Nicole's Notes - Week of December 1, 2025
Arts and culture funding opportunities, Council swearing‑in and budget hearing, plus caroling hikes, art openings, and the Winter Market.
In this newsletter
- What's new?
- This week at City Council
- Get engaged
- Community Kudos
- What I'm reading/listening to
- Quote for the month
- Community resources
- Weekly Schedule
What's new?
- Learn about 2026 local, regional and state funding opportunities for artists, organizations, and cultural partners at the Dec. 5 Cultural Organizations Summit.
- I’m exploring some format and content updates for next year’s newsletter. If there’s something you’d love to see more of, please send me a note.
This week at City Council
Recently elected and re‑elected Councilmembers will be sworn in. Those who weren’t on the ballot will vote on approving the 2025 election returns.
The new Council will then hold a public hearing on year‑end budget adjustments and discuss plans for the 2026 retreat scheduled for Jan 12‑13.
(Every year, the city makes at least two budget adjustments to account for revenues and expenses that weren’t part of the original budget forecast. This one totals about $16 million and funds wildfire protection, affordable housing, transit improvements, community programs, and more; see the detailed list here.)
Get engaged
Join a caroling hike with Jeff Kagan on Dec. 3, see the latest art opening at the Boulder Public Library District's Canyon Gallery on Dec. 6, or visit the Boulder County Farmers Markets Winter Market Dec. 6-7.
Community kudos
Housing and Human Services will invest over $21 million with Boulder Housing Partners and Thistle Communities to create 184 affordable homes for households earning 30–60% of the area median income. Some of the funds will preserve and expand permanently affordable housing specifically for low-income seniors.
What I'm reading/listening to
This week I'm reading about Ibashi‑I’s legacy on Pearl Street, protests over CU’s McCartney statue, a major redevelopment project taking shape on Baseline, an ethics investigation moving forward against state Democrats, and how Massachusetts’ millionaire tax is funding schools and transit.
Quote for the month
In the middle of winter, I at last discovered that there was in me an invincible summer.
-Albert Camus, writer, Nobel laureate, and French Resistance journalist
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.
City staff put together a list of food resources for those in need, and ways to help. If you're able to donate food or funding, please do.
Weekly schedule
Schedule office hours or find my weekly schedule and annual meeting tally here.
