A new market hall and social venue is now offering all-day food, drinks and work space in east Boulder's Flatiron Park.

Why it matters: East & Co. gives the office and biotech campus an anchor for workers, tenants and visitors to eat, meet and linger.

The latest: East & Co. held its grand opening last Thursday at 2100 Central Ave.

• The project is a partnership between BioMed Realty, Boulder's Working Title Food Group and EVG Hospitality.

What to expect: The all-day space blends a coffee shop, restaurant, bar, meeting room, lounge areas, patio seating and a game room with darts, arcade games and pool.

• It's open 7am-7pm Monday-Friday.

Dig in: For early risers, there's a full coffee, smoothie and juice bar, and the restaurant and food counter serve breakfast burritos and sandwiches.

• Shifting to lunch, the menu includes burgers and sandwiches made with rotating ingredients from local vendors, and a drink menu with beer, wine and signature cocktails.
• To-go meals, local snacks, drinks, T-shirts and gifts are also available.
• East & Co. is leaning local, with partners like the Boulder Farmers Market and companies like OZO Coffee and Moe's Bagels.

Between the lines: Flatiron Park, one of Boulder's marquee biotech and office campuses, was hit by the post-pandemic slowdown in venture funding, lab expansion and office demand.

• BioMed Realty bought the property in 2022 and has upgraded it into a more specialized biotech and R&D hub.
• Meanwhile, drug developer CordenPharma signed a 15-year lease for a new building, and a quantum incubator tied to three Colorado universities is also moving in.

The bottom line: As Flatiron Park recruits new tenants and workers, East & Co. is betting they'll need somewhere to gather.

• "We heard clearly that Flatiron Park was missing a central place to gather, connect and recharge," Jon Bergschneider, BioMed Realty's president of West Coast markets, said in a statement. "East & Co. is our response."

Keep reading

☸️ Naropa University is eliminating 11 core faculty positions and about 40 instructor jobs to bridge a long-term structural operating deficit in the Boulder university's budget. (Daily Camera 🔑)

✉️ Both the Boulder Police Department and Boulder County Sheriff's Office told Axios they're reviewing GOP House panel inquiries regarding agency immigration policies.

• "The Boulder County Sheriff's Office is committed to protecting public safety and our policies and practices are consistent with Colorado law and applicable federal court rulings," the sheriff's office said in a statement:.

⚛️ The U.S. Department of Commerce has signed letters of intent to invest $2 billion in nine quantum computing companies, including several with Boulder County or Broomfield ties. (Denver Post 🔑)

With summer recreation season underway, city and county shuttles to popular trailheads are rolling again.

Why it matters: Catching a shuttle can spare you the scramble for parking at some of Boulder County's most popular outdoor destinations — and save you some gas money along the way.

⛰️ Chautauqua: Boulder's free Park-to-Park service to and from Chautauqua Park runs every weekend and on summer holidays through Sept. 7.

• The shuttle operates every 30 minutes from 8am-8pm and picks up passengers at 19 stops, including ones for downtown Boulder, University Hill and the CU campus.

🧗 Eldorado Canyon: A free shuttle from Superior, Boulder and Marshall to the state park will run weekends and holidays until Sept. 13.

• Shuttles depart every 20 minutes through Sept. 7 and every 30 minutes Sept. 12-13.
• A state parks pass or day pass is require for entry into Eldorado Canyon State Park.
• The Eldo Shuttle also provides service to the Marshall Mesa, Doudy Draw, South Mesa trailheads and Eldorado Springs Pool. Those stops don't require a pass.

🥾 Hessie Trailhead: Free buses ferry hikers from Nederland High School to Hessie Trailhead Friday-Sunday and holidays.

• Shuttles depart every 15 minutes.
• Pro tip: This shuttle does not have bike racks, and bikes aren't allowed onboard.
• From Hessie Trailhead, hikers can access Lost Lake and the Indian Peaks Wilderness area off Fourth of July Road.

🫎 Bustang: The Colorado Department of Transportation's statewide bus service offers routes from Boulder, Lyons, Broomfield and Louisville to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park.

• Riders need a National Parks pass but do not need a timed-entry pass.
• For full fare, schedule and route information, visit the Bustang site.

Climb on

Speaking of hitching a ride, a turkey recently joined the fire crew at Broomfield's North Metro Fire Rescue District.

State of play: The fire district posted photos of its newest recruit on May 13, backlit by a cotton candy sunset.

• My thought bubble: Be especially careful this year deep frying your bird.