Happy Friday!

☀️ Today's weather: Sunny, with a high of 86.

🎂 Happy birthday to our member Chris Bentley!

📆 Programming note: We're off Monday, so look for the next edition in your inbox Tuesday.

Today’s newsletter is 600 words — a 2.5-minute read.

Boulder reservoirs are full enough to avoid mandatory water restrictions through fall and winter.

Why it matters: You won't have to ration your showers or stop watering your plants — for now.

• The city will reassess conditions in spring 2027.

State of play: Coming off a record dry year, local reservoirs entered October 76% full — below the 88% average for this time of year but enough to get the city through the next few months.

Zoom in: Boulder received 10.65 inches of precipitation from October 2025-September 2026, tying 1965-66 for the driest on record, Peter Goble, assistant state climatologist at CSU's Colorado Climate Center, tells Axios.

• Rain measured in town tells only part of the story. Most of Boulder's water comes from mountain snow, runoff and storage.
• Boulder Creek Basin snowpack finished at about 55% of the 30-year average. On some April days, it was the lowest on record.

By the numbers: Water use in Boulder jumped about 15% above average in April as heat and drought set in.

• After the city asked residents to hold off on lawn irrigation, demand returned to about the five-year average.

Yes, but: Another weak snow season could force mandatory restrictions.

What's next: The city will track snowpack through May and watch runoff before deciding whether voluntary conservation remains enough.

🏗️ Demolition is underway at the Dark Horse site, marking a major change for the iconic spot. (BizWest)

🍸 Boulder is offering workshops for businesses seeking liquor licenses for Sundance. (Longmont Times-Call)

💵 Families with kids under age 4 can now apply for Boulder County's Nurturing Futures program, which will pay selected families $600 a month throughout 2027. Applications close Nov. 2. (Boulder County)

🏗️ Nearly a year after fire destroyed Nederland's Caribou Village, its owner plans to start rebuilding the shopping center in spring and finish in 2028. (BizWest)

📚 Gunbarrel Library marked its first full year as a community hub, drawing families, book clubs and local groups to a former bank-turned-branch. (Left Hand Valley Courier)

Take advantage of the warm weather before winter moves in. A hike with the baby gives parents a reset and little ones fresh air and new sights.

• My Axios Denver colleague Alayna Alvarez recently wrote about baby-friendly hikes near Denver.
• Here are some picks closer to us with easy turnarounds and — at two of three — the parental holy grail: a restroom.

💦 Bobolink / South Boulder Creek

The draw: A shady creekside path with mountain views and room to wander as far as the baby allows.

Baby factor: Smooth crusher fines make it stroller-friendly. No restroom; the closest is at East Boulder Community Center.

🦆 Coot Lake

The draw: A 1.2-mile loop with birds, fishing spots and a children's art walk.

Baby factor: Easy terrain and restrooms make this the lowest-stress option. Stroller or carrier; little shade.

🌉 South Mesa

The draw: South Boulder Creek, an old stone bridge and classic foothills views.

Baby factor: Restrooms, picnic tables and an accessible lower stretch. A sturdy stroller works to the second bridge; use a carrier before the trail climbs.

The bottom line: Bobolink wins for shade, Coot Lake for convenience and South Mesa for the scenery. Turning around after a half-mile still counts.

😎 Mitchell is enjoying being logged off.

Thanks to Hadley Malcolm for editing and David Dudley for standing in for Mitchell.