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

A rocky road: City removes reservoir boulders after outcry

The city will work with cycling groups on a longer-term solution.

News

The city backed down and cleared <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rocks previously blocking a Boulder Reservoir maintenance road" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2026/07/08/boulder-reservoir-rock-barriers-trail-access-dispute" data-vars-content-id="bf54da1a-975d-4e01-868e-c66d1ae9f129" data-vars-headline="A rocky road: City removes reservoir boulders after outcry" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2026/07/08/boulder-reservoir-rock-barriers-trail-access-dispute" target="_self">rocks previously blocking a Boulder Reservoir maintenance road</a> after public backlash from the cycling community.Why it matters: The rocks may be gone, but the fight over who gets to use the road — and how — isn&#x27;t.

Skip Colorado crowds for Wyoming wildflowers

Escape the crowds and find colorful blooms in northern Wyoming this summer.

Things to Do

If you&#x27;re chasing peak wildflower season but could do without bumper-to-bumper traffic, point your car north.The big picture: Wyoming&#x27;s Bighorn National Forest delivers spectacular displays about a day&#x27;s drive from the Front Range — without the hoards of people, sky-high lodging prices and packed trailheads at destinations like Crested Butte.

Boulder eyes new downtown hotel ahead of Sundance

The proposal would replace a city parking lot with a 110-room hotel.

The city of Boulder has reached a tentative deal to sell a downtown parking lot for development of a 110-room hotel at Broadway and Spruce Street.Why it matters: The proposal advances Boulder&#x27;s push to revive downtown and expand hotel capacity before the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sundance Film Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2026/01/05/sundance-preparation-boulder-2027" data-vars-content-id="8c8ce635-b08f-4a08-8864-0861f69761f7" data-vars-headline="Boulder eyes new downtown hotel ahead of Sundance" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2026/01/05/sundance-preparation-boulder-2027" target="_self">Sundance Film Festival</a> arrives in 2027.

CU study challenges Colorado's moose origin story

New research suggests moose lived in Colorado long before their reintroduction.

New research from the University of Colorado Boulder suggests moose roamed Colorado&#x27;s southern Rocky Mountains centuries before wildlife officials reintroduced them in the late 1970s.Why it matters: The findings challenge the long-held view that moose are newcomers to Colorado — a distinction that could shape future wildlife management decisions.

Edie Hooton wins CU regents Democratic primary

The former state lawmaker is now favored to win the open regent seat in November.

Former state Rep. Edie Hooton won the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="three-way Democratic primary" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2026/06/23/boulder-democrats-seek-cu-regent-seat-cd2" data-vars-content-id="f4ac65dd-b4f9-406b-84e9-753d6f5f711a" data-vars-headline="Edie Hooton wins CU regents Democratic primary" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2026/06/23/boulder-democrats-seek-cu-regent-seat-cd2" target="_self">three-way Democratic primary</a> race for the University of Colorado&#x27;s 2nd Congressional District seat, with both the Daily Camera and Boulder Reporting Lab calling the race Wednesday morning.Why it matters: Hooton will now be the favorite in November to claim the only regent&#x27;s seat without an incumbent running this cycle.

House panel sends 2nd immigration records request to DA

The committee set a new deadline as the dispute over immigration records continues.

Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty said his office received a second letter from the House Judiciary Committee seeking immigration-related records.Why it matters: The Republican-led U.S. House committee and Boulder County officials continue to clash over &quot;sanctuary city&quot; policies.

House GOP seeks Boulder immigration records

The request is part of a broader push on sanctuary policies.

Politics

A Republican-led House committee is seeking records from Boulder law enforcement officials about their immigration policies.Why it matters: The requests are part of a broader congressional push targeting &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sanctuary cities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/11/democrats-trump-sanctuary-cities-ice-funding" data-vars-content-id="6eefc3ef-b2a0-4761-80f0-caf6fd5f77b8" data-vars-headline="House GOP seeks Boulder immigration records" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/11/democrats-trump-sanctuary-cities-ice-funding" target="_self">sanctuary cities</a>&quot; that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

Atmospheric research group sues Trump over imminent science lab breakup

A Boulder-based climate research group argues that dismantling NCAR is unlawful retaliation.

Energy & Climate

The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) sued the Trump administration Monday, alleging efforts to dismantle <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a Boulder-based federal lab" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2025/12/17/trump-closing-ncar-climate-lab-boulder" data-vars-content-id="5762ccda-7eb0-4d63-830f-52dee4913792" data-vars-headline="Atmospheric research group sues Trump over imminent science lab breakup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2025/12/17/trump-closing-ncar-climate-lab-boulder" target="_self">a Boulder-based federal lab</a> are &quot;unlawful retaliation&quot; against the state of Colorado.Why it matters: The lawsuit escalates <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a growing conflict" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/12/12/colorado-trump-administration-fights-escalate" data-vars-content-id="5762ccda-7eb0-4d63-830f-52dee4913792" data-vars-headline="Atmospheric research group sues Trump over imminent science lab breakup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/12/12/colorado-trump-administration-fights-escalate" target="_self">a growing conflict</a> between the Trump administration and Colorado over election policy, federal authority and the future of a major U.S. climate research hub.

Neguse demands probe into NCAR sale claims

A whistleblower alleges plans to sell part of NCAR before public comment ended.

U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse is demanding an independent investigation into allegations that Trump administration officials sought to sell parts of Boulder&#x27;s National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) to private interests.Why it matters: If true, the alleged effort could sidestep federal law and undercut a public comment process that remains underway.

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.

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.

ICE arrests hit decade high, per CU Boulder economists

A new study finds ICE arrests rose sharply while a smaller share of arrestees had criminal convictions.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested more people per day in 2025 than at any other point in the past decade, even as the share of arrestees with criminal convictions fell to a near-historic low, a new study by University of Colorado economists reveals.Why it matters: The data underscores a shift in enforcement priorities — away from targeting people with criminal records and toward broader sweeps — a strategy that could reshape the political and legal fight over immigration.

Erie officer out after probe into anti-ICE social media post

Deputy Chief Heather Carmosino said the internal investigation found "multiple violations of department directives."

An Erie police officer is no longer employed with the department after an internal investigation into a social media post that some residents and political commentators described as encouraging violence toward federal agents, Axios has learned.The latest: Officer Haili Shimko is &quot;no longer employed&quot; by the Erie Police Department, the department confirmed with Axios Boulder on Tuesday.

Erie officer under investigation after post suggesting shooting ICE agents

The officer is under internal review for a Facebook comment referencing violence.

An Erie police officer is on administrative leave amid an internal investigation into a social media comment that a right-wing account characterized as endorsing violence against federal agents.Why it matters: As <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tensions have heightened " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/14/ice-agents-arrests-shooting-protests-riots" data-vars-content-id="f6dcc9a7-e2ba-42b5-9aa7-d47235a3043a" data-vars-headline="Erie officer under investigation after post suggesting shooting ICE agents" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/14/ice-agents-arrests-shooting-protests-riots" target="_self">tensions have heightened </a>over immigration sweeps, federal agents&#x27; tactics have also led to friction <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="with local law enforcement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/us/federal-agents-law-enforcement-trump.html#:~:text=More%20broadly%2C%20federal%20agents%20have,publicly%20and%20with%20less%20deference." data-vars-content-id="f6dcc9a7-e2ba-42b5-9aa7-d47235a3043a" data-vars-headline="Erie officer under investigation after post suggesting shooting ICE agents" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/us/federal-agents-law-enforcement-trump.html#:~:text=More%20broadly%2C%20federal%20agents%20have,publicly%20and%20with%20less%20deference." target="_blank">with local law enforcement</a>.

6 candidates pull away in Boulder City Council race

The city's anti-growth coalition could be in a position to steal two seats from Boulder progressives.

Two Boulder City Council incumbents appear headed for reelection, while the two other incumbents are trying to complete a late comeback and close the gap on their challengers.Why it matters: The city&#x27;s anti-growth coalition could be poised to steal two seats from Boulder progressives.

Axios Denver

Colorado affordability fears hit new high, poll finds

Denver

A bar chart that shows which problems Colorado adults call most serious in a March 14-April 9, 2026, survey of 2,240 people. Rising cost of living and housing cost tie for highest at 85%, followed by healthcare cost at 82%. Drug overdoses rank lowest at 54%.

Politics 🇺🇸

Colorado affordability fears hit new high, poll finds

Colorado school turns to drones for active-shooter defense

Phil Weiser is poised to be Colorado's accidental governor

Colorado governor's race pits insider versus outsider

Victor Marx wins GOP nod for Colorado governor in tight race