Boulder

Boulder Members

Membership

Boulder Alerts

Alert

Postcard with an image of a mountain landscape and the Boulder, CO airport code, BDU, on a transparent background

blue

Axios Boulder Partners

Axios Boulder Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Boulder with Mitchell Byars.

Axios Boulder

Standard

In a notable shift under coach Deion Sanders, Colorado will make its spring game free for the first time since Coach Prime arrived in Boulder.

Why it matters: The spring game will kick off a crucial year for Sanders and the Buffs, who are coming off a 3-9 season and the second straight year of declining spring game attendance.

Driving the news: CU's annual Black and Gold Spring Game — set for April 11 — will be free this year to "show our appreciation to CU fans," said the university's athletics spokesperson Steve Hurlbert.

Ralphie VII will make her spring game debut, weather pending.

Context: The spring game was a free event in the years before Sanders arrived.

The university began charging admission in Coach Prime's first spring game in 2023, and the event sold out with more than 47,000 fans in attendance.

Yes, but: Attendance has dropped, with 28,000 fans in 2024 and 20,000 fans in 2025.

While other schools have de-emphasized or even eliminated spring games, Sanders has called for more fans to show up.

Sanders has tried to organize a spring scrimmage, but his request was again denied by the NCAA this year.

What we're watching: Hurlbert said details of a player meet-and-greet for the spring game will be announced closer to the event.

Colorado makes spring game free in Prime pivot

The Buffs drop ticket prices after attendance slid in recent years.

Bright sunny day at Folsom Field with green field and scattered spectators. Mountains and blue sky with clouds in background. Large scoreboard reads "Welcome to Folsom Field."

The Colorado Buffaloes Black and Gold Spring Game last year at Folsom Field. Photo: Dustin Bradford/Getty Images for ONIT

In a notable shift under coach Deion Sanders, Colorado will make its spring game free for the first time since Coach Prime arrived in Boulder.Why it matters: The spring game will kick off a crucial year for Sanders and the Buffs, who are coming <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="off a 3-9 season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2025/11/19/deion-sanders-colorado-future" data-vars-content-id="1502d609-b416-49ca-8ba7-66594d78ef1c" data-vars-headline="Colorado makes spring game free in Prime pivot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2025/11/19/deion-sanders-colorado-future" target="_self">off a 3-9 season</a> and the second straight year of declining spring game attendance.

News

Boulder-based Gloo is trying to answer a new question in the AI age: Can chatbots help people flourish?

Why it matters: As large language models (LLMs) gain traction in churches, nonprofits and schools, and increasingly field questions once reserved for pastors or counselors — Gloo argues AI should strengthen mental, relational and spiritual health — not just automate tasks.

Driving the news: Gloo recently launched its "Flourishing AI" tool, designed to evaluate how leading AI platforms align with values tied to human flourishing. The company builds data and AI tools for faith-based and mission-driven organizations and says it wants to shape how AI systems are trained and deployed in religious and values-based settings.

How it works: Drawing on Harvard research on well-being, the tool scores major LLMs across seven categories: character, happiness, faith, relationships, finances, health and meaning.

Models are evaluated through two lenses — a general faith perspective and a more explicitly Christian framework — to test how responses shift depending on moral and theological context.

Zoom in: In its most recent round of evaluations in December, OpenAI's ChatGPT models scored highest through a general faith lens, while Anthropic's Claude performed best under a Christian-focused framework.

Yes, but: Still, no platform excelled across the board. All struggled with certain faith-related dimensions, particularly under the Christian-focused lens.

Nick Skytland, Gloo's vice president of development and AI research, pointed to financial advice as an example.

Most AI models are trained to optimize for saving money or maximizing profits, he said. But in many churches, financial guidance also emphasizes generosity, charitable giving and impact investing.

"Think of how finances are taught in a Sunday morning in church," Skytland said. "The way that comes across in the (AI) model is very different."

Between the lines: Skytland noted that while tech companies and lawmakers are concerned with guardrails to address illegal or harmful uses of AI, Gloo's model hopes to illustrate how the technology can be used for good.

"The industry is establishing a moral floor," Skytland said. "The harder and arguably more important challenge is to see how AI advances humankind."

That question is becoming more urgent as people increasingly turn to AI for therapy, companionship and spiritual inquiry, said Oliver Roll, Gloo's chief marketing and communications officer.

"Questions once reserved for pastors or counselors ... it's just more efficient to be able to ask the model," Roll told us. "They're asking it theological questions."

The bottom line: Gloo's leaders say they hope their tool helps AI avoid the unintended consequences that accompanied the rise of social media.

"Social media failed us in terms of the significant risks as well as the signifiant benefits," Roll said. "There are very, very harsh realities around mental health and community connection, and I think with AI the stakes get a thousand times greater."

"Tech is inherently neutral — it can be used for good or bad," he added. "So we're focused on how to harness this power for good."

Boulder-based Gloo evaluates AI on faith values

The company says AI should strengthen spiritual and mental health.

Illustration of binary code in a stained glass window

Boulder-based <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Gloo" data-vars-click-url="https://gloo.com/" data-vars-content-id="6905bdc8-6e4f-4c34-b13c-e02643cb74d5" data-vars-headline="Boulder-based Gloo evaluates AI on faith values" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://gloo.com/" target="_blank">Gloo</a> is trying to answer a new question in the AI age: Can chatbots help people flourish?Why it matters: As large language models (LLMs) gain traction in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="churches" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/12/christian-ai-chatbot-jesus-god-satan-churches" data-vars-content-id="6905bdc8-6e4f-4c34-b13c-e02643cb74d5" data-vars-headline="Boulder-based Gloo evaluates AI on faith values" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/12/christian-ai-chatbot-jesus-god-satan-churches" target="_self">churches</a>, nonprofits and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="schools" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/21/google-anthropic-microsoft-education" data-vars-content-id="6905bdc8-6e4f-4c34-b13c-e02643cb74d5" data-vars-headline="Boulder-based Gloo evaluates AI on faith values" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/21/google-anthropic-microsoft-education" target="_self">schools</a>, and increasingly field questions once reserved for pastors or counselors — Gloo argues AI should strengthen mental, relational and spiritual health — not just automate tasks.

Religion

Latest news on Wall Street, Corporate America and financial regulation.

Business

Local immigrant advocacy groups continue to urge Boulder County-based BI Incorporated to end its U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement contracts and call on local governments, including Boulder County, to cut off ties with the firm.

Why it matters: Advocacy groups argue Boulder County shouldn't do business with a company that profits from federal immigration enforcement — even if its local contract is unrelated to ICE.

Driving the news: A demonstration last Saturday at BI's Gunbarrel headquarters drew about 150 people, according to event organizers, including Immigrant Partnership Teams, Southeast Boulder County Indivisible, American Friends Service Committee and Boulder Democratic Socialists of America.

"The goal is to make sure people in Boulder County understand what is happening in their own community," said Gina McAfee of the Immigrant Partnership Teams. 

The protests stem from BI's contracts with ICE to provide electronic monitoring and skip tracing services. 

BI is owned by Geo Group, a private prison and detention company.

What they're saying: "I am appalled that a company which profits from the inhumane treatment of immigrants is in our backyard," said Kristen Aldretti, co-lead of the Boulder County Immigrant Partnership Team.

"The expansion of immigrant surveillance represents a troubling trend. The fact that a company making billions through its ICE contracts is based in Boulder County contradicts the very values I believe our community upholds."

BI officials did not return requests for comment.

Zoom in: Protesters urged Boulder County to sever its contract with BI, arguing that the company's ICE work makes it incompatible with local values.

"Public institutions should not be connected to programs that rely on surveillance rather than support," McAfee said in a statement.

The other side: County officials say the local contract is separate from immigration enforcement.

Gloria Handyside, a Boulder County spokesperson, told Axios Boulder that electronic monitoring is "an essential part of the county's commitment to alternatives to incarceration."

She added that the county determined during a 2025 bid process that BI offered the most competitive pricing and the most accurate data.

"These services are managed entirely by county staff and are not connected to immigration enforcement or federal programs," Handyside said.

Zoom out: The protest reflects a broader pattern of local backlash against companies tied to immigration enforcement under the Trump administration.

The University of Colorado Boulder has faced backlash over its ties with Key Lime Air, which has transported immigrant detainees.

The city of Denver cut its own ties with Key Lime, while Palantir faced protests for its ICE ties before the tech giant moved to Florida.

electronic monitoring and skip tracing services

Boulder County activists push BI to end ICE contracts

About 150 people rallied outside the headquarters of BI, which contracts with ICE to provide electronic monitoring services.

Group of people gathered outdoors for a protest, one holding a sign reading "NO HUMAN IS ILLEGAL," several wearing bright orange vests labeled "SAFETY MARSHAL," under a blue sky with trees.

Protesters at BI Incorporated in Gunbarrel on Saturday. Photo: Boulder County Immigrant Partnership Team

Local immigrant advocacy groups continue to urge Boulder County-based <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="BI Incorporated" data-vars-click-url="https://bi.com/" data-vars-content-id="7c7fb7d6-b74b-4446-8452-c5cbc63050b1" data-vars-headline="Boulder County activists push BI to end ICE contracts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://bi.com/" target="_blank">BI Incorporated</a> to end its U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement contracts and call on local governments, including Boulder County, to cut off ties with the firm.Why it matters: Advocacy groups argue Boulder County shouldn&#x27;t do business with a company that profits from federal immigration enforcement — even if its local contract is unrelated to ICE.

Politics

The University of Colorado football team kicked off spring practice Monday with heavy hearts, as the team mourned the loss of quarterback Dominiq Ponder.

Catch up quick: Ponder, 23, was killed in a single-vehicle crash Sunday morning on Baseline Road near Newland Court, just east of Boulder city limits.

Colorado State Patrol said preliminary evidence indicates Ponder lost control of his vehicle. Speed is being investigated as a factor in the crash.

Ponder was a backup quarterback from Florida who appeared in two games and threw one pass in his two seasons at CU.

The latest: The Buffs players met Sunday night and decided to move forward with the scheduled start of spring practice Monday.

"We decided as a team Dom wouldn't miss a day," senior safety Ben Finneseth said during a news conference. "He wouldn't miss a day of workouts and that's what he would have wanted for us."

CU officials said counselors were available for players this week.

What they're saying: "We didn't coach with the same urgency as far as screaming at guys and losing our mind," CU offensive coordinator Brennan Marion said about Monday's practice. "We coached like you would coach your child … For them to go out there was amazing."

What we're watching: Spring practice will be especially crucial for the Buffs this year, as head coach Deion Sanders has brought in a revamped staff after a 3-9 season.

CU Buffs start spring practice after player's death

Players chose to practice Monday as they mourn quarterback Dominiq Ponder.

Dominiq Ponder wearing gold jersey number 22 and gold helmet preparing to throw ball on green field with mountains and buildings in background.

Dominiq Ponder. Photo: University of Colorado Boulder

The University of Colorado football team kicked off spring practice Monday with heavy hearts, as the team mourned the loss of quarterback Dominiq Ponder.Catch up quick: Ponder, 23, was killed in a single-vehicle crash Sunday morning on Baseline Road near Newland Court, just east of Boulder city limits.

Sports

Boulder residents got a scare last weekend when a wildfire prompted evacuation warnings in the Chautauqua area before firefighters were able to take advantage of calm winds to extinguish the blaze.

Why it matters: The fire offered an early warning of what officials fear could become more common if Colorado's historically dry winter extends into spring and summer.

Catch up quick: The Bluebell Fire started Saturday afternoon near the Chautauqua cottages and burned about 1.5 acres.

141 residential structures and two commercial structures were given an evacuation warning, Boulder Fire-Rescue spokesperson Jamie Barker told us. The smoke was clearly visible in the city.

Luckily, Boulder saw calm wind conditions during the fire window. Boulder County had been under a red flag warning due to increased fire danger just a day earlier, with gusts up to 40 mph.

The intrigue: The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but Barker said there were no lightning strikes in the area.

By the numbers: About 100 firefighters responded to the fire.

The state also sent its new Firehawk helicopter, which made seven water drops, each about 560 gallons.

State of play: Despite being in the dead of winter, most of western Boulder County has been under Stage 1 fire restrictions since December.

"Things have been dry, hot and windy, and whenever we come across that mix, it is everyone's job to avoid outdoor ignitions and stay vigilant," Barker said.

Colorado is in the midst of a historically dry season, and it has been one of the warmest winters on record for Boulder.

"Our snowpack is less than ideal presently, and the state of our fuels is concerning," Boulder County Sheriff's Office fire management officer Seth McKinney told us.

Yes, but: McKinney said that March and April are historically Colorado's wettest months, so it's difficult to say what fire conditions might look like in the summer.

"I don't want to prematurely sound the alarm about fire season when things could still change," McKinney said. "The spring snow and rains could still bring us back to seasonal norms, or a strong monsoonal summer could also hit the brakes on fire season."

Boulder blaze raises early fire season fears

Officials warn a historically dry winter could fuel above-average fire behavior this year.

Firefighter in yellow gear and blue helmet uses chainsaw to cut burning logs on forest floor with smoke and flames amidst tall pine trees under cloudy sky.

A firefighter works the Bluebell Fire on Saturday. Photo: Code 10 Photography

Boulder residents got a scare last weekend when a wildfire prompted evacuation warnings in the Chautauqua area before firefighters were able to take advantage of calm winds to extinguish the blaze.Why it matters: The fire offered an early warning of what officials fear could become more common if Colorado&#x27;s historically dry winter extends into spring and summer.

Mitchell Byars

Featured stories

Boulder County activists push BI to end ICE contracts

Yotsuba Sushi brings creative rolls to east Boulder

CU Buffs start spring practice after player's death

Boulder blaze raises early fire season fears

Boulder-based Gloo evaluates AI on faith values