February 9, 2026
Flatiron Freddy calls an early spring, Council discusses the Planning Reserve, Black Futures in Art events open across town, and Winter Walk & Bike Week gets underway.
In this newsletter
- What's new?
- Upcoming Topics
- Recent Decisions
- Get engaged
- Community Kudos
- What I'm reading/listening to
- Quote for the month
- Community resources
- Weekly Schedule
What's new?
- Planning and Development Services' 2025 review highlights code updates, customer service improvements, and the next phase of the BVCP update.
- The city is using community input gathered last fall to guide improvements to our water budget billing system. Read more here.
- Monday Feb. 16 is President's Day. City administrative offices will be closed, and Nicole's Notes will post Monday evening instead of Sunday.
Upcoming Topics
This week, Council holds a Public Hearing on whether to keep studying a possible future expansion into the Planning Reserve. Council will also discuss several BVCP community change requests the County advanced and get updates on Municipal Court operations and the Council’s community engagement efforts.
Recent Decisions
Council approved updated zoning for two sites at 55th & Arapahoe, allowing a long‑planned development to move forward. Council also discussed a state bill (HB26‑1001) that could change how nonprofit‑led housing is reviewed locally and worked with staff to set the timeline for this year’s Council priorities.
Get engaged
- Celebrate Black History Month with the annual Black Futures in Art Exhibitions at NoBo Bus Stop Gallery and the Dairy Arts Center (opening reception on Feb. 20).
- Feb. 8-14 is Winter Walk & Bike Week. Visit a breakfast station on Feb. 13, join a guided walk on Feb. 14, or attend a free "fix-a-flat" workshop on Feb. 11 and 18.
- Dr. Erica Chenowith discusses their research on nonviolent civil resistance and shares how ordinary people, acting together, create change. In-person registration is full, but you can watch the livestream on Feb. 13.
Community kudos
Many thanks to the Open Space and Mountain Parks rangers who hauled snow, secured a curling stone, and sewed a marmot‑sized jacket to bring us another joyful and educational Groundhog Day celebration. Flatiron Freddy's prognosticating is spotty, but his support team’s creativity and enthusiasm is always outstanding.
What I'm reading/listening to
- Inclusive, joyful, defiant performances by Coco Jones, Green Day, Brandi Carlile, Charlie Puth, and Bad Bunny at Super Bowl LX show our country at its best and remind us why art is a critical part of authoritarian resistance.
- Jovita Schiffer writes about the significance of Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl moment, the narrow ways we define “American,” and why our diverse identities strengthen who we are together. (Daily Camera)
- A federal judge's opinion ordering the release of 5‑year‑old Liam Conejos Ramos and his father shows that constitutional rights don’t disappear just because the government chooses to ignore them. (DocumentCloud)
- Erie stripped DEI language from its legislative agenda despite opposition from Councilmembers Anil Pesaramelli and Emily Baer, underscoring once again that most of the power of authoritarianism is freely given. (Daily Camera)
- Multiple agencies and community groups are working together to reverse an ecosystem collapse in Rocky Mountain National Park. (Colorado Sun)
Quote for the month
What we're seeing is the eroding of basic, basic principles that have been foundational to the way that we have expected to live life here in America. Everybody is waking up to a reality that many of us in the African American community have known for a very long time.
-Eli Darris, Executive Director, Minnesota Freedom Fund
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.
Weekly schedule
Schedule office hours or find my weekly schedule and annual meeting tally here.
