By Nicole Speer in Nicole's Notes — 20 Sep 2026

September 21, 2026

Power resilience community forum, transit planning ambassadors, public safety updates, fall activities, Hispanic Heritage Month, and more.

Lunch break lucha libre at FRCC last week; one of many Hispanic Heritage Month events in the Boulder area this month.

What's new?

If you live or own a business in Boulder and want to share your experiences with power resilience and reliability, you can sign up by 2 p.m. on Sept. 30 for a chance to join the Oct. 8 Community and Council Forum. Learn more here.
RTD is offering stipends for community members to serve as Community Ambassadors to help gather feedback during its upcoming transit planning process. Apply for the fall cohort here.
Ballots for the Nov. 3 election will be mailed on Oct. 2. Confirm your address and registration and find details on how, when, and where to vote here.

Upcoming Topics

At this week’s study session, Councilmembers will hear updates from Police, the Independent Monitor, and the Municipal Court, and will review recommended process updates to the Sister Cities program.

Learn more about this week’s topics + upcoming items

Recent Decisions

Last week, the City Council approved a few board appointments, approved some grant applications, designated two homes as local landmarks, and removed some outdated energy code requirements.

Learn more about recent decisions

Get engaged

Join Boulder attorney, Caroline Kert, for a discussion about AI and the arts at the Sept. 22 Artist Meetup at Roots Music Project. Register here.
Find tips on where to see fall colors, find fall events, and find family-friendly Halloween activities on the city's Guide to Fall in Boulder (click here).
Explore how bees track Boulder’s ecosystem health at Boulder Housing Partners' Community Festival on Sept. 26. Details are available here.
Learn how the community-driven Alpine-Balsam project will advance the city's sustainability, equity, and resilience goals. See the StoryMap here.
The city's draft 2027 budget is out. Read a summary and find links to the budget itself here.

Find more updates and engagement opportunities on the city's news website.

Community kudos

Thanks to Colorado Chautauqua and the many sponsors and partners who helped host the sixth annual Festival del Sol to kickoff National Hispanic Heritage Month with music, food, dance, and connection.

What I'm reading/listening to

Parlando School for Musical Arts and Boulder Housing Partners are making arts education accessible for more families. (Boulder Reporting Lab)
Boulder’s aging facilities are failing; deferring maintenance (again) would only make our budget problems worse. (Boulder Reporting Lab)
Boulder County’s childcare tax would fund more spots for low- and middle-income families better pay for childcare workers. (Boulder Reporting Lab)
Medicaid costs are driving a state budget shortfall and forcing lawmakers to prepare for another ~$1.5 billion in cuts this year. (The Colorado Sun)
St. Mary’s "Glacier" melted away for the first time in at least a century due to record heat and low snowpack. (The Colorado Sun)

Quote for the month

It's harder to build worker power when the people in charge are working every day to undermine the movement that gives working people a voice.

-Liz Shuler, President, AFL-CIO, 2026 State of the Unions

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.