Axios Boulder

May 22, 2026
🇺🇸 Happy Aloha Friday, everybody. If you have a long weekend ahead, enjoy it and stay safe. And to those who served: thank you.
- 🎵 Sounds like: "Black Sand" by Kalapana
🌤️ Today's weather: Forecast highs are in the 60s, but temps should climb into the 70s and 80s in time for weekend festivities.
Situational awareness: City and county offices will be closed for Memorial Day.
- We're off Monday, too. See you Tuesday.
🧁 Happy early birthday to Axios Boulder member Laura Tewnion!
Today's newsletter is 916 words — a 3.5-minute read.
1 big thing: House GOP seeks local immigration records
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 "sanctuary cities" that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
The latest: The House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday sent letters to Boulder County Sheriff Curtis Johnson, Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty and Boulder police Chief Stephen Redfearn.
- The committee said it is "conducting oversight of state and local jurisdictions that endanger American communities through their refusal to cooperate with federal immigration officials."
What's inside: While the letters sought different records from each agency, all accused local officials of failing to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
- The letter to Boulder police focused on the department's 2025 decision to cut off federal access to data from its Flock surveillance cameras.
- The letter to Dougherty accused the DA's Office of giving "preferential treatment to aliens" and requested records tied to several "Know Your Rights" meetings about protesting ICE and immigrants' legal rights.
- The letter to Johnson accused the Boulder County Sheriff's Office of failing to honor ICE detainers.
Zoom out: Denver officials also received similar correspondence, along with officials in Philadelphia and Arlington, Virginia.
Context: Colorado law prohibits law enforcement agencies from holding undocumented immigrants solely based on ICE detainers.
- The Boulder County DA's Office says it will move court dates if there are concerns that immigration officials could use information to locate someone.
- The Boulder County Jail also has a policy against proactively notifying federal agencies about inmates' immigration status.
What they're saying: Dougherty called the inquiry "political theater."
- "If Washington politicians are serious about immigration enforcement and public safety, they should focus on fixing the broken federal system instead of attacking Colorado prosecutors who are doing the real work of protecting communities," he said in a statement.
- Redfearn and Johnson have not publicly responded.
2. 🥢 Odd Rabbit's small plates bring big flavor
Odd Rabbit is now open in east Boulder, turning months of anticipation surrounding a Michelin-recognized couple into a reality.
Driving the news: Christopher and Ariana Teigland, the husband-wife team behind Denver's Glo Noodle House, opened Odd Rabbit on April 30 at 5863 Arapahoe Ave.
The big picture: They tapped sushi chef Stephen Nguyen, whose résumé includes Denver's Temaki Den and Uncle, to craft a menu heavy on inventive nigiri, hand rolls and Instagrammable small plates.
Best bites: Try the aburi nigiri, where toppings are lightly torched for a smoky flavor that preserves the natural taste of the fish and meat.
- The hand rolls and crispy rice dishes were also standouts. We ordered the snow crab and hamachi hand rolls, plus the spicy salmon crispy rice, topped with a Tabasco masago that added heat and texture.
- Hand rolls and nigiri are $6-$8 each.
🗯️ My thought bubble: The scallop, short rib and toro aburi were favorites — best described as "melt-in-your-mouth" treats.
Zoom out: Odd Rabbit isn't just Glo Noodle 2.0, though ramen still earns a space in the spotlight. The spicy shoyu ramen comes topped with rabbit confit — and, apparently, I'm into rabbit now.
- Ramen dishes cost about $20.

Dig in: Small plates are the move, but if you're still feeling famished, entrée-sized options like a pork steak and fried snapper are there.
- While we ran out of steam before dessert, photos of the mochi churro already have me planning a return trip.
Pro tip: Parking is still tight as the restaurant works with the property on additional options. Fortunately, there's a bus stop and bike path right outside.
If you go: Reservations are highly recommended.
- 4-9pm Monday–Thursday
- 4-10pm Friday–Saturday
- Closed Sunday
What's next: Odd Rabbit expects to open its patio this summer, adding more seating as word continues to spread.
3. The Bubble: 💨 High flyers
✈️ A TSA update says air travelers can bring medical marijuana in carry-on and checked bags, though screening officers who find marijuana still have discretion to notify local police. (Denver Post 🔑)
🍷 Boulder's liquor licensing authority is asking the county district court to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the owner of Hazel's Beverage World challenging an expansion of Whole Foods' liquor license. (BizWest 🔑)
🐝 Summit Middle schooler Derek Li is preparing for next week's Scripps National Spelling Bee with help from his sister, who competed in last year's bee. (Daily Camera 🔑)
🦬 The Boulder and Buff communities are mourning the passing of longtime local sports reporter Adam Munsterteiger. (On3)
4. 👶🏼 Colorado's most popular baby names


"Liam" and "Charlotte" are Colorado's top baby names, according to Social Security card applications filed at birth.
- Theodore, Noah, Oliver and James rounded out the top five for boys, while Olivia, Sophia, Emma and Mia were the most popular girls' names.
💭 Mitchell's thought bubble: Is it just me, or do all of these names have a very "Downtown Abbey" feel to them?
- Meanwhile, Mitchells around the world are stuck getting "Michelle" on our coffee cups and settling for "Michael" keychains at roadside souvenir stores.
🏞️ Mitchell is headed to the Gunnison area for the weekend.
Thanks to Gigi Sukin for editing.
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