Boulder

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

blue

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

Axios Boulder

Standard

Boulder Members

Membership

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Boulder.

Axios Boulder Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Boulder Alerts

Alert

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

Axios Boulder Partners

Independent Bob Chew bets big on Colorado Senate bid

The Boulder candidate has spent more than $1 million of his own money.

News

Boulder independent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bob Chew" data-vars-click-url="https://bobchew2026.com/" data-vars-content-id="7fefd5d1-25bb-4ac8-a1bd-1e58e26d725a" data-vars-headline="Independent Bob Chew bets big on Colorado Senate bid" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://bobchew2026.com/" target="_blank">Bob Chew</a> is spending big to shake up Colorado’s U.S. Senate race ahead of the November election.Why it matters: Chew is betting U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper&#x27;s closer-than-expected <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Democratic primary" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/07/01/john-hickenlooper-us-senate-julie-gonzales" data-vars-content-id="7fefd5d1-25bb-4ac8-a1bd-1e58e26d725a" data-vars-headline="Independent Bob Chew bets big on Colorado Senate bid" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/07/01/john-hickenlooper-us-senate-julie-gonzales" target="_self">Democratic primary</a> win created an opening for a third-party challenger.

Rare Missy Woods ruling could sway Colorado judges

The judge dismissed a felony case after finding the state's failure to stop wrongdoing by a DNA analyst was "outrageous."

A Colorado judge took the rare step of dismissing a felony case after finding the state&#x27;s failure to stop wrongdoing by former DNA analyst Yvonne &quot;Missy&quot; Woods&#x27; amounted to &quot;outrageous government conduct.&quot;Why it matters: The ruling could give defendants in other Woods-linked cases grounds for dismissal even without proof she manipulated evidence in their individual cases.

Boulder area could get millions for rail hubs

Boulder and Longmont could each receive up to $3.3 million annually.

Several Boulder County communities are poised to collect millions of dollars each year from the Front Range Passenger Rail District (FRPRD) to build out the areas around their future stations.Why it matters: The communities see the stations as catalysts for new housing, businesses and public spaces, not just a spot to catch a train.

Colorado students get in on Sundance action

Students will get internships, screenings, festival access and hands-on experience.

Sundance and the University of Colorado Boulder are creating programs to connect students with filmmakers <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="when the festival comes to town next year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2026/07/31/boulder-sundance-2027-festival-dates-venues-programming" data-vars-content-id="dc89196d-8601-4bd7-aa24-588ac0c91988" data-vars-headline="Colorado students get in on Sundance action" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2026/07/31/boulder-sundance-2027-festival-dates-venues-programming" target="_self">when the festival comes to town next year</a>.Why it matters: CU students will get year-round access to Sundance industry experts, internships and hands-on experience as the film fest puts down roots in Boulder.

Crocs capitalizes on holes in clogs and tax code

From major acquisitions to a longtime shop closing, August has brought plenty of change.

It&#x27;s been another busy month for the Boulder-area business scene.The big picture: A longtime Pearl Street shop is closing, an alt-weekly may be coming back to life, and Crocs is getting attention for its Mediterranean tax strategy.

Boulder Valley students make math gains

Middle school students made some of the district's biggest improvements.

Boulder Valley middle schoolers made significant leaps in math this year, following the district&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="revamped curriculum" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2025/08/11/boulder-valley-back-to-school-ai-cellphones-funding" data-vars-content-id="ab74f529-0d56-4822-b017-40756edc232e" data-vars-headline="Boulder Valley students make math gains" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2025/08/11/boulder-valley-back-to-school-ai-cellphones-funding" target="_self">revamped curriculum</a> and increased focus on the subject.Why it matters: Boulder Valley School District&#x27;s math push appears to be gaining traction, putting the district on track with a broader rebound across Colorado.

Fortezza bets on upscale dining in Niwot

Fortezza celebrates one year as Niwot's restaurant scene faces rising costs.

Fortezza Ristorante is celebrating one year of Italian food, wine and hospitality in the quiet community between Boulder and Longmont.Why it matters: The anniversary marks an early checkpoint for whether upscale dining can thrive in a place as small as Niwot.

Airbnb offers $200 Sundance hosting bonus

The incentive aims to add lodging ahead of the 2027 Sundance Film Festival.

Airbnb is offering Boulder residents a $200 bonus to list their homes during the Sundance Film Festival in January — the latest effort to expand lodging ahead of an expected influx of visitors.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Limited hotel capacity" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2025/09/09/boulder-hotels-sundance-university-hill" data-vars-content-id="c78cd7d2-1f99-4118-9fd9-d6635576b7bf" data-vars-headline="Airbnb offers $200 Sundance hosting bonus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2025/09/09/boulder-hotels-sundance-university-hill" target="_self">Limited hotel capacity</a> is prompting Airbnb and Boulder-area communities to recruit residents to house festivalgoers.

Boulder Valley sees gains from phone restrictions

Principals say students are connecting more, but enforcement remains uneven.

Boulder Valley principals are largely feeling positive about the district&#x27;s new cellphone restrictions, though there are still problems with consistent enforcement.Why it matters: BVSD has had nearly two years to learn what works while many other Colorado school districts have only just begun implementing phone restrictions.

A sneak peek at Rodeo Dunes

The destination plans six courses, lodging and dining on Colorado's eastern plains.

Rodeo Dunes, a multicourse golf complex in Weld County, is preparing to open its first course to the public in 2027.Why it matters: Rodeo Dunes represents a big-time Colorado bet on growing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="golf tourism" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ngf.org/short-game/travels-expanding-golf-economy-impact/" data-vars-content-id="f0ffb4af-b95e-4bff-8592-9cd0d0db2d65" data-vars-headline="A sneak peek at Rodeo Dunes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ngf.org/short-game/travels-expanding-golf-economy-impact/" target="_blank">golf tourism</a>, with customers seeking inclusive experiences rather than individual courses.

News 🗞

Crocs capitalizes on holes in clogs and tax code

When Colorado will see fall colors this year

Colorado students get in on Sundance action

Boulder area could get millions for rail hubs

Boulder Valley students make math gains