Posts tagged Boulder
Boulder starts cattle grazing to prevent wild land fires like Marshall
Sep 29th
Had the city of Boulder used cattle grazing on 36 up to Davidson Mesa , they might have prevented the Marshall Fire
City of Boulder welcomes cattle west of the Dakota Ridge neighborhood for grazing program
The City of Boulder is expanding targeted cattle grazing to reduce wildfire risk, which is recommended in the city’s Community Wildfire Protection Plan. This grazing project is the city’s second of the year and will occur September 29 – October 6 west of the Dakota Ridge neighborhood (between Lee Hill Drive and 10th Street).
Temporary electric fencing will be in place to contain the cattle. Visitors are asked to avoid the fences and cattle and keep pets under control while in the area. The city reminds visitors to respect cattle, which will be contained within temporary electric fencing. Visitors should not approach the fences or the cattle, and they should be mindful of their pets while recreating in the area.
“We are excited to partner again with our local cowboys and cattle for this program,” said Paul Dennison, Wildland Fire Senior Program Manager for the City of Boulder. “Observations and monitoring following the 2022 NCAR Fire indicated that targeted cattle grazing and other city-led mitigation work, including forest thinning, helped slow the fire’s spread and reduce its intensity.”
The City of Boulder has worked with local ranchers to bring cattle to city-managed land with the goal of reducing grass height and thatch fuel loads to minimize wildfire risks. The location, timing, and duration of grazing have been strategically planned to maximize wildfire risk reduction while minimizing impacts to sensitive natural areas.
“Cattle grazing is one of many city efforts identified in the Community Wildfire Protection Plan to remove hazardous fuels and reduce wildfire risks on both public and private lands, and is one of the most visual,” said City Manager Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde. “The work the city is doing is most successful when it happens alongside wildfire resilience work that members of our community also complete, like home hardening and creating defensible space.”
Trail Access and Safety During Grazing Operations
Upcoming grazing will occur east of the Four Mile Creek Trailhead and South Foothills Trail. Trails may be closed for short periods of time while the cattle are being moved, but otherwise no trail or area closures are planned. Please respect all closure signs.
Wildfire resilience in the City of Boulder is a shared responsibility. The pilot grazing program complements the city-wide Wildfire Ready Initiative which brings together projects identified within the CWPP and other city plans that prioritize wildfire resilience projects and programs.
You can find more information about cattle grazing and numerous other projects and programs that are helping to reduce our wildfire risk at bouldercolorado.gov/
Rob Smoke is running for Boulder City Council
Sep 29th
Boulder Council Candidate’s Campaign
Rob, a long-time Boulder resident and former writer for the Daily Camera, is running for Boulder City Council for the fifth time. He has lived in Boulder since 1986 and previously ran for council in 2007. While he acknowledges the slim chance of winning this time, Rob expressed frustration with the repetitive nature of city council meetings and their focus on unnecessary data and political statements.
Boulder Council’s Silence on Gaza
Rob and Jann discussed the Boulder City Council’s stance on the conflict in Gaza, expressing frustration that the council has not condemned the violence or supported measures like divestment from companies aiding the conflict. Rob emphasized that morality and representing the core values of the community should be prioritized over political arguments, while Jann suggested that the council could pass a simple resolution condemning the genocide in Palestine. They criticized the council’s dismissive attitude and lack of action, highlighting the contrast with their past condemnation of international issues like apartheid in South Africa.
Boulder’s Homelessness Management Challenges
Jann and Rob discussed Boulder’s approach to homelessness, highlighting that the city spends approximately $4 million annually on police efforts to manage homeless individuals, with limited success. They noted that recent closures of the Tribe Home and youth housing facility have exacerbated the situation, while the city’s focus on law enforcement over treatment programs for addiction has proven ineffective. Rob suggested that using underutilized open spaces for designated camping areas could help reduce downtown homelessness, but the city’s resistance to such solutions reflects broader challenges in addressing the issue.
City Council Candidate’s Israel Policy Stance
Rob discussed his candidacy for City Council and expressed concerns about the city’s alignment with Trump administration policies, particularly regarding Gaza and Palestine. He questioned the need for Colorado’s Democratic senators and congresspeople to support Israeli weapons funding while ignoring the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
