By Nicole Speer in Nicole's Notes — 05 Apr 2026

April 6, 2026

Emergency siren testing, Drought Watch, infrastructure improvements, HHS 2025 impacts, Arts Blueprint, facilities funding, and myriad engagement opportunities.

A beautiful opening day to kick off the 2026 season at the Boulder Farmers Market.

What's new?

The city begins emergency siren testing on April 6. Sign up for emergency alerts and find more information on flood and emergency readiness here.
Boulder is now in a Drought Watch. Please wait to water lawns and use water wisely indoors. Learn more and find tips on how to reduce your water use here.
Construction is beginning on the final phase of Baseline Road safety improvements. Read about the project and timeline here.

Upcoming Topics

At the study session this week, Councilmembers will learn about the Arts Blueprint and discuss a long-term strategy to maintain and invest in public buildings.

(I wrote about the broader context behind Boulder’s aging public buildings in a recent Daily Camera guest opinion.)

Learn more about this week’s topics + upcoming items

Recent Decisions

City Council approved a change that allows renters to participate in festival lodging, which previously applied only to property owners. Councilmembers also reviewed options to freeze or slow increases to tipped workers' base wages.

Learn more about recent decisions

Get engaged

Tell the city which services matter most to you by joining a Fund Our Future session on April 7, 13, 14, or 19, or doing an online activity before April 19.
Boulder Arts Week runs through April 12 and features mural tours, theater performances, dance workshops, poetry readings, pottery classes, and more.
Learn about the tradeoffs BVSD is weighing to prioritize student learning and outcomes at community conversations on April 13 and 16.
Get a free tree seedling or native plant at the annual Tree Seedling Giveaway on April 18.
Connect with essential services and information on affordable housing, tenant rights, and more at the Housing Resource Fair on April 19.

Community kudos

Thank you to Gunbarrel residents and businesses for your patience during the 63rd Street waterline replacement. The bulk of the work is over, and the whole city's drinking water system is now more reliable.

Thank you to the Housing and Human Services team for sharing a detailed look at their 2025 impacts across housing, crisis response, and basic needs support. And for their extraordinary everyday work to help community members find more safety and stability.

What I'm reading/listening to

Divers are coming in to remove invasive milfoil at the Boulder Reservoir, underscoring the rising costs of managing the city’s ecosystems and infrastructure as the climate warms. (Boulder Reporting Lab)
Dozens of local employees face furloughs as the Trump administration blocks NOAA funding, jeopardizing workers' livelihoods and critical climate monitoring work. (Boulder Reporting Lab)
Colorado's childcare assistance program is buckling under demand, with nearly 14,000 eligible children without care and many providers struggling to stay open. (The Colorado Sun)
A look at how childcare supports our daily lives, and why shortages and high costs strain workers, businesses, and the broader community. (The Denver Post)
Jovita Schiffer discusses how quickly misinformation and missing context can spread, and why it's important to pause long enough to get the full picture. (The Daily Camera)

Quote for the month

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

-Biology Foundations

Community resources

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