Nicole's Notes

Nicole's Notes - Week of December 15, 2025

Wildfire‑safe landscaping, purchasing updates, board and commission applications, end-of-year community events, and a two‑week Council recess.

Nicole Speer

— 2 min read
Musicians and dancers in vibrant African attire perform with hand drums under colorful stage lighting.
Thank you to Dr. Reiland Rabaka and everyone at CU Boulder's Center for African and African American Studies for hosting a public celebration of Kwanzaa at the Canyon Theater last week.

In this newsletter

What's new?

  • Applications for city boards and commissions are now open. Learn more at an Open House on Jan. 5 and apply by Jan. 25.
  • Council will be on winter recess with no meetings the weeks of Dec. 22 and 29. Nicole's Notes will return the week of Jan. 5.
  • 2025 has been a challenging year. As it ends, may you find rest, joy, and renewed energy for 2026.

This week at City Council

Council will consider approving a budget correction for the Knollwood Metropolitan District, updates to the city's purchasing procedures, and new landscaping and wildfire safety rules to protect homes and conserve water. Council will also discuss 2026 committee appointments.

Find a complete list of upcoming topics here.

Get engaged

Attend the open house on the North Boulder Park renovation, celebrate Chanukah on Pearl Street, and join community members and service providers at the Annual Homeless Memorial to remember and honor those who passed away in 2025.

Click here for a list of free events and engagement opportunities.

Community kudos

Congratulations to Boulder Fire-Rescue’s Community Risk Reduction Team on completing its 1,000th detailed home assessment last month. Learn more about creating a wildfire-resilient community at bouldercolorado.gov/WildfireReady.

Click to read more about the people who strengthen our community.

What I'm reading/listening to

This week I’m enjoying beautifully written, thought‑provoking guest opinions on wages and bias, reading about Longmont’s rideshare success story, and watching my favorite Christmas movie, Anna and the Apocalypse.

Click here to learn with me this week.

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.

Read more