City News
This is news from the city of Boulder, about the city or any of its departments
Red Flag Warning in Effect: Critical Fire Danger Boulder County Below 6,000 Feet
Jan 6th
Boulder Channel 1 News January 6, 2026 – Boulder County residents are waking up to heightened fire risk today as the National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for elevations below 6,000 feet. Gusty winds, dangerously low humidity, and tinder-dry grasses and brush are creating critical fire weather conditions that could allow any spark to rapidly ignite and spread.
But relief is on the way—welcome back, moisture! A significant pattern shift is forecast starting Thursday, when temperatures will plunge and snowfall will arrive. Accumulations of 1-2 inches are expected Thursday, followed by 2-4 inches on Friday. AccuWeather warns of a messy commute Thursday evening and Friday morning as snow mixes with lingering winds.The Boulder Flatirons and surrounding peaks are set to get a fresh coat of winter white soon:
Temperatures are expected to reach a high of around 57 degrees this afternoon, further drying out already parched vegetation. Officials are urging everyone to avoid outdoor burning, recreational fires, or any activities that could produce sparks—no exceptions.
Here are some striking views of the dry, fire-prone landscape currently blanketing the Front Range foothills and plains:
This alert comes on the heels of a scary close call just yesterday in the southeastern corner of the county. A fast-moving grass fire—dubbed the Rock Creek/287 Fire—burned 35 acres southwest of the U.S. 287 and Northwest Parkway interchange, briefly prompting evacuation orders for parts of Louisville, Lafayette, and surrounding areas.The blaze was quickly contained by firefighters, and all evacuation orders have now been lifted. No structures were lost, but the incident serves as a stark reminder of how quickly conditions can turn dangerous.Smoke rises from yesterday’s grass fire near U.S. 287 in southeastern Boulder County:
But relief is on the way—welcome back, moisture! A significant pattern shift is forecast starting Thursday, when temperatures will plunge and snowfall will arrive. Accumulations of 1-2 inches are expected Thursday, followed by 2-4 inches on Friday. AccuWeather warns of a messy commute Thursday evening and Friday morning as snow mixes with lingering winds.The Boulder Flatirons and surrounding peaks are set to get a fresh coat of winter white soon:
Our thirsty lands have been waiting for this moisture—let’s hope it arrives in time to ease the fire threat and bring some much-needed hydration to the region.Stay tuned to Boulder Channel 1 News for the latest updates on fire conditions, road impacts, and winter weather. And as always, if you see smoke or fire, call 911 immediately.
This is Boulder Channel 1 News—keeping you safe and informed.
Boulder Residents Brace for Changes as Key Federal Programs Face Expiration or Shifts
Dec 29th
BOULDER, Colo. December 29, 2025— As 2025 comes to a close, Boulder residents enrolled in certain federal assistance programs are preparing for potential changes starting January 1, 2026, primarily centered on health insurance subsidies. Local advocates and officials are highlighting the enhanced premium tax credits under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as the most significant program set to expire on December 31.
These enhanced subsidies, expanded through previous legislation and extended through the end of 2025, have significantly reduced health insurance costs for many Coloradans purchasing plans via Connect for Health Colorado. Without congressional action to extend them, premiums for individual marketplace plans are expected to rise substantially in 2026, potentially doubling or more for some enrollees depending on income and location. In Boulder County, where healthcare costs can be higher due to regional factors, thousands of residents could face increased monthly payments.
“Many in our community rely on these subsidies to afford coverage,” said a spokesperson for Boulder County Public Health. “We’re urging people to review their options during open enrollment and explore any available state assistance programs.”
Ongoing federal policy changes have also impacted programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), with recent adjustments to eligibility, work requirements, and benefit calculations affecting recipients statewide, including in Boulder. However, core SNAP benefits continue without a specific December 31 cutoff.
The Colorado Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP), a federally supported initiative helping with winter heating costs, operates on a seasonal basis from November 1 to April 30 and is not expiring at year’s end. Applications for the current season remain open.
City and Boulder County officials report no immediate disruptions to essential services such as food assistance or housing programs tied directly to December 31. University of Colorado Boulder and local federal research facilities, including NOAA and NIST labs, operate under separate fiscal cycles with no confirmed year-end terminations.
Residents are advised to visit Connect for Health Colorado for health plan updates before the January deadline, contact Boulder County Human Services for SNAP or other assistance inquiries, or check cdhs.colorado.gov for LEAP details.
Boulder Channel 1 News will monitor developments in Congress and provide updates on any last-minute changes affecting local families.
Boulder Outlook for 2026 10 Issues of concern
Dec 28th
BOULDER WAS HIT with Extraordinary Cuts in 2025. 2026 does NOT LOOK GOOD.
Federally funded programs have been cut the effect of which have not yet been felt.
We have lost protections for immigrants though ICE has not shown up here in vast numbers. They have targeted Boulder as a sanctuary city and said they are coming to exercise mass deportations. 
Boulders Federal work force has been slashed. Hundreds of jobs will be cut in 2026 as well as numerous Federal Labs and offices will be closed including NCAR and NOAA
Prices on goods have increased substantially. Tariffs have affect on local retail businesses. Bankruptcies are up , closures are up and the Boulder economy is in question. The 2026 Boulder economy does not look good at the outset.
Boulders street Drug and Crime problem seem to get worse though the police and DAs office say it’s improved, Independent journalist like keep showing police and DA mislead the public by their lack of transparency and falsely reporting crime.
Funding for all Diversity Equity and Inclusion programs have been cut to the city. Boulder corporations have been threatened with federal contract cancelations if they keep DEI policies.
All federally funded Environmental and climate change programs have been canceled.
If Boulder would entertain Building a new Advanced Nuclear Reactor for clean energy there is funding for that. It would create 1000’s of local jobs. 60 miles north of us Cheyenne Wyoming is currently building one. This project is fully paid for by Bill Gates and the Department of energy
Cannabis and mushroom funding is new since Washington like it
Boulder trends fit with national trends some of which we list here. The big question what will Boulder do to face the oncoming recession the likes of which we haven’t seen since 2008 https://www.nytimes.com/2025/
