Nicole's Notes

Nicole's Notes - Week of March 17, 2025

Streetlight conversions, Board and Commission appointments, opportunities to connect with Councilmembers and staff on topics from food security to wildfire mitigation.

Nicole Speer

— 2 min read
A large group of people holding "Just Say No to Wage Cuts" poses in front of the Boulder Bandshell.
Organizers, speakers, and volunteers after the "Just Say No to Wage Cuts" rally on March 10.

In this newsletter

What's new?

Boulder has bought over 4,400 streetlights from Xcel Energy for ~$7M and is converting them to efficient LEDs. The city will save ~$1 million annually, enhance reliability and safety, and cut carbon emissions by ~1,000 metric tons/year. Read more, view a FAQ, and find a conversion timeline and map on the project page.

This week at City Council

The Council will consider approving a 10-year franchise agreement for ALLO Communications to use the city's right of way for video services. The Council will also make appointments to city Boards and Commissions.

Find a complete list of upcoming topics here.

Get engaged

This week, connect with city staff and Councilmembers on everything from food security and the BVCP update to wildfire mitigation and nonprofit liquor permits. Join the 2025 Day of Remembrance on March 22 at the Museum of Boulder.

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

Community Kudos

  • Workers and labor advocates successfully ended state Democrats' attempts to cut tipped workers' wages on Friday night.
  • The Museum of Boulder's Bending the Arc exhibit showcases the long-term gains when politicians advocate for justice.
  • The state awarded Boulder $900,000 to protect its drinking water and hydroelectric infrastructure from wildfires.
Click to read more about the people and teams who help our city shine.

Quote for the month

Joy is a necessary act of resistance.

-U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley

What I'm reading/listening to

Boulder's City Council pushes Xcel Energy on resilience, microgrids, and coal ash cleanup. Utah's conservative legislators attack the Sundance Film Festival. CU students choose service opportunities over time off next week. Why U.S. media is so unprepared to cover home-grown authoritarianism.

Click here to learn with me this week.

Community resources

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

Weekly Schedule

Find my weekly schedule and annual meeting tally here.

Read more