Boulder Channel 1
This user hasn't shared any biographical information
Posts by Boulder Channel 1
Boulder Braces for Hunger Crisis as SNAP Ends Nov. 1; Food Banks ‘Out of Food
Oct 28th
BOULDER, Colo. – October 28, 2025 – With federal SNAP benefits expiring November 1, Boulder faces a severe food emergency. Local journalist Jann Scott emailed City of Boulder Communications Director Sarah Huntley and City Manager Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde on October 27, warning: “We are getting requests for emergency food bank locations starting Nov. 1 when SNAP runs out. Plus, govt workers are furloughed or fired.”
Scott told officials the city’s two main food banks are depleted. “The 2 Boulder food banks you listed are out of food,” he wrote. “I think we have a big problem.”
City Communication Senior Program Manager Lyndsy Morse-Casillas responded, acknowledging “increased need across our community.” She directed residents to Boulder County’s website for federal service impacts and listed Emergency Family Assistance Association (EFAA), Harvest of Hope Pantry, and Boulder County AIDS Project as resources. She also promoted Boulder County Findhelp, an online tool launched this year by the Boulder County Family Resource Network.
Food bank leaders confirm the crisis. EFAA told Boulder Channel 1, “We do not have enough food. Shelves are bare; we’re rationing what little remains.” Harvest of Hope Pantry said, “We’re out of rice, pasta, canned vegetables—donations can’t keep pace.
”The loss of SNAP coincides with over 1,800 local government workers facing furloughs or termination due to federal and state budget cuts. During the pandemic, the City of Boulder and Boulder Valley School District opened emergency food sites. Scott pressed city leaders: “What are you doing now by Nov. 1?”No new city-run pantries are planned. Officials rely on nonprofits urging donations and volunteer support
Residents in need should visit findhelp.org/boulder or call 211. However, the city of Boulder needs to step up and open its’s own food bank now
Local Inmates Struggle with Addiction Recovery Amid Gaps in Boulder County Facilities
Oct 28th
By Boulder Channel 1 News Boulder, CO – October 28, 2025 In the shadow of Boulder’s iconic Flatirons, a crisis brews behind bars and beyond: Boulder County Jail’s addiction treatment programs are failing those who need them most, with relapse rates soaring and a glaring absence of proven peer-support models like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA). As the county touts its new Joe Pelle Center as a beacon of reform, critics question whether it’s repeating the same mistakes—eschewing AA and NA in favor of untested alternatives that leave inmates cycling back into addiction and crime.
Boulder County Jail, housing over 700 inmates at any given time, offers “substance abuse counseling” through its Behavioral Health Services. But insiders paint a bleaker picture. “It’s group sessions twice a week, maybe, if you’re lucky,” says one former inmate who served six months last year for possession. “No real structure. No AA meetings, no sponsors. I walked out worse off than when I went in.” Now three months sober through a private NA program, the individual echoes a chorus of complaints. County data, obtained via public records request, reveals a 68% recidivism rate among addiction-related offenders released from the jail in 2024—far above the national average of 50% for similar cases.
The jail’s programs, managed by Wellpath and Mental Health Partners, emphasize cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and medication-assisted treatment (MAT). While MAT can curb withdrawal, experts argue it’s no substitute for the spiritual and communal backbone of 12-step programs. “AA and NA aren’t just meetings; they’re lifelines,” says a University of Colorado addiction specialist. “Studies show participants in 12-step integration have 20-30% lower relapse rates. Boulder’s jail ignores that at great human cost.”
The Joe Pelle Center, Boulder County’s $25 million alternative sentencing facility that opened last week on Airport Road, promises “holistic reentry” for low-level offenders, including those with substance use disorders. With yoga studios, job training kitchens, and Flatiron views, it feels more like a community college than a lockup. Yet, programming details raise red flags.
The center’s curriculum, outlined in county memos, leans heavily on in-house therapy and vocational workshops—again sidelining AA and NA. “We’re innovative, not traditional,” says Pelle center spokesperson . “Our evidence-based approach includes telehealth MAT and peer mentoring, tailored to modern needs.” But skeptics aren’t buying it. “It’s questionable at best,” says Colorado Voices for Recovery. “Without AA/NA as the primary recourse, you’re setting folks up to fail. AA and NA are the only long-term support system available once people are released—no county program follows them home.”
The group points to a pilot program’s early stumbles: Of the 20 addiction-focused residents admitted since opening, three have already absconded, per sheriff’s reports. One parent, whose son is slated for the center next month, told Channel 1, “He needs meetings, not memos. Why reinvent the wheel when AA works—and keeps working after the doors open?”
Boulder County’s addiction epidemic—fueled by fentanyl, alcohol and isolation—demands more than good intentions. Without embracing proven paths like AA and NA, these facilities risk becoming revolving doors to despair.
Boulder Roots Music Fest Set to Transform Pearl Street into a Musical Extravaganza
Oct 15th
October 15,2025 BOULDER—The city of Boulder is buzzing with anticipation as the inaugural Roots Music Fest prepares to take over Pearl Street Mall and surrounding venues this weekend, October 17–19. The three-day festival, a new endeavor by the local non-profit Roots Music Project, promises an immersive celebration of Colorado’s vibrant music scene.
Festival organizers have curated a massive lineup of over 800 artists spanning 15 stages, transforming downtown Boulder into a walkable concert experience. “Our goal is to make this the ‘Bolder Boulder’ of music festivals, creating a decades-long tradition for our community,” said a festival representative. The event will feature a large outdoor stage at 16th and Pearl, along with intimate performances at partner locations, including restaurants, cafes, and retail shops.
Headliners for the inaugural festival include acclaimed bands Yonder Mountain String Band, North Mississippi Allstars, and Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe. In addition to these seasoned veterans, the lineup showcases the diverse sounds of local favorites like Banshee Tree, Dechen Hawk & The Lit Squad, and Juniper Blue. Genres will range from folk and bluegrass to blues, indie rock, and electronic music, ensuring a performance for every taste.
The festival also provides a crucial economic boost for the city, bringing tourism dollars to local businesses. Festival admission grants attendees access to all venues on a first-come, first-served basis, but special separate tickets are required for exclusive late-night shows. With a full weekend of music, collaboration, and celebration, the Roots Music Fest is poised to make a significant and lasting mark on Boulder’s cultural landscape.
