City News
This is news from the city of Boulder, about the city or any of its departments
Occupy Boulder hour of doom rapidly approaching
Jan 6th
Boulder police chief visits Occupy Boulder encampment, discusses city park hours
Boulder Police Chief Mark Beckner, along with Boulder Police Cmdr. Carey Weinheimer, visited participants at the Occupy Boulder encampment outside the Municipal Building this afternoon to discuss the new rule that goes into effect tonight, which closes city parks between the hours of 11 p.m and 5 a.m.
The rule prohibits anyone from remaining in city parks, parkways or recreation areas, with the exception of bicyclists and pedestrians who are passing through the areas. Individuals remaining between the hours of 11 p.m and 5 a.m. will be in violation of the city’s trespassing rule and subject to receiving a summons or being arrested. The chief and commander handed out copies of the new regulation as they spoke to individuals at the encampment this afternoon.
Boulder chief of police warms Occupy protestors of deadline
Because Occupy Boulder protestors have been camping overnight on the Sister Cities’ Plaza outside of the Municipal Building for several weeks, Chief Beckner wanted to make sure individuals were aware of the change, which goes into effect tonight.
“Boulder police officers have been engaging in dialogues with Occupy Boulder participants all along. I thought it was important to continue those dialogues so that they understood the new rule, when it goes into effect and what the potential consequences are if they decide to stay,” Beckner said. “The police department intends to enforce the trespassing regulation, but what we are really hoping for is voluntary compliance. We support all people’s First Amendment rights to express their opinions, and hope they will do so during the daytime hours.”
Discussions between the chief and the participants at the encampment were low-key and positive, as most of the interactions have been to date. Many of the protestors are planning to comply with the new rule and some shared with Chief Beckner their plans for packing up their tents and making arrangements to protest during hours that the city parks are open.
Police intend to enforce the park closure rule, although the department has not set a timeline to do so.
Boulder citizens, youth give high marks to city in survey
Jan 5th
2011 Community Survey results available
Results of the 2011 Community Survey that was conducted this fall are now available online and will be presented to City Council at its regularly scheduled meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012. Copies of the report are also available in the Main Library, 1001 Arapahoe Ave.
In September and October, surveys were mailed to more than 3,000 households and more than 400 University of Colorado students living in on-campus dormitories. Surveys could also be completed online and were available in Spanish. A total of 971 surveys were returned, which resulted in a 33 percent response rate. That is considered a good rate of return.
The survey asked people about their priorities for the city, quality of life, and their overall satisfaction with government services. Survey responses indicated:
- Perceptions of the quality of life, quality of neighborhoods and the sense of community in Boulder remain high;
- Employment and business related ratings were also high, with 77 percent of respondents rating Boulder as “very good’ or “good” as a place to work, and 69 percent rating Boulder as “very good” or “good” as a place to do business; and,
- Respondents’ priorities for City Council included energy, housing and business development.
The survey results also provided information about public participation and how people would like to obtain information about meetings, issues and programs:
- Approximately 25 percent of respondents said that they had attended a public meeting about city matters in the last year, and about 25 percent had watched a City Council meeting on the city’s municipal Channel 8.
- The Camera (72%), direct mailings (65%), and the city’s website (55%) – www.bouldercolorado.gov – were the most common sources of public information from the city.
The 2011 survey included additional outreach to Spanish speakers through community organizations, and 43 completed surveys were received. Priorities and concerns for these respondents included safety, affordable shopping, housing, adult education opportunities and activities for youth.
A slightly revised survey was also distributed to Boulder youth to help the city determine their concerns and needs. A total of 234 returned surveys indicated that youth priorities include homelessness, improving activities for young people, jobs, discrimination, bike safety and facilities, and the environment.
Survey results will be used to inform the budget process, plan for future projects, develop community outreach and various other ways to help make Boulder a better place to live and work. A complete list of results, responses and methodologies is available at www.BoulderColorado.gov > Hot Topics > 2011 Community Survey Results.
The survey was conducted by Boulder-based National Research Center Inc. Results were weighted and the margin of error is plus or minus three percentage points from the information that would have been obtained if all Boulder adults were surveyed.
If you party hearty in Boulder NY’s eve–here’s your ride
Dec 30th
Free and expanded transit service available for New Year’s Eve
The City of Boulder, University of Colorado Student Union, RTD and Special Transit are encouraging New Year’s Eve revelers to take advantage of the following free transit services:
- Free HOP bus service – 9 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 31, until midnight Sunday, Jan.1, 2012.
- Free Buff Bus, Black, Gold and Silver Line Late Night Transit Service – midnight until 3 a.m. on Sunday, Jan.1, 2012.
- Free RTD services, including bus and Light Rail service, access-a-Ride, skyRide and the SKIP, JUMP, BOUND, DASH and BOLT, after 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 31, until 6 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012.
In addition to the free services, the University of Colorado Buff Bus will augment Late Night Transit services to expand coverage to larger areas of the city. 
The Buff Bus will provide service on Broadway south to Greenbriar Boulevard and on Baseline Road east to 30th Street up to Arapahoe Avenue. The Silver Line will extend service on Broadway north to Iris Avenue. The Black Line will extend service on Moorhead Avenue south to Table Mesa Drive and the Gold Line will provide service to areas east of downtown to 30th Street from Arapahoe to Iris avenues. These expanded services will allow passengers to access most areas of the city after celebrating the arrival of 2012. As always, you can ask your driver for more information if you are unsure about which bus to take.
The HOP, and all RTD services will operate on a regular Saturday schedule on New Year’s Eve, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011, on a Sunday/holiday schedule on New Year’s Day, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, and on a Saturday schedule on Monday, Jan. 2.
For more information on the free HOP and Late Night Transit Service, call Special Transit at (303) 447-8282. For maps, fares and other information, visitwww.goboulder.net or www.rtd-denver.com.
For real-time arrival information for the HOP, visit www.nextbus.com.
