Many employees in and around Boulder still work from home — even as the practice has lost ground nationwide.

Context: As of 2023, the latest available data from the Census Bureau, people in the Boulder area worked remotely at significantly higher rates than in other U.S. cities.

• Boulder topped the list with at least 150,000 workers.

Why it matters: The local trend suggests working from home remains a desirable option locally, and companies appear willing to keep the practice.

By the numbers: Nearly a quarter of workers in Boulder (28.1%) were working from home, while Denver (22.3%) wasn't far behind.

• Both cities are far above the national rate (13.8%).

State of play: Economist Tatiana Bailey, of Data-Driven Economic Strategies, told "Marketplace" last year workers seeking flexibility are drawn to Colorado's rich outdoor scene, sunny weather, and recreational activities like skiing.

The big picture: Nationally, the trend has been the opposite, with most places seeing a slow but steady return to the land of cubicles, water cooler chitchat and harsh fluorescent lighting.

• Many workers enjoy a hybrid schedule, splitting their workdays between home and the office. More broadly, companies' big return-to-office push is a sign that employers are gaining more leverage over workers, Axios' Emily Peck writes.

The intrigue: One estimate suggests more than 50% of businesses in the state have staff completing their work outside Colorado, the state's largest workers' comp insurer told the Colorado Sun this year.

📧 Since Boulder is such a hot spot, we're wondering: Do you WFH, and if so, do you have favorite spots around town to post up? Hit reply to share your go-to destinations for remote work and we might just feature them in an upcoming edition of the newsletter.

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🐝 Blanche Li, an eighth-grader from Boulder's Summit Middle School, incorrectly spelled "taqueria" and was eliminated during the sixth round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee yesterday.

• To be fair to Li, she lives in a state that made an entire meme out of the grammar nightmare "taco's." (Denver Post 🔑)

💰 A Boulder judge ruled that Elon Musk and Twitter broke the lease on their Boulder Junction building and were justly evicted in 2022 after the world's richest man refused to pay rent. Musk was ordered to pay more than $8 million in damages. (Westword)

🗳️ Jenny Robins, a Gunbarrel-area real-estate consultant, announced her intent to run for one of four open Boulder City Council seats in November. (Daily Camera 🔑)

💡 The National Academy of Inventors ranked the University of Colorado 18th on its list of top 100 U.S. universities that were granted utility patents, with the Boulder campus contributing 71 patents in 2024. (Daily Camera 🔑)

Boulder County will host a ceremony and flag-raising event to kick off Pride Month and celebrate the designation of the Boulder County Courthouse as a National Historic Landmark.

Why it matters: The landmark designation recognizes a pivotal moment in the fight for LGBTQ+ equality spearheaded by former Boulder County Clerk Clela Rorex.

Catch up quick: The Boulder County Courthouse was designated a National Historic Landmark last December for Rorex, who made history in 1975 when she became the first known government official to issue a same-sex marriage license.

What to know if you go:

📍 Pearl Street Mall entrance to the Boulder County Courthouse, 1325 Pearl St.

🕙 Tomorrow, 10am–noon

🎟️ Free and open to the public, standing room only

🌈 The Museum of Boulder is also hosting an exhibit titled "Bending the Arc" through September, commemorating the 50th anniversary of Rorex's landmark action.

• As part of the exhibit, the museum will hold a program Monday evening called "Queerness in Communities of Color," spotlighting LGBTQ+ people of color whose identities have shaped their work in academia, politics and community leadership.
• 🎟️ Tickets are $10.38

🎨 Equality Center of the Rocky Mountains in Boulder is hosting a Queer Pride Market featuring local artists and makers.

• The event is free and takes place Saturday from noon-5pm at 3340 Mitchell Lane.

🗓️ Other happenings