Nicole Speer's Council Chronicles

A white bus blocks a street. An orange sign on the bus reads "Groundworks Art Lab Mobile Art Studio."

Nicole's Notes - Week of September 15, 2025

Ordinances to reduce parking demand and facilitate short-term festival rentals, more BVCP engagement opportunities, observe the Community Assembly.

Two people in front of the entrance to an art studio where colorful art projects line the walls.

Nicole's Notes - Week of September 8, 2025

New calls for community art projects, a chance to shape transit in Boulder County, Council discusses the 2026 Recommended Budget.

Local unions and worker advocates at Louisville's Annual Labor Day Parade on September 1.

Nicole's Notes - Week of September 2, 2025

Share stories for the BVCP update at Voicing Boulder, join city staff at "What's Up Boulder?" on September 7, review the 2026 Recommended Budget.

An elderly man sits in a rushing creek, laughing with surprise as cold water splashes around him.

Nicole's Notes - Week of August 25, 2025

Mental health on the November ballot, a classic case of survey bias, last week to weigh in on the regional Active Transportation Plan.

A graphic image shows two hands holding megaphones, inviting people to participate in an opinion poll.

Spotting bias in political surveys

A brief overview of common cognitive biases and how they are used in political polling.

Two people pose near a pedestrian bridge downtown with metal railings and leafy trees in the background.

Nicole's Notes - Week of August 18, 2025

New BVCP survey and engagement events open up, HOP bus service returns to Boulder Junction, a Danish history lesson on how to resist fascism.

Seven people pose in a modern art gallery with framed artwork on the wall behind them.

Nicole's Notes - Week of August 11, 2025

Suggest BVCP changes, learn about the Homelessness Strategy Update, prepare for seasonal and temporary closures at recreation centers and pools.

A snowy field with trees, a fence, and snow-covered flatirons under a clear, blue sky.

Nicole's Notes - Week of August 4, 2025

Public hearing on 2025 ballot measures, Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan community-led conversations, tight budgets, "the other N.R.A."

Buena Vista’s Arkansas River with visible current, forest, rocks, and a partly cloudy sky.

Nicole's Notes - Week of July 28, 2025

Water and wildfire hardening, a county behavioral health tax, the president decides mental institutions, not housing, will solve homelessness.

Visitors walk past art tents on Pearl Street during a sunny festival, with flower baskets and ‘Love the Local Downtown’ banners overhead.

Nicole's Notes - Week of July 21, 2025

Mobile food pantry, new platform for meeting agendas and materials, Council discusses manufactured homes and policies to grow the local economy.

A sea of people stands under a blue sky in Boulder's civic area. Some hold protest signs.

Nicole's Notes - Week of June 23, 2025

Parking requirements for new developments, polling results, Bike to Work Day, a quick note about hope.

Two hands come together, outstretched with palms facing up. A small, yellow daisy is in between them.

Nicole's Notes - Week of June 9, 2025

Community support following Pearl Street attack, land use code cleanups, Folsom Street open house.

Nicole's Notes - Week of October 20, 2025

Nicole's Notes - Week of October 13, 2025

Nicole's Notes - Week of October 6, 2025

Nicole's Notes - Week of September 22, 2025

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