Boulder Reporting Lab

Good Friday morning, Boulder. Todayā€™s BRL Today is sponsored by Pedestrian Shops, a locally owned and operated Boulder business ready to help you find your next pair from the worldā€™s most comfortable shoe brands. Leading today: Boulder Valley School District has repeatedly said no decisions have been made about closing schools. But emails obtained by Boulder Reporting Lab show officials were preparing for possible closures months before the district was scheduled to publicly recommend a plan.

Colorado Connector, or CoCo, is an intercity passenger rail, not light rail or a typical commuter train. Starter Service is targeted to begin in 2029, operating in eight Front Range communities. The experience is designed around longer trips, with comfortable seating and amenities including Wi-Fi, power outlets, restrooms, luggage and bicycle storage, and food and beverage service.

The Environmental Defense Fund filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on Aug. 20 seeking to stop its attempt to dismantle Boulder’s National Center for Atmospheric Research. The lawsuit follows a similar lawsuit filed in March by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, a nonprofit consortium of 129 universities that manages NCAR.

Months before Boulder Valley School District was scheduled to recommend how to address declining enrollment, officials were preparing for the possibility of closing and consolidating schools, according to emails obtained by Boulder Reporting Lab. The records suggest that, in March, officials may have discussed closing two elementary schools and possibly a middle school.

This week’s Culture Club is sponsored by Rosetta Hall. Explore its six globally inspired kitchens, two full-service bars and a lively calendar of community events. Hi there, Boulder. Welcome back to Culture Club! It’s Thursday, Aug. 20, and I’m McKenzie, here with your weekly guide to arts, culture and things to do across Boulder County.

On a Thursday night in June, several dozen people crowded onto the back patio at Trident Booksellers & Cafe to hear Jeff Sharlet and Nathan Schneider discuss what Sharlet calls America’s “slow civil war.” The two friends, both writers and professors, explored the role of violence in the country’s deepening political divisions. One month later, the patio filled again.

This is a developing story and will be updated. It was last updated at 10:35 a.m. Boulder firefighters extinguished a wildfire near the mouth of Boulder Canyon on Thursday morning after it briefly prompted an evacuation warning for nearby residents. Boulder Fire-Rescue said the People’s Crossing Fire, which broke out near Eben G.

Good Wednesday morning, Boulder. Today’s BRL Today is sponsored by the City of Boulder’s free Climate Resilient Landscape Showcase Garden Tour on Aug. 22. Register to explore water-wise gardens, pollinator habitats and more across Boulder. Before we get into the news, we’re asking for your help so we can better serve you. Election season is underway, with four candidates running for Boulder mayor, 11 running for city council so far and several consequential ballot measures headed to voters.

The City of Boulder is again considering allowing cyclists to use a route that would connect Shanahan Ridge in South Boulder with the Doudy Draw trailhead near Eldorado Springs, reviving a debate between cyclists and conservationists that has divided residents for years. The current push grew out of mountain bikers’ requests for a safer bike connection during the city’s multimodal survey in April.

Boulder’s 2026 election is taking shape. Four candidates are running for mayor, 11 are running for city council so far and voters will decide several consequential ballot measures. As Boulder Reporting Lab plans its election coverage, we want to know what matters most to you. Today, we’re launching a short reader survey to learn which election issues you care about most and what you want candidates to answer before you vote.