Happy Wednesday, Boulder. We’re now less than a week away from Election Day, but before diving into that and today’s news, we have a quick favor to ask: Help shape the future of Boulder Reporting Lab by taking our three-minute reader survey. Your feedback will guide our coverage, priorities and growth — and as a thank-you, two participants will win a $50 gift card to Full Cycle bike shop.
Now, to the news: Feet Forward, a Boulder-based homelessness services organization, announced it will dissolve by year’s end, transferring its assets and operations to Haven Ridge, a local shelter for women and transgender people. This shift follows the departure of Feet Forward’s founder, Jen Livovich, who has since launched Streetscape Peer Support Services and Outreach.
Meanwhile, youth mental health is in focus. With anxiety and depression on the rise — and a shortage of mental health professionals in Colorado — wellness centers in BVSD schools, led by the nonprofit Impact on Education, offer real-time support during school hours, reports Jenna Sampson. The initiative, which started at Monarch High in Louisville to help students affected by the Marshall Fire, is the first to track impact data. Early feedback is positive: Over 13,500 students across six high schools visited last year, with more than half returning for additional support. Still, uncertain funding casts doubt on their future.
Lastly, Boulder County saw key developments this week: a new alternative sentencing facility named for former Sheriff Joe Pelle, election prep, a $66 million grant for the long-awaited Front Range rail project, and the launch of the Techstars Colorado accelerator.
See you Friday, and thanks for reading,
— Brooke, reporter
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Boulder homeless services group Feet Forward to dissolve, transfer assets to Haven Ridge shelter
Haven Ridge plans to continuing outreach, distribution events on Tuesdays and peer support services, according to the organizations. Continue reading…
Amid rising anxiety and depression, students are raving about BVSD wellness centers, first launched to support Marshall Fire survivors
A calming space for students in six Boulder Valley schools helps address mental health issues during school hours. Whether the wellness centers will have the financial support to continue remains uncertain. Continue reading…
Help shape the future of Boulder Reporting Lab: Take our reader survey
Take a quick survey to help shape our Boulder coverage and ensure we’re meeting the needs of our community. Continue reading…
Fall chill arrives – and it may bring snow
Forecasters are predicting light snow today, marking an exciting seasonal shift. Temperatures will stay chilly, with highs in the high 30s, but tomorrow – Halloween – should bring sunshine and warmer highs in the 50s.
County commissioners vote to name new alternative sentencing facility after former Sheriff Joe Pelle
On Tuesday, the Board of County Commissioners voted 2-1 to name the county’s new alternative sentencing facility after former Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle.
The minimum-security facility is designed to hold about 250 people in diversion or work-release programs, as well as those transitioning from incarceration. Adjacent to the Boulder County Jail, the facility broke ground last year and will offer substance use and behavioral health treatment. Funded by a 2018 voter-approved sales tax and championed by Pelle and many others, the project aims to create safer conditions and provide a cost-effective alternative to incarcerating people charged with low-level offenses. Funding to open and operate the facility depends on the ongoing county budget process for 2025.
The vote had been up in the air because Pelle is still living. Commissioner Ashley Stolzmann noted that the commissioners recently introduced guidance discouraging naming buildings after people. However, this policy change came after the proposal to honor Pelle was submitted. Stolzmann cast the deciding vote, joining Commissioner Claire Levy in favor. Commissioner Marta Loachamin voted against it, advocating for a name that would honor Indigenous communities instead. Read more on BRL.
What to expect on Election Day and beyond: Boulder County’s ballot counting timeline
On Monday, Oct. 28, Boulder County Clerk and Recorder Molly Fitzpatrick reviewed the county’s ballot processing procedures ahead of the election. All ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day, and counting will begin that night, continuing for up to three days. The final ballots will be scanned by Nov. 13, the last day for voters to “cure” ballots with signature discrepancies or missing signatures and the deadline for receiving overseas ballots.
Results will be posted at approximately 7:30 p.m., 8:45 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. on election night, with further updates at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 6, Nov. 7, and the final update on Nov. 14. Because posting results requires pausing other processes, the county releases results in intervals to avoid slowing ballot processing.
From now until Election Day, the county will update the total ballots received each morning at 7 a.m. This allows voters to compare the number of ballots received to the election night results page and estimate how many ballots remain to count. Keep in mind, however, that some ballots may be rejected, so the final count may differ slightly. Read more on BRL.
‘Huge step forward for passenger rail in Boulder’: Colorado gets $66M federal grant for Front Range rail project
The Federal Railroad Administration has awarded Colorado a $66.4 million grant to support construction of a commuter rail line between Denver and Longmont, state and federal officials announced Tuesday.
The funding marks progress for the long-awaited Front Range Passenger Rail Project, decades in the making. The grant will go toward planning and construction, including upgrades to an existing freight line to accommodate passenger trains.
Boulder residents have expressed frustration over the lack of the promised rail service, which the Regional Transportation District (RTD) committed to after voters approved a sales tax increase in 2004 to fund the project. The new federal grant will be allocated to the Colorado Department of Transportation, which is working with the Front Range Passenger Rail District —established by the state legislature in 2021 — to advance the project.
“This landmark grant from the Federal Railroad Administration is a huge step forward for passenger rail in Boulder and across the region,” Mayor Aaron Brockett said in a news release. “Front Range Passenger Rail will finally provide long-awaited train service from Boulder to Denver, Longmont and points beyond, and will make a transformative impact on mobility in our community for decades to come.”
Boulder Techstars veterans launch new Colorado accelerator
In March, after 17 years in Boulder, startup accelerator Techstars announced it would move its headquarters to New York, marking a shift in Boulder’s startup scene. Co-founded by Brad Feld and now-Gov. Jared Polis, Techstars launched thousands of startups globally, including over 200 in Boulder, four of which reached unicorn status.
Supporters saw the move as a chance for new growth in Boulder, with some alumni advocating for a new accelerator to reinvigorate the local startup community. Now, that vision is taking shape with the launch of Techstars Colorado, a locally operated accelerator led by Boulder Techstars veterans Nicole Glaros, Natty Zola and David Cohen, as Glaros announced in an Oct. 29 blog post. Unlike past Techstars programs, this initiative will be primarily community-governed and funded, enabling economic returns to stay in Colorado while accessing Techstars’ global network.
Set to launch in 2025, Techstars Colorado will support startups from pre-seed to growth stages, with a dedicated building planned to serve as a hub for entrepreneurs, investors, and mentors. Founders and tech leaders are invited to participate, with opportunities for mentorship, sponsorship, and broader community involvement.
Boulder Canyon Trail still closed for repairs
The Boulder Canyon Trail will remain closed 24/7 until further notice, the county announced, as crews were unable to reopen it at 4 p.m. on Tuesday as originally planned. Repairs are underway to address erosion that has narrowed the trail; crews are working to widen the path and add a support structure.
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