It’s Monday, June 10, 2024.
Happy Monday, Boulder. Hopefully you’re staying hydrated.
For today, we’re covering a policy recommendation to the Cannabis Licensing Advisory Board calling for a ban on the sale of cannabis concentrates in the City of Boulder. In the 1990s, the potency of THC products averaged 4%. Now, Boulder dispensaries have products that are approaching 90%. We spoke to Boulder County parents, health professionals, scientists and others on the issue. Many are increasingly concerned that these higher potencies are taking a toll on young people using them. Some research suggests such high-potency products can trigger psychosis and suicidal ideation, yet the science on THC and developing brains is scant, and causation of mental health issues is difficult to establish.
Also, we have a new reporting fellow for the summer. Por Jaijongkit, a recent graduate of CU Boulder’s journalism master’s program, will be contributing to Boulder’s understanding of our community for the next several months. Hoping to build a journalism career on the Front Range, Jaijongkit brings a background in creative writing to the pursuit of telling Boulder’s stories.
Have a great day.
— Tim, reporter
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Representative Junie Joseph has championed safety and community throughout her career, from the UN to Boulder City Council to the Colorado State House of Representatives. With your support, she will continue to advocate for issues that enhance the safety, sustainability, and resiliency of our community. Vote to re-elect Junie Joseph.
A call to ban the sale of high-potency THC products in Boulder amid rising teen mental health concerns
Parents, teachers and healthcare workers are increasingly concerned about high THC products’ effects on Boulder County youth. In August, the Boulder Cannabis Licensing Advisory Board will review a policy recommendation to ban cannabis concentrates, though its authority to implement a ban is uncertain. Continue reading…
Meet Boulder Reporting Lab’s summer 2024 Community Reporting Fellow
Por Jaijongkit, a recent graduate of CU Boulder’s journalism master’s program, is our newest reporting intern. Continue reading…
Boulder Reporting Lab is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization that empowers our community through non-partisan, locally focused journalism that informs and connects.
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Thunder continues
Today will be like the weekend, with 80-degree temperatures carrying a risk of afternoon thunderstorms. Precipitation is also a possibility — a good thing, as the ground is only getting thirstier with the latter half of this week slinking back up into the 90s.
Tubing ban in effect for North and Saint Vrain Creeks
Boulder County Sheriff Curtis Johnson announced the closure of the North and Saint Vrain creeks and rivers to tubing and single-chamber flotation devices. The decision, made for public safety, took effect on June 7. The closure extends from Apple Valley Road to North Foothills Highway. The ban applies to single-chamber rafts, single-chamber belly boats and inner tubes. Kayaks and white-water canoes are exempt from the closure.
At the time of the closure, the Saint Vrain River was flowing at about 768 cubic feet per second (CFS). Further increases were expected due to spring runoff and scheduled water releases from local reservoirs.
The current protocol, established by the sheriff’s office in consultation with other officials, is to close the creek when the water flows at a sustained rate of 700 CFS. After a particularly deadly season on Boulder Creek last year, Boulder Fire-Rescue Chief Michael Calderazzo expressed concerns about people being on the water above 300 CFS, with or without life jackets.
“The 300-700 range is deceptively deadly,” he told city councilmembers last summer.
Royal Arch closed part-time for repairs
Starting today, the City of Boulder has closed the Royal Arch Trail for maintenance. The trail will be closed 24 hours a day from Monday through Thursday and will reopen Friday through Sunday until early September. Crews will work on rebuilding areas near Sentinel Pass and installing steps using materials previously delivered by helicopter.
Royal Arch is one of Boulder’s legacy trails, incredibly popular but poorly designed for the amount of traffic they receive. Their steep nature makes them prone to erosion. Mount Sanitas is another such trail. This would be manageable if only a few dozen people walked the trails each year, but more people walk the City of Boulder’s trails each year than Yellowstone National Park.
Juneteenth flag raising
On June 14 at 3 p.m., the City of Boulder will host a Juneteenth flag raising at the Penfield Tate II Municipal Building. Local leaders from the Boulder City Council, NAACP and CU will speak, and Selasee and the Fafa Family band will perform.
Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. Although the Emancipation Proclamation officially ended slavery in 1863, it took until June 1865 for the news to reach those still enslaved in Texas. The announcement on June 19 led to the celebration of Juneteenth, Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, an occasion that has been celebrated by Black communities throughout the United States for over 150 years. However, it was only officially recognized as a federal holiday in 2021, when President Joe Biden signed it into law. The City of Boulder followed suit in 2022.
“On this important day, we honor and uplift the perseverance of Black Americans. We do not shy away from recognizing the horrors of slavery, but on this day, we also choose to celebrate the joy of freedom,” said City Manager Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde. “On Juneteenth, we pause to reflect on our progress towards true equality and acknowledge there is work still to do.”
Work begins on Via Appia
Work on Via Appia in Louisville begins today, June 10. Approved by the city council on May 21, the project includes restriping Via Appia to reduce travel lanes, add bike lane buffers and shorten pedestrian crossing distances. This pilot project follows a “safe system approach,” ensuring no impact on emergency vehicles or evacuation routes.
The work starts at McCaslin Boulevard and progresses toward South Boulder Road, with completion expected in about two months, weather permitting.
Give feedback on Boulder County’s wildfire plan
A draft of the county’s Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) update is available for public review and comment through June 21. Among other things, the plan recommends projects to improve the county’s wildfire resilience and response.
To view the draft and provide feedback, visit the Boulder County website. The current CWPP was last updated in 2011.
Electrify workshop series continues today
Join the 1-2-3 Electrify Campaign for a workshop today at the Louisville Recreation & Senior Center from 6 to 7 p.m. This session aims to help Boulderites plan their residential electrification journey through expert presentations and resources that simplify the process and clarify costs.
Additional sessions will be held on July 13 and August 15, focusing on purchasing electric equipment and its maintenance. Check out BRL’s recent reporting on heat pumps — can they really handle our cold winters? — and geothermal systems.
2024 Lafayette Art Night Out band lineup announced
Every second Friday from May to September, from 5 to 9 p.m., South Public Road in Lafayette will come alive with live music, street performers, and an art market featuring 50 vendors. The band lineup includes:
- June 14: Los Mocochetes
- July 12: Hazel Miller & The Collective
- August 9: Kaitlyn Williams & Bunny Blake
- September 13: Paa Kow
The event will also feature a variety of food options.
BRL’s to-do list: Happening this week and weekend
Explore ALL upcoming events in Boulder. If you have something to promote, use the self-submission form on our events page, for free.
All week | The Cultural Caravan’s 2024 June Festival | Times vary
“The Cultural Caravan’s 2024 Festival features 10 jam-packed days of live music all across Boulder County! Catch dozens of local artists in countless locations throughout the county!”
Wednesday | Bands on the Bricks – The Reminders | 5:30 p.m.
“A rare and remarkable musical duo with undeniable magical chemistry, The Reminders transcend the bounds of expectation to uplift and entertain. They seamlessly blend razor sharp rhythms and raw, soulful vocals with reggae-tinged hip-hop beats to highlight their relevant and inspiring messages.”
Saturday, Sunday | Arts in the Open presents “Alice in Wonderland” | Times vary
“A madcap adaptation of the Lewis Carroll classic. Alice chases a White Rabbit down a hole to a world in which she encounters strange creatures and even stranger poetry.”
Saturday | Bike Theft Awareness Expo at Community Cycles | 12-3 p.m.
“Bike theft is a million-dollar problem in Boulder. Learn what you can do to minimize the risk.”
Saturday | Rock & Reuse Garden Sale | 9 a.m.
“Join us Saturday, June 15th at the Materials Reuse facility from 9am to 5pm for a garden extravaganza! Part of our Rock & Reuse Summer Concert Series, this event will feature a plant sale, Master Gardeners, and a special sale of reclaimed yard and garden equipment. Enjoy live music and food trucks from 11am to 2:30pm as well!”
Sunday | Flatiron Sounds Music Festival | 1-7 p.m.
“Announcing Chautauqua’s 1ST ANNUAL Flatiron Sounds Music Festival! Join us on Sunday, June 16th from 1-7 PM for a FREE music festival at Chautauqua Park featuring acts Clay Street Unit, Two Runner, Jake Leg, King Cardinal, and Alexa Wildish! In addition to these spectacular acts we’ll have phenomenal food, a beer garden, and an artisan market full of local vendors!
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