public transparency.

Supporters believe the measure ensures new development pays its fair share for infrastructure, maintains service levels, and improves transparency. Opponents argue that additional fees could discourage growth, overlap with existing programs, and add unnecessary administrative costs.

A “Yes” vote expands the types of impact fees, mandates regular independent studies, and creates a liaison committee.

A “No” vote maintains the current impact fee structure and study process.

We vote no; this could limit the affordability of work or bids in the area.

Colorado Measures

Proposition LL, YES

Should the State of Colorado be allowed to keep $12.4 million in excess revenue already collected from high-income taxpayers and use it to continue funding free school meals for all students, instead of refunding the money to those taxpayers?

Proposition LL concerns the state’s school meals program, which provides free breakfast and lunch to all Colorado students, regardless of family income. The program is funded by limiting tax deductions for residents earning over $300,000 per year.

In the last fiscal year, the program collected $12.4 million more than allowed under the state’s Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR), which normally requires excess revenue to be refunded to taxpayers. Proposition LL would allow the state to retain that money and use it for the school meals program rather than issuing refunds.

A “Yes” vote allows the state to retain and expend the $12.4 million allocated for the school meals program, thereby maintaining free meals for all students.

A “No” vote would require the state to refund $12.4 million to households earning over $300,000 per year, with refunds averaging approximately $62 per qualifying taxpayer.

We vote yes; this helps redistribute funds which TABOR prevents

Proposition MM, YES

Should Colorado raise an additional $95 million each year for the Healthy School Meals for All program by further limiting state income tax deductions for people earning over $300,000 annually?

Proposition MM would provide permanent funding for Colorado’s free school meals program, which currently faces a $50 million budget shortfall. The measure would increase revenue by tightening tax deductions for households earning more than $300,000 per year, resulting in an average annual tax increase of approximately $486 for those taxpayers.

The added funding would cover the program’s full costs and allow the state to move forward with delayed components, including grants for schools to buy locally grown food and higher wages for cafeteria workers. Any additional revenue could be used to support other efforts aimed at reducing food insecurity across Colorado.

A “Yes” vote increases taxes on households earning more than $300,000 annually to raise $95 million each year, fully funding the school meals program and related food security initiatives.

A “No” vote would maintain the current tax limits and funding structure, leaving the program’s $50 million budget gap unresolved and delaying additional food-related programs for schools and communities.

We vote yes; this helps redistribute funds which TABOR prevents

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Ways to Indulge | Indulgence Issue 2025

Lexi Miller — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 19:00:21 +0000

Ways to Indulge

For twenty-five years, Yellow Scene Magazine has given you permission to treat yourself in the indulgence issue. For this special Silver Anniversary edition, we sought to luxuriate in local cuisine. Our writers traveled up and down Highway 36 to bring you the best tastes from Nederland to Westminster, and every hidden gem in between.

1. Casual- Really Casual

Boulder County’s Casual Classics: Great Food. Great Times.

Getting dressed up and going out can be fun, but sometimes you just want something casual with really good food. These four establishments fit the bill perfectly. So throw on some stretchy pants and get out there.

Village Coffee Shop

Village Coffee Shop, located at 1605 Folsom Street in Boulder, is “890 square feet of reality, surrounded by Boulder.” According to owner Shanna Henkel, “Village Coffee Shop believes in building relationships and the vehicle for that is delicious food with generous portions at an affordable price.” But it’s not just about the amazing food, it’s about those relationships. She sat with me while I ate the lightest, fluffiest blueberry pancakes prepared by her husband, Chef Ryan. Beloved by their regulars, the wall by the register is covered in holiday cards from guests that the duo now consider family. You make friends here, and relationships continue way after the delicious meal has been consumed. I can’t wait to go back.

Rising Tiger

Find yourself hungry at the Longmont Farmer’s Market? Check out the pop-up, Rising Tiger. Chef and owner Devin Keopraphay is a master of both skill and innovation. He says, “My goal is to foster the bridge between cultures. My food is based in tradition, but not traditional.” One of the most exciting dishes on the menu right now is the Scallion Pancake. You get your choice of char siu or smoked tofu wrapped in a scallion pancake with local greens, provolone, egg foo young patty, and roasted garlic aioli. Try it with the chili crips. It has heat, but also a sweet component to it. The scallion pancake is a win. After success with pop-ups and catering, Rising Tiger is looking for a brick-and-mortar space.

Marco’s Hot Dogs and Tacos

I had the pleasure of spending some time with Jose Luis Arce, owner of Marco’s Hot Dogs and Tacos. Marco’s has been a staple in Longmont for 25 years. It’s not just a restaurant, it’s a family legacy. Please go get a bacon-wrapped hot dog with everything. Pinto beans, mayo, ketchup, mustard, onions, tomatoes, and shredded cheese. Hear me out. It sounds like it wouldn’t work, but it is incredible. And do NOT skip the tacos. They offer a taco condiment bar to customize your experience: red and white onions, cilantro, pico de gallo, roasted jalapenos, salsa roja, and salsa verde. Marco’s flagship location is at 1647 Kimbark Street, but you can also find their food truck at the northeast corner of Main and 119. They offer catering as well.

Crosscut Pizzeria and Taphouse

Take a beautiful drive up Boulder Canyon to Nederland, and you will find Crosscut Pizzeria and Taphouse in the center of town. Located at 4 E 1st Street, the place is hopping. When you walk in, the first thing you see is the massive wood-fired pizza oven. It runs around 900 degrees Fahrenheit and makes the most mouthwatering pizza. Owners Seth and Jessica Colter have found the perfect medium for their pizza: the dough. It is made of organic, Colorado-milled flour and undergoes a three-day fermentation process. It almost doesn’t matter what you put on it. It’s delectable. But I went with Mario. Colorado hot Italian sausage, pickled shallot, basil, cremini mushrooms, mozzarella, and an herbed ricotta sauce. Creamy and delicious with that heat from

2. Deli Feature

Northern Colorado isn’t exactly known for its delis. But tucked between breweries and the unavoidable flock of farm-to-tables, you’ll find a few counters that know their way around a sandwich. No gimmicks or East Coast cosplay – just charm and a reminder that lunch doesn’t have to be a letdown. Locals know them, outsiders don’t, and that’s the point.

Pelos Deli in Longmont

If you’re going to indulge, you might as well do it somewhere with a turtle terrarium in the back. There’s a psychic storefront next door to Pelos Deli in Longmont, but I can already predict your future after one of these sandwiches; you will be stuffed. The music drifts between R.E.M. and Bowie – not what you expect in a deli, but neither is the décor. Mule-blanket couches and a mix of hipster cowpoke saloon touches might confuse deli purists, but if your pastrami is good, I couldn’t care less. And here it is. Served with sauce on the side, kraut piled high, and thin, crispy fries that make a surprisingly fine stand-in for classic potato salad – a claim most delis can’t make. Grab a Dr. Brown’s cream soda, and speaking of indulgence, don’t skip the black-and-white cookie.

Your Butcher Frank in Longmont

On the surface, Your Butcher Frank in Longmont is an old-school butcher shop and Italian market, but there’s a friendliness here that rises above the stoicism you’d expect at first glance. The interior says “regulars only,” but the vibe is more neighborly than guarded: think a Sopranos–Brady Bunch mashup featuring Alice the Maid as a hitman that shoots winks and smiles, and maybe a free half pound of mortadel on your way out the door. The kale-lined meat case and white-with-red-accent subway tile are pure throwbacks, and the only remotely scary thing in here is the rack of meat hooks near the walk-in door toward the back. A crew in crisp white shirts, red caps, ties, and aprons turns out a short list of fat signature sandwiches alongside a broad make-your-own menu. Lunch in one hand, a T-bone for dinner in the other – that’s how Frank’s works.

Lolita’s Market & Delis

Lolita’s Market & Delis is Boulder’s take on the urban bodega, except instead of ciggs, scratchers, and taquitos spinning since sunrise, you’ll find organic crackers, all-natural cleaners, and enough gluten-free superfoods to pack the glove boxes of every Subaru in the Chautauqua parking lot. The deli counter runs from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., serving sandwiches made without the attitude tax you’d pay in New York, while the market itself keeps the lights on until 1 a.m. – just in case you need late-night oat milk or an emergency bag of turmeric popcorn. Lolita’s is more Boulder than a kombucha-stained yoga mat. And truthfully, it’s hard not to love a spot that pulls off practical, quirky, and downright dependable all at once.

3. Color(ado) Me Impressed; Dining with a View

Whether you are looking to woo a first date, impress the in-laws, or setting up a business dinner with a “wow” factor, scenic Colorado, and it’s gorgeous backdrop has you covered.. We found amazing locations that serve up delectable food with an extra-large helping of Colorado Front Range views. Here’s a scenic sampling of some of the best BoCo and surrounding area establishments that will make even the locals go loco.

“I’ll never get over this view” is what I heard from a fellow restaurant patron as I roamed the outdoor dining area of Acreage in Lafayette. The sunset was nothing less than stunning from this hilltop location, but it is also so much more. Crisp, delicious ciders, the best truffle fries I’ve ever had, cornhole, music, trivia, and so much room for the kids and adults to frolic. Acreage is an absolute gem when looking for somewhere to entertain friends and family without having to do the cooking. A place I guarantee you will want to come back to time and time again. Oh, and did I mention the food is as wonderful as the views?

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s super good! The unsuspecting little joint called Blue Sky Bistro is tucked away in the Rocky Mountain Metro Airport in Broomfield and is absolutely one of a kind. I could have sat on the patio watching the planes come and go all day while munching on the Texas Toast Grilled Cheese with brisket and tangy pepper jam. It was the perfect amount of crunchy, melty, smoky BBQ goodness. The setting is casual, but the food is top-notch. And the view is just the proverbial chef’s kiss. Bring your kids, bring your buddies, bring your favorite grandparent; they’ll all enjoy it just the same. Keep an eye out for their music and weekly happy hours. This eatery is fly AF.

I was transported from Boulder to Barcelona when I stepped out onto the patio of Corrida, in Boulder. This 4th-floor downtown establishment has all of the elements of a traditional tapas restaurant in Spain but with an astounding view of the Flatirons. I felt like my stress dropped away as I took the first sip of my Indigo Gin and Tonic, which is made tableside via their Service Cart. The Camarones (shrimp), Pimientos (shoshito peppers) and Queso Asado (goat cheese) tapas were so divine, it made for the perfect sunny afternoon. However, don’t limit yourself to tapas, they also provide one of the most delicious upscale dinner and brunch services as well. This place is impressive and sexy and will leave any guest you invite thinking you’re the most interesting person in the world -well, maybe not, but it would definitely help.

Kick your boots up and get down with some wildly delicious ciders and wood-fired pizza at Wild Cider in Firestone. I felt like I was on my own back porch…if I actually had an awe-inspiring view of a country orchard, mature cottonwoods and countless mountain peaks. The refreshing slushy peach agave cider combined with the Chicken Bacon Ranch pizza made the transition from work day to “weekend is here” so seamless. By the way, the perfectly thin, crispy, but chewy pizza crust has cider in it. Yeah, that’s right. To top it off, they have live local music artists on Saturday from 4-7 pm and a Sunday Maker’s Market with local artisan vendors. Don’tforget to include the kids and fur babies, because there is tons of room for them to roam while you sit back and relax. Y’all, I’ll be coming back now, you hear?

If you’re looking for delicious food with the added “don’t act like you’re not impressed” sentiments, you can’t beat these restaurants. They truly put the awe in awesome.

4. Food Halls

Food Halls offer space, games, options for the whole family

Designed to provide large groups with comfort and options, food halls across Boulder County have one thing in common—they emphasize flexibility, convenience and a good time out with friends. I explored Rosetta Hall and Avanti, both in Boulder, Relish in Louisville, and Parkway in Longmont. While they can all boast of high ceilings, delicious chow from around the world, and space galore for families, business functions, and large groups, there’s plenty of variety between them to find your favorite.

Rosetta Hall

At Rosetta Hall in Boulder, the vibe is the highlight. Built to offer an eye-catching, classy, and inspiring space, this location’s interior will impress just about anyone. It has ceilings vaulted to three stories and a huge skylight over a massive central space filled with long tables. A mezzanine floats above, and guests can ascend further to a rooftop bar for cocktails and views of the Flatirons. Even during hot summer days, an array of misters (and spritzers) promises to keep you cool inside and out.

Choose from a variety of cuisines inspired by the flavors of Europe, Central America, New York, and LA, prepared in individual restaurant spaces as you’d expect in any food hall, but with a twist. Every menu is curated under the same head chef, Mike Galen.

“We opened in 2018 with a bunch of different vendors,” Marketing Director Chelsea Meier said, “then COVID hit, and it became difficult for all the different restaurants to keep that happening, so now, they’re all under one independent operator.”

The cuisine owes its deliciousness in part to locally sourced ingredients and a secret rooftop garden where Rosetta’s chefs gather herbs and spices for drinks and finishing touches. In the “Chameleon” space, you can catch chefs preparing specialty whole-fruit super-juices and dehydrating citrus to add panache to cocktails. That is, until a guest pop-up restaurant might arrive, which happens often.

I went to the rooftop and chose a light summer spritzer garnished with house-made dehydrated orange rounds, which complemented my falafel, cucumber, and labneh plate with a hint of mint and parsley. Head in around 6 p.m. on a Tuesday for live music on the rooftop or Thursday through Saturday for bands set up on the quirky main stage overlooking the entirety of the food hall. You’ve never seen a band perform higher—get it?

Avanti Food & Beverage

Now, if you want all-encompassing views of the Flatirons, head to Pearl Street and check out the rooftop of Avanti Food & Beverage. Having opened in 2020, it’s safe to call it Boulder’s second food hall, and I’d argue its panoramic vista is the best in town.

The ride up to Level 4 on the glass-sided elevator is its own attraction, giving you the sensation of rising from street-level like a city pigeon, and in about thirty seconds, you’re at the rooftop, feeling more like a red-tailed hawk. On busking days, you will hear some songsters. Bring a small pair of binoculars—from this vantage, you could probably spy on hikers in Chautauqua Park or eye a climber or two sending the Flatirons. Look north, and you’ll catch paragliders launching from Wonderland Hill in NoBo. To the south, you can ID NCAR and the sharp point of Bear Peak.

The cuisine on the street-level main hall offers options including Venezuelan arepas, Italian, Japanese, Mediterranean, and American, alongside coffee and a full bar, but to truly indulge, I’d suggest some pizza from New Yorkese upstairs. I housed a whole 14” Steverino, an olive oil-based pie, both rich and somehow light. Maybe it was the crunchy toasted kale or the hint of fennel seed in the Italian sausage. Coupled with the view, I felt like I owned the whole city.

Relish Food Hall and Pickleball

For a more active evening, head to Relish Food Hall and Pickleball in Louisville. I went with my partner and a friend, and we ended up killing four hours playing a round of America’s fastest-growing sport, and enjoying wine, cocktails, and seasonal cuisine inspired by the Palisade peach.

Built in a re-claimed Sam’s Club, this is the largest of the four, boasting of 50,000 square feet of pickleball courts (19 in all) and 30,000 square feet of food hall. Co-founder Tory Leggat said the name “Relish” pulls together the many sides of the concept.

“Obviously, the name is pickle-related; it’s food, but it also means ‘extreme enjoyment,’ and we want people to enjoy everything they’re doing here.”

If you’re a first-timer, you can get a court and a coaching session for the incredible price of $5, and serious competitors can have their matches recorded. Levels of experience are assigned to the courts themselves, so no matter your experience, you can find others to play with.

After your match, you can choose from eight different cuisines including some unique options like salad and charcuterie, a specialty soup, or a milkshake. Every vendor offers gluten-free and dairy-free options. While the courts are the main attraction, the food hall offers outstanding event spaces and live music every other Thursday. For families seeking more engagement, screen-free areas offer better eye contact.

Whatever you’re into, Relish is designed to be a place where people can connect, with a focus on families and retirees.

Parkway Food Hall

Now, for an easy, good time or a place to get a little wild, head to Longmont and pop into Parkway Food Hall. It’s a laid-back hangout—think pub with tons of space—with bar games for the whole family, including beer pong, darts, and cornhole in the 21-plus lounge and video games of all kinds in the arcade, both spaces off the main hall.

You’ll find heavier pub fare like barbecue, burgers, shawarma, and pizza, and some unique options like gelato bars, Asian fusion, and Cajun. I chose a fried alligator tail po’ boy from Back Alley Bayou, served with fries that taste like New Orleans-style kettle-cooked chips. Alligator is a white meat, lean and light like catfish, with a texture akin to calamari, but the star of this flavor profile is the remoulade, a tangy, spicy red sauce that perks up the swampy southern seasonings and will leave you talking about your meal all week.

Parkway promises a diverting evening out for both the young and the young at heart—sports, billiards, foosball, shuffleboard, and more. Come hungry, ready to compete, and with time to kill.

5. Hidden Treasures Of BOCO

Escape the Ordinary: Unearth Boulder County’s Hidden Restaurant Gems

In a world full of corporate-owned restaurants, discover the riches that these local eateries are offering. What I love about each of these restaurants is the immediate sense of feeling right at home. The owners and staff are welcoming and truly enhance your dining experience with their hospitality. Across the board, these gems will dazzle you.

John’s Table

The first stop is John’s Table located at 1700 Dogwood Street in Louisville. It is owned and operated by Alex and Kelli Gianopoulos. With a dealer’s choice at hand, Chef Alex prepared the Prime Rib Philly. This dish, like most dishes on their menu, has a story. Every year on their wedding anniversary, Alex prepares a prime rib for them to dine on. The next day, the couple has the Prime Rib Philly and watches movies from their childhood. The sandwich starts with marinated, roasted, and thinly shaved ribeye served with sauteed onions and peppers, drizzled with delectable Swiss cheese sauce. This is served on a perfect hoagie roll with a side of au jus and creamy horseradish. I’m not going to lie, I have thought about this sandwich every day since I tried it. It is meaty, cheesy HEAVEN. There are not enough words. Just GO. Your life will not be complete until you eat this sandwich.

Marigold

Next, I had the pleasure of meeting Theo Adley. He is the chef and owner of a little sensation called Marigold. Located at 405 Main Street in Lyons, it is the coziest place on the block. With just 40 seats, reservations are recommended. Everything is fresh and the menu changes daily based on what is available locally. This is the perfect spot for date night. We started with sourdough from Babette’s with beurre sarrazin and finocchiona. It was superb. Our waiter, Jordan, sliced the finocchiona on a table in the center of the room and it was nearly translucent. I chose the Poulet Rouge “under a brick” with charred romano beans and shishito. Chef Theo comes out of the kitchen periodically to check on diners and make sure they are enjoying their experience. He insisted we try the Budino for dessert, we were not disappointed. If I could marry a dessert, it would be this one. The dessert is a cold chocolate budino over a warm peanut butter mousse with little sea salt sprinkles. Absolute perfection.

Hidden Cafe

Ron Brown is the owner and chef of Hidden Cafe, which is tucked into 829 Main Street #5 in Longmont. Hidden Cafe is open for breakfast and lunch. Chef Ron takes pride in using the freshest of ingredients. The home fries are fresh, never frozen: seasoned to perfection. The outside is crispy, and the inside is soft and fluffy. I had these magic potatoes alongside the Mexican Scramble; it was wonderful. Scrambled eggs with chorizo, fresh tomatoes, onions, and peppers under a blanket of melty cheese, topped with house-made green chili and sour cream. They also make their sausage gravy in-house. My server, Steven, said the burgers are the best in Longmont. Plans have already been made to return to this homey spot.

Jamestown Mercantile

Feel like getting out of the city? Head up Left Creek Canyon and check out Jamestown Mercantile, which is affectionately referred to as the Merc. Chef and Owner Rainbow Schultz has created something really special in Jamestown. I dined there on a Thursday. It was Indian Food Night and the place smelled incredible. Chef Ryan Turano was in the kitchen whipping up some creamy Butter Chicken and Samosas. There was a zucchini salad appetizer with parmesan, mint, and pistachios which made for the perfect bite. Plus, what a great way to utilize all the zucchini in season. The portions were generous. So generous, that when it came time for Mango Cheesecake, I only had room for two bites. But boy, were those good bites. I enjoyed absolutely everything while listening to David Lawrence and the Spoonful. The food at the Merc is outstanding, they have a full bar, the decor is so fun, but what makes it so special is the community. People gather at the Merc. Some by chance, some by arrangement, but all are welcomed with open arms by Rainbow. It was a beautiful thing to see. Follow them on Instagram @Jamestown_Mercantile for their event schedule and menu.

6. Vegetarian Indulgence

I’m not giving up meat- let’s start there. But here are a handful of spots that don’t need it. Often, when a person cuts out meat, they go overboard on pasta. These places don’t need that crutch. The menus are built out of conviction by someone who cares as much about the product as the purpose behind it. You can feel good working these into your regular rotation without missing out

Falafayette is a food truck, but not in the traditional sense. You order online, pick a time slot, and pick up your food. They sell out often, so sign up for alerts or you’ll miss the next pop-up. The hummus is the best in the state, and you won’t find a fresher stuffed pita anywhere nearby. Don’t forget the fresh-squeezed lemonade of the day and fries in the pita or you’re doing it wrong. The only thing better than the food here is the owner, Adam’s, dad jokes.

Lotus Moon is the best magic show in town. Vegan “beef bowls,” “calamari,” “chicken wings.” Usually, these stunts collapse after the first bite, but here the tricks hold up. The pho broth tastes so good, I feel like I’m in a frozen yogurt Seinfeld episode; no way should it be that rich without bones and FAT. It’s one thing for vegans to line up for a place. The grand finale is how many meat-eaters keep coming back.

There’s no hiding it here. Vegan Thai Co in Longmont is 100 percent plant-based, full stop. Fresh ingredients, bold flavors. Thai food that is vegan, instead of dressing it up. There’s no shimmying around with “meat-ish” variations. Mostly a takeout operation with minimal seating, so you vegetarian skeptics can get in and out without anyone catching on to your hypocrisy.

Zeal is the restaurant equivalent of a non-denominational church. You can worship whatever you want as long as you keep it cool and don’t mess with the rest of the flock. Meat’s on the menu, but it isn’t a threat and it isn’t there to insult anyone. The place is pro-choice in the best way. Plant-heavy, with no dogma to it. The ideology here is simple: let the food speak for itself. Feel free to insert your own sal(i)vation joke here.

7. Main Street Lafayette

What is served on South Public Road

Lafayette is a town built on the arts. With a community that celebrates the creatives with Art’s Night Out, performing art centers, and free festivals with live music, it only makes sense that they also celebrate culinary art as well. From fried chicken, to pho, to frozen treats, Lafayette is the place to go.

In an unassuming strip mall, at the base of South Public is some of the best food you can find in Lafayette. When you walk up to Pho Cafe, do not be discouraged by the plain outside, once you open the door, you will feel right at home and ready to eat. A cup of hot tea and a perfectly rolled spring roll is an amazing way to start the meal. The peanut sauce is the perfect consistency and tea relaxes and warms. While there are plenty of options on the menu, from Thai curry to Kung Pao Chicken, I ordered the restaurant’s namesake and got a big bowl of Tofu Vegetable Pho. Delicious and hearty, it was packed with the broccoli, onions, jalapenos, bean sprouts, and lots of noodles, leaving me feeling nourished and satisfied.

On the more heavy side The Post Brewing Company specializes in chicken and beer. The menu is stacked with comfort foods like chicken and waffles, chicken sandwiches, and roasted chicken. Though, if you are feeling like you need some read meat, there is also burgers and meatloaf on the menu. I, a sucker for a good veggie, got the Roasted Vegetable Bowl, which was a vegetarian and gluten free option. It was an amazing and flavorful combination of broccoli, cauliflower, and a cucumber tomato salad, served with chickpeas and humus, to keep the protein count high. Served with the Townie Easy Drinking IPA, a lightly hoppy option, it was a great mix of homey and healthy.

For some, a nightcap might be a sip of liquor, but I will always tend towards a sweet treat and a cup of decaf. Stam Chocolatier is a great place to start or end your day. With a full coffee shop, an array of chocolates, and gelato there is plenty to indulge in. Kaycee, the cafe manager, steamed up the perfect cappuccino before our chat. The rich espresso, paired with a salted chocolate and praline chocolate was an incredible combination. Kaycee explained, “People come here after dinner out a lot, they come for both the chocolate and gelato, but will stay for the atmosphere.” The large seating area with a piano in the corner, for evening melodies, gives the shop a European feel, which makes sense, since the Stam family began making chocolate over 100 years ago in Amsterdam.

8. Main Street Longmont

There are no shortage of amazing restaurants in Longmont, but it’s not a competition to them. Everyone wishes the best for one another and I love that for Longmont. This is what makes this community strong and vibrant.

It had been a minute since I had experienced Pumphouse Brewery located at 540 Main Street, but thanks to the hospitality of Bryan Schosker of the leadership team and my wonderful waitress, Melissa, I fell in love with it all over again. Pumphouse has been employee-owned since 2022, you can tell the staff takes pride in giving you an amazing dining experience. The menu is expansive, so there is something for everyone. Pumphouse offers a full bar in addition to in house brewing; they always have five beers continuously on tap and rotating seasonal beers.

I started with Pretzel Bites that were brushed generously with garlic butter and salt. Then came the sauces: White Cheddar “Wildfire” Fondue and Housemade Beer Mustard. The sauces are fantastic! I wanted to do shots of the fondue, but thought that might be frowned upon. I enjoyed the Cabo Fish Tacos;the fish was perfectly crispy yet light. But for me, the show stopper was the Toffee Fig Cake. It is served with a warm toffee sauce to pour over the rich decadent cake that is bursting with figs. The portions at Pumphouse are huge and you will leave with leftovers for lunch the next day.

Just a few doors down is Red Cedar Bistro located at 516 Main Street, which offers approachable, modern Tri-Regional Mediterranean cuisine. Red Cedar Bistro is the creation of Executive Chef Larry Shore and his talented wife, Sandy. Larry worked for Michelin Star Chef Serge Backes in Manhattan, who advised Larry to “get really good ingredients and don’t screw it up.” I have many favorites, but don’t skip the Steak au Poivre. It’s a perfect filet mignon from Buckner Farms with garlic mashed potatoes in a cognac jus. Absolutely impeccable. Stay tuned for some upcoming menu changes featuring a Bison Bourgeois over Pappardelle and a Triple Cream Brie and Phyllo with Moroccan Almonds. Is your mouth watering yet? The Bistro also offers themed wine dinners with menu creations by Chef Larry and wine pairings by Sommelier Roland Hermann. The best part about having this level of culinary talent in Longmont is that it is not pretentious. Larry and Sandy are very down to earth. You will leave with a full tummy and a set of new friends.

Miss Krissy’s Bistro is tucked into Brick’s at 471 Main Street. Chances are you will be greeted warmly by Miss Krissy herself upon entering this spacious hangout. “My vision when I dreamed of opening the bistro was to have it feel like the TV show, Cheers. Where everybody knows your name.” She has achieved exactly that, along with a killer menu and a full bar. Need a Bloody Mary at 10am on a Tuesday? Miss Krissy will hook you up. The bistro offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I had the pleasure of trying their new Shepherd’s Pie, which will debut in the fall. Chef Brigitte served up a hearty bite with probably the best mashed potatoes I have ever had in my life. But the jaw-dropper on this menu is the Moroccan Flatbread. That Moroccan honey drizzle has so many layers of flavor. It will keep you coming back for more. It pairs perfectly with the roasted bell pepper, kalamata olives, and melty mozzarella. Need some more protein with it? Add the delicious oven-roasted chicken. Your taste buds will thank you.

A little further south on Main Street is Urban Field Pizza. Located at 150 Main Street, Chef and Co-Founder Nick Swanson is serving up some of the best pizza in town. The most popular pizza on the menu is the Arrabbiata. Calabrian chiles, house cheese blend, pepperoncini, Ezzo cup and char pepperoni, basil and hot honey. The way that honey fills those little cups of meat is culinary art. The pizza is phenomenal, but do NOT miss the Burrata. It is so bright and flavorful. It’s a beautifully baked flatbread topped with cherry tomatoes, arugula and roasted garlic oil. Follow them on Instagram to see the biweekly pizza specials. When I asked Nick what he wanted BOCO to know about UF, he said “I want people to know about the culture of our staff.” He went on to talk about the dedication of his team, the enthusiasm they bring with them every day, and their commitment to making Urban Field feel like home. It definitely does.

9. Main Street Erie

Main Street Erie restaurants delight patrons with fresh, fine food and drink

Erie locals share a secret—this close-knit community off the beaten path is growing exponentially, and the restaurants downtown offer some of the best cuisine around. But the owners of fine dining establishments all know that in east Boulder County, while the mountain panoramas are great, the patrons are the real gem.

If you happen into Piripi, the Latin and Mediterranean restaurant whose name translates from the Spanish to “tipsy,” you’ll see how much of the world Owners Hugo and Victoria Meyer have brought to Erie through their food. Tucked into the top corner of a two-story building on Main Street, the menu offers tapas and dinners inspired by the cuisines of Spain, Italy, and Central America. With views of downtown from the balcony, the people watching is exceptional, especially on a Farmer’s Market Thursday.

There’s a touch of both land and sea with dishes like paella—a mixture of shrimp, squid, and mussels over rice—alongside Argentinian-style steak served with a delectable chimichurri sauce. I had a taste of the traditional, the chicken parmesan, one of Piripi’s bestsellers. It was rich and filling, with thick, savory mozzarella and a deep, tangy tomato sauce, the chicken crispy outside, juicy inside, and the pasta a perfect al dente.

At 24 Carrot, just a few doors down, the menu is as good as gold. The emphasis in this fine dining establishment is fresh-as-can-be, locally sourced ingredients, and a rotating seasonal menu that will keep even regulars on their toes, anticipating what delicacy might be up next. As its name suggests, the cuisine is high-quality, offering a casual fine dining experience with farm-to-table dishes.

What ingredients can’t be obtained locally are shipped to the restaurant within twenty-four hours. This includes the popular calamari and from May to September, the halibut flown in from Alaska, according to Owner/General Manager Bianca Retzloff. Even within these import partnerships, 24 Carrot seeks sustainably sourced foods.

When I stopped by, the kitchen was rolling out a new special, corn-on-the-cob “ribs,” prepared in a such a way that mimics the experience of eating meat off the bone. But I went for a bruschetta inspired by the seasonal Palisade peach and ordered a mezcal cocktail. The drink blew my mind, served with a plank of dark chocolate floating atop a square ice cube like a walrus on an iceberg, and the bruschetta was just as incredible—thick focaccia with a sliced half-peach glazed in balsamic vinegar atop a layer of honey-whipped goat cheese. It was as beautiful as it was delicious.

Photo credit: George Hudetz

You’ll know you’re at The Dugout, a baseball-themed sports bar at the end of Main Street, when you hit the Astroturf. Surrounded by plastic grass, this fun little drop-in serves tasty pub fare alongside your favorite glass of beer. Their burgers are to die for, but their specials will make the restaurant your sport-loving family’s second dinner table or your office crew’s regular happy hour haunt.

I was there on Wing Wednesday—a half-price pitcher after 5 p.m. and a $1.25 per-wing deal, so I got a basket of six tossed in a classic and killer Buffalo sauce. Other specials include $4 Taco Tuesday, with two-for-one margaritas after five, and Prime Rib Friday during Karaoke Night.

One of the newest additions to the downtown Erie scene, Cellar West is celebrating its grand opening in the second half of September after Founder Zach Nichols decided to expand his original Lafayette brewery northward. The brews offer something fresh out of a well-loved historic building, locally referred to as simply “The Yellow House.”

Nichols said he “immediately fell in love with it,” bought the building, and dove into a remodel to give the structure a welcoming feel with plenty of nooks and corners for a conversation over a pint. No brewing will happen on the premises, but the taproom will deliver Cellar West’s fan favorites and also feature a few proprietary recipes sold only in Erie. Call it a reward to the residents who welcomed him to town.

With an ample backyard area and an auxiliary building with a Grateful Dead-inspired interior, not to mention room on the premises for a food truck, Cellar West plans to offer a hangout spot perfect for an afternoon listening to live local music and catching up with best friends.

10. Main Street Louisville

The Taste of Community

Main Street Louisville is one of those idyllic streets. A former mining mecca, the town has transformed into a place for quirky local eateries, outdoor seating, and a vibrant music scene. With a museum, local shops, and plenty of people-watching, it is the kind of place you could spend the whole day.

The Huckleberry

Start off your tour of Louisville with the best breakfast/ brunch around at The Huckleberry. In one of the historic buildings, there is a certain cozy feel that will immediately put you at ease. The restaurant is broken into two sections, group restaurant dining and a bakery/cafe. I started my meal with a starter of freshly baked apple fritters and a cup of perfectly brewed coffee; where I could relax and take to my favorite pastime: people watching. There was a group of women catching up, giggling about adventures of the past. A young couple and their baby celebrating a first birthday, a long-time married couple sitting in comfortable silence. Everyone had a space to be themselves and enjoy. Josh Adams, the general manager, agreed with this thought. “We get lots of families, and a lot of regulars coming in. It is great to see people over the years and get to know them.”

For my main course, I had the Huevos Rancheros. Now, I am born and raised in Colorado and take my Huevos Rancheros very seriously. I could not help but feel a little skeptical when they were brought out with crunchy tortillas, stacked high and neat rather than slopped around the plate. As it turns out, this is now how I will be making them moving forward. The crip tortillas were the perfect compliment to beans and runny eggs.Not just a restaurant, but also a bakery and cafe, The Huckleberry is deeply entwined with the community. During my visit, they were in the midst of baking thousands of pies for the Lafayette Peach Festival.

The Jasmine Bar

There are only five blocks of Main Street Louisville, and they are packed with places to grab a drink, so it takes a little bit of work to stand out. However, The Jasmine Bar has it’s work cut out for it. A little hide-away, down a footpath through blooming flowers and rustic buildings, the most creative drinks you could imagine are being poured. Eli, the Bar Manager guided me through my wide-eyed wonder, setting me up with two cocktails: A Southern Hospitality and a Shadow Woman. The Southern Hospitality, made from a bit of dark rum and kashasa, a rum made from sugar cane and cinnamon-malassas, then adjusted with pineapple juice, coconut cream, and blueberry cane syrup. The final step of the drink was Eli stepping outside to cut a fresh flower to garnish the drink. and the Shadow Woman was a derivative of an Old Fashioned with a hint of pear, sweetened with honey, and a hit of robust Mitcher’s bourbon.

I enjoyed a glorious sunset, soaking in the sweet florals and rosy rays. People flowed through with friends, on dates, taking in the last sips of summer. Eli explained that they get everyone from aficionados to those celebrating a twenty-first birthday. “We get a lot of people who have never had a specialty cocktail, and want to try something new […] we also have a whisky club where people come to sip new whiskeys and discuss.” The Jasmine Bar lends itself to both, with over 200 whiskeys, it is a great place to get exactly what you want, or to be carefully shepherded through a new experience.

Lulu’s BBQ

A short walk south of the Jasmine Bar is Lulu’s BBQ. Sweet, smokey, and southern; Ben Wilson, the general manager describes the old style building as having a roadhouse feel. He explains, “The major influence is Texas hill country bar-b-que,” but he explains that there is also inspiration taken from Kansas City, Oklahoma and North Carolina coming together to create a “Colorado BBQ.”

A menu heavy on pork, since it is BBQ, but also offers chicken, turkey, and some vegetarian sides; the unique and creative dishes have many repeat customers. Wilson explains that while they get patrons from all over Denver, the repeat customers are their main clientele, with some coming as many as three times a week.

Their signature Texas slush: half frozen margarita and half specialty Lager, made for them by Crystal Spring Brewing. With a big swig of Texas slush and hearty BBQ ribs on the front porch overlooking the small town charm, you really can’t go wrong.

Nora’s

Some secrets are meant to be shared, such is the case with Nora’s then Louisville speakeasy. Subterranean, dimly lit, cozy, and open late; it is the perfect place for a nightcap.When I arrived, the team was finishing up the monthly meeting, where they gathered around the table to try out new tastes and sips for the fall. Shannah, the mixologist serving that evening, explained that they take a collaborative approach, making changes and coming up with names together.

The cocktails are divided into standards and “Nora’s Takes” which are the specialty creations. On Shannah’s suggestion, I got a Nora’s Whisky Sour. With the memory of bad mixers of fifteen years ago, I was ready for a sugar bomb; but instead, I was greeted with a refreshing mix of amaretto, rye, and fresh lemon with orange.

Caitlyn Kelly co-owns Nora with her dad. The two of them first opened The Simon Events center upstairs as a venue for weddings, reunions, and the like. They knew they had to utilize the basement space, and from that, Nora’s came to be. The name came from Kelly’s grandmother, who she described as being “Quiet, reserved, but caring deeply for other people.” This namesake is brought not only to the well-cared for clientele, but also the staff that feels uplifted and inspired by Kelly’s management.

11. Main Street Niwot

Small Town, Big Bites

Every street in Niwot kind of feels like Main Street. The town has fended off the sprawling housing divisions its neighbors fell prey to, leaving behind a pocket of legit small-town character. It’s a detour off the east–west grind between I-25 and Boulder where the pace slows and indulgence isn’t treated like a special occasion. For a place known for its wealth, you might expect some cold shoulders, but instead you’ll find open arms. Main Street isn’t a showpiece here; it’s just where Niwot works, eats, and hangs out, and that’s the appeal.

Tucked into a small row of shops at the center of town, Niwot Tavern walks the line between restaurant polish and pub grit – mirrored walls, oak and (oddly enough) Jägermeister trim. It’s got the vibe of a countryside pub you’d stumble across on a backpack trip through farmland where you and your buddy later get attacked by a werewolf – only here the locals are welcoming, and the only curse is on your calorie counter. The narrow entry bar makes rubbing elbows unavoidable; you’re making friends here whether you like it or not. The menu is long and leans heavy: shepherd’s pie, fish and chips, fat burgers. You don’t come here for restraint, and thankfully, theydon’t serve it.

Cimmini’s is an “Authentic” Italian restaurant that serves eggs Benedict and bottomless mimosas. On paper, it’s a jarring juxtaposition. In practice, it makes perfect sense – kind of like Snoop Dogg showing up at the Olympics. Cimmini’s stirs up a strange but balanced sauce that doesn’t break, sliding from hollandaise in the morning to marinara at night, and the consistently full tables prove no one here is confused.

Broken bike? You should probably have a drink. The Wheel House has a solution for both. Part shop, part social club with trivia nights and live music, it’s built for everything but biking. Out back a food truck opens a couple evenings a week, but the real indulgence is at the bar — taps lined with beer, kombucha, and cider, and the menu is stacked with specialty cocktails, solid wine list, a long whiskey list, vodka, tequila, gin, rum… it actually might be worth keeping your helmet on when you’re drinking here.

12. A Walk Down Pearl Street

Downtown Boulder is the ideal destination to indulge. Breathtaking mountain views serve as the backdrop for a lively promenade teeming with eclectic characters, a spectrum of storefronts, and — perhaps most notably — a dynamic culinary scene. From iconic hotspots on Pearl Street to notable newcomers on Walnut, this vibrant district offers a wealth of acclaimed restaurants to embark on your culinary journey – or just get a little weird. Choose your own adventure.

Cozobi Fonda Fina, the Boulder sibling of Denver’s Michelin-starred Alma Fonda Fina, opened its doors at 909 Walnut Street in the summer of 2024. The restaurant gets its namesake from Cozobi, the Zapotec god of corn. To say Boulder has been blessed with this corn-revering haven is an understatement. Chef and Owner Johnny Curiel has curated dishes that are both refined and complex, with explosive flavors and enchanting presentations.

The food menu is divided into four sections: Entradas, Crudos, De Nixtamal, and Los Fuertes.

For an “entrada,” guacamole gets a glow-up with smashed avocados, charred vegetables, salsa negra, and queso fresco. Curiel’s crudos are literally and figuratively in a category of their own. The Aguachile De Piquin features Japanese hamachi, orange supremes, orange oil, and chile piquin.

From the De Nixtamal section, Tlacoyo De Favas packs a flavorful punch. Still hungry? The larger plates, or “Los Fuertes,” range from stellar proteins to meaty mushrooms with exceptional depths of flavor.

For a fresh, creamy take on a classic, the Avocado Margarita is kind of a big deal. It can also be made sans-spirits.

*Tip: Save room for tres leches cake.

Multiple taste-induced mindblowing momentsorgasms are on the menu at Hapa Sushi Grill & Sake Bar. This playfully risqué Japanese-and-Hawaiian-inspired concept may not be the most traditional option for sushi in Boulder. Nevertheless, Hapa’s bawdy menu and ultra-modern vibe have made it a local tradition since 1999.

The restaurant moved to a larger space on the west end of Pearl Street in December 2023. Proving size really does matter, the leveled-up location subsequently expanded its menu of fusion fare. Among the new menu items are the Inari Bombs – marinated tofu pockets stuffed with rice and spicy tuna – as well as the miso-marinated Black Cod.

Hapa’s flavors are unique, exciting, and a little rebellious. Go for gold with the 24 Karat Roll, featuring ebi, cucumber, jalapeno, and avocado, topped with tuna, golden tobiko, and yuzu garlic sauce.

Rather than making mocktails feel like an afterthought, Hapa offers a superb selection of non-alcoholic beverages. For those sticking to the hard stuff, Ronin’s Redemption is a classy concoction made with Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky.

*Tip: Hapa’s famous happy hour happens every day from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Stella’s Cucina is a stunner. Originally intended to be a sophisticated cannabis sanctuary, the visionary husband-and-wife team behind Stella’s decided to pivot to “full-scale Italian” in 2023.

The soft curvature of the Art Deco-inspired interior, regal navy-and-gold color palette, and gleaming central bar set the stage for an exquisite culinary experience.

Every dish at Stella’s is a craveable work of art. The Insalata di Polpo is as beautiful as it is delicious, composed of caramelized octopus, marble potatoes, haricot vert, cherry tomatoes, Taggiasca olives, and arugula, delicately drizzled with parsley oil. A seasonal showstopper is The Spaghetti Alla Nerano, house-made saffron spaghetti, basil, Esoterra Farms zucchini, and squash blossoms.

For carnivorous palates, the Brasato Al Barolo (divine red wine-braised local short rib) is a melt-in-your-mouth must.

While the devil’s lettuce remains off the menu, you can still get lit with a glass of vino, non-alcoholic bubbly, or a genius cocktail such as the Mia Marmellata.

*Tip: Check out Stella’s website for a schedule of live music.

SALT has been a Pearl Street staple since 2009. The food is polished, seasonal, local, sustainable…and all those things that make Boulderites giddy to gobble. Unlike some of the previously mentioned menus that require explanation for navigation, SALT’s selections are recognizable and approachable without being boring.
The Original Tomato Soup is, truly, just damn good tomato soup. It comes garnished with a grilled cheese crouton and a little Tuscan olive oil. Additionally, The Rosemary Roasted Chicken is a comforting plate of chicken breast and confit chicken thigh with seasonal accompaniments. Scallops are seared to perfection and plants steal the spotlight with SALT’s impressive selection of vegetarian-friendly dishes. Try the Quinoa Chickpea Burger or rotating Vegetable Tasting.
A focus on seasonality even carries over to the cocktail program.
*Tip: Say hi to Evan behind the bar for a well-made drink.

13. Pet Friendly

My Life in Dog Beers

Whether you are coming back from a hike with your four-legged pal, or just having some guilt about leaving them home, it can be nice to have a pet-friendly option in your dining. A spacious dining area and accepting ownership is a must in furry friend dining.

When dining out with a pet, you can feel limited by the weather. At

Crystal Spring Brewing in Louisville, a semi-covered patio and spacious seating in the back gives lots of room for multiple pet families to spread out and enjoy, even on a rainy day. There is more seating in the front, as well as inside, so on a busy day, all can be accommodated. I enjoyed the Louisville Lager, which was light and crisp, while my pup and I soaked up our last sips of summer. While Crystal Springs does not serve food, you can order from Verde or Rocket Dogs, and they will bring the food straight to your table.

Even more space can be found at Avery Brewing in Gunbarrel. With a large, astroturf area, there is plenty of space for you and your pet to have a seat and enjoy each other’s company. While you need to order your beer at the bar, you can order food directly to your table, so you do not have to leave your fuzzy friend unattended. Still on a Lager kick, I had their new release Beach Buffalo, which is a variation of their popular Stampede Lager, but with a little kick of lime for summer.

14. Live Fire / Open Flame

Cooking over an open flame has been a concept since cave dwellers roamed the earth. While early live fire cooking was practiced out of necessity, modern culinary luminaries have utilized this primal tradition to impart distinct layers of flavor. Fortunately, diners seeking complex smoky, earthy, or woody flavor profiles have a wealth of refined dining options scattered across the Front Range.

Oak at Fourteenth has been delighting diners with its gorgeous woodfired seasonal fare since 2010. The brilliant dining room is a beacon of indulgence in the heart of downtown Boulder, with the option of getting front row seats to the action at the lively chef’s counter.

Executive Chef Rob Monahan is currently at the helm of the kitchen, crafting hyper-seasonal and inspired dishes with subtle Asian and Italian influences to please even the most discerning palates.

To start, the Hamachi Crudo is fresh and punchy with yuzu, Persian cucumber, serrano chili, and cilantro. The Crispy Arancini, fried risotto balls with Bayley Hazen blue cheese and spiced honey, are not only texturally appealing, but a perfect balance of savory and sweet.

To kick things up a notch, the Rigatoni Alla Vodka serves just the right amount of spice with Calabrian chili, rock shrimp, and pangrattato.

For a seasonal showstopper, do not miss the slow-roasted porchetta with sweet creamed corn, grilled nardello peppers, and fennel pollen.

As always, Oak offers an outstanding beverage menu ranging from signature cocktails to low alcohol and zero-proof options in addition to wine, beer, and cider.

Dining at Kachina Southwestern Grill feels like being on holiday. Located in Westminster’s impeccably maintained Westin Hotel, the beautifully designed restaurant was created to feel like an “adventurous culinary road-trip through the four corners of the Southwest.” In essence, Kachina is a gem hidden in plain sight. Let’s get right to it – Kachina has a succulent 12-ounce prime ribeye for $38. It comes with rajas con corn crema (addictive creamed corn and roasted poblano peppers), boursin mashed potatoes, and peppercorn demi-glace. The steak actually melts in your mouth, and – in this economy – is a steal for a perfectly prepared plate of high-quality beef.

A selection of salsas and guacamoles are offered alongside house-made chips to set the stage for this culinary journey. Not to mention, the expansive bar boasts an impressive beer, wine, and spirits program with coin-style margaritas strong enough to put your mind in vacation mode.

There is something effortlessly cool about Hickory & Ash. While many of Colorado’s culinary names have leaned into lavish or experiential dining concepts, Executive Chef Ryan Taylor has maintained his focus on offering handcrafted “Colorado cuisine” in a stylish, approachable atmosphere. Unlike steakhouse-identifying concepts that serve up pricey slabs of meat with a side of potatoes and pretentiousness, this beloved Broomfield restaurant centers around perfectly executed plates with sustainable, locally sourced ingredients – grilled in hickory-smoked fire.

The H&A Steak Tartare is a flavor-bomb – made with a mixture of tenderloin and NY strip, tossed in traditional mustard, shallot, and caper dressing with a parmesan aioli, Beech mushrooms smoked over hickory wood and pickled in sherry vinegar and tamari, and served with grilled bread. Despite identifying as a “meatery,” Taylor claims that his vegetarian options are as popular as the dishes designed for carnivorous palates.

The Sweet Pea Agnolotti is a creative and hearty dish, featuring a pea and leek herb filling, parmesan cream, toasted hazelnuts, roasted mushrooms, and a carrot n’duja – Taylor’s take on a spicy vegetarian salami made with Calabrian chilies.

The bestselling Braised Short Ribs have been on the menu since day one. Succulent Colorado short ribs are served on a bed of Irish cheddar polenta with grilled broccolini and smoked tomatoes, topped with fresh grated horseradish.

15. Family Friendly Dining

Quality Time at Quality Places

At our absolute best, dinner time consists of coloring, singing, and a few bribes. My kids are young, the energy is high, and we are all doing our best. Along with being a parent, I also enjoy having a life and going out on occasion. Nothing can feel more shaming or stressful than trying to keep a rowdy superhero-in-training contained while onlookers peer over their menus, judging the noise or energy level. For this reason, we indulge in family-friendly dining.

In a life before kids, I loved to go out to breakfast. A nice, leisurely morning filled with coffee and eggs was my dream. After kids, it can be more of a nightmare to get everyone organized and ready to sit for a long wait time. Bob’s Diner in Louisville cures my fear and has give my family that favorite haunt. With a pancake breakfast split between the little ones, I can enjoy the Louisville Muffin; which is an English muffin topped with eggs, avocado, and served with perfectly baked breakfast potatoes. Along with coffee and espresso drinks, there is also a full bar for a morning cocktail.

Sometimes, I feel like Mary Poppins when we go out to eat. My backpack is a never-ending supply of toys, most of which will get lost on our outing. Fitz Family Brewing fixes that problem with a beer garden packed with fun, interactive toys. Immediately, my boys were climbing in cars and bouncing around. Owners Corey and Kelly Buenning moved to Niwot from Kentucky, where they also owned a brewery, and set to work making a place that was welcoming to families. Kelly explains that German style of beer gardens is where the whole family is welcome, which is what they wanted to emulate. Corey agrees, explaining that the whole community has fallen into this mentality, donating toys and dividing themselves into kid and kid-free sections without any guidance from the brewery.

Kids can be picky, and so can adults. It can be hard to find something that the entire family enjoys. Pizza is the universal satisfier. Lucky Pie Pizzeria in Louisville is a perfect easy dinner after school or on a celebrity weekend. Nichole Stack, general manager, explains that kids and young families are a big part of the business. This is seen in their care and extremely quick service, because nobody wants to keep a hungry toddler waiting. Here, kids can talk at their normal volumes and move about in comfy booths, coloring and enjoying a simple cheese or pepperoni pizza while adults enjoy a drink and something a little bit more exciting. I had the Alla Vodka, packed with vegetables, many of which were grown in the on-site garden, and served on a flavorful and crispy thin crust, the pizza was filling without being greasy.

In the quirkiest corner of Louisville is Tilt! Pinball. An old school arcade with a bar, it is our favorite place to kill a rainy afternoon. Steve Long, the co-owner, created Tilt! After collecting almost twelve pinball machines, which he enjoyed playing with his own children. Over the past twenty years, Tilt has become a staple of the community, with a partnership with Crystal Spring Brewing and involvement in several school fundraisers, it is a place that families can feel safe letting their children run wild and have some old-school fun. Recently, Steve has opened Rocket Dog above Tilt, where patrons can order a gourmet hot dog to munch while they perfect their gaming skills.

16. Brunch

Toast of the Town

In Boulder County, mornings carry weight. For some, it’s a quick coffee and a pastry on the way to work. For others, it’s sitting down with friends over pancakes, eggs, or something you can’t quite replicate at home. Brunch has become the default label, but here it’s more than the cliché of bottomless mimosas and Instagram spreads. It’s breakfast, lunch, or somewhere in between—food that wakes you up, grounds you, and reminds you that the first meal of the day can be something worth looking forward to.

A handful of local spots capture that spirit and turn it into something memorable: Moxie Bread Co., Morning Glory Café, and Tangerine. Each has its own rhythm and philosophy, but together they tell the story of how Boulder County does mornings—with integrity, craft, and a refusal to overcomplicate good food.

At Moxie, indulgence doesn’t start with sugar or butter—it starts with the grain. Owner Phillippa Clark, with a flagship bakery in Louisville and a mercantile in Lyons, has built something that feels both rooted and forward-thinking. Moxie mills its own flour, sources roughly 90% of its products within five miles, and treats bread not just as a product, but as a craft worth honoring. The loaves are what put Moxie on the national map, but the brunch crowd knows there’s more waiting behind the counter. The key lime kouign-amann—layers of buttery pastry balanced by tart custard—manages to be rich and bright all at once. The heirloom tomato tart, available in summer, distills the season into something both rustic and refined. Nothing at Moxie feels flashy. It’s thoughtful, direct, and satisfying—the kind of food that proves sustainability and pleasure can exist on the same plate.

Over in Lafayette, Morning Glory Café has been quietly shaping the local brunch scene for 14 years. Owner Lilly Lieb’s mission has always been straightforward: make sure nobody feels left out of the table. That means sourcing responsibly—cage-free brown eggs, organic tofu, produce from nearby farms—but also designing a menu that works for every kind of diner. Gluten-free, vegan, or just cautious eaters will find options that don’t feel like afterthoughts. Take the gluten-free blueberry pancakes: made with almond meal, they’re nutty, fluffy, and deeply comforting. They’re not a stand-in for the “real thing.” They are the real thing. Morning Glory succeeds because it doesn’t make inclusivity feel like an obligation—it makes it feel natural. The café’s atmosphere reflects that same spirit: welcoming, familiar, and anchored in community. As it nears its fifteenth year, Morning Glory has proven that comfort food doesn’t have to come at anyone’s expense.

Then there’s Tangerine, which insists on something often overlooked in Boulder County’s food culture: breakfast itself. With locations in Boulder, Lafayette, and Longmont, chef-owner Alexander Schuler has built menus that cover the spectrum. Yes, it can be brunch—lazy, late, and indulgent—but it’s just as much a place for an 8 a.m. breakfast when you actually need to start your day. Coffee, eggs, pancakes, chai—done with care, not complication. The corned beef hash is a cornerstone: hearty, savory, and made with meat from Denver’s Custom Corned Beef. On the sweeter side, the strawberry–goat cheese French toast strikes a balance that most versions lack. And the chai latte—spiced, just sweet enough—works as a wake-up or as an afternoon anchor. Tangerine thrives on that versatility. It doesn’t draw lines between breakfast and brunch. It just makes the hours between morning and afternoon taste like they matter.

Taken together, these three restaurants sketch out what mornings can look like here. Moxie reminds us that the foundation matters—that a pastry can carry the story of its grain. Morning Glory shows that a café can serve comfort without exclusion. And Tangerine proves breakfast deserves as much attention as brunch. In Boulder County, “indulgence” isn’t about excess. It’s about food that feels special without trying too hard—food connected to place, people, and the simple fact that mornings should be worth showing up for.

17. BBQ

Flames, Flavors, and the Truth Between: Real BBQ in the Rockies

There is good BBQ, there is bad BBQ, and then there is BBQ that makes you forget about the sauce on your face and just dig in.. The kind that comes from real people doing things the right way, without shortcuts or show. You won’t find it following big ads or behind trendy storefronts. You find it where folks still care about the food, the crew behind it, and the people they serve.

Smokin’ Dave’s in Longmont isn’t trying to be Memphis, Texas, or Carolina. Dave’s been to all those places and came back with a style that doesn’t pledge allegiance to any city or region. His food is an amalgamation of what works, glued together with house rubs that could sell their own merch line. The brisket was tender and smoky, and the wings had a crisp bite and real flavor. But the catfish said the most. Plenty of places claim Southern roots, but fried catfish is the real test, and Dave’s passed with flying colors. Over half of Dave’s staff have been with him for over eight years, which tells you the vibe behind the scenes is as legit as what’s on the plate. His GM, Andrew, has worked in kitchens from Australia to San Francisco, but says he’s staying put because, in his words, “food is community,” and Dave built a damn good one.

Then there’s Wayne’s Smoke Shack in Superior. Open Friday and Saturday and closed the moment the meat runs out, the Smoke Shack doesn’t cater to fads or trends or pretend to be anything it’s not. What they have is word of mouth and the kind of loyalty most places would kill for. Wayne came from the world of high-tech software sales, but after struggling to find good Texas-style BBQ in Colorado, he taught himself how to make it. He and his wife, Sam, now run the place together, keeping it tight-knit and focused on the food. They do nearly everything themselves. The brisket, sausage, pulled pork- every bite had this stripped-down honesty to it. No flash or pizzazz, just great meat treated right. Rubs are massaged in by hand. Sauces that complement instead of overpower. It’s the kind of BBQ that wasn’t made to impress Yelp, but to make Wayne happy. And it does. He hasn’t missed a day in twelve years. When asked what keeps people coming back, Sam put it simply: “Love is the secret ingredient”, and she’s not wrong. But also, the meat is exceptional. The beauty is in the simplicity, not the complexity.

In Boulder, Moe’s Original BBQ somehow manages to be a chain without feeling like one. Alabama-style that’s smoked with peach wood from the Palisades gives the meat a mellow, subtly sweet edge you don’t expect. It’s a Colorado signature on an Alabama classic. Moe’s was named a Top 10 BBQ chain by USA Today, but the Boulder location, run by Alex Kuzel, is one of only two in the country that serves brisket every single day. Alex ran the Lakewood shop for years before taking over in Boulder, and since then, the business has exploded. His secret? He cares about the food and the community around it. He hires CU students and knows his crowd; Moe’s is a local melting pot of students, school staff, and working folks. He built one of the best happy hours in town and offers smoked tofu and vegan options, catering to all diets. And yeah, they do crawfish boils too. Moe’s in Boulder is lively and lovable, just like the town itself.

It is hard to think of much good that came out of the Great Recession, but our final BBQ rave, Georgia Boys, did. Two frat brothers got laid off and started slinging brown bag BBQ out of their Boulder apartment to pay for ski passes. That hustle turned into one of the most community-driven operations in the region. They now do huge catering gigs, but they also show up where it counts, feeding homeless veterans, donating meals to wildfire victims, and sticking to the belief that you build something real by feeding people first and letting the rest come later. The brisket is exactly what you want it to be: tender, juicy, and elevated by a hot ghost pepper sauce that hits hard but finishes clean. Everything’s made in-house, and they don’t cut corners. There’s also the Barnyard Challenge: 5 lbs of food that fewer than 10 people have ever been able to finish. Georgia Boys doesn’t just claim Southern hospitality. They show it, and their track record proves it.

Every joint on this list makes damn good BBQ, takes care of their people, and let’s that speak for itself.

18. Lunch

The Long Lunch: Sit Down, Stay Awhile

Lunch doesn’t usually come with a story. Most days, it’s whatever’s fast and near. But some meals carry more. They hold the people who make them, the places they come from, and the small details that stay with you long after the table is cleared.

At Colorado Dumplings in Longmont, Kaal Nakarmi folds memory into every plate. Growing up in Nepal, the youngest in a family of blacksmiths, he learned the trade from his father. But he also spent his time in the kitchen with his mother, serving as her most-trusted taste-tester. Kaal’s passion pulled him toward art and traditional Nepalese music and dance, where he organized community events. After living and working around the world, he restarted his life in a Colorado kitchen before deciding to serve food that reminded him of family and home. For Karl, dumplings represent comfort and connection, reminiscent of the street food he loved as a child. Colorado Dumplings carries the spirit of Asian street food culture, a place where the focus is on flavor and community, not fluff. Kaal keeps the atmosphere simple, aiming to capture what he calls the soul of food in the streets while giving people something personal and familiar.

I went straight for the beef dumplings with Kaal’s “Tesame” sauce (a mix of sesame and tomato) convinced they’d be the knockout. They were rich and hearty, exactly what you want. But the vegetable dumplings blindsided me with their bold flavor, outshining the beef. For someone who usually eats like vegetables are a side note, it was humbling to admit the veggie option stole the show.

In Lafayette, East Simpson Coffee Company shows what happens when a café becomes a cornerstone. For the past decade, it’s been where the community wakes up, works, and meets. Ty Hubbard started as a customer before managing the shop and eventually took over ownership last year. He kept what worked and added a few efficiencies in the form of self-serve coffee and a kiosk for quick orders, all while preserving its warmth. The result is a café that feels more like a neighborhood hub than a business. The patio stays busy, the interior hums with an array of Lafayette locals, and the food, from burritos to sandwiches, is all made in-house. Ty believes it is a third place, a spot between work and home where the community naturally comes together. Sitting there munching on a homemade grilled cheese sandwich and coffee, watching people come and go, it’s hard to disagree.

The Sink is not just another Boulder restaurant. It’s an institution with a century of history and walls covered in layers of graffiti to prove it. For generations, it has been a student hangout, a local landmark, and the kind of place where presidents and food legends stop in. Barack Obama ate here, Guy Fieri filmed here, and Anthony Bourdain even passed through. But they don’t hang their hat on celebrity endorsements. The Sink keeps going because it never stands still. Marketing manager Gwynedd Bailey points out that the menu shifts with what people want, from mocktails for people who are not drinking to salads that carry as much weight as the wings. Chef Chris Cunningham put in his time in Michelin-starred kitchens, but the grind bled the joy out of cooking. But he reignited his passions at The Sink, trading white tablecloths for graffiti walls and a kitchen that runs on creativity. Chris says he inherited a ship that has been sailing for more than a century, and his job is to keep it steady while giving the crew room to enjoy the ride. Staff are encouraged to pitch dishes, guests taste new ideas, and the menu keeps moving without losing its identity. I started with the pesto Cobb salad, piled high and tied together with a pesto vinaigrette that made it bright instead of heavy. The JuJu hot honey lemon pepper wings had just the right balance of sweet, heat, and tang that kept you reaching for another, and the burnt end mac and cheese was as rich and smoky as it sounds. Then came the pickle lemonade mocktail. It was cold, briny, and oddly refreshing. I drained the glass, a little annoyed at how much I enjoyed it. The Sink has been feeding Boulder for over a century, and it still knows how to keep a table full and a crowd coming back.

Lunch is often overlooked, but at spots like these, it becomes something worth slowing down for.

19. Farm to Table

The Hands Behind the Harvest

Some meals carry a meaning that reaches past the plate. They carry the hands that grew it, the land that shaped it, and the people who built a life around feeding others. Around here, certain farms and kitchens serve food that speaks as much to its origins as to its taste.

The Whistling Boar is led by Chef David Pitula, who spent 16 years cooking in New York before bringing his craft out West. In Brooklyn, his food’s origins were a mystery, but here he knows every root and cut. During the growing season, roughly 80% of the produce comes from local farms, as well as the meat. Everything is made from scratch, down to the bread. While heavily focused on catering, their restaurant has a rooftop bar and event hall attached. While they don’t have a liquor license yet, they make mocktails that are every bit as thoughtful as cocktails, like the Boar’s Whim, a playful take on a Shirley Temple. Their farm-to-table approach is simple: they cook with what is in season and coming fresh from nearby fields. Locally sourced food is their foundation, and they put their money where their mouth is, giving 2% of their revenue to Restore Colorado, which provides grants to farmers. They’re expanding their café and grab-and-go options, but catering is still their stage. Pitula says the secret is consistency and design, but what really makes it sing is their devotion to food that feels local, hand-touched, and unmistakably theirs.

Drive out to Lafayette and you’ll find Three Leaf Farm, owned by Lenny and Sara Martinelli. The Martinellis own multiple restaurants, as well as the Boulder Tea Company, and their farm feeds all of it. For Lenny, knowing and understanding where food comes from is non-negotiable. He runs with a motto “The answer is yes, what is the question?” That attitude permeates everything from farm dinners to workshops. Sara is a medical herbalist, and her knowledge fills the Medicine Trail that winds through the farm, educating visitors about the plants that grow naturally along the Front Range. The farm hosts four-course dinners for 50 to 60 guests, with a rotating menu. They also host the Botanica Festival, a beloved summer gathering that always draws a crowd. In late summer, almost everything on the menu comes from the farm itself, and favorite dishes include corn soup with chili shrimp, kale salad, and Lady Grey ice cream made with their own teas. Chickens, goats, and horses add to the farm’s ecosystem, and flowers, fruit trees, and herbs dot the property. Their work has earned them recognition: the Nature Conservancy’s Nature’s Plate Award for greenest restaurant in Colorado, designation as a Botanical Sanctuary, and in 2023, a spot in the Michelin Guide for their flagship Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse. Lenny says what makes Three Leaf special is its sense of community; it’s close to downtown yet carries the serenity of the country.

Ollin Farms, run by Kena and Mark Guttridge, takes its name from an Aztec word meaning constant motion or transformation. The idea is simple: the farm is alive, always changing, always improving. What began as a family necessity to care for their grandmother has become a philosophy of nourishment. Kena says, “Food is medicine,” and she means it. They presented at the U.N. last May on the role of family in climate change and were the only family at the conference among representatives from entire nations. At the heart of Ollin Farms is education, especially for the next generation. They believe teaching kids that planet Earth is our home, a philosophy as important as growing the food itself. Alongside youth programs, their Farmstand sells their produce and that of trusted neighbors, and every first Saturday of the month, the fields come alive with a free community festival. Farm dinners feature four-course meals, with 90% of ingredients pulled from their land or nearby farms. They put an emphasis on young chefs carving their path to take the lead in the kitchen, giving them space to experiment. Ollin’s commitment to regenerative agriculture means no pesticides or herbicides, not even organic-approved ones. They build everything from the soil up in pursuit of the most nutritious and flavorful produce possible. Kena puts it straight, “When you’re here, you’re safe, happy, and you cannot beat the flavor.”

Each establishment has its own character, but they all illustrate that food is never just food. It’s care for people, a tie to tradition, and a way of keeping community alive at the table.

20. Wine and Cheese Pairings

A Gouda Day in Boulder Valley

Colorado has a storied history of being an agricultural state. One that prides itself in dairy in the east and grapes in the west. The two come together in Northern Colorado to make an elevated culinary experience. Three local establishments—/pôr/ Wine House in Louisville, Erie Social Club in Erie, and Le Frigo in Boulder—stand out as destinations where passion, quality, and atmosphere converge. These are not simply restaurants or wine bars; they are thoughtfully curated spaces where community, craftsmanship, and palate-expanding menus invite guests to indulge, explore, and savor.

Start with /pôr/ Wine House, a cozy and elegant spot situated on the corner of Main and Pine in historic downtown Louisville. Since opening in 2014, it has established itself as a neighborhood favorite for its welcoming ambiance and carefully curated selection of wine and small plates. The interior is warm and inviting, effortlessly balancing rustic charm with modern refinement. The menu is designed for sharing and grazing, offering a variety of seasonal tapas that range from blistered shishito peppers and burrata with braised tomatoes to expertly constructed charcuterie boards and citrus-braised pulled pork tacos. With wine-on-tap, half-price bottle nights, and regular live music, /pôr/ encourages guests not just to dine, but to linger and connect. It’s a place where every detail—from the local ingredients to the playlist—feels intentionally designed to elevate the experience. Whether you’re gathering with friends or enjoying a quiet evening for two, /pôr/ offers an atmosphere of effortless sophistication and community-focused warmth.

Travel a short distance northeast and you’ll find Erie Social Club, a wine and whiskey bar that has redefined the downtown Erie scene. Despite its name, no membership is required—this is a space designed to be inclusive and inviting to all. Owned and operated by the charismatic Varnadoe family, including a former Disney Jungle Cruise skipper, the Social Club combines playful energy with serious hospitality. The space is richly appointed with velvet couches, exposed brick, and soft lighting, creating an environment that feels at once upscale and deeply relaxed. Erie Social Club has been recognized repeatedly by local publications for its outstanding happy hour, bar program, and service, and it’s easy to see why. The bar offers 25% off bottles every Wednesday, a rotating lineup of wines and whiskeys, and an ever-evolving schedule of events—from trivia nights to community fundraisers. Even the outdoor heated patio welcomes all members of the family, including pets, with charming touches like “barkcuterie” boards. The staff is attentive and passionate, and the drinks are crafted with both precision and creativity. At its core, Erie Social Club is more than a bar—it is a gathering place, a reflection of Erie’s growing cultural scene, and a testament to the value of locally driven hospitality.

Tucked away on Arapahoe Avenue in Boulder, there is Le Frigo: a gourmet deli and European-style provisions shop that feels like a portal to another continent. Le Frigo’s dedication to imported products, artisan goods, and exquisite sandwiches is unmatched in the region. The centerpiece of the experience is the walk-in cheese cellar, a chilled sanctuary filled with aged wheels of French brie, nutty Alpine cheeses, salumi, and condiments that rival those found in Parisian epiceries. Their sandwiches, such as the Catalan, Le Frigo Royale, or the daily specials, have become legendary among locals. Le Frigo remains one of the few places in the area to slice prosciutto to order, a detail that speaks to their commitment to traditional methods and high standards. It is not only a place to grab lunch, but a destination for those seeking rare oils, mustards, jams, and cheeses…each item a story, and a sensory experience waiting to unfold.

Together, these Boulder County gems offer a compelling invitation: to slow down, taste more carefully, and celebrate the flavors that bring people together. Whether you’re sipping a crisp rosé under string lights, sampling a carefully aged gouda from a walk-in cheese cave, or toasting a neighbor with a whiskey sour on the patio, each of these establishments offers more than just a meal—they offer a meaningful, memorable experience steeped in local pride and culinary delight.

21. European Cuisine

The Ultimate European Culinary Experience, without Leaving Colorado

America is built on the entire world of cultures coming together. When’s the last time you ate at a restaurant knowing your entire experience was curated through its ambiance and scratch-made food? In this European tour of Boulder County, you are sure to feel like family.

From the moment I walked through the doors at Arabesque in Boulder, I felt a sense of love, understanding, and belonging from the owner, Manal. You can expect to be served a smile and some laughs alongside a perfectly procured taste bud explosion. I sampled the creamy, dreamy hummus, pillowy bread, refreshing tabouleh, and the savory, oh-so-flavorful dish of roast chicken and potatoes in an olive oil sauce with Israeli spices.

To make my visit a little more special, I was brought lightly sweet and spicy Chai tea and Tiraklava (Tiramisu and Baklava) The location and uniqueness of the building, along with its shaded, inviting outdoor patio, are just extensions of the culinary treats you will discover here. While I came here to sample some delicious food, I left with a friend and a reminder of how interconnected we all are and the significant role food plays in building those relationships.

Schnitzel, spaetzle and streudel… oh my! When you’re looking to enjoy some central European fare, Bohemian Biergarten in Boulder is the place to go. You can see the passion that the owner, Zdenek, has for creating this dining experience. The decor isn’t a re-creation of, but rather, a perfectly crafted European gastropub that holds 150-year-old reclaimed lumber tables, light fixtures dating back to the 1900s, and original bricks and vaulted ceilings from its historic downtown building. The experience is rounded out with imported classic European biers and tasty traditional dishes from the central region such as Goulash, scratch made sausages and my favorite, Jager Schnitzel. The only way to finish is by trying the apple streudel, which was hands down, one of the best desserts I’ve tasted. Unfortunately, “everything has an end, only the sausage has two”. Which is a fun way of saying I didn’t want to leave but I can always come back. Make sure to check out what events they have planned as Oktoberfest quickly approaches.

Blimey! If you’re looking to hit up a neighborhood British pub without taking the long flight over the pond, look no further. You’ll be chuffed to bits with Burns Pub and Restaurant in Broomfield. It’s the perfect place for some delicious comfort food, an astounding award-winning collection of whiskeys and that iconic pub feel. The crispy Cod Boxty (potato and cod cakes), savory Scotch Eggs and perfectly flakey fish with chips were the bee’s knees. This family owned treasure sits atop a hill, attached to the original Country Inn that the Odde family purchased 24 years ago. If you fancy a pint and want to be gobsmacked by some delicious British favorites, head on over. It’s bloody delicious!

I’m calling my visit to Cracovia a divine intervention, as it seemingly delivered me from what has been an uncertain time in my life, to one of the most special and meaningful dining experiences I’ve ever had. Everything, and I mean everything, is made from scratch; from the sausage, to the mustard (dang, that mustard), to the naturally fermented sauerkraut. They even make their own infused Vodkas used in their signature cocktails, such as the “Polish Kiss”. The cabbage roll and kielbasa created such nostalgia for me and were a welcome reminder of the dishes my grandmother served me as a kid. But the pierogis with mushroom gravy, the krokiet, and something as simple as the horseradish beets…I think I died and went to Polish heaven. This experience would have been amazing even if it was just the food served, but add in the kind faces (Jutta and Alan) and the best restaurant origin story I’ve ever heard, and it will quickly become one of your favorite places to dine.

There’s something to be said for the care and detail that European restaurateurs put into their craft. We should all be so grateful to have such unique restaurant destinations in Colorado. It’s an important reminder that diverse experiences are the backbone of what makes a place truly special. And what better way to celebrate the richness of diversity than by breaking bread?

22. Whisky

Aged at Altitude: Boulder’s Craft Whisky Experiences

Vapor/Boulder Spirits

Walking into Vapor/Boulder Spirits’ distillery off Arapahoe, the first sense that takes over is the smell. Sweet, smooth, dessert for your nose. Mouth-watering—imagine a boozy Wurther’s.

I can’t help but fall into a cliche and tell the whiskey-maker that his work smells of sweet caramel.

Instead of nodding politely or glazing over it, Alistair Brogan—who’s already greeted me with a huge smile and handshake—tells me it’s because of reflux. I ask, and he lets me know the room breathes, with pressure coming out of the still and into the air, and the air around us creates pressure back. Due to Boulder’s elevation, this causes an increased amount of evaporation and results in 50 lost barrels of whisky a year, compared to maybe the two to four barrels that distillers in Scotland anticipate.

Right away, the technical process of distilling whisky comes up.

“How did you even learn this?” I ask. He laughs.

“This was going to be a hobby,” Brogan says. “I was doing family business consulting for a law firm in Scotland at the time. I was going to try and establish that over here, but I brought a Scottish copper pot still with me from Forsyth, which is where they make all the stills. I was just going to lay down whisky and I bumped into Ted Palmer who was the gin guy here.”

Alistair and his wife, Megan, moved with their two sons to America in 2013. Brogan, originally from Glasgow, has had multiple lifetimes of learning. From joining the military when he was 18 to being a Tribe Member on Survivor: Panama, to operating his family’s business until it sold and they moved to America. Brogan took over Boulder Spirits in 2015, and they opened their tasting room on Pearl nine months ago.

“It’s tougher times for people to enjoy themselves without that guilt stepping in,” he says. “I mean the cost, the price gouging—find ways to indulge how you can.”

For Alistair, whisky is a way to expose yourself to more of the world. And he wants to welcome people into that education aspect of distilling.

“It’s a way to meet new people, and think not just about how something tastes, but explore the tastes and flavors of their imaginations,” Brogan says. “When, where, how, and who do you want to drink with?”

His way to encourage others to indulge? Try whiskies. Ask and educate yourself about what you like or don’t like. If it’s out of your budget? It’s okay to go for the more affordable option.When I asked if he had a favorite that Boulder Spirits makes, he said he always comes back to their Single Malt.

“It reminds me of Scotland,” he says with a small, thoughtful smile. Alistair indulges by enjoying whisky on his leather couch that he brought with him. “For me, it’s got to be quiet. No one else is around. Just me and a glass of whisky to truly appreciate it.”

Visit their tasting room on Pearl for a more intimate sampling or consider visiting their distillery for a tour or tasting night.

Hogback Distillery

Since age 25, Graeme Wallace of Hogback Distillery has been an entrepreneur, spirits reviewer, landscape photographer, and author of coffee table and children’s books. But at the root of it all, he’s always been a whisky maker.

He started a sales job that provided vouchers for whisky, sometimes well-known and, other times, extremely rare.

“I was getting these, you know…crazy, hundred-pound [dollar] bottles of whisky that I was trying every night and learning from,” Wallace says.

Then, he started to photograph the distilleries and began producing books about Scotland and its distilleries. He has one specifically about Ardbeg Distillery, where he got to meet and spend time with Master Distiller, Dr. Bill Lumsden.

“The whole time I was writing these coffee table books about whisky, I was learning how to make it,” Wallace says.

He moved from Scotland to Colorado to start Hogback. But moving here was more for him.

“America is the land of reward for working hard, and Colorado was always this land of rugged beauty,” he says. “Which I think says something about whisky, too. […] I’m not a huge risk taker, but I am a huge dreamer.”

Hogback’s slogan “Savor the Adventure” captures that to a degree.

“One of my first memories in the early days of Hogback was that I wanted to do a rum rye whisky,” Wallace says. “So, I drove up to this distillery in Crested Butte, and it was me in my tiny van with four barrels of rum. […] I was just there, driving through the mountains, listening to a John Denver song. And that’s when it really hit me that I had made it. I had accomplished this dream, and all the pieces had come together.”

Self-identified as a true micro-distillery, Hogback relies on Graeme and his partner Catherine’s efforts to keep things running smoothly.

Recently, Hogback’s Eclipse Rye Whisky was featured on ADHD Whisky: a YouTube channel produced by Matt Porter, who’s based out of Rifle, CO. Matt sent Graeme a text the day the video went live.

“He posted it at 3p.m. By 4p.m., we had 250 orders,” Wallace says. “By 10a.m. the next day, it was maybe 450. Now, it’s 1000 bottles. I had to message our marketing people and let them know we were out. It’s a lot to produce, but it’s very, very exciting, too.”

The whole video is less than 9 minutes long.Graeme’s pride is Hogback’s Peat Smoked Single Malt. Immediate notes of BBQ smoke, sing with pepper and oak, followed by a fantastic follow of blackberries. The quality is there in every first taste of whisky.Hogback, though made and stored in Boulder, has established roots in Estes Park, where their new tasting room is.

“The real dream, and I mean the real, real dream, is to move everything to Estes,” Wallace says. “I love it and feel a real sense of the old West up there.”

When I ask how Graeme indulges, he starts counting under his breath. I wait patiently until he says, every night, for nearly 40 years—since he was 25—he has had a dram of whisky. Occasionally a cigar.

“I have a dram at the end of the day, watching the sun go down over the mountains until the stars come out,” he says. “I like to just to contemplate and remember this is the real deal.”

Their whisky has that taste of wisdom, time, and craft that a micro distillery truly can and should pride itself on. Visit them at their tasting room in Estes and be sure to try the Peat Smoked.

William Oliver’s

What’s immediately refreshing about walking into William Oliver’s in Lafayette? No blasting music, no TVs from all angles, no overwhelm. They have long communal tables to encourage conversation with your neighbors while dining, and they’re even open until 2 am, so other local hospitality workers can have their own space after a shift. It’s all very courteous and laid back from the get-go.

“This is everyone’s pub. We’re happy you’re here,” the general manager, Jack Calhoun says.

Calhoun has been the general manager at William Oliver’s for six years. His favorite thing about working in hospitality is helping create new and unique dishes and beverages.

“I have a monthly challenge for our chefs,” he says. “I ask them to create an option for our next monthly special. They have to make it with our existing ingredients, and they’re allowed to bring one unique ingredient in.” […] It’s another way for us to find a unique whisky pairing. Everything is very intentional and creative. It’s our way of having fun.”

William Oliver’s has more than 400 whiskies available. And if it’s not whisky, it’s Colorado.

“We’re big on supporting businesses based out of Colorado or Colorado-owned,” Calhoun explains.

They focus on a different whisky distiller every month. A representative from the distillery will come to William Oliver’s, provide some history and insight into their process, and then they pour samples from five different types of whisky offered. William Oliver’s has been doing this for three years to highlight the whiskies they offer.

During my visit, I enjoyed the Colorado whisky flight, which included: Breckenridge Distillery’s Port Finish Bourbon, Stranahan’s Blue Peak, Laws Whiskey House Rye, and NoCo Bourbon #2.

They all paired beautifully with the bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers made with the restaurant’s own maple bacon bourbon spread, and sweet & sour pork belly sandwich, featuring William Oliver’s feta coleslaw and a toasted telera roll.

“We want to lift up other businesses,” Calhoun says.

They also have charity events, fun holiday events like an advent calendar with discounted bottles, and offer field trips for staff education, which, specifically, Jack notes as another kind of indulgence. This surprises me, and I say as much.

“Some places of business might consider staff education as a necessity or a basic,” I say. “Why would you qualify it as an indulgence?”

“One of the greatest things in this world is having access to resources to indulge in,” he says. “But if [the staff] can’t bridge into that curiosity and indulge themselves, you’re missing the point. You’re nothing without your staff.”

We talked briefly about how maybe some of afraid to indulge because one of the obstacles to it is coming off as picky or rude. What’s keeping you from asking for what you want?

“You can be a pain in the a** about modifications so long as you’re polite,” Calhoun says. “Indulgence to me is taking a chance, stepping out of your comfort zone, and finding the uniqueness of something that’s not in the day-to-day. Surprise yourself.”

Spirit Hound

“You’re the fourth and final distillery or whisky spot I’ve interviewed this week,” I tell Craig Engelhorn of Spirit Hound in Lyons. “The first three either told me I had to talk to you or had nothing but nice things to say about Spirit Hound when I told them I was coming to see you. How does that feel?”

“Oh geez,” Engelhorn says. “Well, it goes both ways. There’s a camaraderie and respect in our community that you can only really find in small towns or in Colorado.”

Craig came to Lyons from Neligh, Nebraska. After working in corporate telecommunications, he served as the head brewer at Oskar Blues where he created Dale’s Pale Ale. From there, he decided whisky was the direction he wanted to go in. He personally built Spirit Hound’s copper still in 2013, which every drop of whisky they’ve ever produced has gone through it. He learned to weld and connected with other whisky lovers in Lyons, like Neil Sullivan, Wayne Anderson, and Matt Rooney.

“We’ve made some amazing connections,” Craig says. He talks about partnerships like Bee Squared, an apiary in Berthoud, that helps them produce their honey whisky, and how their American Single Maly is finished in a Suerte Tequila barrel.

“We’re a business built on the relationships we make. We can’t do this alone. I’m also a big believer in “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

“When I was first learning how to distill, I thought maybe another distiller might come help me. But at one of our first bottling parties, I had some musician friends here,” Engelhorn recounts. “I was playing music in the back, and my one buddy asked, “Hey Craig, do you mind if we cut the music actually?”

“I was like, “What? You guys are musicians. Don’t you want music?”

“He said, “Well yeah, usually, but we’re in the process of making a new album. We want to avoid outside influences. To be creative from the inside out.”

“That’s really stuck with me,” Craig finishes. “Here I was, thinking this other distiller would teach me. But it’s not his whisky. It’s my whisky, it’s Spirt Hound whisky. People love what we do because it’s ours. So we create from the inside out.”

Spirit Hound’s Straight Malt Whisky secured the Whisky of the Year with 96 points and a Gold Medal at London Spirits Competition in 2022.

The award-winning barrel? #473 of their Single Malt.

“The malt is my baby,” he says. “We thought about bumping up the price when we first won. But we didn’t. We wanted people to come enjoy it as is, to see why it won. We sold out in a week. I’m still really proud of that. I want everyone to enjoy and experience joy.”

Craig also shows me his “Whisky Library”: a part of the distillery he’s sectioned off to keep bottles from every barrel. He pours a dram without showing the barrel number. It has all the layers of the different whiskies we tried inside, but it’s noticeably unique. Creative and new.

“There’s barrel number one for you,” he says finally. “I don’t share that very often. I like to keep it, to make a moment special.”

Next time you’re on your way to Estes or Rocky Mountain National Park, stop in for a taste of Colorado’s craft distilling community in a dram whisky.

23. Tavern Time

The Best Spots for A Pint & Something More in Boulder County

West Side Tavern

I don’t know if I can properly capture just how fun it was to talk to Wes Isbutt, owner of the West Side Tavern in Longmont.

Wes greets me with a huge smile and handshake, guiding us inside while waving at everyone dining or checking in with his staff. We sit down, and he makes sure to order me the special for the evening before we start talking. They have a different special every night. I’m lucky to show up one evening when they’re serving a rack of elk with a port demi glaze over a four cheese risotto with roast vegetables, paired with Wes’s award-winning Old Fashioned. It’s a seriously gorgeous meal.

What is now West Side Tavern used to be Longmont’s grocery store. The building itself is 100 years old, nestled in a neighborhood off Highway 287.

“I came by once a month for three years to ask the owner at the time to sell it to me,” Wes tells me. “He said yes. We took two years to renovate, and now we’re here.”

This is the first restaurant Wes has owned in Colorado. The first five were in Las Vegas.

“Always focus on one at a time, otherwise you’ll lose what makes that place special,”

His big personality–which West Side guests sometimes specifically come to visit just for him–paired with his involvement in the restaurant shows for it. There’s a tiki bar outside, and inside is a small bistro meets tavern meets modern art decor.

Wes describes it as a more grown-up “cocktail and conversation” spot, and he’s very involved in the process. They offer cocktail classes, wine tastings, cooking experiences, and more. Inside, they seat 38, outside 60. It’s intimate and neighborly, with a decided dedication to the finer things in life. They also have more than 400 bourbons to try. They focus on offering a luxury whisky experience that you can only find at West Side Tavern.

“This is my idea of fun,” he says. “Fine dining, fresh food from scratch, good company, and then a walk home? That’s the way to indulge.”

“People deserve to have enough money to pay their bills, have control over their lives, and love it all the while,” he says. “Have a drink, be here.” He finishes with an emphatic point down to the ground beneath us. Being present is persistent at West Side Tavern.

Bambei Brewing

After Sean Bambei, of Bambei Brewing, was laid off from his IT job in 2021, he was determined to start a brewery.

“I had a chili beer at Bootstrap, which is exactly how it sounds,” he says. “It’s beer with chili in it. And it was amazing. I knew I wanted to make something like that. Something memorable.”

Sean grew up in Arvada and stayed in Colorado with his family. Every Saturday for two years, Sean and his friend Paul brewed at home together. Their first brew, Ass in the Sand, is a dynamic and delectable Mexican Lager. With that as their start, they pursued finding a space to brew and share beer.

“We signed our lease offer six days before the Marshall Fire,” Sean says. “Some of the buildings around here burned down or had fire damage, but at the time, we didn’t know what we were coming into. There was even a point where I wasn’t sure if this would happen. But we opened in June 2023, and we’ve been going ever since.”

When they first opened, Superior still felt the effects of the fire.

“Everyone wants to tell their story,” Sean says. “How it affected them, continued to impact them. We became a community spot.”

Bambei Brewing is the only brewery in Superior, which takes me off guard at first until I realize other spots nearby are actually in Lousiville or Broomfield. They offer cocktails on tap, and their food, Sean tells me, is “more than pub fare.”

When asked how he likes to indulge, Sean says, “I like to eat too many wings, enjoy a Dank West Coast, and watch football.”

Catch a game or bring your family to Bambei Brewing in Superior next time you want craft beer with a bit of Colorado heart behind it.

West End Tavern

There was a time when the West End Tavern marked the west-most end of Boulder, with unobstructed views of the Flat Irons and nothing more west when it came to Pearl Street. Some things–okay, a lot of things–have

changed since West End Tavern opened in 1987, but the team there stays true to the nostalgia of what Boulder used to be.

“A lot of out-of-towners come in from referrals,” West End general manager, Ashley Millikin, says. “Sometimes they’re visiting and they join us two or three times during their visit, or there are folks who came here in college, had their first date here, or used to come with friends. Either way, it always really feels like a community.”

Millikin, who’s been the GM for 10 years, has seen folks from every walk of life: families from out of town, college students working a job throughout school, couples getting married. She even says the original 1987 staff reunites at West End Tavern every year.

“I think that goes to show how special this place is,” she says.

I had the Kansas City style burnt ends, a taste of their bourbon collaboration with Breckenridge Distillery, and the Fried Chicken Sandwich, Sticky Style, which is a delectable piece of fried chicken paired with spiced honey, smoked garlic mayo, green apple, and crunchy kale slaw, all on a buttered brioche bun. It’s unique and an understandable staple of the menu.

“We don’t mess with the menu,” Kevin Gossi, the Culinary Director, says. “People are very passionate about it and let us know how things used to be when [West End] first opened, or what it was like even when they visited ten years ago. They want “You get what you expect.” They want that sense of time.”

The nostalgia nods are everywhere, from the original owner’s Blackened Mahi Sandwich recipe, which you can still find on the menu, to their Whisky Club as a way to recognize community members throughout the years.

“We’re learning every day, making those connections, and following that bread crumb that leads us into the future,” Ashley says.

Visit West End Tavern, whether it’s your first time or in 40 years, for a taste of the good ol’ days.

The Hungry Toad

The Hungry Toad is definitely the most English of the taverns I’ve been to on this assignment. The brick face, coats of arms, toile wallpaper–I even catch them on a rainy Friday afternoon during a CU football game day. I get the chance to enjoy a Guinness and their Bangers and Mash on my own before I sit down to talk with Johnny Rutter, the General Manager of the Hungry Toad. The Bangers and Mash is comforting, delicious, and doesn’t skimp on the meat with four sausages. Not to mention the onion gravy makes everything come together.

“The benefit of being a pub is that we make everything from scratch,” Johnny tells me. “I think comfort food can still be whole food, and we can redefine what’s good for you.”

Rutter explains how The Hungry Toad was owned by Terry Morton for 30 years before Bonnie and Hansen Rada became the new proprietors.

“The thing about pubs in the UK is that they’re an extension of your living room,” Rutter says. “We’re part of their habit, their routine. COVID disrupted that, and people found new routines. It takes a lot for people to find their flow again, and it took a lot for us to win back hearts and minds.”

When they first reopened, Rutter says, it was the World Cup.

“We remodeled, closed for three weeks, opened, and we were fully in for the soccer scene,” Rutter recalls “Seeing this place come alive–the energy was electric. Seeing that and understanding what we were capable of, it’s definitely a favorite memory.”

The identity of the Toad is focused on being a community center.

“Neighborhood spots are starting to diminish,” Rutter says. “We want to be your local, indy, neighborhood spot for the Boulder community. This is your place, we’re just the building and the food.”

Johnny says: indulge in food that makes you feel good.

“Eat to feel good because it tastes good,” he says. “Food should make you feel good on multiple levels. It doesn’t have to be expensive or fine dining. Enjoy yourself, get out to your neighborhood spot, and have some comfort food.”

Stop by the Hungry Toad the next time you want to watch a game and enjoy a pint.

24. Asian Cuisine

Spice Level: Indulgent

Busaba

I’m early for lunch at Busaba. SP, the owner, has to help with something at their Baseline location, which gives me the chance to order and have a quiet lunch on my own. I get the Thai Iced Coffee, veggie dumplings, and drunken noodles. The final dish gets me. It’s a wonderful breath of Thai Basil worked into the layers of the meal among peppers, onions, and bean sprouts. When SP joins me, he tells me they’re his favorite, too.

“That basil makes it,” I say with an approving nod.

“It’s all thanks to the family I bought Busaba from,” he says.

Owner, Shekhar Pokhrel, known to family and staff as SP, is originally from Nepal. He grew up on a farm before moving to Boulder to attend CU, where he studied accounting and finance. In college, he worked at The Siamese Plate, a restaurant that had previously occupied the space Busaba is in now. SP moved to Minnesota for a time, where he met his wife, before they returned to Boulder, and he worked from home for a time. Most evenings after work, SP would visit Busaba with co-workers and friends, quickly becoming a regular.

“It was mostly a bit we would do, joking about me buying the restaurant from them because I came so often,” he says. “But then it became more serious, and I agreed to do it under two conditions.”

SP’s first condition: the original owners, the Phairatphiboon family, would stay on until SP felt fully confident managing everything. The second? He wanted them to teach him all of their recipes. The sauces, the dishes, the drinks. Everything.

“I haven’t changed anything,” he says. “It’s all the original family recipes that they had before. I wanted to keep that nostalgia and experience for people who continue to visit us—for the first time or the hundredth, because they definitely have their expectations of how everything is supposed to taste. They have that nostalgia, too. I asked the family to teach me their legacy.”

The Phairatphiboon family, SP says, is a family of four from Thailand. When they retired and wanted to return home, SP–who was a passionate regular–understood the importance of keeping Busaba what they made it, rather than what he wanted.

“The mom of the family—I call her Mom—taught me everything I know now,” SP says. “Not just the sauces and the recipes, but she really showed me her precise way of doing things, and that if you want to be successful, you have to grind.”

He initially spent two years learning from them, sometimes focusing 16 to 17 hours a day on understanding Busaba’s story and essence. SP is still in touch with the family, and actually visited them at their home in northern Thailand last year. He stayed with them for two weeks.

“Mom asked me, actually, she goes, ‘How are you?’ Then, immediately, ‘Have you changed anything? Don’t change anything!’ And she’s happy when I tell her I haven’t. We cooked together the whole time. I’m still learning from them.”

With this in mind, he says there’s something special about Colorado, and Boulder in particular.

“Busaba is a way for guests to indulge in authentic Thai and a passion for sharing an experience. Boulder has a great food scene with a community that has always been so welcoming. I’m lucky to be a part of that.”

The community gives back to Busaba, too, he tells me.

“Our regulars are comfortable reaching out to me directly, which I really appreciate,” he says. “Recently, I got an email that said, “Your medium spicy is too spicy, something changed.” And I tried it myself, and they were right. We realized what happened and were able to adjust. I appreciate that our community wants to support us, not destroy us.”

He takes the time to really talk with me, so we never feel rushed. He orders us some crab rangoons so we can still share part of the meal. He even asks me how I like to indulge, which I haven’t had yet in an interview. I appreciate that I got to have lunch on my own and maybe experience Busaba how SP used to before he took over.

Whether it’s human connection or a legacy of family recipes, consider visiting any of their five locations, in Longmont, Louisville, Erie, Baseline in Boulder, or on Peart Street.

Momo House

East of Boulder, in an unsuspecting outlet on 92nd Avenue in Westminster , is Momo House. “Momo” is Nepal’s take on dumplings. Sabin Katila, the owner, personally cooks their chili chicken momo for me himself. Their tagline, “A taste of the Himalayas,” comes through right away. It’s full of flavor—curry, ginger, onions—wrapped into a perfectly soft on the top, golden brown on the bottom dumpling. Coated in a chili sauce, it’s a great way to indulge in a new type of food, treat yourself to a quick lunch, or get a group of friends together to try more than one item, like their bison or vegan momo. Momo House got their start at the Farmer’s Market in Boulder during COVID.

“All the vendors would buy from each other to support one another,” Katila says. They’ve been in their Westminster location now for two years.

Sabin shows me their website, which they’re currently working on updating. “That’s my mom,” he says, smiling as he points to a picture of a woman decked out in a mask and hair cover, flipping momo in a pan at one of the farmers’ markets. “This whole thing exists because of her.”

Sabin and his mom, Daya, are Newari: an indigenous group in Nepal. Newari recipes inspire the momos they make and serve. Momo are one way anyone interested in trying something new can enjoy a homemade taste of Nepal.

Consider heading out to Westminster to try Momo House, and follow them on Instagram, @therealmomohouse.

Yummy Hot Pot

Further east of Westminster, nearly to Thornton, is Yummy Hot Pot on Federal. They offer an all-you-can-eat (AYCE) Sichuan hot pot under $30 per person, including chili oil and soup dumplings, which are flavorful and fun to try. They also offer scallion pancakes if you’re interested in something new.

The AYCE option is where things get interesting. This is a great option for a date night or a large group interested in doing a more expensive outing together. Lunch time may be the real winner, with a $2 AYCE option. If you want to be a responsible adult who doesn’t gorge themselves on stupendous broth and meats, then go for one of their other options like the Spicy Fire Noodles with Beef or Seafood Noodles.

The AYCE features a make-it-yourself option. Choose your own soup base, order any meat, seafood, and vegetables you’d like to cook yourself, then go over to their self-service buffet complete with add-ins like udon noodles, eggs, nori, and more. The best part? Make your own sauce. There are so many to choose from, including oyster sauce, Mae Ploy (sweet chili sauce), and more. According to their Instagram, they go through (a lot) of their chef’s sauce every day.

25. More than just ice cream

Glacier Homemade Ice Cream

I’ll set the scene: Walking into Glacier Homemade Ice Cream, you are greeted with a playful atmosphere, psychedelic tapestries, and that sweet, toasty aroma of fresh waffle cones.. Most importantly, an army of ice cream flavors are waiting to be tasted. From their fantastic vegan Butter Pecan made, cashew milk (which made me do a double take to make sure it was vegan), to the puckeringly tart lemon sorbet, you’ll want for nothing. Their ice cream is made of only high-quality local milk, which gives them a dense, ultra-creamy texture. Owner Mark Mallen says, “We get our milk from a local, called Farmers, based in Longmont. They don’t use chemicals, and our mixes don’t have corn syrup in them.” If you are a fan of mix-ins like caramel, Oreos, fruit, cookie dough, or nuts, Glacier has got you covered. They are not shy, filling their butter pecan to the brim with whole halves of pecan, and the Salted Oreo Caramel with full chunks of Oreo and generous swirls of gooey caramel. The craziest flavors Mark has developed in the past were a Lox and Cream Cheese ice cream for the Jewish festival and a medical marijuana flavor. Mark says it was delicious and savory. I’ll take his word for it.

Given the numerous ice cream shops in Boulder, I asked Mark what sets Glacier apart He answered, “The quality of ingredients and the variety. It’s a treat, but it’s real ingredients.” When Mark thinks of indulging, he immediately thinks of high-quality chocolate and honey. “We have some 100% chocolate that we use for the ice cream. I’ll bring some home and dip it into some high-quality honey, and that’s perfect.” Bitter, dark chocolate contrasted with sweet, floral honey is something I can get on board with.

As I spoke to Mark about Glacier, many community members came up to chat, catch up, and say a quick hello. This is what it’s all about: connection. An idea that we are quickly losing in the digital world. Especially since the pandemic, we have forgotten connection; it is literally what life is about. Glacier fosters the idea of connection beautifully.

Mark started Glacier out of love for the community and a desire to recreate that comforting sense of nostalgia. Glacier has been there beside those who mourn, celebrate, and the in-between Saturday afternoons. “It’s one of those things that reminds you of your childhood. The smells, the warmth, the smiles, it’s a wholesome treat.” Being inside Glacier, all of a sudden, Boulder felt a lot smaller. With the regulars greeting one another and the sense of community dwelling richly within, those comforting, childlike feelings set in. I indulged in the remembrance of what life used to feel like, a simpler, slower time, when all that seemed important was what flavor to choose.

For those who would say ice cream is not their chosen sweet treat, Mark has something to say about that: ”Try Glacier”. The flavors are truly delicious.. Not only are they slightly sweet, but they also have an incredible texture that makes you want to go back for more.

Love Ice Cream

It can be a hassle, not to mention pricey, to go out with your family for a simple treat. In today’s world, even going to get ice cream with your loved ones can drain the bank. If you are looking for a cozy local spot to enjoy a frozen treat that’s also affordable, Love Ice Cream might just be the perfect choice. This family-owned business, nestled on Main Street in Niwot, is creating not only a delicious, but wallet-friendly treat but an experience. Their mission is to remove the stressors that prevent families from enjoying ice cream and create a space for them to be together. Talking with co-owner Vincent Love (husband to owner Katy Love), it’s not that deep; they just create a good place for the community to gather. “It’s just a happy place to be, we keep it simple, you can come to enjoy and be with family.” Vincent Love says ice cream is about joy, a place to be happy, no matter what’s happening in life. This is their love letter to Niwot; being locals themselves, they needed a place to go with their five kids. Love Ice Cream is cozy, simplistic, about the family, and centered around gathering. Sourcing their ice cream from High Point Creamery in Broomfield, accompanied by an impressive array of toppings, you’ll be in Love after your visit. The Salty Dog Chocolate was the perfect balance between salty and rich dark chocolate, making your mouth water with each bite.

Their mission is what most of us are missing in life: a moment to pause and enjoy. They cultivate a simpler pace where going to get ice cream at the end of your day is easy, affordable, relaxing, and filled with real joy. It was important to the Loves to give back to their community. With regular charity events supporting schools or after-school activities, they are filling Niwot’s cup to the brim. Having been open for almost one year, Love Ice Cream is surely already a staple in the community. With many small, locally owned businesses closing in Old Town Niwot, we need to support them now more than ever.

They are not just serving delicious ice cream; they are fostering a place of family. If you are a local, consider taking an evening walk with your family to Love Ice Cream and experience the warmth I felt during my visit. Niwot is unassuming and most often missed, but it is a hidden gem in the Boulder area. The old town’s main street takes you out of the rustle and bustle of everyday life and makes you slow down. With a quant mountain feel, Niwot’s charm is contagious.

In a world full of distractions, a constant pull here and over there. It can be very difficult to prioritise an essential part of our well-being. Slowing down. Taking even 15 minutes a day to remove yourself and breathe. To hear the sound of the trees, to hear your loved ones laugh, and to observe the smile on people’s faces, whatever it is. This beautiful part of life seems to be continually slipping through our fingers. There are very few activities in life that promote stillness, presence, and force you to stop and be. A place like Love Ice Cream is a great outlet for this practice. Sitting on a picnic table in the fresh air, with nothing else to focus on but your delicious ice cream, is a rare and beautiful experience. Let your nervous system melt alongside your scoop. So, let’s try. Try to stop and not smell the roses, but taste the ice cream.

Heaven Creamery

Let me introduce you to a world of ice cream you’ve never visited before. Ice cream meets fine dining in an approachable, intriguing way at Heaven Creamery. Walking through the doors at the Boulder location, you are truly transported to another realm. A realm of ice cream flavor combinations that you never would have dreamt of, like Dark Chocolate Jalapeño. Not only are they delicious, but they are also a unique experience to enjoy. You certainly won’t be able to find these flavors just anywhere. The pristine interior makes you feel as though you just won a prize to taste this special ice cream. They offer rotating flavors and frequently introduce new creations, such as their Heaven Pumpkin. This is their seasonal pumpkin spice ice cream, served inside an actual pumpkin, topped with fruit compote. You can always expect something interesting and exciting at Heaven Creamery.

An artistic flair surely shows up not only in the ice creams but also in the extensive dessert menu: featuring crepes, mango sticky rice, and brownie à la mode, to name a few. But back to the ice cream. I had the delight of trying a flavor that a patron next to me exclaimed with joy while trying. This was the Dubia Chocolate gelato. It was not just decadent, but with each bite, it felt as though thought, care, and time had been spilled into the mixture. The Blueberry Lavender was lavishly topped with lavender sprigs, as if the ice cream were a work of art. You can truly taste every ingredient inside, fresh, real, and of the highest quality. Owner Martha Trillo had a mission to create frozen desserts that are wholesome, healthier, and made with top-tier ingredients. Martha and her team have certainly achieved that through the work and dedication I observed.

Sweet Cow

With locations in Louisville, Longmont, Boulder, and Denver, as well as a pop-up ice cream truck, is a Colorado staple. At the Louisville location, their long list of handcrafted flavors fills the wall behind the counter, filling every need from a simple Dutch chocolate to the boozy Big Lebowski. For me, a hot day called for a refreshing fruit flavor, Chocolate Acia Blueberry in a waffle cone. Sweet, refreshing, and something you cannot buy at the store.

While indoor seating is limited, to make room for the quick-moving line, there are plenty of places to relax and enjoy once you get outside. An astroturf lawn, shared with Lucky Pie Pizza, houses picnic tables and lots of room for kids to get their post-ice cream wiggles out.

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The post Ways to Indulge | Indulgence Issue 2025 appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Spotlight: Q&A Backstage with The Brook and The Bluff

Jamie Miller — Sun, 28 Sep 2025 22:55:18 +0000

Spotlight: Q&A Backstage with The Brook and The Bluff

A conversation on their new album, upcoming tour and their Red Rocks debut

Many artists spend decades hoping to play a show at Red Rocks. The Brook and the Bluff got the show musicians spend their careers chasing for two sold-out nights—on just a week’s notice.

“This is literally the one stage that everyone who is doing what we’re doing wants to be on,” guitarist Alec Bolton said.

The Alabama-grown band is known for energetic performances and groovy sets, having toured with Mt. Joy, Ashe, and Rainbow Kitten Surprise. Yellow Scene Magazine (YS) sat down backstage with the band between their Colorado shows to discuss the Red Rocks debut, their upcoming album, and headliner tour

YS: Tell me about your first Red Rocks appearance – you must be coming off a high from last night.

Joseph Settine (lead vocals): We only had a week’s notice – it has been a whirlwind, really crazy.

Alec Bolton (guitarist): It was yesterday and I still don’t really know how I feel about it. We keep seeing videos and saying ‘woah we did that!’ We were more nervous for that show than we have been in a while because of the gravity of the occasion.

YS: What is your relationship with Mt. Joy and how has it grown over the years?

Settine: We toured with them in 2022 and bonded fast. They’re so generous – they bring us on stage all the time. Now we’ll even swap records when we’re making them.

Bolton: When they came through Birmingham, Sam texted Joseph and I asking if we wanted to come on stage since it was our hometown.

YS: You have a busy schedule coming up – what are you looking forward to?

John Canada (drums): We purposefully didn’t tour so that we could focus on making an album, writing together, and recording. I feel like now we’re ready to really get back to touring and excited about our shows with the Avett Brothers. Red Rocks is a nice way to warm back up.

YS: Tell us a little bit about the new album and the creative process.

Settine: We made a record that is like a live show. Our first three were much more crafting in the studio. For this one, we walked into the studio with everything ready. We played the songs hundreds of times before we even walked in. The goal was to have the same energy that we have playing on stage transfer to the record.

Bolton: There was more attention to the band as a whole – songs that would serve us as a group.

Canada: We got together every day for three months. Joseph would bring plenty of bangers, Alec would show us guitar riffs he wrote at 2 AM, and then me and Kevin would add our musicality. It was a cool process of building songs from the ground.

YS: On your latest EP, there’s melodies and riffs that had been in the works for years. Does the album include any old ideas or are they all fresh?

Settine: This is the first one where it’s all fresh. The EP was almost like closing that chapter.

YS: Would you say there is a theme throughout the new album?

Kevin Canada (keyboard): This is the most energetic album yet, which is going to be amazing for touring. After our shows, everyone always says ‘oh my gosh, the energy was much more elevated than the studio record.’ But now I think the studio record is going to set a new standard for the energy.

YS: I have to ask – do you have any special memories particularly in Colorado?

Settine: Obviously our first Red Rocks. I also think about our headline sets. Every time we come to Colorado, the shows are always memorable because everyone loves live music here – so much energy.

Canada: I remember a fan in Fort Collins handed out colorful hearts. During the show everyone held them up with phone lights. It looked so cool.

Settine: I keep one in my wallet.

Canada: We have had a lot of great shows in Colorado. But I remember one of the very first shows we did in Colorado was a So Far Sound show on Halloween at a house. We were new to touring, probably seven or eight years ago. We had no Halloween costumes, so we were all wearing potato sacks.From that to all the theaters we played along the way – Blue bird, the Ogden, the Boulder Theater – all the way to Red Rocks has been a sweet journey.

Canada: We love our fans here

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The post Spotlight: Q&A Backstage with The Brook and The Bluff appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Workers Over Billionaires on Labor Day in Greeley, Colorado

Vincent Chandler — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 02:02:39 +0000

The morning is quiet as you turn down a main street, either side of the wide avenue lined with two-story buildings housing shops and restaurants. The small cafe has a few people seated outside but on this Labor Day morning the town center is nearly empty.

The Weld County seat, this northeastern Colorado town challenges the largely rural reputation for its area an hour east of the Front Range city, Fort Collins. Originally named Union City it was settled and financed by its contemporary namesake, newspaperman Horace Greeley, as a realization of his Free Soiler call for northern anti-slavery Americans to go west.

The original town moniker foreshadowed the strength of organized labor in its future. Colorado is a state settled by miners and ranchers, the industry brought along to support their efforts including railroads and power. The state was founded during the end of the industrial revolution, when unions were fighting for dignity for the working class and their members were engrained in the region’s DNA.

In 1914, in southeastern Colorado town called Ludlow, at a mine operated by John D. Rockefeller, 21 people were killed as the union struck for better working conditions – including the company following state safety laws. In 2024, the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 organized against allegations of human trafficking and abuse of immigrant labor at a Greeley meat packing plant.

On Labor Day, 2025, though the streets were quiet near the cafes, a crowd was building in the city’s Lincoln Park in support of organized labor. Across the country, tens of thousands will join in solidarity as the Workers Over Billionaires day of action sewed a cohesive message of labor solidarity from town to town, coast to coast.

Rally goers hold American flags and protest signs aloft as they listen to a carousel of candidates and union leaders speaking in Greeley, Colorado, during the Workers Over Billionaires day of action on Labor Day, 2025. (Photo by Vince Chandler / Yellow Scene Magazine)

With protests planned in Denver, Golden, Loveland, Boulder, left-leaning towns across the Square State, what would this call to action look like in a worker-strong county where President Trump won by 21 points?

As the scheduled start time approached, more than one hundred people were walking along the tables set up by organizations and volunteers with further calls to action, more opportunities to raise their voices. Some carried signs, prepared for the march starting in an hour. With a tap on a microphone, a chant was encouraged by the amplified voice starting the programming.

Colorado’s 8th Congressional District, newly created in response to population change, stretches from the north Denver suburbs of Thornton and Arvada stretching to its farthest northeast population center in Greeley. Between lays a spectrum of exurban and rural communities, housing quite the range of philosophical and political ideologies.

Currently represented in the House of Representatives by Republican Gabe Evans, the seat was founded in 2024 by Democrat Yadira Caraveo. Now, it is widely considered one of the most competitive race in the fight for control of the Capitol. As the Governor rejects following California and Texas in redrawing districts (and Missouri joins that conversation), this Colorado race is one that could decide the balance of the U.S. legislature in 2026.

And to recognize Labor Day, the unions and political organizers did not miss the chance to make that clear. For an hour, the microphone was passed between candidates – vying for city council, mayor, and Representative Evans’ Congressional seat, including State Treasurer Dave Young – and union leaders.

“We are in a moment in history where the trials and tribulations of our ancestors are not so foreign to us…and the very people with the power and intent to keeping it that way want nothing more than us to be distracted,” AFL-CIO organizer Len Harris told the crowd. “The moment we decide to reach across the divide, to stand in solidarity with our community, to fully reckon with and understand that ‘an injury to one of us is an injury to all of us’ is the moment their rule over us falters.”

The crowd chanted, hooted, and hollered as speakers paraded personal anecdotes alongside calls to action and messages for support. The local candidates mentioned concern about federal policies impacting their growing prairie metropolis. The disappearance of neighbors by ICE in the nearly 50% latino community, cuts in funding for medical care and education, attacks on the state’s electoral processes.

“We can, we must, and we will do all the things,” Amie Baca-Oehlert, a candidate for Congressional District 8 said during the rally. “We must pull on all the levers.”

Protestors rally during a march through downtown Greeley, Colorado, chanting and waving signs at passing traffic during the Workers Over Billionaires day of action on Labor Day, 2025. (Photo by Vince Chandler / Yellow Scene Magazine)

As the sun rose higher and the shade hiding the crowd shrank, marshals wearing orange high visibility vests held a banner aloft. The rallygoers picked up their own signs and voices filled the air. Chants of “si, se puede” rose from the throng as they navigated the narrow sidewalks around the park and toward the town center.

Car horns soon joined the protest’s chorus as marchers reached the busier main strip. Some making their way through the protest made a show of covering their ears, a quiet way to counter with their own dissent. A handful voiced support for MAGA and President Trump as they passed quickly, one person asked the activists how much they’d been paid to be present. The majority of this Monday morning in Greeley, though, greeted the sentiment of workers over billionaires with an excited energy.

The next federal election is still more than a year away and members of this community are already mapping out how they can flip this MAGA slice of Colorado. While thousands rally in Denver, and tens of thousands more find a backyard and a barbecue, one hundred rallied, raising their voices, around workers and winning elections in Greeley.

Best known for capturing striking content from the frontlines of social movements, Heartland EMMY-nominated filmmaker and photographer Vince Chandler has spent 20 years creating art and documentary visuals across the U.S. They served as Communications Director for Denver City Councilwoman Shontel Lewis, and Vince has earned national recognition for their work as a visual journalist for The Denver Post. Vince was the principal cinematographer for the feature documentary film Running With My Girls, which premiered at the 2021 Denver Film Festival.

______________________________

What does resistance & resilience look like in the Heartland of America?

Sometimes it’s a protest outside an ICE detention center. Sometimes it’s a rural nurse explaining how Medicaid cuts will shutter the town hospital. Sometimes, it’s a law professor teaching systemic racism at a University in a state where CRT is banned in public schools.

As Trump’s second term unfolds — and the One Big Beautiful Act guts healthcare, empowers ICE, and reshapes American life — independent journalism is more vital than ever. However, the national press rarely shows up in the places where policy has the most impact.

We do.

These American Crossroads is a collaboration between Vince Chandler, Emmy-nominated visual journalist, and Yellow Scene Magazine, Boulder County’s only independent newsroom.

Become a sustaining supporter for just $8/month: https://fundrazr.com/Crossroads

The post Workers Over Billionaires on Labor Day in Greeley, Colorado appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

These American Crossroads

Vincent Chandler — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 17:12:01 +0000

These American Crossroads: Stories of Resistance and Persistence from the United States’ Heartland

President Trump’s federal administration makes no secret of leaning into authoritarianism, from openly defying the courts’ Constitutional role to imposing illegal policies rooted in cruelty. Every average American will share in feeling the impact of policy choices defunding healthcare, eliminating education, xenophobic immigration rules, even challenging our understanding of the objective truth. While our nation’s most populous coastal cities get disproportionate media coverage, someone needs to keep an eye on the center of the country. Many of the electoral college votes for president in 2024 from these plains states went to President Trump, but many more chose to abstain or to vote otherwise. In the contemporary age of misinformation it has become more important than ever to share truthful stories from the ground, centering real American voices.

“These American Crossroads” is a collaboration between national award-winning multimedia journalist Vince Chandler, and Yellow Scene Magazine, Boulder County’s last independent newsroom. Community supported and in support of the community, Vince is embedding with activists and political organizers across the central U.S. to share stories about real people having real impact as they advocate and fight for their neighbors and our nation. Crisscrossing the country in a near-constant loop from Colorado to Ohio, you can follow along with Vince’s stories on your favorite social media platform and right here in Yellow Scene Magazine.

Help us raise the funds to support Vince’s work for “These American Crossroads.” Every dollar helps fuel the next leg of the journey — and gets us one step closer to building the only record of this moment that centers truth, dignity, and community, and we hope, influence policy changes that impact all Americans. We’re not stopping until Vince runs out of gas and they’re already on the road.

Click the headline to read more. This page will be updated as new stories are added to the series.

8 Kansans Arrested, 3 Days of Protest in D.C.

Arriving in Arlington, Virginia the first task in getting to know one another was dinner. Heading to the grocery store they pulled the list of dietary restrictions and shopped cautiously, adhering to meet the group of fourteen’s needs with as broad a selection as possible. Plant-based dairy free cheese was found while ingredient labels read twice to be sure they were free from mushrooms.

The care taken in the early stages reflects the intentional, careful consideration that had united these organizers, activists and fueled the trip to D.C. Weeks earlier, an article discussing the initial decision by President Trump to deploy National Guard troops into Washington was shared into a statewide group chat. Shelby Hermosillo, from Salina seized her Jerry Maguire moment and asked who was going with her.

Shelby Hermosillo, of Salina, Kansas, is led out of the Dirksen Senate Building Cafeteria by Capitol Police after being arrested for participating in a nonviolent protest against proposed cuts to Housing and Urban Development in the 2026 Congressional Appropriations Bill. The Free State Advocates travelled to Washington D.C. to join Popular Democracy for an act of civil disobedience, eight Kansans, Miranda Bachman, Shelby Hermosillo, Olivia Phillips, Gary Phillips, Becky Norlin, Christie Peterson, Michelle Jones, Sara Gillum were arrested. (Photo by Vince Chandler / Yellow Scene Magazine)

“It all just happened so fast, it was kind of like ‘are you kidding me?’” Hermosillo told Yellow Scene, reflecting on the quick build and immediate reception of her idea. “It was my last straw, because we’d been standing out there protesting every week, doing the things, making yard signs, doing all these little things and as much as it matters I didn’t feel like we were getting anywhere. I was ready to go to DC and face it. I messaged the group chat and just asked ‘anyone want to go to DC? Let’s rally together, let’s go.’”

Soon, the group had leadership from twelve statewide organizations equaling fourteen people were confirmed. Reigning the momentum, the group of experienced organizers transitioned from ideation to activation. Immediately, fundraising began and plans were made.

A rental home in their budget was found only miles from the Capitol, one they could all share. Virtual meetings were set to share personal experiences and plan for everyone’s role. For some, this would be their first time traveling to the east coast, their experiences building movements at home were extrapolated and applied. Representatives from Leading Kansas, Midwest Unrest, Sunflower Coalition, Noisy but Necessary, Kansas Impact Coalition, Central Kansas Activists, Arc of Justice, Franklin County Action Network, KC Women’s Action Collective, 50501 Kansas, Boots on the Ground, Indivisible, and “likely more,” coordinated and collaborated, concluding in an action plan.

“It was just inspiring, ” Malice, an organizer in Kansas City for KC Women’s Action Collective, told Yellow Scene. “We had so many people from different backgrounds, from different areas with different levels of experience and reasons for being involved. We had queer people, we had disabled people, we had young people, we had old people, seeing people that were so diverse coming together for the same purpose is what we want to see around the country. This was an example that it could happen.”

“I’m biracial, and looking back in history at the civil rights movement, we’re following the pathway that has created change, movement, for the rights we have now. I felt as though I was doing a very similar thing protesting in this way, causing civil unrest like my grandparents and great grandparents stood with in the 60’s.” says Olivia Philips, who was one of the eight arrestees on September 10. “ We come from the center of the country and we’re not getting heard. I feel like it’s monumental for us to travel all the way to D.C. and make a stand like this.”

The first question to be answered: what would they like to accomplish? They wanted to carry the voices of their neighbors, the messages from the signs which surround them in their separate corners of Kansas, to their elected leaders. They wanted to confront the National Guard and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. They wanted to speak directly with their representatives in Congress. Some were willing to risk arrest to take a stand.

Punk Rock is Political, Cleveland’s Gay Metal Bar Won’t Let You Forget

Oil tycoon John D. Rockefeller re-established Cleveland as a prosperous city of wealth during the second Industrial Revolution, building the city in his image of splendor while creating distinct divides between the baron class owners and the workers who generated his fortune. Like other industrial cities in the region, it has felt the impact of the departure of manufacturing, slipping into disrepair bearing signs of dilapidation.

Drag performer Homer E. Rodick points to the sky while show host Bram Stroke-Her faces the audience during a performance raising funds for TransOhio at No Class in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Vince Chandler / Yellow Scene Magazine)

Clevelanders in this eastern gateway to the Heartland insist, however, that their city is worth fighting for. Cognizant that they’ve been left picking up the tab for political corruption, they see the wealth gap that fuels the profits of billionaire developers and energy conglomerates, while leaving themselves and their neighbors behind. Recently, there has been a push back at the continued exploitation of the lakefront midwest metropolis, as the people work to build community first campaigns and organizations to reinvigorate and revitalize their town from the grass roots.

To do that, it takes people. Those people need the place to gather safely. At No Class, they find solidarity in a space where art and conversation can thrive. Existing for years as Now That’s Class before Jochum took ownership, the space organically transformed from crust punk hovel to its current existence as No Class, what can only be described as a gay metal bar. Show attendees may not know it when they walk through the door, but they’ve entered a political space.

“It’s really hard to make people care, and I just care,” Jochum says, sitting on the venue’s back porch moments after finishing a board meeting with a local community development corporation. “Trying to get other people to give a shit about stuff has been a struggle, but we’re working on it.”

Workers Over Billionaires on Labor Day in Greeley, Colorado

Fun Runs and Torah Study, Omaha Organizes for Palestine

Organized in coordination with Ohio-founded HEAL Palestine, this midwest waterfront park was hosting a 5k and fun run named for Hind Rajab, a five-year-old girl who the IDF publicly killed alongside the paramedics saving her life following a previous by Israeli forces. In the first attack, 335 bullets were fired from a tank at the car occupied by children, while Hind’s 15-year-old sister called for help on the phone. Hind was the only one to survive, only to be killed when help arrived.

To remember Hind, and to raise direct aid for children like her who are experiencing the occupation, today’s 5k offered an opportunity to educate and advocate without confrontation. Collaborators from local organizations offered their individual expertises to provide medical training and care, production equipment and entertainment.

Registrants sign in for the Hind’s 5k race in Heart of American Park in Omaha, Nebraska. The event, named for a 5-year-old girl killed by Israel was held to raise funds for pediatric medical care in Palestine. (Photo by Vince Chandler / Yellow Scene Magazine)

After registering and receiving your official race bib, you walked the path through the park past mutual aid organizers and representatives from HEAL Palestine. Nearing the starting line brings a wave of pregame jitters, that nervous anticipation athletes permeate as they prepare for their event. Families with newborns in their jogging strollers, teens taking selfies in their friend groups, millennials stretching and warming up (because they came to win).

A snack table laden with BDS approved goodies and water opened up to where the speakers stood, the first starting to tap the microphone. Kayla, the day’s emcee and event organizer, takes a moment to remind everyone of what brought everyone together today before a moment of silence in remembrance of Hind and the children of Palestine.

“To carry her memory, to honor her life, and to stand for the right of every Palestinian child to be safe and free.”

Kansas Organizers Call for Gen Z Participation

Kansas Democratic Party Chair Jeanna Repass was on the stage with a message for the younger generation in the room, asking they take it with them to their friends and peers. The daughter of a civil rights activist, she reflected on a moment in her youth when her mom encouraged the family to continue the fight for equity. To build on her generation’s progress rather than accepting their strides as enough.

David Hogg, recently ousted as Vice Chair for the Democratic National Committee, speaks from stage at Pitt State University during an event hosted by the Kansas Young Democrats on Saturday, August 16, 2025. (Photo by Vince Chandler / Yellow Scene Magazine)

She reminded her children that they couldn’t coast on the accomplishments of an earlier time. The laws of physics even against them, if they don’t create their own momentum the smallest force can stop – even push back – a coasting object. Standing before the audience that day, Repass implored the crowd to not coast, to actively get involved and to listen to younger voices as they work to build a coalition in support of American liberties.

With a roar of applause, she concluded and introduced the morning’s headline speaker: David Hogg. The Gen Z organizer and gun regulation activist strolled on to the stage, cooly and calmly grasping the microphone. The recently ousted former Vice Chair for the Democratic National Committee recounted how hard it was to be a voice in a room of leaders where no one else is under thirty.

“The biggest obstacle to success for our party – and I believe the best is yet to come – is that we’ve become the part of ‘we can’t,’” he told the packed house. “It feels like we’ve become the party of incrementalism in the face of atrocities that are happening and blatant violations of the Constitution. I’m tired of being the party of strongly worded letters.”

Showing Up For Democracy and Demanding Peace in Missouri

Missouri, a +18 President Trump state, seems to be in-line with many of the MAGA authoritarian decisions when looking at electoral politics. When voting for candidates with a party identity, for a representative, the GOP consistently wins statewide.

When the people are asked about policy, though, there are breaks from party platform standards. With practically an inverse voter split on the same 2024 ballot which gave the state’s ten electoral college votes to President Trump, voters overwhelmingly chose to raise the state’s minimum wage – also mandating that workers’ wages will increase with inflation – as well as requiring paid sick leave.

By an even wider margin they chose not to divert court fees to fund law enforcement retirement benefits. Those same voters also narrowly called to create a state constitutional amendment guaranteeing access to abortion.

The state’s Republican-controlled State House and courts, mirroring the federal administration’s authoritarian behavior, immediately got to work undoing the will of the voters. In July, Governor Mike Kehoe signed into law the bill repealing the voter-chosen paid sick leave decision and the workers’ wage increases with inflation.

On August 12, the state’s Supreme Court declined to decide on Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s challenge on the voter approved abortion amendment, deferring to a lower court. That particular attack on the rationale of the electorate will continue while the power individual voters can have will be brought into question.

Following the Texas legislature’s lead, the MAGA state house will begin to explore options to fulfill President Trump’s direct request to intentionally gerrymander Republican-led states in an effort to add party members to the U.S. House of Representatives. The legislature is responding by carving a changed district around Kansas City, Missouri, to fulfill the President’s request for only party loyal members being added to Congress.

With the decision of whether the voices of Missourians will be reflected accurately at the polls being made by their representatives, the people are finding consistent and constant ways to be heard in the streets. On this particular morning, about one hundred of them are lining the sidewalks holding signs, flags, and cowbells with speakers playing patriotic protest anthems raising their volume in support of saving their republic.

Solidarity, Bipartisanship, and Satanic Protest in Kansas

Conservative Kansas is the contemporary reality in the state the Westboro Baptist Church calls home. While registered

Almost 500 Kansans gather on the south steps of their State House for a group photo in solidarity with the 50501 nationwide Rage Against the Regime protest organized in all fifty states on August 2, 2025. (Photo by Vince Chandler / Yellow Scene Magazine).

Republicans have decreased by more than seven thousand people this year already, a majority of the state’s voters are GOP members. Nearly a million. The only group of voters to grow in 2025, by about 3,000 people, is the second largest pool: the unaffiliated.

Kansas has a history of standing ten toes forward for their principles. Bleeding Kansas fought a small war against Missouri slavers to found their territory as a Free Soil state. Infamous abolitionist John Brown first made national headlines by violently fighting against the institution on the eastern plains, years before he’d be remembered forever for his failed attempt to start an enslaved persons revolt at Harpers Ferry. Touring the Capitol’s visitor center you’ll see that this radical history is still celebrated.

Bang the Pots, Colorado Protests Palestinian Starvation in Capital

Journalist Bisan Owda, in Palestine, has bravely shone a spotlight on these cruel tactics’ impacts on her people. Around the world, people scroll through their feeds of baking tips and hyperspecific interests with the occasional mention of the atrocities being committed on the coasts of the Mediterranean. Too many quickly scroll past, searching for the next placating escape.

Protestors for Palestinian liberation demonstrate on the west side of Colorado’s capitol building in Denver Colorado. Answering the call from Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda, hundreds of Coloradans gathered across the capital city to clang empty cookware in protest of the forced famine in the occupied Palestinian Territories on July 24, 2025. (Photo by Vince Chandler / Yellow Scene Magazine).

To circumvent this social media ennui, Owda made a simple request: get loud. Their pots, their pans, their stomachs are empty and while the Freedom Flotilla carves their way toward their shores, little other help seems to be fighting through the occupier’s embargo. So, the globe was asked to take their own empty kitchenware and demand that the Palestinian’s be filled.

In Denver, Colorado, under a grey sky threatening storms, hundreds of sympathetic people heard the call. The first sharp clanks or metal ladle on sauce pan were soon joined by the dull thuds of wooden spoons on lobster pots. Metal lids became improvised cymbals, 5-gallon paint buckets became plastic drums. A hammer hitting a sign post made a metallic rattle which could be heard blocks away.

“We don’t have the usual programming, we’re not doing speeches today,” organizers at the Capitol announced through their megaphones. “I don’t know what’s left to be said! We went from ‘free Palestine,’ to ‘ceasefire,’ to ‘stop starving them.’ What’s next?”

Faith Drives Direct Action in Nebraska

The Urban Abbey is a gathering space, a safe place, for the marginalized and ostracized in Omaha, Nebraska. Deliberately established between the gentrifying luxury condos in the historic downtown and the spaces where the poor and unhoused gather and camp, the coffee shop and bookstore are set up to be a catch-all for anyone looking for a third place and community.

Reverend Dr.Jane Florence speaks from the lectern during the Faith in Action Sunday morning church services at The Urban Abbey, in Omaha, Nebraska. “I had my own, calling into ministry, and it was undeniable…my own spiritual journey led me and it’s been good,” she reflected later to Yellow Scene while remembering her path to this progressive pulpit. (Photo by Vince Chandler / Yellow Scene).

Walking through the door, you do see less-than-subtle hints of the house of prayer. Holy water sits in a baptismal font, there are bible verses hanging framed on the exposed red brick wall. On the neatly arranged bookshelves titles like A People’s History of the United States sit only feet away from Marsha P. Johnson’s biography, on a shelf next to the gospel according to Mary Magdalene.

Founded by ordained Methodist minister Rev. Debra McKnight, Urban Abbey’s mission is to be “a space of radical hospitality connecting people to God and one another in everyday life.” They set out on a mission to not only reach people who felt disenfranchised or unrepresented by their church but to hear their needs and help see them be met. Even if it meant taking an activist’s approach.

Denver Demonstrators Demand Personal Privacy at Palantir Headquarters

Headquartered in Denver, Palantir is a technology company founded by PayPal architect Peter Thiel and his Stanford roommate Alex Karp. They create software systems meant to capture consumer and customer data and to quickly synthesize the information collected to drive decisions. Ones made by humans and artificial intelligence.

Protestors briefly occupied the plaza of The Tabor Center, where Palantir Technologies is headquartered in Denver, before Denver Police pushed them off of the private property to the sidewalk to join picketers and demonstrators assembled there, during an action to raise awareness about Palantir’s involvement in government surveillance of private citizens on July 14, 2025. (Photo by Vince Chandler / Yellow Scene Magazine)

In the private sector, that consumer data is used to help sell cheeseburgers or seat upgrades. With their largest clients, though, it’s used to choose who lives and who dies.

Last year, the U.S. Army, under the Biden Administration, gave Palantir more than $400,000,000 to help streamline their military force’s management of recruitment, deployment, and “readiness.” President Trump’s Department of Defense has since swelled their investment to more than $1,000,000,000 – anticipating a near future of increased need for military “readiness.”

In Iowa, Where Critical Race Theory is Banned, Retired Justice Teaches Race, Law and Iowa History

In 2021, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed a law banning public schools from teaching the historic and cultural impact of systemic racism or sexism. In a nation founded under principles of systemic exclusion, where women were not afforded the right to vote, own property, or even open a bank account and where Black Americans were first legally recognized as only 3/5 of a human being.Teaching that important context was no longer allowed in the classroom.

Retired Iowa Supreme Court Justice Brent Appel works on his computer in his office in the faculty bay at Drake University’s Law School, researching the connections and threads impacting Black Iowans through their legal system, from the writing of the state constitution to how it contrasts with contemporary federal law on July 10, 2025. (Photo by Vince Chandler / Yellow Scene Magazine)

MAGA Republicans had recently focused their ire on the scholarly and legal framework of critical race theory. Though decades old in academia, the term had been catapulted into the zeitgeist by then-former President Trump and his allies as an attack on the comfort of white Americans who – they believed – would be better served by not knowing about the rippling legacies of subjugation in this country.

Schools districts in the state have already ended their Black History Month programming as more teachers say they see self-censoring for fear of losing funding in their schools.

At Drake University, a young Black law student found an opportunity to be sure his peers in the law – at least – would graduate and enter their careers with the important historical context of the law with his instructor, retired Iowa Supreme Court Justice Judge Brent Appel.

Community Art, Music & Joy for Aurora ICE Detainees

Darkness crept around and it was decided it was time to turn up the volume and for the final three bands of the evening to take the stage – performing over the crowd before them for those locked inside behind.

Flobots frontman Jonny 5 gestures to a sign reading ICE while singing a bilingual protest song during a community action at the A large crowd of people fill the tree lawn and sidewalk outside of a chain link cage and prison windows, spilling in to the street around parked cars, while hanging an art installation and singing for the detainees inside a GEO private prison facility licensed as the federal ICE processing center in Aurora, CO on July 7, 2025. (Photo by Vince Chandler / Yellowscene)

“I don’t know if Tim Hernández is still here,” Flobots’ Jonny 5 said as the Denver hip hop group took the stage, “but I’m reminded tonight of something he once said. We cannot become the thing we hate.”

Referencing the Colorado educator and former State House Representative’s assertion that authoritarianism robs the community of creativity and joy, he reminded the crowd that we have to have energy to have power, and our power is rooted in collective good.

Closing the evening with a wildly high energy set which included their Billboard charting hit “Handlebars,” the crowd amplified their reminder of joy as resistance, allowing it to ripple through the concrete and steel separating families and communities from their loved ones inside.

Fourth of July in Trump Country, CO

As the Fourth of July approached and House Republicans worked through the night to garner the necessary votes to pass President Trump’s landmark One Big Beautiful Act by his Independence Day deadline, some in Colorado asked themselves what there could possibly be to celebrate this year.

Cylus smiles and watches the sparks from a handheld firework pour over his head as he awaited the night sky to get dark enough for the fire department to begin the large 4th of July firework show with his mom in Rocky Ford, Colorado. (Photo by Vince Chandler / Yellowscene)

The bill’s impact is projected to hit Colorado’s rural communities especially hard.

Estimates are that nearly 241,000 residents of the square state will lose their health care because of the bill’s $900 billion cuts to Medicaid and Medicare. Disabled and chronically ill residents will have to leap through new loops to continue to receive life-saving care.

As protests were planned in the state’s urban centers, where the majority of the population lives and where s plurality gave Colorado to Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, the question remained: What were people celebrating in this moment?

And where to go, to find out?

On a clear day, the Rocky Mountains are just visible in your rear view mirror. They serve as a subtle reminder that you’re still in Colorado, though the plains rising to meet you begin to mirror neighboring Kansas.

Turning East from Pueblo, where voters flipped then flopped between Presidents Trump, Biden, and Trump again you enter the counties represented in Congress by Republicans like Congressman Jeff Hurd.

Here, you’re entering Trump Country, CO.

______________________________

What does resistance & resilience look like in the Heartland of America?

We do.

These American Crossroads is a collaboration between Vince Chandler, Emmy-nominated visual journalist, and Yellow Scene Magazine, Boulder County’s only independent newsroom.

Become a sustaining supporter for just $8/month: https://fundrazr.com/Crossroads

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Northern Water Awards Nearly $400,000 in Grants for Water-Efficient Landscape Projects

Guest Contributor — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 20:17:56 +0000

Editor’s Note: Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 23, 2025

Northern Water has awarded $396,800 in grants to support 20 new projects aimed at reducing outdoor water use across 792,090 square feet of landscape across Colorado’s Northern Front Range.

With this year’s funding, Northern Water has contributed about $1.4 million in grants to 100 projects. When factoring in the matching funds required of each recipient, about $2.8 million total in water-efficient landscape revamps have taken place through the grant program, with those projects covering of landscape within Northern Water’s boundaries.

Over the past seven years, Northern Water has partnered with local municipalities, homeowners’ associations, nonprofits and other entities to complete almost 9 million square feet of water-efficient landscape renovations across Northern Colorado as part of the Water-Efficient Landscape Grant Program.

Grants have ranged from $5,000 to $25,000, which is the maximum awarded, for projects that included irrigation system upgrades, transitions to water-wise plantings, native-grass conversions, incorporation of soil amendments and more.

In addition to helping fund the projects, Northern Water provides signage at each site and highlights the projects across various media platforms to help educate the public.

“As we look back on the past seven years of our grant program, it’s inspiring to witness its transformative impact. The program continues to pioneer low-water and ecosystem-enhancing landscapes that thrive in our unique climate, showcasing to the public what can be achieved in their own landscapes,” said Frank Kinder, manager of the Water Efficiency Department at Northern Water. “We are grateful for the invaluable partnerships that contributed to our shared success and look forward to further advancements in water efficiency and sustainability.”

2026 Grant Cycle Already Underway

Meanwhile, Northern Water is already getting the 2026 cycle of Water-Efficient Landscape Grants underway. Here are some key dates:

•Consultations for Applicants: June-September 2025

•Applications Accepted: Oct. 1-Dec. 1, 2025

•Applicants Notified: Late January 2026

•Contracts Signed/Projects Start: Spring 2026

•Project Completion Deadline: Sept. 30, 2026

Potential applicants are required to take part in a consultation with Northern Water prior to submitting an application. Anyone wanting to schedule a pre-application consultation can do so by calling 800-369-7246 or emailing waterefficiency@northernwater.org.

Additional details and updates about the grant program are available northernwater.org/grants.

Northern Water’s 2025 grant recipients and projects:

Boulder County

•Boulder County Recycling Center in Boulder, removing 2,646 square-feet of turf to create a rain garden of native plants (shown on the left).

•Hover Park Community Association in Longmont, removing 8,200 square-feet of turf to create a water-wise community space.

•Northern Light Condos in Boulder, transforming 4,500 square-feet of turf into a water-wise community landscape featuring native and climate-adapted plants.

•Skystone Community Association Inc. in Broomfield, implementing an irrigation controller and weather-based sensor upgrade to 460,668 square-feet.

•The Renaissance Community Association in Longmont, undertaking a 25,000 square-foot irrigation retrofit and landscape transformation project.

•Indian Peaks Filing No. 8 Greenlee Park in Lafayette, converting 3,440 square-feet of turf to water-wise plants.

Larimer County

•Enclave at Mariana Butte in Loveland, removing 2,834 square feet of hard-to-irrigate turf to a water-wise parkway strip (shown on the left).

•Hunter’s Run Master Homeowners Association in Loveland, planning to transform 6,114 square-feet of landscape into native grass and water-wise plants.

•Larimer County Loveland Campus, reducing turf in a 14,410 square-foot landscape conversion project.

•Miramont Village Homeowners Association in Fort Collins, implementing an irrigation controller and flow sensor upgrade over 111,472 square-feet.

•The Ridge at Mariana Butte Association in Loveland, completing Phase II of its turf-to-water-wise landscape conversion, transforming 4,073 square feet.

•Sarah Milner Elementary School in Loveland, transforming 5,000 square feet of turf to a water-wise landscape.

•Trinity Lutheran Church in Loveland, completing Phase II of its south lawn water-wise landscape project, removing 6,695 square-feet of turf.

•Warren Shores Community Association in Fort Collins, undertaking a 16,800 square-foot irrigation retrofit and landscape transformation as part of its Phase II project.

•Waterglen Owners Association in Fort Collins, converting 70,300 square feet of turf to native grasses.

•Waterleaf HOA in Fort Collins, finalizing its 24,790 square-foot turf conversion by planting native grasses to create a more sustainable, low-water-use landscape.

•Cottage Homes at Observatory Village in Fort Collins, converting 610 square feet of turf to a native landscape.

Weld County

•Carbon Valley Parks and Recreation District in Frederick, converting 9,687 square feet of turf to water-wise landscape (shown on the left).

•City of Fort Lupton, transforming 5,040 square feet of turf into a water-wise landscape demonstration.

•Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Greeley, replacing 9,812 square feet of turf with a combination of native grasses and water-wise plants to create a more sustainable landscape.

The post Northern Water Awards Nearly $400,000 in Grants for Water-Efficient Landscape Projects appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Marijuana sales tax revenue nears $3 billion in latest DOR monthly report

Guest Contributor — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 19:03:29 +0000

DENVER, CO- In its monthly marijuana sales and tax revenue report, the Department of Revenue’s figures show that tax revenue since legalization reached $2,992,476,904 after sales in June generated $19,639,293.

Date	Marijuana tax and fee revenue
June 2025	$19,639,293 (May 2025: $20,143,978)
2025 Calendar Year Total	$118,954,220
To Date Total (Since Feb. 2014)	$2,992,476,904

Date	Marijuana sales
April 2025	$111,652,403 (March 2025: $115,270,827)
2025 Calendar Year Total	$436,807,517
To Date Total (Since Feb. 2014)	$17,339,741,511

The Marijuana Sales Reports summarize total sales made by medical and retail marijuana stores monthly by county. The Marijuana Tax Reports show state tax and fee revenue collected monthly as posted in the Colorado state accounting system. Tax revenue comes from the state sales tax (2.9%) on marijuana sold in stores, the state retail marijuana sales tax (15%), and the state retail marijuana excise tax (15%) on wholesale sales/transfers of retail marijuana. Marijuana license and application fees generate the fee revenue.

To view the full reports, please visit the Marijuana Sales Reports and Marijuana Tax Reports webpages. To view how much marijuana tax revenue has been allocated to public schools, please visit the CDOR website.

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Colorado Celebrates Milestones in Produced Water Policy Through Statewide Collaboration

Guest Contributor — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 19:02:23 +0000

Editor’s Note: Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 14, 2025

DENVER, CO– The Colorado Department of Natural Resources celebrates the progress of the Colorado Produced Water Consortium (Consortium), a legislatively created coalition that continues to bring together a wide range of voices, ideas, and scientific data to shape policy around produced water reuse in the state. On July 1, the Consortium completed and submitted the final of nine data-driven reports to the Colorado Legislature. With the Consortium’s updated strategic plan and the Energy and Carbon Management Commission (ECMC)’s recently adopted produced water rules now in place, Colorado remains at the forefront of informed, collaboratively produced water policy development.

“I want to thank the members of the Colorado Produced Water Consortium for their collaborative approach to meeting the requirements of legislation to research the use and reuse of produced water and for their key role informing the adoption of new produced water rules at ECMC,” said Dan Gibbs, Executive Director, Colorado Department of Natural Resources.

Colorado has made history with the ECMC’s first-in-the-nation produced water rules, which were informed by the Consortium’s work. These groundbreaking rules require industry to use an increasing percentage of recycled produced water in oil and gas operations. The Consortium will evaluate the implementation of those rules annually to help ensure Colorado continues to meet the goals of reducing fresh water usage in oil and gas activities.

“It is special to see a group of individuals with such a diverse set of backgrounds and expertise be able to work together in a way that values and listens to each other’s voices and perspectives,” said John Messner, Consortium Chair and ECMC Commissioner. “This approach to the work of the Colorado Produced Water Consortium, guided by the leadership of Director Hope Dalton and supported by staff from a number of state agencies, created a ideal platform for the volume and quality of work that has been accomplished to date. I am proud to have been a part of the effort and look forward to what the Consortium accomplishes as it moves forward into the future.”

The Consortium was established as a neutral platform to connect diverse stakeholders, including representatives from government, industry, public health, environmental groups, and academia, to share data and expertise. This year’s update to the Consortium strategic plan reaffirms the group’s commitment to transparency, data driven work, science-based analysis, and collaboration. It also charts a clear path forward while remaining grounded in data and diverse community input.

“This monumental accomplishment was only possible because of the tireless effort and collaboration of people from diverse backgrounds—scientists, regulators, operators, and community leaders—each bringing their unique perspective to build a policy that is balanced, informed, and future-focused,” said Michelina Paulek of The Energy Council and Consortium Member.

“The accomplishments of the Colorado Produced Water Consortium are monumental since the mandatory use of recycled produced water will help limit the need for fresh water, enforce more sustainable water management strategies, and set a precedent for other states in the Arid West,” said Thomas Borch, professor in Colorado State University’s Department of Soil and Crop Sciences with a joint appointment in the Department of Chemistry and Consortium Member.

“As Colorado continues to face drought conditions, good water stewardship is important. Recycling produced water in oil and gas operations helps manage this essential resource. The Consortium has worked to bring together our collective insights into identifying challenges and proposing equitable ways to save fresh water. As we begin to obtain more data, we look forward to providing guidance for industry and state authorities to ensure rapid progress towards protecting water quality and quantity for Colorado.” said Irene Andress, Sierra Club and Consortium Member.

“I am very honored to be a member of the Colorado Produced Water Consortium and proud of the group’s accomplishments since its inception. This consortium demonstrates the strength of a diverse, passionate, and knowledgeable community who can come together and respectfully discuss and debate various topics and ensure that all voices in the room are being heard. This strength has allowed the Consortium to meet the deliverables established by the Colorado Legislature to date and to be fully prepared for those yet to come.” said Rick McCurdy, Select Water Solutions and Consortium Member.

As the Consortium enters its next phase, it will continue to evaluate the implementation of the new ECMC rules requiring produced water reuse, facilitate open dialogue and expert reviews across diverse communities, elevate scientific findings and environmental justice considerations, and ensure that legislative and regulatory decisions are informed by rigorous data and broad engagement.

“After years of hard work by community members and the deliberations of the Consortium members, it is an important step for Colorado to require the use of recycled produced water in oil and gas operations. Much work remains to leverage this momentum and to significantly reduce the amount of freshwater used in operations. I am counting on the ECMC to make these recommendations meaningful and provide clear enforcement mechanisms. We need to build a solid foundation on which to continue our work to protect and preserve our critical water resources,” Dr. Barbara Vasquez, Western Colorado Alliance and Consortium Member said.

Colorado’s work on produced water serves as a model for collaboration and innovation. By championing inclusive, data-driven policymaking, the Consortium hopes to continue to strengthen the state’s leadership in produced water management.

About the Colorado Produced Water Consortium

The Colorado Produced Water Consortium, established by HB23-1242 in the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, consists of individuals with expertise in produced water related to oil and gas operations, environmental impacts, environmental justice concerns, and community perspectives. The primary goal of the Consortium is to reduce the use of fresh water and increase the recycling of produced water in oil and gas operations.

The post Colorado Celebrates Milestones in Produced Water Policy Through Statewide Collaboration appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

New Exhibition at History Colorado Center Follows 1776 Spanish Expedition Across the Colorado Plateau

Guest Contributor — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 01:25:44 +0000

Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

DENVER — July 15, 2025 — History Colorado is pleased to announce the opening of Expedition 1776: The Journey of Domínguez & Escalante at the History Colorado Center on July 18. Using carefully selected artifacts, authentic 17th and 18th century maps, accounts from historical journals, and stunning landscape photographs, this exhibition enables visitors to follow one of the earliest European expeditions to traverse the rugged terrain of what is now Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico.

The expedition of Domínguez and Escalante – named after the two Franciscan priests who led it – set out from Santa Fe in July of 1776 with the goal of locating a route to California. Over the course of five months, this small expedition traversed the Colorado Plateau, mapping the region and engaging with Native cultures that thrived there for centuries prior to European arrival.

“Part of what is so interesting about the story of Domínguez and Escalante is that it’s happening at the same time as the Revolutionary War,” said Jeremy Morton, exhibition developer and historian at History Colorado. “While British colonists ignite a revolution to form a new nation, these Spanish priests are pushing through jagged mountains, icy rivers, and relentless winds, determined to find a way to California.”

While Domínguez and Escalante’s expedition never made it to California, their mapping of the Southwest and interactions with the Tribes that called it home – including the Ute, Paiute, Hopi, and Zuni peoples – left a lasting mark on both the landscape and the historical record.

“The impacts of this expedition rippled through history for centuries to come,” Morton said. “The maps born from the expedition informed where future settlers made their homes. Their path laid the foundation for trade routes like the Old Spanish Trail, opening the Southwest to the flow of people, goods, and animals. And Escalante’s journal remains an invaluable record for understanding the lives of the people who shaped what became the American West.”

The highlight features of Expedition 1776 include:

Pottery, baskets, and trade goods created by the ancestral Puebloan, Paiute, and Zuni peoples.
Rare maps depicting the American West during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
Travel and survival gear dating to the Spanish Colonial period.
Spanish Catholic artwork and religious artifacts crafted prior to the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.
Expedition 1776: The Journey of Domínguez & Escalante is designed as part of a trio of upcoming exhibitions intended to commemorate the twin anniversaries of American independence and Colorado statehood in 2026. Complementing exhibitions in this series include:

38th Star: Colorado Becomes the Centennial State – opening September 26, 2025 – explores Colorado’s long road to statehood and the more than fifteen years of debate and negotiations it took. 38th Star shows visitors where Colorado began by revisiting its origins through the authentic photographs, documents, artifacts, and voices that formed the Centennial State.
Moments That Made US – opening November 22, 2025 – is a once-in-a-lifetime exhibition that assembles artifacts spanning eight centuries such as ceramics made by ancestral Puebloans, tobacco pipes used by the colonists in Jamestown, the spurs George Washington wore at Valley Forge, the inkwell used by Grant and Lee to sign the Confederate surrender at Appomattox Court House, Jackie Robinson’s bat, moon rocks from Apollo 11, and more. These objects bore witness to powerful moments of our history and highlight how the story of the United States was never inevitable. We shaped it at every turn.

Expedition 1776: The Journey of Domínguez & Escalante opens July 18 at the History Colorado Center in Denver. The History Colorado Center is located at 1200 N Broadway and is open daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Admission for kids 18 and under is free every day.

This exhibition is sponsored by AARP Colorado.

About History Colorado
History Colorado is a division of the Colorado Department of Higher Education and a 501(c)3 non-profit that has served more than 75,000 students and 500,000 people in Colorado each year. It is a 146-year-old institution that operates eleven museums and historic sites, a free public research center, the Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation which provides technical assistance, educational opportunities, and other access to archaeology and historic preservation, and the History Colorado State Historical Fund (SHF), which is one of the nation’s largest state funded preservation programs of its kind. More than 70% of SHF grants are allocated in rural areas of the state. Additionally, the offices of the State Archaeologist and the State Historic Preservation Officer are part of History Colorado.

History Colorado’s mission is to create a better future for Colorado by inspiring wonder in our past. We serve as the state’s memory, preserving and sharing the places, stories, and material culture of Colorado through educational programs, historic preservation grants, collecting, outreach to Colorado communities, the History Colorado Center and Stephen H. Hart Research Center in Denver, and 10 other museums and historic attractions statewide. History Colorado is one of only six Smithsonian Affiliates in Colorado. Visit HistoryColorado.org, or call 303-HISTORY, for more information. #HistoryColorado

DENVER — 15 de julio de 2025 — History Colorado se complace en anunciar la inauguración de la Expedición 1776: El viaje de Domínguez y Escalante en el History Colorado Center el próximo 18 de julio. Utilizando artefactos seleccionados cuidadosamente, mapas auténticos de los siglos XVII y XVIII, relatos tomados de diarios históricos y fotografías impactantes de paisajes, esta exhibición permite a los visitantes seguir una de las primeras expediciones europeas que atravesaron el terreno accidentado de lo que hoy es Colorado, Utah, Arizona y Nuevo México.

La expedición de Domínguez y Escalante —llamada así por los dos frailes franciscanos que la lideraron— partió de Santa Fe en julio de 1776 con el objetivo de encontrar una ruta hacia California. Durante cinco meses, esta pequeña expedición recorrió el altiplano de Colorado, trazando mapas de la región e interactuando con culturas nativas que habían prosperado allí durante siglos antes de la llegada europea.

—Una de las cosas más interesantes de la historia de Domínguez y Escalante es que ocurre al mismo tiempo que la Guerra de Independencia—, dijo Jeremy Morton, desarrollador de exhibiciones e historiador en History Colorado. —Mientras los colonos británicos inician una revolución para formar una nueva nación, estos sacerdotes españoles atraviesan montañas escarpadas, ríos helados y vientos implacables, decididos a encontrar un camino hacia California—.

Aunque la expedición de Domínguez y Escalante no llegó a California, el trazado del suroeste y las interacciones con los pueblos originarios que habitaban la zona —incluidos los ute, paiute, hopi y zuni— dejaron una huella duradera tanto en el paisaje como en el registro histórico.

—Los impactos de esta expedición resonaron a lo largo de la historia durante siglos—, señaló Morton. —Los mapas que surgieron de la expedición influyeron en dónde se establecieron futuros pobladores. Su ruta sentó las bases para caminos comerciales como el Old Spanish Trail ((Antiguo Camino Español), abriendo el suroeste al flujo de personas, bienes y animales. Y el diario de Escalante sigue siendo un registro invaluable para entender la vida de quienes dieron forma a lo que se convirtió en el Oeste estadounidense—.

Entre los elementos destacados de la Expedición 1776 se encuentran:

Cerámica, canastas y objetos de intercambio creados por los pueblos ancestrales pueblo, paiute y zuni.
Mapas raros que muestran el Oeste estadounidense a finales del siglo XVIII y principios del XIX.
Equipo de viaje y supervivencia de la época colonial española.
Arte religioso católico español y artefactos devocionales elaborados antes de la firma del Tratado de Guadalupe Hidalgo.
La Expedición 1776: El viaje de Domínguez y Escalante forma parte de una serie de tres exhibiciones concebidas para conmemorar los aniversarios de la independencia de Estados Unidos y de la formación del estado de Colorado en 2026. Las exhibiciones complementarias de esta serie incluyen:

La estrella 38: Colorado se convierte en el estado centenario — se inaugura el 26 de septiembre de 2025 — explora el largo camino de Colorado hacia la estadidad y los más de quince años de debates y negociaciones que tomó lograrlo. La estrella 38 muestra a los visitantes los orígenes de Colorado mediante fotografías auténticas, documentos, artefactos y voces que forjaron el Centennial State.
Momentos que nos formaron — se inaugura el 22 de noviembre de 2025 — es una exhibición única en la vida que reúne artefactos que abarcan ocho siglos, como cerámica de los pueblos ancestrales, pipas de tabaco utilizadas por los colonos de Jamestown, las espuelas que usó George Washington en Valley Forge, el tintero con el que Grant y Lee firmaron la rendición confederada en Appomattox, el bate de Jackie Robinson, rocas lunares del Apolo 11 y más. Estos objetos fueron testigos de momentos decisivos de nuestra historia y muestran que el relato de Estados Unidos nunca fue inevitable. Lo moldeamos en cada paso.
La Expedición 1776: El viaje de Domínguez y Escalante abre el 18 de julio en el History Colorado Center en Denver. El centro está ubicado en el 1200 N Broadway y abre todos los días de 10 a.m. a 5 p.m. La entrada es gratuita para menores de 18 años todos los días.
Sobre History Colorado
History Colorado es una división del Departamento de Educación Superior de Colorado y una organización sin fines de lucro 501(c)3 que atiende a más de 75,000 estudiantes y 500,000 personas cada año en el estado. Es una institución con 146 años de historia que opera once museos y sitios históricos, un centro de investigación pública gratuito, la Oficina de Arqueología y Preservación Histórica que ofrece asistencia técnica, programas educativos y otros recursos relacionados con la arqueología y la preservación, así como el History Colorado State Historical Fund (SHF), uno de los programas de preservación histórica financiados por el estado más grandes del país. Más del 70% de las subvenciones del SHF se destinan a áreas rurales. Además, las oficinas del Arqueólogo Estatal y del Oficial Estatal de Preservación Histórica forman parte de History Colorado.

La misión de History Colorado es construir un mejor futuro para Colorado al inspirar asombro por nuestro pasado. Actuamos como la memoria del estado, preservando y compartiendo los lugares, historias y cultura material de Colorado a través de programas educativos, subvenciones de preservación histórica, recolección de objetos, trabajo comunitario, el History Colorado Center y el Stephen H. Hart Research Center en Denver, así como otros diez museos y atracciones históricas en todo el estado. History Colorado es una de las seis instituciones afiliadas al Smithsonian en Colorado. Visita HistoryColorado.org o llama al 303-HISTORY para más información. #HistoryColorado

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Colorado Parks and Wildlife Confirms Sightings of New Wolf Pups from Reintroduced Wolves in Colorado

Guest Contributor — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 17:21:33 +0000

Editor’s Note: Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

For Immediate Release: June 12, 2025

The new pups mark a significant step forward in achieving ecological balance in the state.

DENVER — Today, Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff confirmed sightings of new wolf pups in the state. These newly established wolf families significantly bolster the wolf population in the state and are markers of the success of the wolf reintroduction program.

Colorado has prepared diligently for the arrival of these new pups. CPW has contracted and trained 11 range riders for the summer season, and CPW staff have completed over 196 site assessments to help ranchers proactively implement appropriate strategies to secure their livestock. CPW has successfully deployed turbo fladry, range riders, nightwatches, and dozens of guard dogs around the state. These efforts are largely funded by the Born to be Wild license plate, which has raised at least $819,000 for non-lethal coexistence to date.

“We are elated to welcome these new wolf pups into the world and into our great state”, said Delaney Rudy, Colorado Director for the Western Watersheds Project. “The establishment of these wolf families is an exciting step toward restoring ecological balance in Colorado, and this rewilding will improve the health of the land, wildlife, and watersheds in our shared home in the Rocky Mountains.”

“To see Colorado’s wolf families grow is amazing and worth celebrating – congratulations to all who have made this possible,” said Chris Smith, wildlife program director for WildEarth Guardians. “Progress has been slow and there will be fits and starts to any species’ recovery. But this is how restoration works.”

Wolves are highly social animals and their family bonds are incredibly strong, guiding their social and foraging behaviors. The founding of wolf families also leads to the establishment of distinct territories, which tends to reduce mortality in wolves and will make it easier for CPW and ranchers to know where and when nonlethal coexistence techniques can be deployed most effectively.

“With the birth of these wolf pups Colorado has a bright path to a sustainable future for our vast wildlands”, said Delia Malone, Wildlife Chair of Colorado Sierra Club. “A future where native carnivores can again play their essential role on life’s stage in restoring the connections that create resilient ecosystems with all their biodiversity. A future marked by coexistence that enables a restorative relationship with the natural world”.

“In the following passage from John Vucetich’s 2023 book, Restoring the Balance, he wrote: ‘The health of ecosystems inhabited by large herbivores depends on the cascading trophic effects of predation”’, cited Norman Bishop, a member of the team that restored wolves to Yellowstone, “Wolves select and remove old, sick, and unfit prey, lowering the impact of crowded grazers on limited forage, and on gravid females. In the process, they provide a regular supply of carrion that supports a myriad of scavenging mammals and birds, and hundreds of beetles. No other carnivore feeds as many other creatures as wolves do.”

Wolves also improve the health of waterways and ecosystems by redistributing the grazing pressure of herbivores. In their natural role, wolves facilitate the recovery of riparian vegetation, healing eroded waterways and improving habitat for a myriad of wildlife, including fish and beavers. Their presence on the landscape can even make humans safer, reducing elk and deer collisions with cars.

“These pups represent the hopeful future of this endangered species. They also represent the promise of a new way of living in Colorado, where we respect and treasure wildlife, like wolves, and take care of our people in the process,” says Ryan Sedgeley, Southern Rockies Representative for the Endangered Species Coalition. “The results of the Born to be Wild license plate are proof of this. We really can build a future where wolf families and human families share the same beautiful state we both love.”

Contact:
Delaney Rudy, Western Watersheds Project, 970-648-4241, delaney@westernwatersheds.org

Chris Smith, WildEarth Guardians, 505-395-6177, csmith@wildearthguardians.org

Delia Malone, Wildlife Chair CO Sierra Club, 970-319-9498, deliamalone@earthlink.net

Norman A. Bishop 406 582-0597 nabishop32@gmail.com

Ryan Sedgeley, Endangered Species Coalition, 307-220-6084, resedgely@endangered.org

Western Watersheds Project (WWP) is a non-profit organization with more than 14,000 members and supporters. WWP’s mission is to protect and restore western watersheds and wildlife through education, public policy initiatives, and legal advocacy. WWP works to ensure that public lands and their wildlife, cultural, and natural resources are protected for future generations.

WildEarth Guardians protects and restores the wildlife, wild places, wild rivers, and health of the American West.

Sierra Club’s mission is “to explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the earth; to practice and promote the responsible use of the earth’s ecosystems and resources; and to educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environments.” Although we are a diverse population, the tie that binds us is our commitment to conserving those places, processes and organisms that will sustain our natural heritage with all of its biological diversity.

The post Colorado Parks and Wildlife Confirms Sightings of New Wolf Pups from Reintroduced Wolves in Colorado appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

BHA Welcomes Les Becker as Deputy Commissioner of Administration

Guest Contributor — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 21:58:37 +0000

Editor’s Note: Press Releases are provided to Yellow Scene. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

DENVER (June 2, 2025) – Bringing administrative and IT expertise to the next phase of systemic transformation, Colorado’s Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) is proud to announce that Les Becker, an Innovation and Technology expert with over 18 years of experience, is joining BHA from the Washington State Department of Health where he has served as Chief of Innovation and Technology since 2021.

Becker has led efforts in data, informatics, health technology services and innovation and project management, including strategic implementation of Washington State’s 988 systems. Prior to his role in Washington, Becker served as the Deputy Director of Harris County Public Health in Texas and holds a B.A. in Management and an MBA with a concentration in Finance from LeTourneau University.

“BHA is privileged to welcome Les as our agency continues to grow in its role as Colorado’s behavioral health authority,” said BHA Commissioner, Dannette R. Smith. “Les’ many years of government experience and expertise in the technology field will be an invaluable asset in BHA’s ongoing effort to center strong, reliable and easily accessible data in a high-quality behavioral health care system.”

“I am thrilled to be taking on this role at BHA, and to utilize my years of experience to ensure that all of the agency’s work in support of the people of Colorado is informed by data. This is work that is close to my heart and I look forward to the opportunity to join the ongoing effort to ensure that all people in Colorado have easy access to high-quality behavioral health care,” added Les Becker, BHA Deputy Commissioner of Administration.

Les’ leadership is grounded in collaboration and data-driven approaches to administration in this field. In his new role at BHA, Les will offer direction and leadership for our Operations, Behavioral Health Technology and Data, Financial Services, and Communications and Marketing teams.

The Colorado Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) is the state administration responsible for ensuring all people in Colorado have access to quality mental health and substance use disorder services, regardless of where they live, or ability to pay. As a regulatory body, BHA brings together community groups and governmental agencies to create a behavioral health system for all people in Colorado that is easy to access, and offers high-quality care that considers the whole person and their needs. Find us online at https://bha.colorado.gov/ or follow us on social media at @BHAConnect.

The post BHA Welcomes Les Becker as Deputy Commissioner of Administration appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Deer Tick and Colorado Share a Mutual Love for Each Other | Spotlight

Julie River — Sun, 01 Jun 2025 01:00:35 +0000

As a transplant to Colorado who grew up in Rhode Island, I’ve always been fascinated by the Centennial State’s love of Rhode Island’s greatest export of the past few decades, indie rock band Deer Tick. Shortly after moving to Colorado, a new friend of mine wanted to put together a group trip to catch this band she was really into called Deer Tick, and at the time, I knew the band name was familiar, but I couldn’t quite remember why. It took me a few days of her talking about them to remember that I went to high school with members of the band.

I don’t remember frontman John McCauley’s brief time at my high school, LaSalle Academy in Providence, Rhode Island, before he left for another school, but I distinctly remember bassist Christopher Ryan. The bassist was in the band for the school’s production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” in which I was part of the cast. We both took AP Music Theory together, my senior (his junior) year of high school, which has the ominous distinction of being the place I was in when I first heard about the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. And, of course, Ryan was the bassist in the best band in the whole school, a little indie rock duo that could never keep a drummer called Ophelia.

“Thank you for saying that,” said Ryan as we recently sat down, partially to reminisce but also to talk about Deer Tick’s upcoming co-headlining tour with Drive-By Truckers that makes stops in four different cities in Colorado, including Boulder at the Boulder Theater on June 21. “I still have a box of [Ophelia] CDs in my closet at my mom’s house. I should send you one.”

That high school is responsible for the first meeting between Ryan and McCauley, but it seemed the two were destined to continue to run into each other afterwards as part of the local music scene. “I kind of knew him there. He was there for a year; he was a year below me. I think you were a year ahead of me, right? Yeah, he was a year below me. He was only there for a year, but I knew him independently from the music scene, from like teenager open mic days at [local music venue] AS220 and stuff like that.”

The first official show for a band that had adapted the name Deer Tick happened in December of 2004, meaning that the band passed their 20-year milestone in December of last year. But to Ryan, it hardly feels like that much time has passed. “No, especially thinking how long it’s been since I’ve seen you, that doesn’t feel two decades,” Ryan said, chuckling. “No, I don’t feel that old. In spite of being about to turn 40, it doesn’t feel like all these things have happened.”

If Colorado has a fascination with Deer Tick, it feels like the fascination is mutual, as the band seems to really enjoy the reaction they get from crowds when playing in Colorado. “We’ve done tours of just Colorado,” Ryan explained, “like we fly into Denver, play a week in Colorado, and then fly out. It’s a big music state.”

As for the pairing of Deer Tick with Drive-By Truckers, that seems to be something that has been a long time coming. “We’ve known of each other forever,” Ryan explained. “One of our earliest tours was with Jason Isbell, who used to be with the Drive-By Truckers. That was in 2009, and then we just did another tour with him last summer. But I’ve known who they are forever. I hope that they’ve known who we are. But it’s something that just makes sense, and grows up organically. Like, ‘Oh, you guys should tour together.’ ‘Okay, let’s do that.’ And it’s something that’s been talked about for years, but this is the first time we can actually make it happen.”

As we were talking, the band was working on the next Deer Tick album, with hopes that they’ll have it out relatively soon. “By the time we’re on tour and we come to Colorado, I’m guessing we’ll either be waiting for the songs to be mastered, if we’ve picked the record. We’re gonna have over an hour’s worth of material, and we’ll have to whittle it down to a record’s worth of songs.” As for a release date, that remains too early to tell, but Colorado will soon have even more material from the Rhode Island band that we can all fall in love with again.

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The post Deer Tick and Colorado Share a Mutual Love for Each Other | Spotlight appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Colorado Ranks #3 Nationally for Preschool Enrollment, Driven by Free Universal Preschool Program

Editorial Intern — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 00:23:36 +0000

Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

Landmark Initiative Propels State from 27th to 3rd in First Program Year

DENVER —The National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) released a report today ranking Colorado third in the nation for the number of four-year-olds enrolled in preschool. In the 2023-24 school year, nearly 70% of all eligible four-year-olds enrolled in Colorado Universal Preschool. This program boosted Colorado from 27th in the nation to third. Colorado served a total of 52,617 three and four year olds, an increase of 31,277 from the prior year under the former Colorado Preschool Program (CPP).

“Colorado is proud to be breaking down barriers to help increase access to early childhood education and save families thousands of dollars per year. We look forward to building on the success of free preschool, and helping even more children and families enroll and access the benefits,” said Governor Jared Polis.

“The experiences children have in their first few years of life lay the foundation for their future,” said Dr. Lisa Roy, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC). “That’s why Colorado created the Universal Preschool program—so that every child, no matter their background, can have the best possible start. This ranking is an inspiring testament to the hard work of many people and our vision for a brighter future for Colorado children.”

Since its launch in 2023, Colorado Universal Preschool has transformed access to early childhood education.

Lowering Families’ Costs: The program saves families an average of $6,100 annually on preschool expenses for four-year-olds, providing critical financial relief.
Expanding Family Choice: With nearly 2,000 annual participating providers statewide, families have the flexibility to choose from a variety of early education models and community-based, school-based, and home-based settings to best meet their unique needs.
Serving Diverse Needs: In the first year, nearly 50% of participating 4-year-olds came from low-income households, with many children also classified as being English-language learners, experiencing homelessness, or having a disability.
Strengthening the Sector: The program distributed $239.4 million to providers of four year olds in the first year, enhancing sustainability and incentivizing sector growth.
Read more about the historic success of the program’s inaugural first year in the recently published Colorado Universal Preschool Annual Report.

“We’re proud of how far we’ve come, and even more excited about where we’re headed,” said Dawn Odean, Director of Universal Preschool. “Our commitment to continuous improvement is rooted in partnership—with educators, providers, families, and local communities—and a shared vision that puts Colorado children’s outcomes at the center. Together, we’re creating the conditions for every child to thrive not just in preschool, but well beyond.”

Proposition EE, passed in November 2020, and subsequent laws like HB22-1295 in 2022, paved the way for the CDEC and the Colorado Universal Preschool program. The statewide Universal Preschool program, launched on July 1, 2023, is managed by the CDEC using a mixed-delivery model in partnership with Local Coordinating Organizations (LCOs).

The post Colorado Ranks #3 Nationally for Preschool Enrollment, Driven by Free Universal Preschool Program appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Colorado’s 25-Year Housing Gamble

Santiago Nino — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 02:50:33 +0000

Twenty-five years ago, Erie was just another small town on the Front Range, the kind of place you only thought about if you lived there. Scattered farmhouses sat under an endless sky, and families were happy to call the place their home. Then, developers saw money signs and started building houses, strip malls. The traffic followed. Enough traffic to make any of these poor farmers lose it.

Now, Erie is one of the fastest-growing towns in Colorado, growing more than 9% in the last year. Over the last 20 years, it became a haven for families priced out of Boulder and Denver. These families are chasing the American dream of a backyard, good schools, and a reasonable commute. For that, you have to live close to where you work. Developers saw opportunity, and they took it. They built mile after mile of single-family homes stretching toward the horizon, the old farm roads now feeding into packed intersections and six-lane highways.

Mayor Andrew Moore believes it will stay this way. He’s made it clear that Erie isn’t meant to be a city. He calls it a bedroom community — a place for people to live, not work. In reality, a town can’t survive on single-family homes alone. Walk into any restaurant, coffee shop, or grocery store in Erie, and you’ll hear the same story. Rent is too high, businesses can’t find workers, and there’s nowhere affordable for them to live. Teachers and first responders commute from towns an hour away or further. Meanwhile, the roads are packed, the gas stations are full, and the people who can actually afford to live here spend most of their time somewhere else.

Erie is a symptom of a growing problem that can be seen in other neighboring cities as well. As sprawl takes over Colorado, there are solutions that can be implemented, but who is willing to take action?

How sprawl took over

Colorado has always had an abundant amount of space, and for a long time, that was enough to curtail the problem. If you need more houses, you can build a new neighborhood in the middle of nowhere. If you need a bigger grocery store, just knock down some trees and call the construction company. The state’s postwar boom followed the same blueprint as the rest of the country. Local governments prioritized cars and land ownership, writing zoning laws that kept housing and businesses separate.

In all honesty, it worked for a time. Land was cheap while there was land. After all, it was abundant. Cars were everywhere, and public transit was an afterthought. Neighborhoods started popping up all over the place, and they stretched out instead of up.

Between 2000 and 2020, nearly 1.5 million people moved to Colorado. Demand for housing shot up, but the local government never adapted. Cities and towns clung to their zoning laws and prioritized single-family development, even as home prices skyrocketed and commutes got longer. Finally, some people proposed higher-density housing as a solution, and the backlash was immediate.

Neighborhood groups fought tooth and nail against new apartments, worried about traffic, property values, and “preserving community character.” In places like Erie, leaders doubled down on low-density sprawl, rejecting the very developments that could have made housing more affordable in the name of keeping towns the same.

The same cycle kept repeating — the endless cycle of more houses, more highways, and more traffic. You can really only call it growth but without a plan.

Why it was never built to last

For a while, sprawl looked like the easiest answer to Colorado’s housing boom. Land was cheap, highways were expanding, and developers had no reason to think twice before stretching neighborhoods further and further from city centers. It was the 1990s, and the priority was simple: Build more neighborhoods.

But no one stopped to ask: Who’s paying for all of this long term?

At first, it seemed like the new developments were paying for themselves. New houses meant new property taxes, new roads, new utilities. But single-family subdivisions don’t generate enough economic activity to sustain the services they require. It’s different from a dense, mixed-use neighborhood, where people are able to live near businesses, and money circulates within the community. A sprawling suburb is mostly houses, and houses alone don’t generate the kind of tax revenue that a fully functioning town needs.

The problem first manifested in public transit. The more spread out a city is, the harder it is to build a system that people actually use. In dense urban areas, buses and trains are a practical alternative to driving. But in places like Erie where houses stretch for miles with no central hub, transit isn’t just inconvenient — it’s financially impossible to sustain.

RTD tried to keep up, expanding routes across Northern Colorado, but everybody was already driving cars. Even Denver’s light rail system, which was meant to ease congestion, barely reaches the suburbs that need it most. And because transit never fully developed, most people don’t have another option.

With few other alternatives, there was no option but to expand highways to accommodate more people, a lane here, an extra interstate there. Traffic got a little better, but building more highways never works. Because of something called “induced demand,” only being able to drive makes it so you have to drive. When driving is the only realistic way to get around, people drive more. When a city makes more room for cars, more cars show up. Within a few years, the new lanes become just as clogged as before.

The cycle keeps repeating. We are stuck in a cycle of more houses, more roads, and more traffic.

Now, local governments are stuck, and the options are becoming more and more limited. Infrastructure costs are skyrocketing, but tax revenue isn’t keeping up. Schools are underfunded, police and fire departments are stretched thin, and transit still isn’t a realistic alternative for most people. Cities could raise taxes, but no one wants to do that unless it means lowering them for the poor.

Sprawl doesn’t pay for itself, and Colorado is running out of ways to avoid the bill.

Boulder’s misguided plan to stop sprawl

By the 1960s, Boulder saw what was happening in Denver — farmland vanishing, traffic piling up, neighborhoods swallowed by a never-ending sprawl of subdivisions and strip malls. Cities were growing without thinking about what that growth would look like in 50 years. Boulder decided to get ahead of the problem.

The plan was simple: Buy up the land before developers could. In 1967, voters passed a tax to fund open space preservation, securing thousands of acres that would never be developed. A few years later, they locked in urban growth boundaries — an invisible wall around the city to keep it from expanding indefinitely. Boulder wouldn’t stretch outward like Aurora or Westminster. Growth would happen in a controlled, deliberate way.

And at first, it worked. Boulder stayed green. It avoided the suburban bloat taking over the rest of the Front Range. People wanted to live here because of the open space, the mountain views, the thoughtful planning.

But there was a flaw in the plan. They didn’t build enough housing.

For decades, Boulder added jobs without adding homes. The people who worked here, people like teachers, baristas, and nurses, couldn’t afford to live here. Because Boulder wouldn’t build up, people had no choice but to move out.Boulder had protected itself from sprawl, but in doing so, it had pushed the problem onto everyone else.

Boulder’s skyline and affordable housing

It started in 1959 with the Blue Line, an elevation boundary above which the city would not supply water for domestic, commercial, or industrial uses, to protect the city’s scenic skyline. Boulder continued its efforts to preserve the mountain views by passing a law in 1971 making it illegal to build anything taller than 55 feet. In the early 2000s, that rule became an even bigger sticking point as the city faced pressure to build more housing, reinforcing growth restrictions with new policies meant to control development while protecting open space. The logic was the same as it had always been — slow, deliberate expansion instead of unchecked growth. Developers proposed mid-rise apartment buildings to help alleviate the housing crunch, but the city shot them down. They didn’t want to change the skyline.

At the same time, Boulder reinforced its growth limits by tightening the rules around urban infill. The city had long prioritized commercial growth over residential, adding new office space while making it harder to build apartments and condos. The result was a booming job market with nowhere for workers to live. By 2010, Boulder had three times as many jobs as housing units. It was an equation that made sense on paper — businesses wanted to be in Boulder, and Boulder wanted their tax dollars — but it ignored the reality that workers were commuting from farther and farther away.

In 2010, Boulder introduced inclusionary housing requirements, forcing developers to set aside a percentage of new units as affordable housing or pay into a city-run housing fund. The goal was to create mixed-income communities, but developers mostly took the buyout option, funneling money into a system that couldn’t keep up with demand.

Meanwhile, other cities along the Front Range had started looking at Boulder’s policies as a warning, not a blueprint. Places like Denver and Fort Collins relaxed their zoning laws to allow for the increase in population while Boulder did the opposite. In 2015, the Boulder city council put even stricter limits on co-op housing and accessory dwelling units, making it nearly impossible for homeowners to build a rental unit on their property. Boulder wasn’t banning new housing outright. It was just making sure most of it never got built.

The city of Boulder was spending millions on open space preservation while pushing workers into neighboring towns. In 2019, Boulder County released a report showing that more than 60% of the county’s workforce commuted from outside the city. The traffic problems worsened, air quality suffered, and businesses struggled to hire employees who could actually afford to live nearby.

Although no one can argue that Boulder, in part, succeeded in protecting its gorgeous open spaces, these policies made the affordable housing situation worse. Boulder stands at a crossroads. They can side with the state pushing for zoning reform or with the housing advocates. Now, with the state pushing for zoning reform and housing advocates demanding change, Boulder faces a choice — keep protecting the past or start making room for the future.

The domino effect on nearby towns

If Boulder had made it impossible to build new housing, where did all the people go?

Longmont. Lafayette. Erie. Towns that weren’t prepared for Boulder’s overflow but absorbed it anyway.

Longmont’s population basically doubled. Lafayette’s remaining open space filled in fast.

The twisted punchline of this cruel joke is that no one learned. They didn’t learn from Boulder’s mistake. Lafayette had a working-class history, a mix of small businesses and neighborhoods that didn’t try too hard to be anything else. Erie barely existed as a destination. But once Boulder’s housing market squeezed out anyone who wasn’t making six figures, these towns became the next best option.

There was an opportunity to learn from the mistakes of places like Boulder and add some intentionality to urban planning. These towns could have built multiple family dwelling units, invested in transit, and created neighborhoods where people could actually live and work in the same place.

Now, they’re dealing with the same problems Boulder is experiencing. They have way too many people, too much traffic, and nowhere near enough housing. They’re just 20 years behind on realizing it.

Colorado isn’t the same place it was in the ‘90s. But a lot of its cities are still acting like it is.

The consequences of stubborn growth

It’s easy to see the cracks when you’re sitting in traffic, inching your way down U.S. Highway 287, wondering why this road still looks like it was built for a town half this size. Cities across Boulder County refused to adapt and stuck fast to zoning laws that were no longer serving our best interest and propping up landowners so their properties didn’t devalue. Now, they’re paying for it.

Housing shortages aren’t just about rising prices. They help determine who gets to live here and who doesn’t. They help determine if a teacher can afford to live five minutes from their school or if they have to drive an hour each way. They help determine if a coffee shop owner can keep their doors open or if they’ll have to cut hours because they can’t find baristas. In Boulder County, approximately 58% of renters are “cost-burdened,” spending more than 30% of their income on housing, which doesn’t necessarily put you in a position to enrich the local economy.

The transit problem we refuse to solve

A region built on sprawl runs on cars. There’s no other alternative. That’s how these towns were designed, and that’s what’s making things worse.

Public transit in Boulder County isn’t built for the kind of commuting people actually do. If you live in Erie and work in Boulder, you’re probably driving. If you live in Lafayette and need to get to Longmont, that’s another drive. Even if we prioritized public transport, it’s impossible to keep up with the rates at which urban sprawl expands our cities and towns. Neighborhoods are coming together faster than we can connect them to an existing system or build a system that can accommodate all the neighborhoods that already exist for that matter.

Denver has its light rail system, but it doesn’t reach most of the people who need it. The Front Range passenger rail has been talked about for years, but it’s still just talk. Until there’s a serious commitment to connecting these towns in a way that makes public transit an actual alternative to driving, we’re just going to keep pouring money into widening highways that will be just as clogged in five years.

That’s the real issue at hand. No one wants to admit that this isn’t working.

The economic fallout of housing shortages

It’s easy to frame the housing crisis as just a problem for people struggling to find a place to live. But it’s bigger than that. It’s a problem for the entire local economy.

Take a drive through Boulder County, and you’ll see the signs. “Now Hiring” signs in restaurant windows, at grocery stores, on billboards along the highway. Businesses aren’t just looking for workers; they’re desperate for them. Too many studies have proven that it’s not because people don’t want to work, it’s because people can’t afford to live here.

When housing costs skyrocket, service workers are the first ones forced out. A barista at a coffee shop in Boulder making $17 an hour isn’t going to be able to rent a place anywhere near their job. A teacher starting out at $45,000 a year can’t even think about buying a home in the county. First responders, the people keeping these towns safe, are often commuting an hour or more just to make it to their shift.

Danielle, a preschool teacher, laments, “I’d love to live near [my job] too, but there’s no way I can afford a house here.” Danielle’s story isn’t uncommon. The majority of people have been priced out of Boulder. It’s not sustainable. When workers have to leave town just to find housing, businesses suffer. Restaurants cut hours because they don’t have enough staff. Schools struggle to retain teachers. Local economies that once thrived start to stagnate because the people who make a community work can’t afford to be part of it.

Boulder County isn’t the only place dealing with this. It’s happening up and down the Front Range. But the places that refuse to build enough housing are the ones feeling it the worst.

Why NIMBYism is holding cities back

The solutions to the housing crisis aren’t a mystery. Build more housing. Build denser housing. Make sure that new developments include affordable units. Invest in public transit, so people don’t have to rely on cars just to get to work.

But every time these ideas come up, they hit the same wall — NIMBYism.

NIMBY stands for “Not In My Backyard,” and it’s the reason so many cities in Colorado keep making the same mistakes. Neighborhood groups show up to city council meetings in full force, fighting against new apartment buildings, affordable housing projects, even mixed-use developments. The concerns are always the same: traffic, crime, property values. “I didn’t move out here just to feel like I’m back in the city,” says Allison, a longtime resident of Erie, echoing a sentiment that is heard all over the state.

But the reality is simple: Without density, without apartments, without walkable neighborhoods, cities are going to strangle themselves.

Look at Erie. Look at Longmont. These towns are desperate for more housing, yet every time a new development is proposed, the same arguments come up. Either the project gets shut down, or it gets watered down to the point where it’s just another batch of single-family homes that only the upper-middle class can afford.

The same thing happens every time only the middle class are allowed access to housing in towns: more traffic plagues our long commutes, more businesses are struggling to stay open because of understaffing, and more people leave town because they don’t have another option.

Every time the idea of density comes up, the conversation gets hijacked by people who already own homes — people who got in at the right time and now don’t want anything to change.

But change is coming, whether they like it or not.

What sprawl really means

It’s easy to think of housing as a personal issue — something that affects individual renters and buyers, something that boils down to whether someone can afford to live in a certain neighborhood. Sprawl doesn’t just make housing more expensive; it makes everything more expensive.

Public services like police departments, fire stations, and school districts have to stretch their resources further when a town sprawls outward instead of building up. With more roads to patrol, more schools to build, and more infrastructure to maintain, the burden on local government is just too high. When tax revenue isn’t keeping up because these sprawling neighborhoods don’t generate enough economic activity to pay for themselves, cities have to make a tough choice. They can either raise taxes or cut services.

Sprawl’s impact on climate and the environment

Sprawl is one of the biggest contributors to Colorado’s worsening air quality. More cars mean more emissions. Longer commutes mean more fuel burned. The Front Range has already been struggling with ozone pollution, and transportation is one of the leading causes.

And it’s not just about cars. The way we build matters too.

Low-density, single-family housing is the least efficient form of development. It takes up more land, requires more materials, and uses more energy than denser housing. Meanwhile, walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods reduce emissions, save energy, and make communities more resilient.

Boulder County prides itself on environmental sustainability, but when people who work in Boulder have to drive an hour each way just to afford rent, those sustainability efforts start to look like empty gestures.

Cities don’t just need to build more housing — they need to build smarter housing.

Who’s doing it right? Comparative studies and solutions

It’s easy to point out what isn’t working in Colorado’s housing policies. What’s harder — but more important — is figuring out what cities can do differently.

The truth is, we don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Other places have faced the same challenges and found ways to build smarter, more affordable, and more livable communities. Some of those solutions are happening right here in Colorado. Others are playing out in cities across the U.S. and around the world.

If state and local leaders are serious about fixing the housing crisis, they need to start paying attention to the places that have actually gotten it right.

Minneapolis: The end of single-family zoning

For decades, cities across the U.S. operated under a zoning system that effectively outlawed anything other than single-family homes. That meant no duplexes, no townhomes, no small apartment buildings — just suburban sprawl by design.

Minneapolis changed that in 2018. The city became the first in the country to eliminate single-family zoning, opening the door for more housing types in every neighborhood. Duplexes and triplexes were suddenly allowed in areas that had been restricted for generations.

And it worked beautifully. More housing supply, fewer barriers to entry, and a city that’s now leading the way in tackling the affordability crisis.

Since then, other cities have followed Minneapolis’ lead. California ended single-family zoning statewide. Oregon did the same. Colorado lawmakers have talked about it, but so far, efforts to change zoning laws have stalled. NIMBY opposition has been relentless.

But if affordability is the goal, eliminating single-family zoning has to be part of the conversation. The numbers are clear. When more people are allowed to live in an area, housing becomes more accessible.

Portland: The power of infill development

Portland, Oregon has taken a different approach. Instead of sprawling outward, the city has focused on infill development, building housing within existing urban areas rather than pushing into undeveloped land.

Ultimately, this solution not only started to mitigate the sprawl problem but benefited the communities in ways no one saw coming such as preserving natural spaces and keeping sprawl from eating up the forests and farmland surrounding Portland the way it has in other growing cities. Not only that, but infrastructure costs are down. Because new development is happening in areas that already have roads, schools, and public services, the city isn’t spending millions on extending infrastructure into the middle of nowhere.

Infill development is one of the most cost-effective and environmentally responsible ways to build. It prevents the endless outward expansion that fuels long commutes, traffic congestion, and higher carbon emissions.

Colorado cities could follow suit. Denver has already started shifting in this direction, but places like Erie, Longmont, and Lafayette are still prioritizing single-family subdivisions over denser, mixed-use neighborhoods that could make housing more accessible.

Curitiba: A transit-first approach

Where other cities are struggling with lack of public transit, long commutes, and expensive car ownership, the approach Curitiba, Brazil took is worth looking at. It’s a mid-sized city that faced rapid population growth and had to figure out how to expand without turning into a traffic nightmare. The city did something that no one had done before: It established a good system of transit first, then developed the land around it.

Curitiba built a new system of public transport called the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) from the ground up, designed to use buses as efficiently as possible. And to the surprise of no one who was paying attention, it worked: lower transportation costs, less congestion, and a city that’s both affordable and sustainable.

Colorado keeps making the same mistake: building housing first, then scrambling to add transit later. That’s how you get long commutes. If cities planned development around transit from the start, they wouldn’t need to widen highways every five years.

The question isn’t whether we have the solutions. It’s whether we’re willing to use them.

Washington, D.C.: Build transit first, then build the city

D.C. gets a lot of things wrong, but it got one thing right: If you want people to actually use public transit, you have to build around it, not force it into a city after the fact.

That’s what transit-oriented development is supposed to be: Figure out where the train or bus routes go, then make that the center of a neighborhood, not the other way around. It’s simple, but most cities don’t do it.

Grocery stores, coffee shops, and small businesses are all within walking distance of a transit station. That’s how you keep people from spending half their lives stuck in traffic.

Pittsburgh: A tax that punishes speculators, not renters

The housing crisis isn’t just about how many homes are getting built. It’s always been about who owns the land and what they’re doing with it.

In Boulder, there’s a ton of empty land sitting untouched, not because there aren’t developers ready to build, but because landowners are sitting on it, waiting for prices to go up. They don’t have to do anything and can almost treat it like a stock, something that just adds value to their net worth. That’s speculation. And it’s making everything more expensive.

Pittsburgh’s solution to this problem was simple. They created a specific tax to target speculation. This tax targeted property itself, not just the building.That means if you own a vacant lot in a city, you’re paying taxes on its full value whether you build on it or not. Suddenly, holding onto land without developing anything isn’t just easy money, it’s an expensive proposition that might not be worthwhile.

A land value tax wouldn’t solve everything, but it would stop the worst offenders from making money by doing nothing.

San Francisco: Forcing developers to build affordable housing

Developers love to promise affordable housing. They’ll slap the words “mixed-income community” on their plans, throw in a couple of lower-rent units, and call it a day. But unless cities force them to actually follow through, those affordable homes never get built.

San Francisco figured this out a long time ago. The city passed inclusionary zoning laws that made one thing clear: If you want to build here, new developments are required to set aside a percentage of their apartments or homes for lower-income residents. No loopholes. No opt-outs.

If a developer doesn’t want to do that, it has to pay into a fund that builds affordable housing elsewhere in the city. Either way, the city gets more housing that regular people can actually afford.

Colorado could have done this years ago. Instead, we’re watching cities approve massive housing developments without requiring anything for lower-income residents. Erie, Longmont, Lafayette. All of these cities just keep adding new neighborhoods full of expensive single-family homes while working-class people get pushed out.

Imagine if Boulder County required every new development to include affordable housing by law. Not just a vague promise, not a deal cut behind closed doors — a real percentage, locked into policy. If a developer wanted to build a 200-unit complex, at least 30 of those units would have to be affordable. If they refused? They’d have to write a fat check to fund public housing somewhere else in the county.

Instead, we’ve let developers dictate the rules, and the result is exactly what you’d expect: big houses, big profits, no room for anyone making under six figures.

Stockholm: When you make driving expensive, people stop driving

Stockholm took a different approach to “solving traffic”: Rather than trying to accommodate more cars, they made driving more expensive.

The city introduced congestion pricing, which means if you want to drive into downtown Stockholm during peak hours, you have to pay for it. The result? Fewer cars on the road, better public transit, and a city that actually functions.

People hated the idea — until they saw it work. Congestion tax has also worked in Singapore and London, making traffic go down significantly.

Using this tax to build an actual robust public transportation system would make it a viable option. People wouldn’t just default to cars anymore.The policies that built Boulder — and the ones that might break it.

Prospect New Town: A solution in our own backyard

Prospect New Town is a neighborhood within the city of Longmont. In the late 1990s, the people of Prospect bought an old 80-acre tree farm and started building. This time, they had a plan in mind and weren’t just building whatever was convenient at the moment. Prospect offered pleasant sidewalks and parks instead of wide roads and massive parking lots. The neighborhood was walkable, and the people of Prospect saw it as a community. Shops and offices are scattered throughout the neighborhood — not tacked onto the edges, but baked into the design, making it possible to live, work, and spend time all within the same few blocks.

It was one of the first New Urbanist communities in the state, and it’s still one of the few places in Boulder County that feels like it actually took the ideals of walkability, density, and design seriously. The homes don’t look the same. The blocks don’t stretch into oblivion, and more importantly, the community was built to be a place, not just a product.

At a glance, Prospect might feel like an outlier, but it’s not some utopian dream. It’s proof that this kind of development is not only possible — it works. The people who live there can live the suburban dream: kids bike to school, you can walk to that coffee shop nearby, and you know the neighbors. Prospect shows that it doesn’t require reinventing the wheel. It requires letting go of the car-centric approach that we’ve become so attached to.

Prospect is working so well because it was planned intentionally following the guidance of organizations like Strong Towns. Founded by civil engineer Charles Marohn, Strong Towns sounds like it’s about architecture, but it’s really about combating the spread of urban sprawl. It’s a framework for understanding why our cities are financially broken and how to fix them with small, smart decisions that prioritize long-term stability over short-term solutions.

The Strong Towns philosophy is rooted in the idea that most postwar development — especially in suburbs — simply doesn’t pay for itself. It’s obvious that 500-house McMansion neighborhoods, with all the added infrastructure and utility costs, are impossibly expensive to build and maintain. Cities have to constantly be building new roads, new schools, new everything to keep up.

The fight over Colorado’s future

For years, Boulder’s stance on growth was simple: Keep it slow, keep it controlled, and keep it from changing the city too much. It was a strategy built on the idea that if Boulder just set enough boundaries, literally and figuratively, it could hold onto the things that made it special. By 2020, that strategy was doing a lot more than just preserving the city’s character, it was boxing people out.

The people who built their lives in Boulder, the teachers, the baristas, the mechanics, were disappearing. Not because they wanted to leave, but because they couldn’t afford to stay. Even people with solid paychecks were getting pushed to the edges. Nurses, engineers, even some tech workers were starting to find that living in Boulder required either a windfall or a willingness to commute an hour each way.

Boulder tried to address the problem in a way that didn’t fundamentally alter how the city looked or functioned. Officials set a goal: 15% of Boulder’s housing stock would be permanently affordable by 2035. It was an easy headline. The problem was that it didn’t actually change anything about how housing was built or who could build it. The units that were approved weren’t woven into the fabric of existing neighborhoods — they were clustered into specific developments, keeping Boulder’s economic segregation intact.

And while city leaders talked about affordability, they weren’t touching the policies that had made Boulder so exclusive in the first place. Minimum lot sizes stayed large. Parking requirements kept costs high. Zoning codes still made it nearly impossible to build anything but single-family homes in most parts of the city.

Governor Jared Polis, however, went to war against cities that were enforcing NIMBY policies, pushing through legislation that changed zoning laws statewide.

Boulder’s leadership pushed back immediately, arguing that the law was a blatant overreach of power and that it undermined their efforts to preserve the city. Neighborhood groups rallied against the changes, bringing the same concerns they always had — density meant traffic, crime, and declining property values.

Boulder’s arguments were falling on deaf ears. The city’s refusal to grow had already shaped the entire region. People who have jobs in Boulder were by and large leaving the city in droves, leaving Boulder a weird combination of student housing and million-dollar properties. Boulder was doing everything in its power to preserve a nebulous idea of what it once was but was in reality doing everything but.

While Governor Polis was getting into a long, drawn-out legal battle with Boulder, Colorado, lawmakers started trying to fix the sprawl issue elsewhere. In 2024, three lawmakers, including U.S. Sens. John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet, introduced the CORE Act to protect the land Colorado is famous for from urban sprawl.

Not everyone saw the CORE Act as a huge step forward. Housing advocates worried that locking up even more land would only make the affordability crisis worse. The state already had strict limits on where development could happen, and with Boulder resisting density within its own boundaries, some were asking the difficult question: If cities weren’t willing to build up and land use outside those cities was becoming restricted, where was housing supposed to go?

For years, Boulder operated under the assumption that it could have it both ways — that it could keep its wide stretches of open space, limit growth, and still somehow remain an accessible, livable city. But that balance had already tipped. The city had kept its views and its trails but at the cost of making Boulder a place where only the wealthiest could afford to live.

For decades, Boulder leaders stood by the idea that managing growth meant slowing it down. Now, state lawmakers aren’t so sure. Governor Polis has made his stance clear: Colorado needs more housing, especially near transit, and cities like Boulder would have to do their part. The city, so far, has refused to budge.

At its core, this fight isn’t just about zoning codes or land conservation. It’s about who gets to be here, who gets to build a life in Boulder, who gets pushed out — in other words, who is welcome, and who isn’t.

The city has spent years crafting policies to protect what it already has. The question now is whether those policies are protecting Boulder’s character — or just making sure it stays out of reach.

At the crossroads

Colorado has spent decades betting on sprawl, single-family homes, cars over transit, and growth policies that keep housing supply strangled just enough to drive prices up. Now, Colorado is a state at war with itself. Booming cities that can’t house their workers, once-affordable towns now out of reach for middle-class families, and a transportation system buckling under the weight of congestion are the sad realities for the citizens of Colorado.

Even though it seems like the consequences of sprawl are just compounding, towns all over Northern Colorado seem to be doubling down on these low-density housing zoning policies. Housing prices will keep rising, forcing even more workers into hour-long commutes just to keep their jobs. Traffic will worsen, no matter how many times we widen I-25 or US-36. Local businesses will struggle to hire, leading to shorter hours, higher prices, and a workforce that increasingly can’t afford to live in the communities they serve.

And it’s not just an economic problem — it’s an environmental one. Boulder County prides itself on its environmental leadership, but those green initiatives start to look hollow when the people who work in the city are forced to drive 50 miles each way to afford rent.

A different future is possible

Other cities have proven that it doesn’t have to be this way, like Minneapolis, Portland, and Curitiba. None of these places is perfect, but they’ve made real progress. Colorado could, too — if it stops clinging to the idea that a house with a yard and a three-car garage is the only acceptable way to live.

We’ve seen a few cities around the world successfully battle this problem with different strategies. End exclusionary zoning like Portland did. Push for inclusionary housing that allows for duplexes, triplexes, and multifamily housing in areas that have long been reserved for single-family homes. Or you could follow Curitiba’s path to success and invest in transit before expanding roads, which in turn would make it easier and more affordable to take a bus or train than to sit in gridlocked traffic. San Francisco took a different approach altogether and worked to tie development to affordability. All in all, we just need Colorado to prioritize walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods that let people live closer to where they work.

What if we were to adopt a different — better — approach? What if, instead of approving another sprawling neighborhood four miles from any town center, we focused on building MFDUs? What if towns like Erie took the Strong Towns approach and focused on infill development and financial solvency before we focused on constant sprawl? It’s a beautiful future that seems so close yet so far.

We already have blueprints for a different future — examples of what it looks like when communities stop doubling down on sprawl and start imagining something more connected, more sustainable, more human. You can see it in Longmont, a city that looks nothing like the rest of Boulder County. You can hear it in the language of a movement that’s been quietly challenging the entire postwar development playbook.

Without reimagining our relationship with development and nature, this shift is not possible. A shift like this means challenging the powers that be, making them change, and having an honest conversation about what Erie wants to be. With our current leadership, that sounds like threading a needle in a hurricane. But it’s not impossible. The models exist, the data corroborates it, and the benefits aren’t hypothetical. Things like lower infrastructure costs, more vibrant local economies, and healthier communities are within our reach. They’re happening in places that were willing to rethink what a “normal” town should look like.

Prospect New Town didn’t just build houses — it built a community. Strong Towns didn’t just write blog posts — they built a movement. Together, they represent a vision for what Colorado towns could be if they stopped chasing sprawl and started building for people. Because the real question isn’t whether we can afford to build differently. It’s whether we can afford not to.

At this point, the problem isn’t that we don’t know what to do. We know exactly what works: density, transit-oriented development, zoning reform, and infrastructure investment that prioritize people. Cities across the country and the world have proven that these strategies create livable, sustainable, and affordable communities. The question isn’t what to do — it’s whether Colorado is willing to do it.

Colorado is at a breaking point. The state can either double down on the policies that got us here, endless expansion, skyrocketing prices, and communities designed for cars instead of people, or it can take a different path. We can choose to value density, sustainability, and housing policies that actually work for everyone, not just those who got in before the housing boom, and build a community that is made to last.

The future isn’t set in stone, so we need to do something now.

The post Colorado’s 25-Year Housing Gamble appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

My Year in Summit County: Reflections on Life as a Local

Nicholas Bernhard — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 14:59:20 +0000

In April of 2024, I left Broomfield for a job in Summit County. I had spent 33 years living on the Front Range, and I was ready to try life in the mountains. For close to a year, I did my nine-to-five at 9,100 feet, in one of the defining regions of the Colorado Gold Rush. I met some wonderful people, and a few people who would have made the most hardened prospector or card shark curl into a ball.

For those who have wondered what mountain life is like, sit down and let me tell you all about it.

A photo from when I visited the “Gay Basin” event at A-Basin in May. Quite a friendly crowd.

The most enjoyable part of life in Summit was how walkable it was. From my apartment in Silverthorne, I could walk to groceries, the post office, the library, and restaurants. This was a far cry from my life in Broomfield, where nothing was within walking distance. Where I lived on the Front Range was a food desert; the closest food was a gas station out by the interstate. A few towns in Summit have these dense, walkable town centers, and I was happy to leave the urban sprawl behind me.

Summit has an active and healthy press. There is a quality newspaper, the Summit Daily, which can be found on every street corner. I liked living somewhere with a newspaper big enough to cover local issues, and small enough to print wildlife photos from readers. Unlike Boulder’s Daily Camera, most of the articles are not AP wire stories. When private equity is draining the blood from local newspapers and picking over the bones, the Summit Daily reminded me how things ought to be.

It was hard to beat the views. I didn’t have to pray for rain to be free of the brown haze that hangs over Denver; every day, the peaks appeared clear and close. I loved staring up at the shadowed walls of Tenmile Canyon. The drive past Green Mountain Reservoir, where the hills open up to flatland, has a peaceful, subtle beauty to it. There was an unusually good leaf season last fall, and the hills outside Frisco were bathed in gold. It didn’t compare with the rugged San Juan Mountains near Durango, or the Sand Dunes of Alamosa, but it was pretty darn good.

I saw bighorn sheep and mountain goats almost every week. I saw golden-haired porcupines waddling fearlessly along the road shoulders. At the turnoff for Peru Creek, where the road gets really hairy, I could always count on seeing a family of deer. I saw hawks riding thermals, and a herd of three dozen elk in the moonlight at Beaver Creek Golf Course.

A porcupine spotted along Montezuma Road.

I would tell friends that I lived in a dangerous neighborhood. I wouldn’t want to walk around there at night–because of the moose. After sunset, Summit belongs to the moose. Moose would run ahead of my car on Montezuma Road, go out for family meals in Keystone, or haul themselves dripping wet from a pond after a late-night swim. A moose and its calves once blocked traffic in Breckenridge because even a juvenile moose is over three feet tall and can outrun a human.

Whatever you do, don’t call the moose “local”; they were imported from Utah and Wyoming in the late 1970s. In Summit, there is a relentless focus on the word “local”, such that even the moose might not qualify. There are Locals in Summit, and “non-locals” who are, at best, tolerated. In the summer of 2024, the Summit Daily ran a front-page story about the sale of a coffee shop in Silverthorne.

The article, in breathless verbiage, related that this was a local coffee shop being purchased by another Local. It was not the new owner’s success in the coffee biz that qualified them, but their localness. I thought this particular shop’s drip coffee was quite good, but I will note that a) I have enjoyed refreshment and a good book in many-a Starbucks, b) Their baristas could be just as aloof as the non-local variety, and c) The locals still treated the shop as an economy workspace, camping with their $3,000 MacBooks for the price of a scone.

I remember the day I started to realize how deep this Local supremacy went. A coworker had asked me for help with log cabin restoration. I immediately suggested Jeremiah Log Homes in Dumont. If anyone knew about log cabin logistics in the Colorado mountains, it’d be them, right? I watched my coworker stare off into space, as if Dumont, west of Idaho Springs, was as far away as Nome or Jakarta. Finally, they replied, “Let’s try to find a place in Summit County.”

The definition of Local is also incredibly narrow. Before moving to Summit, I thought of “mountain people” as a category, whether you lived in Estes Park or Telluride. Boy, was I wrong. In Summit, the “Front Range” means anything east of the Eisenhower Tunnel. If you lived in Georgetown or Idaho Springs, you lived on the Front Range. People from Fairplay were honorary locals because the winters in Park County were harder. Folks from Kremmling in Grand County were also honorary locals, but less so than Fairplayers. I observed that the people who felt strongest about being local were not necessarily people who were born in Summit. Local supremacy was strongest among wealthy people from Texas or Arkansas who had vacationed in Summit for many years before retiring there.

Summit County must account for half of all Cybertruck sales. They were everywhere.

In June of last year, I mentioned to my coworkers that it had been twenty years since the Marvin Heemeyer rampage. In 2004, Heemeyer drove an armored bulldozer through Granby, destroying much of the town. It made the national news, and I can still remember where I was when I heard about it. Granby is one county over, but my boss, a fierce, hardcore Local, had never heard of it. The entire event was news to them.

On a different day, my boss was talking to me about the Snake River, which runs from A-Basin down into Lake Dillon. I casually mentioned that it wasn’t *the* Snake River, of course.

“What’s that?” asked my boss.

“You know,” I said, “the Snake River in Wyoming and Idaho? It goes through the Teton Range and into the Columbia?” My boss stared back at me. “The river from that Ansel Adams photo?” I continued, “The photo of the Snake River with the Tetons in the background? It’s one of the most famous photographs of all time?” Finally, I brought up the photo on my office computer, the photo that embodies everything remote and wild about the American West. My boss looked at the photo for a moment before giving their assessment: “Huh.”

If Vail was ever mentioned, it was with a sneer of contempt. Vail people were pretenders, stealing attention away from Summit’s superior ski resorts. Beaver Creek was beneath all consideration, and Monarch or Wolf Creek may as well have been on other planets.

In addition to wildlife, Summit is a great place to see income inequality. The inequality is by no means the worst in the world, but I’ve never seen it so pronounced firsthand. There is a very clear distinction between the wealthy who call the shots in Summit and the large underclass who keep things running. In Summit’s public schools, roughly 40% of students identify as Hispanic, and 25% speak Spanish as their first language, but this is not reflected in Summit’s tourism branding. The locals’ sense of identity, divorced from any real demographics, is focused on gold miners, resort builders, and winter sports athletes.

I remember walking back from a hike in Keystone and finding a makeshift wooden shelter just off the path. These shelters are called “wook nooks”, built up branch-by-branch over the years against the bitter cold. Just across the road from the wook-nook was a string of million-dollar homes, each with its own antler chandelier.

A “wook nook” shelter spotted near Keystone.

Lastly, Summit can be a lonely place. I had more than one coworker tell me how difficult it was to find friends there. One reason is the high cost of living. It’s so expensive to live in Summit that you spend most of your time working to make rent. In my experience, $1,800 gets you just over 400 square feet of living space. As of this week, gas was $3.33 in Silverthorne, compared to $2.75 in east Boulder County.

The high cost of living and gas prices are compounded by long commutes. I was fortunate to live close to work, but long drives are taken for granted up there. Here are a few real commutes from people I met in Summit: Acorn Creek to Frisco (19 miles), Georgetown to Dillon (25 miles), Leadville to Dillon (35 miles), Silverthorne to Kremmling (37 miles), Black Hawk to Silverthorne (48 miles). These drives come with whiteout blizzards, black ice, traffic jams, road work, and runaway trucks. Weather, road repairs, and unprepared drivers regularly close the Eisenhower Tunnel, turning I-70 into a parking lot for hours at a time. A 40-hour work week, plus hours of driving every day, leaves very little time for socializing. I found society with a book club in Silver Plume, and late nights playing pool at the Snake River Saloon or the CO Bar in Frisco.

I also lucked out with a co-worker who invited me to join a tabletop roleplaying game. I pretended I was a talking mushroom aboard an insectoid airship, alongside a reincarnated captain, an iron golem, a sentient spider nest, and a demented goblin. I felt blessed for our adventures together. It reaffirmed for me that when relationships are scarce, you value the friendships you do make even more.

By the end of March, I had moved back to the Front Range, the real Front Range, where you can look west and see fourteeners. You would be amazed how much can fit in a Subaru hatchback.

The Front Range is my home, and if not for my time in the mountains, I don’t know if I would have learned that. My time as a “local” also taught me: how to clean a shower drain, how to repair a bicycle, how to typeset a book on an IBM Executive, how to take apart and reassemble a bed frame, how to get a box-spring up a narrow staircase, how to apply for a TWIC card, how to play pool, how to think on my feet, how to fill out a DND character sheet, and a smattering of dirty jokes, courtesy of Dee at the Mint Bar & Grill. Most importantly, I learned what Eleanor Roosevelt meant when she said, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” Another story for another time.

And no, I didn’t learn how to ski, or snowboard, or snowshoe that year. Why do you ask?

The post My Year in Summit County: Reflections on Life as a Local appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Senate Committee Advances Bill to Attract Sundance Film Festival

Editorial Intern — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 03:01:31 +0000

Editor’s Note: Press Releases are provided to Yellow Scene. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

DENVER, CO – The Senate Finance Committee today advanced bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, to attract film tourism to Colorado.

HB25-1005, also sponsored by Senator Mark Baisley, R-Woodland Park, would create two tax credits: one to encourage the Sundance Film Festival to move to Colorado beginning in 2027, and one to support existing or small film festivals in Colorado.

“The Sundance Film Festival is more than just an economic driver – it would cement Colorado’s place as a global hub for the arts, creating opportunities for filmmakers and audiences alike,” said Amabile. “Our communities would benefit year-round from Sundance’s investments in expanded access to the arts, support for aspiring storytellers, and a platform for powerful narratives that have the potential to move, inspire, and change all of us.”

Boulder was recently selected as a top-three finalist to host the iconic Sundance Film Festival starting in 2027 – which would boost economic growth, tourism, and Colorado’s reputation as a destination for the arts.

As outlined in the legislation, Colorado would create tax incentives of $34 million over the next ten years, or $3-5 million per year, for a film festival that sells more than 100,000 tickets and attracts tens of thousands out-of-state attendees. A recent economic impact report of the 2024 Sundance Film Festival in Utah revealed the festival created 1,730 jobs for residents, generated $69.7 million in wages, $132 million in gross domestic product and generated almost $14 million in state and local tax revenue.

The bill would also leverage $500,000 annually to support small or existing local film festivals entities that are part of Colorado’s growing film festival ecosystem.

If Boulder is selected, the festival would take place starting in 2027 through 2036. Boulder is in the running to host the film festival starting in 2027 along with Cincinnati, Ohio and Park City, Utah.

The bill now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track its progress HERE.

The post Senate Committee Advances Bill to Attract Sundance Film Festival appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

History Colorado Hires Senior Director of Tribal and Indigenous Engagement

Editorial Intern — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 02:12:45 +0000

Editor’s Note: Press Releases are provided to Yellow Scene. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

DENVER — March 24, 2025 — History Colorado is pleased to announce the hiring of Phillip Gover III (Pawnee/Choctaw), as senior director of Tribal and Indigenous engagement. Gover brings nearly two decades of experience in Native American advocacy and engagement work to this brand new position at History Colorado, including most recently serving as the Tribal Affairs Specialist for the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS).

“We are grateful to announce that Phil has joined History Colorado to lead the necessary effort to uncover and reckon with the histories and ongoing traumas related to American Indian Boarding Schools in our state,” said Dawn DiPrince, president/CEO of History Colorado and state historic preservation officer. “Phil embodies a rare combination of professional and academic experience, a commitment to community and relationships, a gift for patience and good listening, plus his own deep connection to tradition and knowledge that make him the right leader for this work”

In addition to his service at CDHS — where he engaged in government-to-government consultation with Colorado’s resident Ute Tribes and worked closely with the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs — Gover has a legal background and was the Native Youth Advocate for Adams 12 Five Star Schools from 2015 to 2023. He has a B.A. in American Studies from Stanford University and a Juris Doctor from Arizona State University’s College of Law.

Gover’s legal experience includes serving as an advocate for both the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma, and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community of Arizona. He is currently a member of the Denver American Indian Commission and serves on the board of directors for the Denver Indian Health & Family Services.

“I am so happy to have joined History Colorado to assist with the important work they are doing in partnership with Southern Ute, Ute Mountain Ute and the 49 other sovereign nations who have history tied to Colorado,” Gover said. “There are so many layers and levels of Colorado’s history to understand starting with the stories of the Tribal nations. Uncovering this multifaceted history is crucial to understanding how we got to where we are and informing our decisions for the future.”

As the senior director of Tribal and Indigenous engagement, Gover will help History Colorado as it strives to meet its broad obligations and goals to faithfully consult with — and present the histories of — Indigenous, Native and Tribal communities and histories. A central portion of Gover’s efforts over the next two years will be working closely with the American Indian Steering Committee created by House Bill 24-1444, and impacted Tribal nations and American Indian communities, to complete research into the physical abuse and deaths that occurred at federal Indian boarding schools in Colorado.

“I hope to help give voices to students who were voiceless while at these schools,” Gover said. “In the coming years, I will work with the communities impacted by Colorado boarding schools to preserve their stories and create avenues for understanding the lasting impacts of this history while being cautious of the trauma that was endured by the communities. This is important and long overdue work which has been needed ever since the first children were taken from Native families and forced to attend boarding schools.”

This ongoing effort is a continuation of the research conducted in 2022 and 2023 under House Bill 22-1327.

Gover will also serve History Colorado as a key team member in ongoing organizational compliance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act that was passed into law by Congress in 1990. Under Gover’s leadership, History Colorado will continue to partner with the Southern Ute and Ue Mountain Ute and the 49 other Tribal Nations with historic ties to Colorado as well as the urban Native communities and other members of the Native diaspora connected ancestrally or contemporaneously to the state.

About History Colorado’s American Indian Boarding School Research
Beginning in 1819 with the federal “Indian Civilization Act,” the United States government embarked on a systematic campaign of cultural genocide that included forcibly removing children from their families. Sent far away from their communities to boarding schools, these Native children were severed from their culture, language, traditions, and religion. Starting in May of 2022, History Colorado has been conducting research into the physical abuse and deaths that occurred at federal Indian boarding schools in Colorado.

To date, more than 523 Indian Boarding schools have been identified across the U.S. that were funded by the federal government, and often church-run, in the 19th and 20th centuries, including at least seven federal Indian boarding schools within Colorado.

In 2023, “Federal Indian Boarding Schools in Colorado: 1880-1920” was released in compliance with HB22-1327, which directed History Colorado, through the State Archaeology Office, to investigate the one-time federal Native American Boarding School in Hesperus, Colorado, also referred to as the Fort Lewis Indian Boarding School; as well as to identify potential burial places of students who perished while attending the school. This report included recommendations for additional Tribal consultation, and engagement with members of the Native diaspora as well as continued research and the crafting of recommendations for policy and actions moving forward.

Additional information about History Colorado’s American Indian Boarding School Research can be found here.

The post History Colorado Hires Senior Director of Tribal and Indigenous Engagement appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Bernie Sanders and AOC Take Over Denver Civic Center Park

Associate Editor — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 02:07:53 +0000

Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have been drawing huge crowds on their recently launched Fight Oligarchy tour. Beginning in Omaha, Nebraska, on February 21st, the tour has since stopped in several states across the Midwest, and plans to visit the rest of the country are underway. On Friday, March 21st, the pair visited both Greely, Colorado and Denver, drawing an estimated 30,000 to the state’s capitol.

Below is a gallery of photos captured by Yellow Scene Magazine’s photographers, Ray Manzari (Assoc. Editor), Duston Doskocil (house photographer), and Vince Chandler (associate extraordinaire).

Photo by Dustin Doskocil

Photo by Ray Manzari

Photo by Dustin Doskocil

Musical act Xiuhtezcatl performs for crowd at Civic Center park on Friday.

Photo by Ray Manzari

Kim Cordova, President of UFCW Local 7, addresses crowd of thousands.

Photo by Ray Manzari

Photo by Dustin Doskocil

Alvaro Bedoya, former FTC Commissioner, who was recently illegally fired by Trump, gave a galvanizing speech on Friday.

Photo by Vince Chandler

Photo by Ray Manzari

Jimmy Williams, President of IUPAT, calls out Democratic leaders for decades of anti-union policies.

Photo by Vince Chandler

Photo by Ray Manzari

Rep. AOC opens for Bernie Sanders.

Photo by Ray Manzari

Photo by Dustin Doskocil

Photo by Vince Chandler

Photo by Ray Manzari

Sen. Sanders joins AOC on stage.

Photo by Dustin Doskocil

Photo by Vince Chandler

Photo by Ray Manzari

Photo by Vince Chandler

Democracy needs journalism more than ever. We’ve been telling the truth for 24 years. Your support helps us keep telling it for at least the next four years.

The post Bernie Sanders and AOC Take Over Denver Civic Center Park appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Colorado takes Trump to court over efforts to abolish Education Department

Guest Contributor — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 20:53:35 +0000

by Eric Galatas at Public News Service on Today (AP Storyshare)

As the Trump administration makes good on promises to abolish the U.S. Department of Education, educators and parents are raising concerns about the effects on children with disabilities and civil rights.

Nearly half of the agency’s staff has been laid off or resigned since President Donald Trump’s second inauguration.

Carrie Bingham, a Colorado mother of a special needs student, said the speed and haphazard nature of the staffing cuts is alarming. “Cutting it off by the knees is going to have such serious repercussions on literally, kids, like individual kids around the country,” Bingham pointed out. “That’s just not OK.”

Education Secretary Linda McMahon said staffing cuts are the first step in plans to abolish the agency she oversees. Colorado’s Phil Weiser and 20 other state attorneys general have asked a federal judge to block the cuts because they would prevent the Education Department from fulfilling its legal duties. The Trump administration claims it will deliver on all statutory programs, including funding for special-needs students. Affected staff are set to be placed on administrative leave on Friday.

Last year, Colorado received more than $1.2 billion in federal funds to support education programs, roughly the same dollar amount as the current state budget deficit, which is already putting school funding at risk.

Christi Herrick, secretary-treasurer of the American Federation of Teachers Local 6186, said federal funds are essential for students who need additional resources, especially in rural areas.

“Without the Department of Education, rural school districts would lose federal funding that provides speech therapy, language therapy, occupational therapy, psychiatric services and all kinds of special services that special-ed students require,” Herrick outlined.

The Trump administration has issued layoff notices for all civil rights staff in seven of the agency’s 12 regional offices. The department’s Office for Civil Rights is charged with protecting students from discrimination and sexual assault and making sure all Americans have equal access to education.

The post Colorado takes Trump to court over efforts to abolish Education Department appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Rapid response network monitoring ICE raids in Colorado

Guest Contributor — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 00:23:57 +0000

By: Eric Galatas, Public News Service (via AP Stroyshare)

As President Donald Trump ramps up deportation efforts, immigrant advocates have mobilized the Colorado Rapid Response Network to protect their neighbors. Anyone witnessing ICE activity is encouraged to call the network’s toll free hotline: (844) 864-8341. Comments from Beth Hendrix, executive director, League of Women Voters Colorado.

As President Donald Trump ramps up deportation efforts, immigrant advocates have mobilized a rapid response network to protect their neighbors.

The League of Women Voters has called Trump’s first 17 days in office a weaponization of government against Americans, including “the terrorizing of the immigrant community.”

Beth Hendrix, executive director of the League’s Colorado chapter, said recent raids have raised red flags about the legality of actions taken by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

“The League is concerned because the raids didn’t seem to focus only on those with criminal or violent histories,” said Hendrix. “It looked more like agents were knocking on random doors.”

Trump campaigned on claims, without evidence, that other nations were releasing violent criminals into the U.S – and promised mass deportations.

Numerous studies have shown that native-born Americans are far more likely to commit crimes than immigrants.

Most of the 50 people detained in a recent Denver raid have no criminal charges pending, according to the Colorado Rapid Response Network – and at least two people detained are U.S. citizens.

The League is joining other nonprofits to educate residents about their fundamental rights, which apply to everyone living in the U.S. – regardless of their immigration status.

If ICE comes to your home, Hendrix noted you are not required to open the door unless there is an arrest or search warrant from a federal court.

And you can ask agents to see the warrant by sliding it under the door.

“It must be signed by a judge to be valid,” said Hendrix. “If they choose to open the door, it’s up to them to decide if they want to speak or not. They have every right to not open the door, and not speak.”

Warrants are only valid if they include the name of the person agents are looking for, and if that person lives at that address.

Anyone witnessing ICE activity is encouraged to call the network’s toll free hotline: (844) 864-8341.

Hendrix said mass deportation will not fix the nation’s immigration system, which has not been updated since 1986.

“The League of Women Voters supports immigration reform,” said Hendrix. “But until that happens, we support provisions to allow people who are already living in this country to earn legal status.”

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Democrat Justin Brooks Announces for Senate District 17

Editorial Intern — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 23:49:51 +0000

Editor’s Note: Press Releases are provided to Yellow Scene. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

Erie, CO – Former Mayor of the Town of Erie, Justin Brooks, announced his candidacy for District 17. The seat was previously held by Senator Sonya Jaquez-Lewis (D-Lafayette), who resigned in February, creating a vacancy for her position. “It was an honor to be appointed to the Town of Erie Board of Trustees in 2021 and elected Mayor in 2022, making history as the first African

American elected official in our town’s 150-year history. I want to continue working for the greater community in the Senate.”

The proud father of four has called Erie home for 16 years. He cares deeply about creating a strong community so that his kids and others like them feel welcomed to return after college and military service. As Mayor, he focused on building partnerships, supporting local businesses, and creating affordable housing for young professionals and seniors. Brooks wants to tackle critical issues like affordable housing and keeping our communities safe. He wants to ensure healthcare is affordable and accessible to all Coloradans, especially for children and seniors. “With a $1B budget deficit, we need practical solutions to address budget gaps that will quickly and sustainably help our residents. This will require working together to pass meaningful legislation, and I am ready to hit the ground running to make that happen.”

Brooks graduated from Prairie View A&M University with a degree in computer engineering technology. He completed a masters in engineering at Penn State and holds a Project Management Professional certification. He began his career at NASA Johnson Space Center, working on projects like the International Space Station and Space Shuttle programs. In 2009, he moved to Erie for a leadership program and fell in love with the community. He has spent nearly 25 years in aerospace and defense, leading teams to solve complex challenges. His experience as a contractor for the United States Air Force taught him about the sacrifices our brave men and women in the service make every day, how to lead and be efficient, and the importance of bringing people together to find solutions that work for everyone. Being a part of a unit that contributed to keeping our nation safe has been a highlight of his career.

Justin has the support of many community members and leaders, particularly in the Town of Erie. ”Justin was a great Mayor for Erie, always making sure to listen to everyone’s thoughts as he made decisions with the Council for the Town. I was so appreciative of his support for affordable housing so our police, first responders, teachers and restaurant staff among others will be able to live where they work.” – Christina Pisano, Erie Community Member

Senate District 17 includes eastern Boulder County, southwestern Weld County, and northwestern Broomfield County, covering Lafayette, Longmont, and Erie. The 17th District is a stronghold for Democrats.

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Martha Wilson Announces Candidacy for Colorado Senate District 17

Editorial Intern — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 23:38:05 +0000

Editor’s Note: Press Releases are provided to Yellow Scene. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

Longmont, CO – Martha Wilson, a dedicated community advocate and Black-Latina mother of five has announced her candidacy for the recently vacated Colorado Senate District 17 seat. Martha’s robust public service and community engagement background will bring a fresh and inclusive perspective to the Colorado Senate. Martha Wilson’s life and career are a testament to her commitment to public service and advocacy. As a first-generation graduate and the primary wage earner for her family, she has firsthand experience navigating the challenges many constituents face in District 17. Her work as a social worker, parent advocate supervisor with the Office of Respondent Parents’ Counsel, and small business owner highlights her dedication to supporting her community.

A strong champion for disability rights, Martha also serves as a licensed professional counselor, providing essential support for individuals dealing with grief, stress, and discrimination traumas.
She is also a national child welfare reform consultant. She provides facilitation, training, and expert recommendations to family and public defenders nationwide. Martha recently accepted a
Public Safety Policy Advisor role for the City of Boulder Police Department.

Her tenure as a child protection case worker and involvement in legislative advocacy and city advisory boards underscore her readiness to tackle legislative responsibilities. Martha’s firsthand knowledge of District 17’s needs will drive her successful advocacy in the Colorado Senate. Her experiences with economic insecurity and discrimination have forged a deep empathy and understanding, essential for representing a district that spans Weld and Boulder Counties. Her ability to connect people with resources and her dedication to finding compromise align perfectly with the needs of her community.

Her professional journey complements an impressive array of volunteer work, including serving on the City of Longmont Housing and Human Services Advisory Board, the City of Boulder
Police Oversight Panel, and as coordinator for Boulder Community Conversations About Race. Additionally, her leadership roles as a Girl Scout Troop Leader and Democratic campaign
volunteers reflect her commitment to civic engagement and community empowerment.

“As a Black-Latina mother, veteran’s wife, and social worker, I understand our community’s struggles because I live them and compassionately confront the systems creating them,” said Martha Wilson. “I am running to be a voice for everyday people and advocating for legislative change that addresses the real issues impacting our families.”

Martha Wilson’s candidacy represents a significant opportunity for the Democratic Party to expand its reach in Senate District 17. Her personal, professional, and academic experiences,
coupled with her unwavering dedication to advocacy and community service make her an exceptional choice to serve the everyday needs of Coloradans living in Longmont, Erie, and
Lafayette.

For more information about Martha Wilson’s campaign or to get involved, please contact Martha
at 720-442-8565 or MarthaWilson4CO@gmail.com.

The post Martha Wilson Announces Candidacy for Colorado Senate District 17 appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Trump’s targeting of transgender rights creates uncertainty about Colorado laws protecting students

Guest Contributor — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 01:14:59 +0000

By Melanie Asmar, Chalkbeat Colorado

President Trump’s targeting of transgender rights as he begins his second term is raising questions about the potential impact on Colorado laws meant to protect transgender students, including a new one that requires educators to use students’ chosen names.

Several school districts, the Colorado Department of Education, and the state Attorney’s General’s Office provided a variation of the same answer when contacted by Chalkbeat: We don’t know yet whether there will be an impact but we are searching for answers.

While experts said executive orders of the kind Trump is using can’t override state laws, they conceded that the legal landscape under Trump is uncertain. Meanwhile, advocates said the orders are seeding fear in the transgender community, which they said was likely the intent.

“I’m receiving a lot of emails from the community about, ‘What does it mean? How does it impact us?’” said Jax Gonzalez, the political director at LGBTQ advocacy organization One Colorado.

“And that is the point of those executive orders,” Gonzalez said. “Those are about scaring people and repressing movement-building.”

Trump has acted quickly to enact his political agenda, including trying to unwind protections for LGBTQ students. An executive order the president signed last week, on the day he was inaugurated, says that the United States only recognizes two sexes, male and female, and that the sexes “are not changeable.” The order rescinded Biden-era guidance on supporting LGBTQ students.

Already, one Colorado school board has passed a resolution echoing that language. On Wednesday, the Woodland Park school board directed the district’s superintendent to update any district policies, procedures, and facility usage guidelines “to be consistent with knowledge that there are only two sexes, male and female.”

This week, the Trump administration froze — and then potentially unfroze, after legal challenges — all federal grant funding to purge the government of what it called “wokeness” and “transgenderism.” Trump signed another executive order on Wednesday blocking federal funding from K-12 schools that teach “gender ideology.”

Ian Farrell, an associate professor at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, said that while the power of the president is limited and Congress ultimately controls U.S. spending, “we live in a weird time where the correct legal answer and what the [U.S.] Supreme Court will say is the correct legal answer are potentially massively different things.

“We’re in an era where there is genuine uncertainty about whether the rule of law will be upheld,” Farrell said. “That should concern everybody.”

Some districts adopted name change policies begrudgingly

Colorado has in recent years extended legal protections based on gender identity. In 2021, a state law protecting people from harassment and discrimination was expanded to explicitly cover gender identity. The state’s bullying law also includes gender identity as a protected class.

Last year, lawmakers approved and the governor signed a bill that protects K-12 public school students who request to use a name other than their legal name at school. Under the law, it is considered discrimination in Colorado for an educator to refuse to use a name chosen by a student to reflect their gender identity.

The idea came from students. The Colorado Youth Advisory Council, a group of 40 students from across the state, helped draft the bill. Both chambers of the state legislature and the governor’s office are controlled by Democrats, and the bill passed mostly along party lines.

“Colorado prides itself so much on being welcoming, where people are free to be themselves and how they live,” state Rep. Stephanie Vigil, a Colorado Springs Democrat, said at a legislative hearing last year. “We feel like it’s important to act on that.”

Many Colorado school districts have adopted policies to comply with the name change law.
But some did so begrudgingly — and with caveats.

The Woodland Park district, which drew national attention in 2023 for becoming the first district in the country to adopt the conservative American Birthright social studies standards,
was one of the first districts to discuss adopting a policy in the wake of the name change law.

One school board member, David Rusterholtz, made clear at the May meeting in which the policy was discussed that the district was “forced.”

He called HB24-1039 “a very bad law” and a violation of his virtues, values, and “Biblical worldview.” He questioned how the law would help a child who he said had been taken up by what he termed “social psychosis.”

It’s unclear whether the resolution adopted by the Woodland Park school board Wednesday that echoes Trump’s language about two sexes will affect the district’s existing name change policy. Neither a district spokesperson nor school board members responded to questions from Chalkbeat seeking clarification.

“We need to stick with science, and the science has always been that there are two sexes,” Rusterholtz said during Wednesday’s meeting. “We need to teach our children the truth. It doesn’t mean we’re going to accept any kind of bullying.”

Other school boards shared Woodland Park’s concerns about the state’s name change law.

Several board members in El Paso County’s Widefield School District 3 said at a meeting in September that the law amounted to “compelled speech” and “government overreach.” A district spokesperson said last week that district leaders had not yet discussed the potential effects of Trump’s executive orders on district policy.

Members of the District 49 school board in Colorado Springs had similar objections to the law.

“The state apparently feels that it can hand down this unconstitutional mandate and tread upon the First Amendment-protected rights of teachers and staff by compelling them to say things that may be against their personally held conscience-based religious beliefs,” District 49 board member Deb Schmidt said at a meeting in November.

District 49’s policy has several caveats. It says a student’s parents must consent to a non-legal name change by signing a form. It limits students to one name change per year and says the district can say no if a name “is vulgar or offensive, obscene, or is used for misrepresentation.”

The policy also allows what it calls “an accommodation to conscience-based objections to compelled speech” — that is, exceptions for those who object — as long as the accommodation does not result in “substantial increased costs” to the district.

Lori Thompson, president of the District 49 school board, said in an email to Chalkbeat that the board was discussing with the school district’s lawyer how Trump’s executive orders might impact the name change policy. She noted that District 49’s policy has a clause that says it will be “immediately voided in its entirety” if the state law is found to be unconstitutional.

“The one thing that will not change,” Thompson wrote, is that “D49 will not withhold information about a student from their parents or legal guardians.”

Other districts express support for LGBTQ community

Other districts, including Denver Public Schools, Jeffco Public Schools, and Boulder Valley School District, have adopted name change policies that don’t require parental consent. They simply note that refusing to call a student by their chosen name is considered discrimination.Several such districts said they are taking a wait-and-see approach to how Trump’s executive orders could affect laws and policies meant to protect transgender students.

In a letter to staff on Friday, Denver Public Schools Superintendent Alex Marrero said the district remains committed to following state and federal laws protecting LGBTQ staff and students.

“We value and affirm all DPS humans,” read an information sheet from the district’s legal department that was linked in Marrero’s letter. “You belong here.”

A Boulder Valley School District spokesperson pointed to a resolution passed by the Boulder school board in December that says the district “shall do everything in its lawful powers to protect our LGBTQ students and community members,” among other vulnerable groups.

But attacks on such protections have already begun. On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights said it is investigating Denver Public Schools for converting a girls’ restroom at Denver’s East High School to an all-gender restroom.

Locally, there has been at least one lawsuit over the state’s name change law. Two parents sued Brighton-based 27J Schools for allegedly violating their constitutional rights by allowing their child to use a different name and pronouns at school without their consent. The parents sought to block the state and the school district from enacting the name change law.

A federal judge on Friday rejected the parents’ attempt, in part because the 2024 law wasn’t in effect when their child asked to use a different name and pronouns at school in 2022 and 2023.

“Despite the claim that ‘the District is socially transitioning their children,’ the District is not the decision maker at issue: the student is,” U.S. District Court Judge Charlotte N. Sweeney wrote in her ruling. “The Law and Policies only require the District to follow the student’s chosen name and pronouns and to provide support.”

District Superintendent Will Pierce said in an interview that the district won’t change its policy on student name changes in light of the Trump executive orders — at least not yet. Like many other district leaders, he’s closely watching the legal landscape for guidance.

“There’s not a lot of clarity about what we’re supposed to do next,” Pierce said. “Our response is to do what we always do and try to find a place where every student feels welcome and receives dignity when they walk through the door. They matter.”

Melanie Asmar is the bureau chief for Chalkbeat Colorado. Contact Melanie at masmar@chalkbeat.org.

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Republican Congress Chooses Cuts to Health Care for Seniors, Children, and the Disabled to Pay for Tax Breaks for the Ultra-Wealthy

Guest Contributor — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 04:36:35 +0000

Editor’s Note: Press Releases are provided to Yellow Scene. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

MEDIA RELEASE
February 25, 2025
Contact: Adam Fox, afox@cohealthinitiative.org, 303-563-9108
Katie Reinisch, katie@progressive-promotions.com, 303-653-1009

DENVER – Republicans in Congress just pushed through a rushed budget resolution, one of the first major steps towards passing the Trump Administration’s fiscal agenda. It includes deep cuts to Medicaid — at last word, approximately $880 billion — from a program that serves more than 70 million people nationwide and 1.1 million in Colorado. Nearly 1 in 5 Coloradans receive their health care from Medicaid. Six of every 10 Coloradans in nursing facilities rely on Medicaid, and Medicaid is vital for providing in-home care to help people with disabilities and aging adults live independently. Over 34% of Colorado children are covered through Medicaid. The cuts would undermine Colorado’s hard work to expand coverage, essentially ending Medicaid expansion and ripping that expanded coverage from roughly 400,000 Coloradans.

Statement from Adam Fox, deputy director of the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative:
“You can’t cut hundreds of billions from Medicaid without taking healthcare away from millions of seniors living in long-term care, children, and people with disabilities. Rushing these cuts will hurt those who can least afford care – and won’t do anything to lower our healthcare costs for the average Colorado family. At a time when our state budget already faces a $1 billion gap, these cuts will devastate our state’s economy, threatening 300,000 healthcare provider jobs, while perhaps pushing teetering rural providers over the cliff. They are going to strip health coverage from countless Coloradans and tank our economy all in the name of creating tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy.”

Statement from Stephanie Felix-Sowy, President of Service Employees International Union Local 105, uniting over 8,000 property services and healthcare workers across the Mountain West, and the largest healthcare union in Colorado:
“House Republicans’ budget proposal is a direct threat to over a million Coloradans who rely on Medicaid. Slashing healthcare to fund tax breaks for billionaires will devastate working families, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities across our state. This is just another example in the long list of actions taken by Republicans to favor billionaires over the rest of us. These cuts won’t just take healthcare away—they’ll force clinics to close, overwhelm hospitals, and put frontline healthcare workers out of jobs. Instead of making life more affordable, this plan will create more hardship for Coloradans already struggling. Our communities deserve better.”

Statement from Hunter Nelson, Small Business Majority’s Colorado director:
“Any changes that make healthcare more expensive could have a potentially devastating impact on Colorado’s small businesses. After payroll, healthcare coverage is already the highest cost for small firms. If Congress and the Trump administration make drastic cuts to Medicaid and eliminate premium tax credits that help make healthcare coverage purchased on Affordable Care Act marketplaces more affordable for many small business owners and their employees, insurance that is now very costly but within budget would become unaffordable. This could mean many entrepreneurs are forced to go work for someone else just to have access to health insurance, or that employees of small businesses would seek jobs at larger companies mainly for stronger benefits. The result of that migration would be that much of our small businesses community would no longer exist.”

Statement from Phyllis Albritton, Colorado Safety Net Collaborative:
“While many of our members do not serve people with Medicaid, some do. Medicaid is an important safety net for so many people in low-wage jobs so that they can keep working and providing for their families. Let’s not take that away as the economy worsens. It will just increase healthcare costs for everyone else and keep people from working.”

Statement from Amanda Boone, Co-Founder of Cystic Fibrosis United:
“Many individuals living with Cystic Fibrosis and other Rare Diseases depend on the Colorado Medicaid program to access critical care. From children and families benefiting from the waiver program, to those enrolled in the Medicaid Buy-In and traditional Medicaid. Should the state lose any federal funding, patients would lose access to essential care, jeopardizing their ability to live healthy, fulfilling lives, potentially forcing them to seek emergency care. We urge our members of Congress to protect our community from these cuts and approach the budget with careful consideration to ensure that those who rely on these services are not left without the care they need.”

Statement from Heather Tritten, President/CEO of The Colorado Children’s Campaign:
“Hundreds of thousands of Colorado families have access to health care, food to eat, or support for their basic needs because of federal funding for programs like Medicaid, SNAP, and TANF. Cutting funding would have direct, often devastating impacts on children’s lives and futures. We call on our representatives in Washington to support children across Colorado and to create a responsible budget that invests in our communities.”

The post Republican Congress Chooses Cuts to Health Care for Seniors, Children, and the Disabled to Pay for Tax Breaks for the Ultra-Wealthy appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Gabe Evans Sells Out Colorado Families To Donald Trump

Guest Contributor — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 03:53:22 +0000

Editor’s Note: Press Releases are provided to Yellow Scene. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
CONTACT: Sara Loflin, Executive Director at 303-349-1617 or sara@progressnowcolorado.org

DENVER: After vulnerable freshman Rep. Gabe Evans of Colorado cast a decisive vote tonight to pass House Speaker Mike Johnson’s devastating budget proposal that would force severe cuts to Medicaid and a host of other critical government services to extend tax breaks for people like Elon Musk, ProgressNow Colorado, the state’s largest multi-issue progressive advocacy organization, condemned Rep. Evans’ abandonment of over 100,000 of his constituents to curry favor with the political masters and donors of his party.

“Tonight, Gabe Evans gave the wrong answer to the most important question of his political career,” said ProgressNow Colorado executive director Sara Loflin. “Gabe Evans had a choice tonight, and instead of protecting the healthcare of the 125,900 seniors, children, and families in his district, he decided to join Elon Musk and Donald Trump–taking a chainsaw to the health care services his district relies on. The people of CD8 know now that Gabe Evans will choose to just go with Musk and Trump over the working people of his district when it matters most.”

“Gabe Evans’ vote tonight to slash Medicaid funding and countless other vital services Coloradans depend on is a defining moment in Evans’ short career in elected office,” said Loflin. “Evans represents one of the most economically and culturally diverse populations in Colorado, and Evans’ political vulnerability in a district drawn to be closely competitive affords him no margin for the colossal error he made tonight. Evans has inextricably tied himself to the Musk-Trump brand that is already sinking in the polls, and voters will remember that Gabe Evans chose to just go with it.”

The post Gabe Evans Sells Out Colorado Families To Donald Trump appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Heinrich, Schatz lead colleagues in demanding Trump’s DHS uphole federal trust and treaty responsibilities to tribal nations and immediately end wrongful ICE searches and harassment of tribal members

Editorial Intern — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 00:33:17 +0000

Editor’s Note: Press Releases are provided to Yellow Scene. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), vice chairman of the Indian Affairs Committee, led 13 of their Democratic colleagues in demanding that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) end wrongful searches and interrogations of Tribal members and uphold the United States’ trust and treaty responsibility with Tribal Nations and their citizens.

In the letter, the lawmakers raised concern over reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents stopping and harassing United States-born citizens on suspicion of being undocumented migrants since President Trump issued an Executive Order seeking to terminate birthright citizenship. While defending this order in court, Trump’s Department of Justice lawyers called into question Native Americans’ birthright citizenship. These incidents have stoked fear and panic for many Tribal citizens living on and off reservation lands.

“Whether it is simple ignorance or worse — outright disrespect for and harassment of Tribal citizens — ICE’s law enforcement tactics reflect an abdication of U.S. trust and treaty responsibility with Tribal nations and their citizens, and cannot stand,” the senators wrote in a letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. “We ask that the Department issue guidance and training to ICE agents on forms of Tribal identification that are acceptable as proof of United States citizenship (alone or in tandem with other documents). We also ask that your Department communicate and consult with Tribal governments to ensure they are given timely and accurate information to inform and protect their Tribal citizens from unnecessary searches, interrogation, and detention related to immigration enforcement efforts.”

The senators pressed Secretary Noem to answer a series of questions on this issue in detail by March 4, 2025.

U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) led the letter, which was also signed by U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Angus King (I-Maine.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.).

The text of the letter is here and below:

Dear Secretary Noem:

We write to express our growing concern over reports that, since President Trump issued the Executive Order on birthright citizenship, United States-born citizens of federally recognized Tribes have been stopped and questioned by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on suspicion of being undocumented migrants. These incidents have stoked fear and panic for many Tribal citizens living on and off reservation, resulting in at least one Tribal government issuing its own guidance and standing up a citizen hotline to report incidents and receive assistance. Whether it is simple ignorance or worse — outright disrespect for and harassment of Tribal citizens – ICE’s law enforcement tactics reflect an abdication of U.S. trust and treaty responsibility with Tribal nations and their citizens, and cannot stand.

Accordingly, we ask that the Department issue guidance and training to ICE agents on forms of Tribal identification that are acceptable as proof of United States citizenship (alone or in tandem with other documents). We also ask that your Department communicate and consult with Tribal governments to ensure they are given timely and accurate information to inform and protect their Tribal citizens from unnecessary searches, interrogation, and detention related to immigration enforcement efforts.

Both Congress, exercising its plenary authority over Indian Affairs, and the United States Supreme Court have established that Indians born in the United States are United States citizens. Indians may also be citizens of federally-recognized Tribes, making them dual citizens of both the United States and their Tribal nations. As such, Tribal citizens may possess multiple forms of identification, including Tribal government-issued identification, such as enrollment cards and Certificates of Indian Blood (CIB), and state-issued or federally-issued identification. However, it is not uncommon for Tribal citizens to only carry their Tribal government-issued identification, which is often accepted as valid proof of United States citizenship for purposes of federal benefits.

In addition to consulting with, and issuing guidance for, Tribes on what forms of identification ICE will accept as valid proof of United States citizenship, including Tribal identification, we also request that your Department issue internal guidance for ICE agents on how to lawfully engage with federally recognized Tribes and their citizens, including on Tribal lands. Lastly, we request that you reply, in detail, to the following questions:

Does ICE policy accept of Certificates of Indian Blood (CIBs), Tribal enrollment, or other Tribal identification documents as valid proof of United States citizenship?
- If yes, please provide a full description of these policies and how they are communicated within your Department, and with Tribal governments.
- If no, please clarify what information needs to be present on Tribally-issued identification documents for those to be accepted as valid proof of United States citizenship.
What training are ICE agents given about different forms of valid identification and documentation of United States citizenship for enrolled members of federally recognized Tribes, including CIBs, Tribal enrollment, or other Tribal identification?
What training are ICE agents, and other law enforcement personnel in your Department, given about interactions with citizens of federally recognized Tribes?
What specific corrective actions are you taking to ensure that the rights of United States-born Tribal citizens, as American citizens, are being upheld and respected by your Department?
How does ICE justify the use of taxpayer dollars and its limited resources to conduct enforcement actions involving United States-born citizens of federally recognized Tribes?
What has been the estimated cost of ICE enforcement actions within reservation boundaries thus far? Will ICE enforcement actions occur within community locations such as schools, hospitals, clinics, and religious institutions that are on Tribal lands, including trust land, restricted fee, and fee simple lands, or located off of Tribal lands?
What implications do ICE enforcement actions have for Tribal nations whose historic lands transcend the U.S.-Mexico and U.S.-Canada borders, including Tribes with members living in Mexico or Canada and/or having transborder migratory privileges using special identification documents, such as the Tohono O’odham Nation and the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas? What will ICE do to ensure that tribal members residing in Mexico or Canada are not inappropriately detained as a result of these enforcement actions? And how is ICE educating its agents about the access guaranteed in the Jay Treaty to the United States for Canadian First Nations members for cultural, trade, and other purposes?

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Jazz Aspen Snowmass and founder Jim Horowitz to be inducted into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame at JAS Labor Day Experience

Guest Contributor — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 22:54:54 +0000

Jazz Aspen Snowmass (JAS) and founder Jim Horowitz will be inducted into Colorado Music Hall of Fame at the 2025 JAS Labor Day Experience in Aspen/Snowmass over Labor Day weekend, August 29-31. Founded by Horowitz in 1991, JAS is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization with a mission to present and preserve jazz and related forms of music through world-class events, performances and education programs.

“Jim’s contributions, the contributions of his dedicated team, and the entire organization’s contributions to music and music education in our great state are unparalleled and so deserving of this honor,” commends Colorado Music Hall of Fame’s board co-chair, Scott Tobias, who has professionally worked with JAS for decades through his publishing company, Westword, and his digital advertising agency, V Digital Services.

Most often recognized for JAS June and Labor Day Experience (multi-day outdoor music festivals), JAS also produces an intimate and musically diverse summer and winter series, the JAS Café, featuring world-class, live jazz, blues, soul, world music and more at various downtown Aspen venues, as well as year-round music education programs stretching across the entire Western Slope. Since 1996, JAS has generated over $10 million to support its music education programming. JAS’ latest initiative is slated to open next winter: the Paul JAS Center, above the historic Red Onion in downtown Aspen, Colorado. The Center will serve as a music club, community event space, recording/broadcasting studio and music classroom for JAS’ many music education programs and will give JAS its first permanent home.

“Thank you to the Colorado Music Hall of Fame for this incredible recognition. In 1989, I woke up from a music festival tour to the southwest of France with a vision to re-create that magic, in a certain special location in the Rockies, with a very different musical history. Despite some setbacks along the way, thankfully I never quit, and an extraordinary team of passionate music lovers, the JAS Team is keeping the flame alive. It’s humbling and deeply gratifying to say that JAS Aspen is a permanent fact of Colorado life!” states Jim Horowitz, Founder/President & CEO, Jazz Aspen Snowmass.

The induction of JAS and Horowitz will take place on stage during the 3-day Labor Day festival, which just announced its line-up to include Imagine Dragons, Lenny Kravitz, Luke Combs, Marcus King Band and more. Tickets for the August 29-31, 2025 festival are available as 3-day passes, starting at $372 + fees at www.jazzaspensnowmass.org.

JAS is donating $1.00 from every ticket sold to Colorado Music Hall of Fame to support its mission to celebrate, promote and support Colorado’s music community.

About Colorado Music Hall of Fame (The Hall), www.cmhof.org

Founded in 2011, The Hall is a nonprofit with a mission to celebrate, promote and support Colorado’s music community:

Celebrating Colorado music by inducting our state’s music heroes, hosting music events and sharing music history digitally and through soon-to-reopen music exhibits in downtown Denver;
Promoting Colorado as a music destination; and
Supporting local musicians and industry professionals with financial assistance and resources for mental health and addiction through its Keep The Beat mental wellness program.

Over 60 musicians, music industry professionals, venues and music organizations have been inducted into The Hall to date:

2011: Inaugural Class: John Denver, Red Rocks Amphitheatre

2012: Setting the Stage: Barry Fey, Harry Tuft

2012: Rockin’ the ‘60s: The Astronauts, Flash Cadillac, KIMN Radio, Sugarloaf

2013: Colorado’s Folk Revival: Judy Collins, Chris Daniels, Bob Lind, Serendipity Singers

2014: Country Rock in the Rockies: Firefall, Manassas w/Stephen Stills, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Poco

2016: 20th Century Pioneers: Lannie Garrett, Glenn Miller, Max Morath, Billy Murray, Elizabeth Spencer, Paul Whiteman

2017: Rocky Mountain Way: Caribou Ranch, Dan Fogelberg, Bill Szymczyk, Joe Walsh & Barnstorm

2017: Jazz Masters & Beyond: Philip Bailey, Charles Burrell, Larry Dunn, Bill Frisell, Ron Miles, Dianne Reeves, Andrew Woolfolk

2018: Live & On the Air: John Hickenlooper, KBCO, Chuck Morris

2019: Old Folk, New Folk: Walt Conley, Mother Folkers, Swallow Hill Music, Dick Weissman

2019: Going Back to Colorado: Tommy Bolin, Freddi & Henchi, Wendy Kale, Tony Spicola, Otis Taylor, Zephyr

2021: A Virtual Induction: eTown

2021: The Flatirons Sessions: The Fox Theatre, Hot Rize, Leftover Salmon, String Cheese Incident, Yonder Mountain String Band

2023: Big Head Todd and The Monsters, Hazel Miller, George Morrison, Sr.

2024: Opera in the High Country: Central City Opera, Cynthia Lawrence, Keith Miller, John Moriarty

2024: Mile High Jazz Oasis: El Chapultepec & Jerry Krantz, Greg Gisbert, Eric Gunnison, KUVO & Carlos Lando, Ellyn Rucker, Ken Walker

2025: Jazz Aspen Snowmass & Jim Horowitz

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Representative Junie Joseph Appeals to the President of the United States and his Administration: Opposition to USAID Closure

Guest Contributor — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 22:27:54 +0000

Editor’s Note: Press Releases are provided to Yellow Scene. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

A Personal Statement on the Importance of USAID’s Work for Global Justice and Human Rights

To: The President of the United States and his Administration,

As a U.S. citizen born and raised in Haiti, I am writing to express my deep concern and strong opposition to the proposed closure of USAID. Throughout my life, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative and invaluable impact of USAID’s work, both in Haiti and across the globe. The agency’s efforts—from providing emergency relief to fostering sustainable development—have been a cornerstone of our country’s foreign policy and have directly improved the lives of millions of people.

Recently, the President’s Press Secretary, Ms. Karoline Claire Leavitt, pointed to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives as proof of wasteful spending within USAID. As someone who has been closely involved with the agency’s operations, I can attest to the significant and lasting impact of USAID’s work around the world. From the schools it funds in Haiti, ensuring that children receive an education despite economic and political instability, to the critical anti-gender-based violence training provided to women, USAID’s programs save lives and change futures. For every instance where detractors label spending as “wasteful,” there are countless examples of how USAID’s contributions are life-saving and life-altering.

As a former Global Law and Development Fellow with the USAID ProJustice Côte d’Ivoire program, I worked on the front lines to protect vulnerable populations, particularly those living with disabilities, in West Africa. In many African countries, individuals with disabilities face severe discrimination, and USAID played a crucial role in challenging these injustices. The agency’s efforts to raise awareness and advocate for the rights of people with disabilities are vital, and I have seen firsthand the difference it makes in creating more inclusive societies.

Additionally, in 2019, I had the privilege of interning with USAID in Washington, D.C., where I witnessed the agency’s unwavering commitment to promoting human rights, the rule of law, and justice for all people. It is no exaggeration to say that USAID embodies the best of what it means to be an American: a nation that stands for justice, compassion, and support for those in need around the world. When I see USAID’s work in Haiti, Côte d’Ivoire, and elsewhere, I am filled with immense pride for my country. Our commitment to protecting human dignity should never waver.

Closing USAID would not only undo decades of progress but also diminish our standing as a leader in global development, democracy, and human rights. USAID is essential to building stronger, more resilient communities around the world, whether through disaster relief, democratic governance programs, or empowering marginalized populations. The work of USAID is a reflection of our nation’s values, and it would be a tragic misstep to close it down.

As someone who has benefitted from and seen the profound impact of USAID’s work, I urge you, Mr. President and your Administration, to reconsider this proposal. I believe it is crucial that we continue supporting programs that protect and uplift vulnerable communities globally, whether in Haiti, Africa, or elsewhere. USAID is an agency that reflects the values we hold dear as Americans, and I stand with it, as should all of us.

I ask that you protect and strengthen USAID’s mission, ensuring it continues its critical work in advancing justice, human rights, and development across the globe.

For More Information on Representative Junie Joseph’s Legislative Priorities, visit:
http://junie4colorado.com

The post Representative Junie Joseph Appeals to the President of the United States and his Administration: Opposition to USAID Closure appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Black Democratic Legislative Caucus of Colorado Sponsors Landmark Bill to Protect People in Prisons’s Right to Family Connection.

Editorial Intern — Fri, 07 Feb 2025 01:28:39 +0000

Editor’s Note: Press Releases are provided to Yellow Scene. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

Denver, CO – On the first day of Colorado’s Legislative Session, members of the Black Democratic Legislative Caucus of Colorado introduced their priority bill of the session, HB25-1013, sponsored by Representatives English and Assistant Majority Leader Bacon and Senate President Coleman. HB25-1013, the Right to Family and Community Connection bill, aims to protect the right of people in prison in Colorado to maintain connections with their families and loved ones.

“I’ve heard stories from families across our state. Parents driving hours to see their child, only to be turned away due to a harsh punishment. Children who light up when they hear their mom or dad’s voice on the phone, only to have that contact cut off due to minor infractions. These stories remind us of the resilience of families, but they also highlight a system that too often makes it harder for families to stay connected when they need each other the most. To my colleagues and our community, I say this: our justice system should be a tool for repair, not a weapon of division,” said Senate President James Coleman.

Members of the Caucus, along with community members, people who have left prison, and families with people who’ve been in prison, called for Colorado to adopt proven solutions that can decrease recidivism and improve mental health outcomes for those in prison and their families. HB25-1013 will ensure that families can maintain vital bonds and relationships that help people in prison have healthy lives.

Despite Colorado’s commitment to prioritizing rehabilitation, the Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC) defines visitation as a “privilege.” While people in prison are already struggling to provide for their families, Gov. Polis and Executive Director Stancil of CDOC have allowed prisons to use the removal of community and family connection as a coercive tactic to force people in prison to work for subminimum wages.

“Imagine being confined in a facility far from your loved ones, cut off from the very people who provide you with strength, connection, and hope. It’s a reality for thousands of people in our prison system, and it takes a devastating toll on their journey to rehabilitation,” said Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon.

The Right to Family and Community Connection bill will enshrine the right to in-person visits, video visits, and phone calls for people in DOC to better promote family contact and reduce recidivism. Studies have shown that experiencing prison visits with family and loved ones is connected to a reduction in recidivism, improved mental health, and stronger community bonds. On average, across security levels, experiencing prison visits is correlated with a 24.6% reduction in rearrests within 2 years of release. Receiving visits in prison results in a 26% decrease in post-release criminal activity as well as a 28% reduction in new convictions overall.

“This policy isn’t just about individual rehabilitation. It’s about keeping children connected to their parents, ensuring that families can heal and support one another, and creating a society where everyone has a chance to succeed,” said Representative Regina English.

“There are numerous reasons for the positive impact of visits and social contact. As individuals plan for their release, a higher frequency of visits can help reduce concerns over securing employment, finding housing, reducing debt, and other factors related to the risks of recidivism,” said Senator Tony Exum

The post Black Democratic Legislative Caucus of Colorado Sponsors Landmark Bill to Protect People in Prisons’s Right to Family Connection. appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Universal ‘Medicare for All’ bill advances in CO legislature

Guest Contributor — Fri, 07 Feb 2025 01:08:12 +0000

By Eric Galatas, Public News Service (Via APStoryshare)

As Coloradans continue to face rising health insurance premiums, especially in rural areas, a new bill that would study a universal “Medicare for All” coverage option is advancing in the General Assembly.

As health insurance premiums keep rising, Colorado lawmakers are advancing a bill to look at a universal Medicare for All option.

A 2020 report in the Annals of Internal Medicine finds administrative costs for private insurance, and the time doctors spend on billing paperwork, make up over one-third of all healthcare costs in the U.S.Nathan Wilkes is a board member of with Health Care for All Colorado.

He said he believes the study called for in the bill will confirm previous research showing there is enough money to cover all Coloradans, by removing the middle-man.

“All of the public costs that we are paying, a lot of which are going to insurance subsidies and things like that,” said Wilkes, “are more than enough to cover a system where there’s a single pipeline.”

Insurance industry executives say they’ve worked to lower administrative costs, and some politicians have argued private companies have better incentives to be more efficient than government services.

But administrative costs for private insurers in the U.S. are nearly six times the costs of Canada’s single payer system.

Private insurers also argue they help keep overall costs down, in part by denying claims for procedures they see as unnecessary.

Wilkes said because of the industry’s lobbying influence, voters will need to convince lawmakers to ensure all Coloradans can access health care.

“I think people recognize that there’s a lot of profit extraction going on by companies that are not delivering any sort of healthcare services at all,” said Wilkes, “while their family and friends are having to start ‘Go Fund Me’s’ to pay for their cancer.”

According to the Colorado Health Institute, some 265,000 Coloradans had no health insurance last year.

Wilkeds pointed out that Medicare’s original aim was to eventually extend coverage to all Americans, not just seniors.

“Truth is that universal healthcare is as American as apple pie,” said Wilkes. “Guaranteeing healthcare aligns with our nation’s core values of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for everybody.”

The post Universal ‘Medicare for All’ bill advances in CO legislature appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Pearl For You Announces 2025 Ballot Campaign Kick-Off

Guest Contributor — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 02:23:49 +0000

Editor’s Note: Press Releases are provided to Yellow Scene. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

Pearl For You is excited to announce our campaign to restore the West Pearl community space!

In 2020, the City of Boulder engaged in an innovative, community-focused experiment: we opened West Pearl to people across our city, and invited them to come dine, play, shop, and gather. The design was simple and inviting, and all were welcome to spend time enjoying our beautiful city in a new and vibrant way.

The West Pearl experiment was brought to an administrative end despite the widespread love and support that was expressed across the city. But now, any registered voter in the City of Boulder can be a part of returning the beauty of West Pearl by signing our official city petition to put the return of the West Pearl community space on your 2025 ballot.

Boulder absolutely loved going to West Pearl when it was a community space – it was a destination for people across our city and a draw in and of itself, especially for restaurants. The answer to the age-old question “Where should we eat?” was finally answered with two simple words: “West Pearl”.

“I’m excited at the prospect of West Pearl being restored as a people-centric community space that’s welcoming of all Boulderites. It will truly be a place unlike any other in Boulder, one that’s, active, safe, and local, where pets are welcome, children can run and bike freely, outdoor dining can be found year-round, and community can gather in all kinds of innovative ways,” said Kurt Nordback, chair of the Pearl For You campaign committee, “I know the community values this, and that’s why we saw such broad and ardent support for keeping it in 2022. We want this effort to bring it back in an even more successful form.”

Indeed, in 2022 the city saw an amazing outpouring of support from the community for keeping the West Pearl a pedestrianized community space. The City Council received hundreds of letters – as many as they’ve ever gotten on a single topic – asking them to keep West Pearl.

“As the mother of a toddler, I’m energized by the idea of creating a public space where my daughter can safely explore and engage with the community, free from the constant threat of vehicles.”, said Lisa Snow, Pearl For You campaign committee member. “I envision a vibrant, informal area where we can connect with others and experience the energy of downtown, without feeling confined to a narrow, crowded sidewalk.”

West Pearl is the essence of what makes Boulder unique and restoring West Pearl is a simple act of solidarity and togetherness as we enter the next years of uncertainty.

Learn more at PearlForYou.org

The post Pearl For You Announces 2025 Ballot Campaign Kick-Off appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Longmont Community Foundation awards $25k-one time grant alert

Guest Contributor — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 02:17:09 +0000

The Longmont Community Foundation is proud to announce the Mary Blue Environmental Grant. It was established through a generous gift from the Estate of Mary Blue, a passionate environmentalist who championed the transformative power of nature in educating and renewing youth. We are currently seeking grant applications from organizations that provide youth-oriented environmental or youth-oriented outdoor education programs. This is a ONE-TIME grant, so make sure to take advantage of the opportunity.

We will be awarding up to $25,000!

Eligibility:

The organization must be headquartered in Boulder or Weld County.

Applications must include:

A complete application – only four required questions!

Timeline: The deadline for applications is 11:45 p.m. Wednesday, February 26, 2025; Decisions will be made by late March.

The Longmont Community Foundation is committed to transparency and accountability throughout this process, and we invite any questions you may have while completing the application.

Apply here.

The post Longmont Community Foundation awards $25k-one time grant alert appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Colorado’s Sweetheart City Launches 79th Valentine’s Season

Guest Contributor — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 02:09:58 +0000

Valentine’s season is officially underway in Loveland, Colorado, the nation’s Sweetheart City. The 79th annual celebration includes the largest of its kind Valentine Re-Mailing Program, the annual Sweetheart Festival, exclusive offerings such as Valentine-themed wine, beer, candy, cupcake, and coffee, the Loveland Sweetheart Classic 4-mile race, and the Valentine Group Wedding. All these Valentine’s season activities and events are scheduled throughout February.

“We are excited to celebrate 79 years of sharing love worldwide! Each year, the Valentine season in Loveland continues to captivate hearts,” said Mindy McCloughan, president of the Loveland Chamber of Commerce. “There’s no more meaningful way to spread love, joy, and hope than through a heartfelt Valentine from the Sweetheart City. This year’s designs and messages reflect our ongoing dedication to kindness and connection. Continuing this cherished tradition is especially important as we remind the world that love is the most beautiful gift we can give and receive.”

Valentine Season Events & Experiences

Look up! 408 hearts with love notes will soon line the streets of Loveland. The visual displays of love in the Sweetheart City are the signature large Valentine hearts provided by Loveland’s Thompson Valley Rotary Club. Hearts are listed online for sale in December and sell out within hours!

The Loveland Sweetheart Festival

Feb. 14-15, 2025

Get ready for the Sweetheart Festival 2025 in downtown Loveland, an unforgettable celebration for lovers, families, and friends. Experience the fun Friday, Feb. 14, from 5-9 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 15, from 10 a.m.-8 p.m., as 4th Street transforms into a vibrant hub of joy and festivities. Enjoy live entertainment, live music, and the Loveland Flea Market featuring over 30 vendors. Indulge in delicious beer, wine, sweet treats, and mouthwatering food from fantastic food trucks. Plus, on 3rd street in the Foundry Plaza don’t miss out on children’s activities, the community stage, and a special QR code that unlocks exclusive promotions from the downtown businesses. Learn more at lovelandsweetheartfestival.com.

Loveland Lights at Chapungu

Jan. 31 – Feb. 16 SPECIAL LIVE NIGHT on Feb. 8

Centerra announces the return of Loveland Lights LIVE! In partnership with the stunning Loveland Lights display at Chapungu Sculpture Park taking place from Feb. 1-16. Visit on Saturday, Feb. 8, from 5-8 p.m. for a magical evening under the stars including a lively dueling pianos performance. Sip on the official Sweetheart beer and wine of 2025, and explore the park, where over 300,000 sparkling lights will set the perfect romantic backdrop. Get more information at visitloveland.com/loveland-lights.

Colorado Eagles Hockey Sweetheart Game

Feb. 12, 2025

The Colorado Eagles and the City of Loveland are excited to team up for the Sweetheart Game on Wednesday, Feb. 12 versus the San Jose Barracuda at Blue Arena. For the third season in a row, the Eagles and Visit Loveland will host the Sweetheart Game. Events include:

· Fans can enter to win one of 150 “Sweetheart City Packs” via Eagles social media beginning the last week in January including two tickets to the game and a gift bag from Visit Loveland.

· Red and Pink light up sticks provided by the City of Loveland upon entrance to the game for the first 2,500 fans in attendance.

· Stop by the Visit Loveland booth and show which person or player you Love by filing out a “I Love _______” sign.

· Enter to win a team-signed jersey.

· Fun for the whole family at this marquee game during the Valentine’s season.

Valentine Group Wedding

Feb. 14, 2025

Loveland’s 9th annual celebration of commitment to love returns, promising an enhanced experience for 2025. This year the wedding and vow renewal ceremony takes place at the stunning Sweet Heart Winery & Event Center. The ceremony encompasses music chosen by guests, a personalized ceremony, commemorative photos, gift bags, special wedding cupcakes, a symbolic love lock for Loveland’s iconic LOVE or HEART sculptures, and a chance to win a huge gift basket and prizes. Cost is $150 per couple and registration is limited. Loveland’s Valentine’s Day Group Wedding is hosted by BIG DEAL Company, in partnership with the Sweet Heart Winery, Visit Loveland and the Loveland Chamber.

2025 Sweetheart Classic 4-miler

Feb. 15, 2025

Loveland’s Sweetheart Classic, presented by Redemption Church, returns at 9 a.m. on Feb. 15, 2025. The four-mile race starts in downtown Loveland and the awards will be held downtown.

LOVE Hot Air Balloon Rides

Feb. 15, 2025

Ride in the famous “Love Balloon” Valentine’s weekend in the Sweetheart City! Rides take place on Feb. 15 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at The Ranch Events Complex at 5280 Arena Circle. The cost is $25 per person and a waiver is required. The minimum age is 6 years old and adults must be in relatively good health (no broken bones, no mobility issues, and no pregnant women). No restrooms are available on site and all rides are weather dependent. Contact: John Bell at 970-300-3332 or visit lovehotairballoonrides.com/

Heartfelt Indulgences

2025 Loveland Valentine Wine

Sweet Heart Winery will feature its Cabernet Sauvignon from Alexander Valley, Calif. Rich, beautiful, and undeniably sexy, this wine is crafted with love and passion.

2025 Loveland Valentine Coffee
The Loveland Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Top of the Lake Coffee to produce the 2025 official Loveland Valentine coffee. Top of The Lake Coffee proudly announces the 2025 Sweetheart coffee flavor: Cinnamon Roll. The perfect blend of vanilla and cinnamon!

2025 Valentine Beer

Founded in 2010, Grimm Brothers Brewhouse is Loveland’s oldest brewery. Once upon a time Grimm Brothers, in collaboration with the Loveland Chamber of Commerce and Visit Loveland, brewed a beer for the Sweetheart City. It was said that beer, known as The Bleeding Heart, held mystic powers. When consumed on a full moon, The Bleeding Heart was said to show you your heart’s true desire. This will be the 14th version of The Bleeding Heart release.

2025 Valentine Candy

Colorado Candy Company is proud to feature a cinnamon flavored heart-shaped candy. The Cinnamon Sweethearts candy is made exclusively for the Sweetheart City and sold at Centerra Hallmark and Loveland Visitors Center.

2025 Valentine Cupcake

B Sweet Cupcakes announces its Valentine Cupcake flavor for the season of love. “Red Velvet Kiss” is a light chocolate-infused red velvet cake, swirled with cream cheese morsels, topped with airy vanilla cream cheese frosting, coated in heart red sugar and kissed with a chocolate.

NEW: Valentine Candle

Kinzie Sargent, age 10, is selling candles for a cause. A portion of her candles sold at the Loveland Visitors Center benefit the House of Neighborly Services.

NEW FEATURE: The Namaqua Heart

Romance illuminates the sky in Loveland. Life Scout, Noah Kreutzer, with Troop 314 built and installed an LED heart on Namaqua Ridge to shine during the Valentine’s season. Noah has loved the existing Holiday Star since he was a young child. Adding a heart to the existing infrastructure of the star seemed like a natural fit for The Sweetheart City. The Heart is lit now until after Valentine’s Day, shining over Loveland.

2025 Miss Loveland Valentine

Miss Loveland Valentine 2025, Ella Pettit, is sponsored by Loveland’s Thompson Valley Rotary Club. Ella is a senior at Loveland High School and actively involved in her community, volunteering through her church and engaged in various clubs and activities at school while serving as the captain of her soccer team.

Loveland’s Valentine Re-Mailing Program

The 2025 official Loveland Valentine card, collector’s stamp (also known as a cachet) and postmark were announced this week. The collector’s stamp and postmark will be stamped on every piece of mail that comes through the program. Loveland receives around 100,000 Valentines annually from all 50 states and 110 countries across the world through its Valentine Re-mailing Program, the largest program of its kind. Sponsors and volunteers handstamp the collector’s stamp and postmark onto each individual Valentine that comes through the city’s post office.

2025 Collector’s Envelope Artwork, Remailing Program Deadlines Announced

The 2025 cache artwork was designed by Corry McDowell and includes the following verse written by Jeanne Perrine:

To get this special 2025 collector’s envelope artwork and postmark, package pre-addressed, pre-stamped Valentines in a larger First-Class envelope. Send the envelope to Postmaster – Attention Valentines, 446 E. 29th St., Loveland, CO 80538-9998. Once received, Valentines will be removed from the larger envelope and hand-stamped before being re-mailed to intended recipients.
The official Valentine drop location sponsors include Independent Financial and Elevations Credit Union. Drop off self-addressed, stamped Valentine envelopes at these locations, as well as the Chamber of Commerce, Visitors Center and The Loveland Post Office (446 E. 29th St. Loveland, CO 80538 & 601 Cleveland Ave Loveland, CO 80537). The post office will accept Valentines dropped off in the red mailbox displayed in the lobby from Jan. 10-Feb. 10, 2025.

Elevations Credit Union members can get free stamps for their Valentines from Jan. 8- Feb. 10 at the Loveland Branch. The Loveland branch will have valentine/heart stamps for all members who would like to drop their valentines at the mailbox in the branch (limit 20 per member).

Mailing Deadlines:

· Jan. 29, 2025 | International mail deadline

· Feb. 7, 2025 | Continental U.S deadline

· Feb. 10, 2025 | Colorado deadline (within the state)

2025 Collectible Valentine Card

The 2025 Valentine card was designed by Tiffany Villavicencio. The card design features a heart-shaped flurry of snowflakes. The card verse was also created by Tiffany Villavicencio.

A winter wish this Valentine’s Day,

As snowflakes drift along their way.

Each flake unique, like the love we share,

From The Sweetheart City, showing we care

Valentine cards can be purchased online at Loveland.org for $12 (which includes the card, printing, processing and postage). All cards purchased through Loveland.org will automatically go through the re-mailing program.

The 2025 collectible cards may also be purchased in person at the following retailers: Loveland Visitors Center, B Sweet Cupcakes, Olive and Herb, Columbine Drug, Club Loveland, Loveland Good Sam, Barnyard Vet & Pet Supply, Independent Financial, Loveland Museum & Gallery, Adams Bank & Trust, Rowes Flowers, Safeway Downtown, Safeway (Taft/Eisenhower), Safeway (Wilson/Eisenhower), King Soopers (Orchards), King Soopers (Eagle Dr.), Walmart (65th Ave), and Walmart (Denver Ave.)

Valentine cards may be dropped off Jan. 10-Feb. 10, 2025 at the Loveland Visitors Center (5400 Stone Creek Circle, Suite 200) or any of the other five locations listed here.

The post Colorado’s Sweetheart City Launches 79th Valentine’s Season appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

The Artists: Painting in the Dissonance

Shawn Narcensio — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 20:44:26 +0000

Engineer-turned-artist Betina Brumm, out of Longmont, loves disruption. Be it in technology or art, she admires the kinds of creations that challenge tradition. The nature of the word “disruption” brings about ideas of chaos, but the true power of ideas comes from the opportunity they create. COVID, for example, broke all our routines and set the whole world on pause. Brumm began that pause as an engineer and came out the other side an artist who is certain this is the career she wants to pursue for the rest of her life.

Abstract realism

One of the more surprising moments in my conversation with Brumm was learning she’s actually schooled as an engineer. And, while she practiced visual arts since she was a child, she didn’t go to art school, something she believes lends itself to her creative process and a strong possibility why she landed on abstract realism as a primary means of expression: “I grew into abstract realism,” Brumm recalls. “I’m not formally trained in painting, but I’ve painted all my life,” “I started painting in my early teens. I started with pastels and crayons, to portraits, and I moved to oils. The transition to artist from engineer wasn’t an easy one.”

According to the International Society of Automation, what makes a great engineer is the ability to see and focus on the smallest of details. As the ISA explains: “Engineering is by definition a detail-oriented profession, but the field of automation requires almost fanatical attention to detail. Everything matters, which is why instrument spec sheets have so many lines on them.”

While a detailed-oriented approach is great for engineering, it didn’t lend itself as well to Brumm’s artistic expression.

“I was doing very realistic portraits,” explains Brumm. I always do painting as a gift, but I found painting portraits very emotionally draining. My approach for realistic paintings is that it has to be perfect. When I made the decision to go to abstract realism, it allowed me to play with color. Very deep and deep saturated [colors]. It gives the piece uniqueness. I’m putting the subject beneath a different lens.”

The Unknown

In her painting “The Unknown,” Brumm depicts the face of an older homeless man. On the surface of this concept, we have the idea of pity and struggle. However, Brumm’s use of color hardens the image, showing the man not only has wisdom and experience but also confidence in his world view.

In addition to the color, Brumm added texture to the man’s beard, uniquely grounding the subject. Using the freedom that abstract realism provides, Brumm adds depth to the painting, creating an image that leaves a lasting impression.

The blurring of artistic boundaries

Brumm’s penchant for the arts started at a young age. Not only does she have a love for visual arts, but she also has a passion for dancing.

“It’s more about the music itself and the expression,” says Brumm explaining her love of dance. I think that, originally, dance wasn’t related to my painting. I [painted] since I was little and did portraits all the time. But, [I] do have a series that focuses on the dance and the movement. Dance is rich and deeply emotional.”

Brumm’s roots connect to Spain, so it should come as no surprise one of the first dances she learned from a young age was flamenco. She was even able to join a tango dance troupe here in Colorado. The balance of movement and structure found within ballroom dance isn’t surprising when considering Brumm’s affinity for abstract realism.

An article on Medium characterized this crossover between the arts: “Both visual and performing arts serve as powerful mediums for the expression of emotions, ideas, and narratives. Artists and performers use their chosen medium, be it paint, sculpture, dance, or theater, to convey complex feelings and thoughts, tell stories, and connect with audiences on a deep emotional level.”

Brumm is working on a series that focuses on this crossover by extending the focus to the movement of dancers. She has a piece where a woman expresses herself through hip-hop movements, and she’s currently working on another piece that’s of a flamenco dancer.

The artist’s control of AI

Brumm’s perspective on artificial intelligence is unique as she is both an engineer and an artist. The threat of AI has been ever present, as Brumm sees it, and as some of the other creators in this series have attested to, AI is just a tool to be harnessed.

Unrestrained Energy

“Well, as a former engineer who always worked with technology, I love robotics,” Brumm confesses. “I love disruption technology. I think people my age who have experienced decades know the challenge in changing technology can scare people. But, it is inevitable.”

She uses AI to make sketches when she has an idea. Then she begins to edit lines, angles, and colors. Brumm admitted that whenever she uses a prompt, the resulting sketch is never good enough. AI is the assistant to her creative process; she is the director of the process.

“AI has been among us for decades,” says Brumm. “But, now it’s in everybody’s reach. It’s a tool.”

A small survey conducted by Playform found 65% of participating artists use AI to do some initial sketches. Though the evidence is a small sample size, Brumm painted the picture of how AI can streamline the creation process and, like most labor-saving technology, is leaning toward becoming a mainstay in the artist’s creation process.

The subtle themes

As the subjects of Brumm’s work are from a variety of different locales, the ideas of migration and global citizenry, although subtle, can also be found in her choice of subject and her craftsmanship. In a piece titled, “The British Library” by Yinka Shonibare, curator Achim Borchardt-Hume explored the nuances: “Migration to me feels ‘normal.’ I am aware that I am saying this from the privileged position of having had a choice. Hardly a migration, yours, some may say. Yet, I chose to migrate. To me, not to belong feels like an open place to be in.”

As her mother is originally from Spain, having such a close connection to another country gave Brumm a unique lens. Abstract realism as a vehicle allows Brumm the space to shift borders, broaden structures, and add extra elements to her work. Portraying subjects from as far away as Tibet and as close to home as Colorado, the lines blur ever so gently, while always letting the core of humanity, the well of emotions, tell the story. Even as Brumm moves to work on a commercial line focused on elements specific to Colorado, she wants to use the physical elements of Colorado to make the pieces unique to this area.

“I’m actually taking something that is very unique to Colorado, which is the change between winter and spring, from nature. It’s something we have that is beautiful. And, to be honest I haven’t seen people paint it.”

She wanted to incorporate the texture involved in the transition from winter to spring and spoke of creating cards. Having a card infused with actual Colorado soil, rocks, or leaves sent across the globe would be a creative turn in Brumm’s artistic process while still carrying the heart of her work.

Where the heart will lead

Currently, Brumm has lots of things brewing. She has plans for shows across the world in places like Greece and, weather pending, Dubai. Brumm often does paintings for auctions that benefit charities. The details on how this will manifest are evolving, but she hopes to have something for the holidays along the lines of textured Christmas cards. What is surprising, despite near worldwide exposure, is her goal of having a local show of her work here in Colorado.

“I think that I would feel accomplished in different ways if I could show all my work in a local museum. Or in a local space where people can see it. Pearl Street, a Boulder museum, but as I said I’m not actively looking at that yet. I want to have enough [paintings]. It will come.”

Brumm stepped forward in her career as a painter with the grace of a dancer. Until her local showing in Colorado becomes a reality, she will continue her journey from Greece to Colorado, wherever she ends up, she simply wants to go with the flow.

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The post The Artists: Painting in the Dissonance appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Concert for LA – A Benefit for Wildfire Victims at Chautauqua

Guest Contributor — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 03:38:14 +0000

Editor’s Note: Press Releases are provided to Yellow Scene. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Boulder, Colorado – January 23, 2025 – The Colorado Chautauqua announces its Concert For LA, a night of music and giving to benefit wildfire victims to be held on February 26 at 7:30pm in the historic Chautauqua Community House.

The concert received immediate support from a number of well-known names on the Colorado music scene and will feature performances from Jason Hann (String Cheese Incident), Megan Burtt, Alexa Wildish, Derek Dames Ohl, Dechen Hawk, Caleb Schwing, Scott Bauer, members of Daniel Rodriguez, Jake Leg, Sturtz, Heavy Diamond Ring, The Living Room band, and more incredible local artists. Concert-goers can stay overnight in a Chautauqua cottage at a discounted rate. The event will also include a silent auction and additional ways to give back.

This event aligns with the altruistic spirit of the 126-year-old nonprofit Colorado Chautauqua and was conceived by Scott Bauer, Chautauqua Senior Manager, Event Programming and Operations. Bauer commented, “Los Angeles was my home for ten years and holds a very special place in my heart. Seeing how it impacted so many of my closest friends and family moved me to try and help in any way possible. I’m so thrilled that the local music community has been eager to support in the same way, and I’m looking forward to an incredible show!”

Ticket and lodging proceeds from this event will support those impacted by the devastating Eaton Fire, with funds going to the Eaton Fire Recovery and Relief Fund, through the Pasadena Community Foundation.

Name: Concert For LA: A Benefit for Wildfire Victims
Date: Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Doors: 6:30 pm
Show: 7:30 pm
Location: Chautauqua Community House, 900 Baseline Rd. Boulder, CO
Tickets: $50 inclusive of service fees
Website link: Concert for LA: A Benefit for Wildfire Victims – The Colorado Chautauqua
Media Contact: Liza Purvis – liza.purvis@chautauqua.com – 303-952-1638 or 720-532-4121
About Chautauqua Community House in Boulder, CO

The 1918 Chautauqua Community House, AKA “Chautauqua’s Living Room has been described by
concert-goers as “One of the best small venues in Colorado”. Its small scale (120 seat capacity)
and Mission style galleried space allow audiences to feel part of the performance. Chautauqua
Community house hosts weekly concerts, films and speaker events from October thru April. View
2025 spring line up.
About The Pasadena Community Foundation, Eaton Fire Relief and Recovery Fund
Website link: https://pasadenacf.org/donate/

The post Concert for LA – A Benefit for Wildfire Victims at Chautauqua appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Colorado Energy & Carbon Management Commission Stays Highly Contested Draco Pad Indefinitely

Guest Contributor — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 21:56:49 +0000

Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

COLORADO ENERGY & CARBON MANAGEMENT COMMISSION STAYS HIGHLY CONTESTED DRACO PAD INDEFINITELY

Ensuring protection of public health, safety, and the environment is prioritized

DENVER, CO — Today, the Colorado Energy & Carbon Management Commission (ECMC) voted unanimously to stay the Draco Oil and Gas Development Plan (OGDP) proposed by Extraction Oil & Gas Inc./Civitas Resources. The plan, which would have allowed Civitas to horizontally drill and fracture 26 wellbores, some extending five miles underground, under the Town of Erie — including residential areas and schools — has been indefinitely paused. This decision ensures that public health, safety, welfare, environmental protection, and wildlife resources remain at the forefront of Colorado’s energy policies.

The stay comes after the Commission identified the need for additional analysis of alternative development locations, which would ensure that Erie residents are more appropriately represented in local decision-making. While risks remain with any proposed location, including the unprecedented length of the wellbores and the proximity to existing wells, the Commission acknowledged the importance of further investigation into potential safer alternatives before proceeding.

“We are deeply relieved and grateful that the Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission listened to the voices of Erie residents and issued a stay on the Draco oil and gas development project,” said Sami Carroll, Founder of Flatiron Meadows Oil & Gas Monitoring Group. “This decision represents a victory for the community. It affirms that the Commission recognizes the unique complications surrounding the governance of the Town of Erie and the impact that such projects have on residents. Today, we celebrate this win and look forward to continued work with the Town of Erie on ensuring a safer, more sustainable future.”

The Commission’s decision was shaped by the newly adopted Cumulative Impacts rules stemming from Senate Bill 19-181, which require operators to demonstrate that adverse impacts from oil and gas operations are first avoided, and if unavoidable, minimized or mitigated. The Commission recognized that further exploration of alternative locations represents the best opportunity to avoid unnecessary harms to the community. Additionally, the stay allows time for further discussions between Civitas Resources and the Town of Erie to consider potential alternative sites.

The Commission also weighed the significant future risks posed by the proposed site, including the proximity to residential communities, schools, and ongoing developments, as well as the impact on air quality in the Denver Metropolitan/North Front Range ozone nonattainment area. The Commission’s deliberations underscored the importance of considering both current and foreseeable impacts when evaluating new energy projects.

The decision to stay the Draco OGDP also carries broader implications for other Colorado communities facing similar development proposals. Save The Aurora Reservoir (STAR), which has been advocating for the protection of its own community, welcomed the decision as a strong indication that the Commission will prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection in future development considerations.

“Today’s ruling shows that the Commission is committed to assessing the full range of risks associated with large-scale oil and gas projects. This is a step in the right direction and sets an important precedent for projects like the proposed Lowry CAP pad, which we fear could have serious consequences for the region,” said STAR. “We encourage the Commission to continue applying the cumulative impacts mitigation hierarchy, ensuring that harmful projects are prevented and that our communities remain protected.”

Community Reactions
Residents of Erie expressed relief and gratitude for the Commission’s decision. “We are so relieved that the Energy Commission ruled on behalf of the public interest,” said Jennifer Hanan, an Erie resident. “This decision shows the importance of listening to the concerns of surrounding communities before moving forward with potentially harmful projects.”

Barbara & Tom Petruzzi, longtime residents of Erie, added, “After 43 years in the Boulder mountains, we chose to retire in Erie because we believed people here care about the environment and health of the residents. This decision proves we were right. The Commission upheld its responsibility to protect public health and safety, and we are incredibly grateful.”

“We’re thankful that the ECMC has chosen to prioritize our community’s health and safety over corporate interests,” said Paul VanTol, a local healthcare professional. “This is a significant victory for Boulder and Weld Counties.”

Looking Ahead
While the Commission’s stay on the Draco OGDP is seen as a win for public health and environmental safety, organizations like 350 Colorado continue to advocate for the full rejection of such projects, emphasizing the need to prioritize sustainable, community-centered solutions over harmful fossil fuel extraction.

“While today’s decision is a step forward, we are committed to ensuring that projects like Draco — which pose significant risks to our air, water, and residents — are not just moved but fully rejected,” said Melissa Burrell, 350 Colorado Boulder County Team Coordinator. “We will continue to fight for policies that put public health and environmental sustainability ahead of corporate profits.”

About Flatiron Meadows Oil & Gas Monitoring Group (FMOGMG):

Flatiron Meadows O&G Monitoring Group is a coalition of concerned residents and community members directly impacted by oil and gas development, specifically the Draco Oil and Gas Development Project. The group is dedicated to educating and empowering neighbors to take action to protect their homes, health, and environment. FMOGMG serves as an information hub, advocate, and mobilizer for local communities affected by energy development in Colorado.

About Save The Aurora Reservoir (STAR):

Save The Aurora Reservoir (STAR) is a nonprofit organization committed to protecting the Aurora Reservoir and surrounding communities from harmful oil and gas operations. STAR advocates for stronger environmental protections and public health safeguards in the face of industrial expansion.

About 350 Colorado:

350 Colorado is a grassroots nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing the climate crisis and advocating for a just transition to a sustainable, fossil-free future. As the largest grassroots climate organization in Colorado, 350 Colorado works to advance policies that prioritize people and the planet over corporate interests.

For media inquiries or more information, please contact:

Sami Carroll, Founder, Flatiron Meadows Oil & Gas Monitoring Group
samicarroll@gmail.com | 303.587.9171

Melissa Burrell, 350 Colorado Boulder County Team Coordinator
melissa@350colorado.org | 360.528.7408

The post Colorado Energy & Carbon Management Commission Stays Highly Contested Draco Pad Indefinitely appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.