City News
This is news from the city of Boulder, about the city or any of its departments
Boulder NEW website for Emergencies
Mar 7th
BOULDER, Colo. — Today, the City of Boulder launched a new webpage for public safety information about ongoing or emergent incidents that are localized or do not rise to the level of the activation of the Emergency Operations Center. Starting with the next incident, this type of public safety awareness information, which has historically been released over the city’s social media accounts, will now also be provided, in reverse chronological order with dates and times, on this webpage: bldr.fyi/publicsafetyupdates. This will give community members a place to go on the city’s website if they become aware of an incident they wish to follow without having to utilize social media.
“Social media is constantly changing, and the city recognizes that emerging societal factors are affecting our community’s interest in and ability to use third-party platforms,” said Sarah Huntley, director of Communications and Engagement. “Our digital and public safety teams have been following this trend carefully, and we’re taking several concrete steps to make more information readily available to those who want it.”
In addition to today’s launch of the public safety updates webpage, the city also plans to implement a city information mobile app later this year, which will allow the city to share awareness-type public safety messaging when specific incidents are occurring. When the app launches, the city will publicize this option broadly.
While these additional communication tools do not replace the city’s presence on social media during public safety incidents, these new options reflect significant changes to the city’s communications practices.
“We’re optimistic these additions will increase the level of service and awareness to our community, and we are excited to roll them out,” Huntley said.
The awareness information provided on the new public safety updates webpage is in addition to – and not a substitute for – the city’s emergency alert systems. In situations where a large-scale emergency is occurring or there is a need to provide specific guidance about urgent actions community members should take, the City of Boulder and Boulder County use emergency alerts, sent by text and phone, to alert those who might be in harm’s way. Here’s where to find more information about emergency alert systems and how to sign up.
Boulder WEST END STREET CLOSURES not looking good.
Mar 7th
BOULDER Chamber backs West End Restaurants years of discussion and analysis of the negative impact from the previous closure of West Pearl to automobile traffic, some are working to relitigate this issue. Quite simply: The free flow of traffic through West Pearl is critical to keeping our local businesses afloat. As a part of supporting that success, we are opposing a petition effort to undo the lessons of the past and fighting to keep West Pearl open for businesses.
Boulder Housing and Human Services UPDATE
Sep 25th
Homelessness and affordable housing have consistently ranked among our
community’s top concerns. Both issues are intrinsically tied, felt nationally, and result from decades of failed social and economic policies. Disjointed health care systems, inadequate wages, and threads of inequities disrupt our social connections and contribute to housing insecurity.
community’s top concerns. Both issues are intrinsically tied, felt nationally, and result from decades of failed social and economic policies. Disjointed health care systems, inadequate wages, and threads of inequities disrupt our social connections and contribute to housing insecurity.
Locally, Boulder has made significant strides in addressing single adult homelessness and expanding affordable housing. In 2017, the City of Boulder established a strategy to address homelessness, and in 2018, a coordinated regional goal was set by every city in Boulder County for at least 12% of all housing to be affordable by 2035. The City of Boulder took this even further by setting a 15% goal. Since then, we’ve made a lot of progress.
Notably, 2,000 people have exited homelessness since 2017. Additionally, over the last two years, we have seen a reduction in the number of individuals who are unsheltered and living outside. Both the Boulder County winter count and the city-specific summer count show a more then 20% reduction in unsheltered homelessness. In this time, we have grown our collective capacity as providers have expanded services and there has also been an increase in people benefitting from reserved beds at the All Roads shelter. These services and new housing developments that include supportive programs for formerly homeless community members have been – and are — essential to exiting people out of homelessness and keeping them housed.
We’re also making a difference in creating affordable housing that helps service workers, employees of small businesses and laborers live in the community where they work. Today, there are more than 4,000 affordable homes in Boulder and one out of 11 Boulder residents lives in an affordable home. Every community member living in affordable housing has a unique story – one of new beginnings and opportunities.
The city’s Eviction Prevention and Rental Assistance Services (EPRAS) program has also been essential in keeping community members housed. In 2023, EPRAS distributed $364,545 directly to 175 households and an additional $350,000 to 214 households through a partnership with the Emergency Family Assistance Association (EFAA).
Despite these impressive numbers, this is not a rest-on-our-laurels story. While we are making progress in addressing single adult homelessness, we know that the number of individuals living unsheltered in our city remains a significant concern, both for their safety outdoors and for the impacts they can have on our community spaces. At the same time, more and more families are facing housing insecurity in Boulder and beyond. Families are balancing multiple jobs, health concerns, the high price of food and childcare, and the cost of the next car repair and are struggling to make ends meet. Family homelessness is often invisible, and a different set of resources is required to address this growing need; families experiencing homelessness need a safety net and a community that supports them.
The city’s nonprofit partners play a pivotal role in this support network, striving to meet diverse needs amid rising demand for food, housing and financial assistance. This continued need, along with residual impacts from the pandemic, often outpaces our partners’ ability to help.
With new county funding to support housing and supportive services on the horizon in 2025, we must work collaboratively and commit to creating more affordable housing, securing rental assistance and expanding services to support individuals experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.
I am often asked, “What can I do help our community with housing and homelessness?” As people who care deeply about our community, we should dig deep to support the nonprofits that do this important work and help them continue to create affordable housing, keep families housed and provide supportive services for those in need.
In partnership,
Kurt Firnhaber, Director of Housing and Human Services
