Posts tagged Boulder Police Department
Learning from Boston marathon for BolderBOULDER race
0May 14, 2013
Race organizers from the BolderBOULDER, the Boulder Police Department and the University of Colorado Police Department are asking the public to cooperate with additional security measures that will be in place for the May 27 Memorial Day run.
Race participants and spectators will notice an increased law enforcement and emergency services presence along the 10-kilometer course.
Organizers ask the public for their patience and cooperation with the new rules.
Police request that participants and spectators refrain from bringing backpacks or other bags to the race. If people must bring bags, please pack lightly and keep them in your possession at all times. “Airport rules” will apply, and any unattended bags along the course or at Folsom Field will be subject to confiscation.
On race day, the public is asked to immediately report any suspicious activity or people by calling 9-1-1.
“We realize that the recent events in Boston have created some extra concern for people, and we want to reassure everyone that the Boulder and CU police departments and race organizers are working together to make this event as safe and enjoyable as possible,” said Boulder Police Chief Mark Beckner. “We have comprehensive security plans in place. We will not be discussing details or specifics of those plans.”
The public will also see an increased law enforcement presence at the race’s finish at CU’s Folsom Field. For spectators bringing items into the stadium, football game rules will apply. That includes only allowing soft-sided bags smaller than 12x12x12 (such as small purses and backpacks) inside Folsom Field. For a full list of permitted and prohibited items, please see http://bit.ly/FolsomFieldRules.
“The bag checks will be one of the evident changes seen by the public,” said Joe Roy, CU police chief. “But our police departments have added other security measures that will not be obvious to the public, by design, to enhance safety.”
The police departments and BolderBOULDER appreciate the public’s cooperation.
“The safety and security of the BolderBOULDER runners, spectators, volunteers and sponsors is our primary concern,” said Cliff Bosley, BolderBOULDER race director. “We thank everyone for their help in keeping this the fun and safe event we’ve enjoyed for the past 34 years.”
For updates and race-day information, please see www.bolderboulder.com.
MEDIA RELEASE BY BOULDER AND CU POLICE. ONLY A MORON WOULD THINK OTHERWISE.
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Boulder police: Officer’s Shameful Mapleton Neighborhood Pet Elk Shooting – Executive Summary
0March 27, 2013
March 25, 2013This report is an executive summary of an extensive personnel investigation into allegations ofserious misconduct involving Boulder Police Officers Sam Carter and Brent Curnow. Somedetailed information is included, while other details have been excluded to protect informationbelonging to other agencies and/or the criminal case that has yet to be concluded.
FULL REPORT SEE HERE:
Some names have been redacted to protect department members’ personnel privacy rights. Investigative
reports on personnel matters are typically not made public. The decision to release this report
was made in the interest of transparency (to the degree possible) and due to the already public
nature of the incident, the degree of public concern expressed over the incident, and the fact that both officers are no longer with the departmentOn January 1, 2013, at approximately 2255 hours, Officer Sam Carter shot and killed an elk with
police issued shotgun on the corner of 9th and Mapleton while on duty. Officer Carter had
made prior arrangements with off duty Officer Brent Curnow to assist him in loading the elk in
Curnow’s truck for later processing. Officer Carter made no attempt to report that he had
discharged his shotgun or that he had killed the elk. (Officers sometimes have to euthanize
injured animals to prevent further suffering.) Officer Carter did not notify a supervisor, dispatch,
or file any reports about the incident.
On the morning of January 2nd, the department began to receive media inquiries about the killing
of the elk. The department had no knowledge of any officer involvement in the killing at that
time. The department continued to follow-up on reports that an elk had been killed by a Boulder
officer and learned on the evening of January 2nd that Sam Carter had killed the elk. The
department then began a preliminary internal investigation to determine the circumstances and
why Carter did not report the shooting to anyone. As information was developed, it became
obvious that there were serious questions around the circumstances of the shooting and the
actions of the officers involved.
On January 3rd, a formal Internal Affairs Investigation (IA) was initiated against Officers Carter
and Curnow (see attached complaints officially filed January 4th). Both officers were placed on
administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. At about the same time, a
criminal investigation was initiated by the Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife (CPW).
While information was shared with CPW, the investigations remained separate and distinct. The
goal of the department’s IA investigation was to determine whether Officers Carter and Curnow
had violated any department rules and/or policies. The criminal investigation was left to CPW
and eventually forwarded to the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office. We did not conduct
a personnel investigation into the actions of Deputy Jeff George. That responsibility fell to his
employer, the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office.
On January 18th Officers Carter and Curnow were arrested and charged with multiple offenses
related to the elk shooting. On the same date, both officers were placed on leave without pay and
given appointments to report to the police department for their formal IA interviews on January BOULDER POLICE DEPARTMENT
Report 2/37
21st. Rather than appear for their interviews as scheduled, their attorney Marc Colin appeared
and announced that both officers would resign effective January 22nd. Boulder Police continued to investigate to determine the facts and whether other employees were potentially involved. The department did not find any other violations of rules or policies by any other employees. Some employees had overheard statements by Carter and or Curnow about
wanting to get the elk, or shoot the elk. However, the context in which these statements were
made did not lead those employees to believe either officer would illegally or without
justification shoot the elk. Both officers were hunters, as were other members of the department,
and would often talk about hunting, so this type of conversation did not seem alarming. Often,
job related joking occurs at briefings to start the day, so it is not unusual to hear officers make
statements in jest. As one officer put it, Carter was always making brash statements in briefing
but never did any of the things he joked about. No one took him literally when he said he
wanted to kill the elk. Officer Curnow also reportedly teased a Sergeant about putting the elk
down as he knew that Sergeant was an animal lover.
The elk in question had been around Boulder for many months and was admired by many
officers. Some officers even took pictures of the elk due to its size and beauty. After the
shooting, the officers who worked with Carter and Curnow were shocked, disappointed, and
angry that they would do such a thing.
All of the information gathered during the investigation was provided to supervisors and the
department’s 12 member IA Review Panel, (six community members and six department
members). All reviewers were unanimous in recommending the allegations against Carter and
Curnow be sustained. Chief of Police Mark Beckner agreed with these recommendations and
entered a sustained finding in the personnel files of both Carter and Curnow.
None of the reviewers or panel members believed any disciplinary action was appropriate for any
other officer. The Chief of Police also asked specifically for feedback from supervisors and the
IA Review Panel in regards to some decision making on the part of two other officers. One
involved a post on a Facebook page about the elk and the other involved being more timely in
letting the department know of Carter’s involvement. The consensus feedback was that both
situations were best handled as learning experiences to be addressed through documented
counseling with supervisors. The Chief accepted this recommendation.
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Boulder police arrest sex assault suspect; are concerned there may be more victims
0March 22, 2013
Boulder police, with the assistance of the Evans Police Department, arrested George Osonau Tiba (DOB 1/5/1965) at his home in Evans, CO on March 21, 2013. Tiba is charged with two counts of Sexual Assault, one count of Second Degree Burglary and one count of Theft. He was taken to the Weld County Jail and is being held there on $50,000 bond.
Tiba has been under investigation for a sex assault which occurred in Boulder on Feb. 17, 2013, sometime between the hours of 2 a.m. and 10 a.m. The victim is a 22-year-old female. The assault occurred at the victim’s home on 11th St.
She told police she met Tiba for the first time while she was out with friends earlier in the evening (March 20) at the Walrus, located at 1911 11th St. The victim also told police that the suspect stole cash and other items from her home after the assault.
Friends of the victim told investigators they believed that the suspect had been watching for potential victims at the Walrus, because he immediately approached the victim when she arrived with her group of friends. They believe the suspect targeted the victim, even though she attempted to disengage herself from him several times during the evening.
Because of Tiba’s behavior on the evening of the assault and because of some past incidents involving Tiba, police are concerned that he may have victimized others who have not yet reported the incidents to investigators.
This case number is 13-2212.
Anyone with information about Tiba, or who believes they may have been victimized by Tiba, is asked to contact the Boulder Police Department at 303-441-1974. Those who have information but wish to remain anonymous may contact the Northern Colorado Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or 1-800-444-3776. Tips can also be submitted through the Crime Stoppers website atwww.crimeshurt.com. Those submitting tips through Crime Stoppers that lead to the arrest and filing of charges on a suspect(s) may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000 from Crime Stoppers.
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Assault suspect from 2012 bar fight still wanted by police
0March 1, 2013
Boulder police are still investigating an assault case from March 2, 2012, which took place at Conor O’Neill’s Pub, located at 1922 13th St. around 12:37 a.m. The suspect remains unidentified and police are asking the public for assistance.
The male victim was in the restroom when the male suspect tried to enter the stall. The two men pushed each other and at one point, the suspect attacked the victim with a beer bottle. The victim was taken to the hospital to be treated for his injuries which included a concussion, cuts to his head and face and wounds on his chest and arms from the beer bottle.
The suspect fled the bar, and the victim believes a friend of the suspect tried to detain the victim as the suspect got away. The suspect was seen running westbound across 13th St. and through a parking lot. Police were unable to locate him.
At the time of the assault, the Boulder Police Department released a composite sketch and a description of the suspect. The suspect has not yet been identified and police are publicizing the information again, hoping that a member of the public may recognize the suspect and contact police.
The sketch is attached. The suspect is described as:
· White male
· 21 – 29 years old
· 6’0 – 6’3” tall, weighing 180 – 200 pounds
· Build was described as “not toned”
· Short blonde hair which may have been bleached or highlighted
· Witnesses described him as a “surfer type”
· At the time of the assault, was wearing a light-colored shirt or white shirt with blue pinstripes
· May have been bleeding from his mouth, and may have had a cut over his left eye
The case number is 12-2846.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Tom Dowd at 303-441-3385. Those who have information but wish to remain anonymous may contact the Northern Colorado Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or 1-800-444-3776. Tips can also be submitted through the Crime Stoppers website at www.crimeshurt.com. Those submitting tips through Crime Stoppers that lead to the arrest and filing of charges on a suspect(s) may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000 from Crime Stoppers.
– CITY–
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Boulder police: Stolen African spears returned
0February 27, 2013
Local attorney tight lipped about who returned the objects
A local attorney contacted the Boulder Police Department on Monday, Feb. 25, 2013 to make arrangements to return a number of items which had been stolen during a burglary from the Historic Highland Building on Jan. 31, 2013.
The attorney returned two stolen African spears, a Buddhist thangka (painting on silk), pieces of a hawk statue which appeared to be made of ivory, the stand for the hawk statue, a blue stone globe, a book and other items belonging to the Historic Highland Building. Some of the items had been reported stolen, and some of the items had not been reported. Many of the items were broken or damaged.
The attorney declined to share any information about how he came into possession of the stolen property, citing attorney-client privilege. Police are continuing to investigate this case and are not releasing the attorney’s name.
Boulder police believe four male suspects entered the building by breaking in through a third-floor window. Surveillance video shows the suspects inside the building, where they shattered glass showcases, damaged sculptures and walked out with African spears which were on display.
The case number is 13-1372.
Police are asking the public for information about this burglary or the suspects involved. Anyone with information may contact Detective Bob Wands at 303-441-3323. Those who have information but wish to remain anonymous may contact the Northern Colorado Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or 1-800-444-3776. Tips can also be submitted through the Crime Stoppers website at www.crimeshurt.com. Those submitting tips through Crime Stoppers that lead to the arrest and filing of charges on a suspect(s) may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000 from Crime Stoppers.
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Boulder police: Hooded suspect responsible for $163,000 smash and grab at Boulder Apple store
0February 16, 2013
Boulder police:
Boulder police are investigating a burglary at the Apple store, located at 1755 29th St., which occurred on Feb. 16, 2013. Officers responded to an alarm at the store at 2:16 a.m.
Police found three large rocks inside, which were used to break the glass entrance door. The custom-made door is valued at approximately $100,000.
Surveillance video shows what police believe may be a male suspect, wearing a black hoodie, white gloves and a black baseball cap stealing various computer items from the display tables inside the Apple store. It’s estimated that $63,813 worth of laptops, iPads & iPhones were pulled from security fasteners that attached them to the display tables.
Shopping center security officers did not see anything unusual before the burglary.
Apple store managers have hired extra security.
The case number is 13-2141.
Police ask anyone with emergency tip information to contact Dispatch at 303-441-3333. Non-emergency information may be left on the Boulder Police Department’s Tip Line at 303-441-1974. Those who have information but wish to remain anonymous may contact the Northern Colorado Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or 1-800-444-3776. Tips can also be submitted through the Crime Stoppers website at www.crimeshurt.com. Those submitting tips through Crime Stoppers that lead to the arrest and filing of charges on a suspect(s) may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000 from Crime Stoppers.
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Boulder County Sheriff’s Office announces huge cocaine bust
0January 23, 2013
The Boulder County Drug Task Force (BCDTF) and the Denver Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announce the conclusion of a significant investigation of a cocaine distribution organization operating in the Counties of Boulder, Weld, and Adams, and the City/County of Denver.
Today, 210 law enforcement personnel represented by the BCDTF, Denver Field Division of the DEA, Denver Division of the Internal Revenue Service, Boulder Police Department, Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, Louisville Police Department, Longmont Police Department, Adams County Sheriff’s Office, North Metro Task Force, and the Weld County Sheriff’s Office executed search warrants of eleven (11) residences (5 City of Boulder, 1 City of Louisville, 1 City of Longmont, 2 Unincorporated Weld County, 1 Unincorporated Adams County, and 1 City/County of Denver), and the pursuit of twenty (20) suspects based on Grand Jury Indictments and Arrest Affidavits detailing over 300 Felony counts of Possession of a Schedule ll Drug, Possession with Intent to Distribute a Schedule ll Drug, Conspiracy, and Possession of a Dangerous Weapon.
The seventeen-month investigation utilized various investigative techniques leading to the seizure of significant amount of cocaine. The accomplishment of the case is based on the partnerships of the BCDTF, DEA and the North Metro Task Force.
The efforts of this investigation will put a significant dent in the flow of cocaine into our local communities and hopefully make the communities safer.
DEA Special Agent Barbra Roach stated, “This investigation has cut off a pipeline from Mexico to Boulder that brought cocaine and weapons to our streets. Boulder and the surrounding communities are safer today due to the cooperative efforts of federal, state and local agencies”.
The Boulder County Drug Task Force is comprised of personnel of the Boulder Police Department, Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, 20th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, University of Colorado Police Department-Boulder Campus, and the cities of Erie, Lafayette and Louisville. The BCDTF encourages citizens to contact the BCDTF at 303.441.1690 if they wish to share information regarding the illegal sales and distribution of dangerous drugs in the communities we serve.
A supplemental media release will be electronically distributed at 4:00/pm today with the identification of the suspects taken into custody.
The names of those arrested:
Antonio Chaparro dob 6/18/78
Vicente Espinoza-Gonzales dob 7/18/66
Manuel Galindo-Lopez dob 3/29/77
Jorge Zavala-Ramirez dob 10/22/79
Juan Carlos Chaparro-Salcido dob 5/5/83
Claudio Omar Mallo dob 5/2/70
Jesus Garcia-Bueno dob 12/12/74
Miguel Angel Ruiz-Morales dob 4/18/91
Benito Beruman-Serate dob 4/5/72
Juanita Burciaga dob 12/12/74
Diego Arellano-Rodriguez dob 4/21/91
Craig Carl Dagostino dob 9/29/59
Cheryl Harvanek dob 11/12/56
Jose Alejandro Rivera-Segura dob 11/19/79
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Boulder police: Two Boulder police officers resign; internal investigation continues into elk incident
0January 22, 2013
The two Boulder Police Department officers involved in the death of an elk on New Year’s Day have resigned their positions, effective immediately.
Sam Carter and Brent Curnow both turned in letters of resignation to Boulder Police Chief Mark Beckner. Chief Beckner has accepted their resignations.
Although both officers are no longer members of the police department, the internal personnel investigation into the circumstances and their behavior on Jan. 1 and Jan. 2, 2013 will continue.
Sam Carter (left) and Brent Curnow
Both officers faced termination for their actions on Jan. 1 and Jan. 2, 2013.
“The Boulder Police Department does not tolerate this kind of behavior,” said Chief Mark Beckner. “Police officers and other members of this department will be held accountable for their actions and behavior, and we want the community to know how seriously we take this breach of trust,” said Beckner.
The department hopes to complete its internal investigation quickly. In a separate criminal investigation, the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office charged Carter and Curnow with multiple crimes last Friday.
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Boulder Chief of Police: Department supports charges against officers who killed elk; apologizes to community
0January 18, 2013
Statement from Boulder Police Chief Mark Beckner:
As you know, Boulder County District Attorney Stan Garnett has announced that his office will file charges against the two Boulder Police officers involved in the shooting death of the Mapleton elk on January 1st. The officers face three felony charges in addition to a number of misdemeanor charges.
The Boulder Police Department fully supports the decision of the district attorney to pursue charges in this case. It’s the right decision, and the Department has assisted and cooperated fully with the Colorado Division of Parks & Wildlife and the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office.
Officers Sam Carter and Brent Curnow have been on paid administrative leave since January 3rd, while the case has been investigated, as dictated by department policy and contractual due process.
Effective immediately, I have placed Sam Carter and Brent Curnow on unpaid administrative leave.
We realize that this case has hit a sensitive nerve in the Boulder community, and I want to reassure our community that I understand their concerns and that I intend to hold these officers accountable for their actions.
While the criminal investigation has (mostly) wrapped up, there is still an internal personnel investigation underway at the Boulder Police Department. This investigation is different and separate from the criminal investigation, and has to do with whether these officers may have violated rules, policies or procedures. We needed to proceed cautiously with the internal investigation because we didn’t want to interfere with the criminal investigation. The Boulder Police Department provided some of the evidence for the criminal case and cooperated fully with investigators.
We hope to move quickly now to complete our internal personnel investigation. Once that is finished, there is a review process that includes a combined community and department member review panel which will provide recommendations to me on the final disposition. If the allegations are sustained, the discipline for such allegations – including being untruthful – would typically be termination from employment.
We apologize for this unfortunate incident. We want our community to know that we take their concerns very seriously and that we’re working hard to correct this situation.
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January 4, 2013
Two Boulder police officers put on administrative leave during personnel investigation
The Boulder Police Department is continuing its internal personnel investigation regarding the killing of an elk on the evening of January 1, 2013 in the area of Ninth and Mapleton. Although personnel investigations can take weeks to complete, the Boulder Police Department is taking some administrative action immediately.
Officers Sam Carter and Brent Curnow have been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the internal investigation.
Once the investigations are completed, the information is forwarded to the employee’s chain of command for review and recommendations to the Chief of Police. After this review, the report is reviewed by a panel made up of both citizens and sworn officers who also make recommendations to the Chief. The Chief of Police will make the final decision as to the disposition of the case and whether disciplinary measures may be appropriate.
The Boulder Police Department will not be making further statements while the investigations are pending.
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Bad cop, baaad cop!
1January 3, 2013
On Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013, a Boulder police officer shot and killed a bull elk in the area of Ninth and Mapleton around 11:00 p.m. According to the officer, he was on routine patrol when he observed the elk, which appeared to be injured. It was limping, and some of the elk’s antlers had been broken off. In the officer’s judgment, the animal needed to be humanely put down.
The elk was in a residential yard when the officer dispatched it with one shot from a shotgun. The elk was taken home to be processed for meat by another officer, who was off-duty at the time.
It appears that the officer did not inform Boulder Police Dispatch about his intentions to dispatch the animal, nor did he notify an on-duty supervisor or file a report on the incident. Since there was no record about the Boulder Police Department’s involvement, it created confusion about who was responsible. We apologize for the confusion and have initiated an internal personnel investigation into the matter.
The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Department is investigating the matter to determine whether any crime was committed. The Boulder Police Department is cooperating fully with that investigation.
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Boulder Crime Report
0December 28, 2012
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Feed them and they will come…
0October 19, 2012
Residents encouraged to secure trash and food sources to protect bears
With bears foraging for food in preparation for their winter hibernation, it is important that residents take measures to deter bears by securing any potential food sources on their properties. See the Inside Boulder News segment about recent bear activity.
Bear-proofing food items and trash is the best way for residents to minimize the chance that bears will show interest in their property. Common bear attractants include garbage, compost, fruit from trees, bird feeders, food from outdoor grills and pet food left outside.
City regulations require that curbside garbage/compost bins not be placed out for pick up until 5 a.m. the day collection occurs. Alleyway bins are exempt from these regulations.
To be safe, the city recommends that residents west of Broadway store all garbage and compost bins in a garage or shed until the morning of collection, or keep their waste in a bear-resistant trash container. Residents within Boulder city limits can contact their trash hauler for specific information about bear-resistant trash containers.
Bears that learn that people are a source of food are sometimes killed to keep the public safe. During the past six years, Colorado Parks and Wildlife has killed five bears in Boulder because of nuisance behavior or a threat to public safety. Please do your part to ensure that bears are not unnecessarily attracted to your property.
If there is a bear in your backyard, the following tips are recommended:
- Keep your distance. Back away slowly from the bear, ensuring it has a clear escape path;
- Never run. Running may cause a bear to chase you;
- Never approach a bear, or get in between a cub and its mother;
- Never provide food to a bear. This teaches it to approach people for food;
- Do not let the bear become comfortable around your home; and
- Once you are safely inside, do your best to scare the bear away. Yell, clap your hands and make other loud noises to encourage the bear to leave.
If the bear is observed within the city limits, call the Boulder Police Department at 303-441-3333. To report past bear sightings and encounters, call 303-441-3004.
The city is currently conducting an Urban Black Bear Education and Enforcement Pilot Program in partnership with Colorado Parks and Wildlife. For more information about the pilot program, contact Urban Wildlife Conservation Coordinator Val Matheson at 303-441-3004 or visit www.boulderwildlifeplan.net.
For a detailed discussion about bears in the urban/foothill interface, watch the “Bears in Boulder” segment of A Boulder View.
To learn more about bears, visit www.osmp.org or the Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) website at: wildlife.state.co.us/bears.
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Boulder Police to increase crosswalk enforcement for September
0September 18, 2012
Starting on Sept. 17, 2012 and going through the end of the month, officers from the Boulder Police Department will increase safety enforcement at city crosswalks as part of “September Crosswalk Safety Weeks.” At its Sept. 18 meeting, City Council will be designating Sept. 17 – 28 as September Crosswalk Safety Weeks as part of the ongoing “Heads Up: Mind the Crosswalk” public education campaign. Police at the University of Colorado will also be stepping up enforcement on and around the campus.
Earlier this year, several new ordinances went into effect. The three 
ordinances in the Boulder Revised Code are:
- “Stop at crosswalk required” [7-4-77] stipulates that when one vehicle stops to yield for a person in a crosswalk, another vehicle going the same direction in an adjacent lane cannot overtake and pass that vehicle.
- “8 mph speed limit for bicycles in a crosswalk” [7-5-5] establishes a speed limit of 8 mph for bicyclists during the immediate approach, entry and traversal of any crosswalk that spans a roadway.
- ”Pedestrian obedience to traffic signal required” [7-5-15(f)] targets the use of flashing crosswalks (those with flashing yellow crosswalk signs) by requiring a person crossing to enter the crosswalk with the warning device activated.
Boulder police, along with officers from the University of Colorado Police Department, will focus their safety efforts on high-incident crosswalks, many of which are on or near the university campus.
Police will also be keeping an eye on school zones. At the same time, the Boulder Valley School District is educating students about crosswalk safety with activities such as assemblies, art projects and events planned during the designated Crosswalk Safety Weeks.
Fines for breaking these ordinances range from $50 to $125. Drivers may also receive points against their license.
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Boulder to test green bike-lanes
0September 13, 2012
Cyclists and motorists traveling north along Folsom Street will notice something new at the intersections of Canyon Boulevard and Pearl Street – green bike lanes. As part of a pilot project, the City of Boulder’s Transportation Division has installed the new pavement markings to promote community awareness and increase safety for both cyclists and motorists. The city is testing the green bike lanes’ effectiveness with reducing “right hook” collisions, which involve a motorist making a right turn and accidentally colliding with a cyclist traveling in the same direction in the adjacent bike lane, as depicted in the attached diagram. Citywide, approximately 14 percent of all motor vehicle collisions involving cyclists have been attributed to right hook collisions. The intersections of Folsom Street and Canyon Boulevard (#2) and Folsom and Pearl streets (#12) were identified among the top 15 most common collision locations. These statistics were included in the Safe Streets Boulder Report, a study of motor vehicle collisions involving cyclists or pedestrians during a 40-month period between January 2008 and April 2011.
The new pavement markings on Folsom Street are the first phase of the pilot project, with additional green bike lanes planned along Colorado Avenue and Table Mesa Drive this fall. Evaluations to test the effectiveness of the markings will include field observations and an online community survey to gather input from cyclists and motorists. The green bike lanes are a traffic engineering component of the city’s three-part action plan to reduce the number of traffic collisions in Boulder through engineering, education and enforcement. The Heads Up Boulder: Mind the Crosswalk campaign was launched this summer to help educate the community about three new crosswalk safety ordinances and the Boulder Police Department will be proactively enforcing the ordinances at Boulder’s busiest intersections this fall. The new pavement markings were installed on Thursday, Sept. 6, using a preformed thermoplastic material that includes an anti-skid layer to reduce slipping. Boulder is joining other communities such as Portland, Ore.; Seattle, Wash.; St. Petersburg, Fla.; Los Angeles, Calif.; and San Francisco, Calif. in experimenting with bike lane pavement markings. The attached photo shows the green bike lane at the intersection of Canyon Boulevard and Folsom Street and the attached diagram depicts a right hook collision.
