July 27, 2026

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?

You may have heard that Councilmember Mark Wallach resigned last week. Some people have mischaracterized his resignation as the result of a lost vote, but that's simply not true. Mark never cared about losing a vote.

He didn’t have hidden motives, and he didn’t play transactional politics. He only cared about doing what he felt was right. When he felt he didn’t have that option anymore, he stepped down rather than continue participating in what felt like a facade.

Mark’s bluntness occasionally left dents, which he knew. Mine does too. Both of us have strong convictions, and neither of us was built for political theater. (I think Mark would agree that drama should always come with good screenwriting and a professional cast.)

I wish Mark well in his retirement from local politics. I’m a braver, more candid, and more confident leader after five years of serving with him. Some people may question whether that’s an improvement, but it is to me.

Upcoming Topics

At its special meeting this week, the City Council will decide whether to slow or even reverse recent wage increases for tipped workers. See below for some excellent local reporting on this important topic.

Recent Decisions

At its meeting last week, Council listened to over 70 community members testify about the airport, with a majority of councilmembers voting to apply for FAA grants to fund the airport's backlog of deferred maintenance and repairs.

Get engaged

• Hotel Boulderado workers are picketing for a fair union election. Join them in front of the Boulderado from 4:45-5:45 pm on Wednesday, July 29.
• BPD Chief Redfearn will hold an East Boulder Town Hall on July 29. Submit topic ideas and find details here.
• Attend Irrigation Office Hours on July 30 to ask questions on grass, trees and climate-resilient yards. Register here.
• Apply by Aug. 13 for a chance to become Boulder's first-ever Poet Laureate. Find more information and the application here.
• The city is offering free guided public art tours downtown this summer in multiple languages and formats. Find details and register here.

Community kudos

Thank you to Colorado Working Families Party for organizing the first state assembly this weekend to bring together elected officials across Colorado, and to civil rights leader, writer, and speaker Eric K. Ward for an inspiring keynote.

What I'm reading/listening to

• Tipped wage workers talk about Boulder's "culture of degradation" and the potential reversal of recent wage gains. (Boulder Valley Frequency)
• How changes to Boulder's local minimum wage ordinance would impact the city's tipped wage workers. (Boulder Reporting Lab)
• Boulder’s aging grid is failing more often; Xcel has begun major projects to cut wildfire risk and reduce widespread outages. (Boulder Reporting Lab)
• More than three‑quarters of Coloradans are worried they won’t be able to afford to stay in the state. (Colorado Sun)
• Colorado sees the lowest labor force participation rate since July 2020. (Colorado Department of Labor and Employment)

Quote for the month

For the great enemy of truth is very often not the lie--deliberate, contrived and dishonest--but the myth--persistent, persuasive, and unrealistic. Too often we ... enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought.

-President John F. Kennedy

Community resources

Click here to find additional 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.