By Nicole Speer in Nicole's Notes — 19 Apr 2026

April 20, 2026

Wildfire mitigation support, Earth Day event with Rep. Junie Joseph, cultural event funds, airport funding choices, and planning for power resilience.

I was excited to stop by the emerging Western City Campus building last week! The long‑term savings from this investment will benefit Boulder for generations.

What's new?

Applications are now open for the 2026 Wildfire Resilience Assistance Program, which helps property owners fund wildfire mitigation. Learn more.
Boulder Parks and Recreation is looking for a vendor to run a self‑contained healthy concessions cart at an outdoor pool this summer. Apply by May 5.
Apply for Human Relations Fund support for 2026 Immigrant Heritage Month and Juneteenth events. Applications close May 18.

With no meeting or study session the week of April 27, look for the next newsletter the week of May 4.

Upcoming Topics

At this week's study session, Councilmembers will discuss whether to take federal airport grants or keep funding the airport locally. They'll also review a plan for a Power Resilience Roadmap to address Boulder’s rising power outage risks.

Learn more about this week’s topics + upcoming items

Recent Decisions

At its meeting last week, the City Council advanced a metro district model service plan and heard an update on state legislation. Councilmembers also weighed in on a bill that would allow homeowners to split their lots.

Learn more about recent decisions

Get engaged

Join State Representative Junie Joseph on April 22 for an Earth Day event at the Capitol with leading environmental and civil rights organizations.
Hear from Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn at a downtown town hall the evening of April 22.
Share your ideas for renaming downtown's main park at BMoCA's Día del Niño event on April 25 or via an online survey through May 4.
Provide input on design options to improve safety along Manhattan Drive, especially to and from Manhattan Middle School at a Community Walk and Roll on April 25 or online through May 3.
Help Open Space and Mountain Parks gather community input on how people get to open space and how to improve multimodal options through May 3.

Community kudos

Congratulations to staff for completing the 19th Street improvements and thank you to neighbors for your patience during construction. These projects improve safety, travel options, and flood resilience for everyone in the area.

And thanks to staff for putting together informative summaries on Boulder's water supply, affordable housing programs and progress, and a spring campaign to promote safe and courteous biking, scooting, and rolling.

What I'm reading/listening to

Councilmembers Mark Wallach and Ryan Schuchard discuss Boulder’s aging buildings and the large funding gap to fix them. (Boulder Reporting Lab)
Boulder’s main shelter will limit stays for people without local ties to focus resources on residents with connections to the county. (Boulder Reporting Lab)
An in-depth look at why more residents across the region are noticing louder, more frequent small‑plane traffic. (Daily Camera)
Denver restaurant owners argue against lowering the tipped minimum wage, disputing a report they and the city's auditor say relies on flawed data. (9 News)
After Colorado’s worst winter on record, forecasters watch for a possible active monsoon and a potential super El Niño later this year. (The Colorado Sun)

Quote for the month

Efficient, error-free communication is vital for all life.

-Biology Foundations

Community resources

The Food Tax Rebate helps lower‑income community members with food costs. Learn more and apply by June 30 here.

Click here to find additional financial and social assistance programs, report an issue, contact staff or Councilmembers, learn about grant opportunities, and more.