Boulder to lose millions Maintains Sanctuary City Status Amid Federal Funding Threats
Sep 8th
BOULDER, Colo. — As of September 2025, Boulder has not lost specific federal funding solely due to its sanctuary policies. However, since January 2025, the Trump administration has threatened to withhold tens of millions in grants, with $55 million in federal funds for housing, transportation, and social services in limbo as of March. The University of Colorado Boulder has faced over 50 grant cancellations or stop-work orders in 2025, totaling $30 million in losses, linked to broader federal actions against sanctuary jurisdictions.
As of September 8, 2025, Boulder, Colorado, has not reversed its sanctuary city status, despite federal threats to withhold funding. The city, which formalized its sanctuary policy in January 2017, continues to limit cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as confirmed by city officials. No council vote to repeal the policy has occurred, though recent discussions and federal actions have heightened tensions.
On May 30, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) listed Boulder among 39 Colorado counties and 14 cities as “sanctuary jurisdictions” for allegedly obstructing federal immigration laws. Boulder County Commissioners defended the designation, stating, “If being a ‘sanctuary jurisdiction’ means we support due process and human rights, we are proud of that moniker,” criticizing DHS’s “baseless claims.” No formal non-compliance notification has been issued.
As of September 2025, Boulder has not lost specific federal funding solely due to its sanctuary policies. However, since January 2025, the Trump administration has threatened to withhold tens of millions in grants, with $55 million in federal funds for housing, transportation, and social services in limbo as of March. The University of Colorado Boulder has faced over 50 grant cancellations or stop-work orders in 2025, totaling $30 million in losses, linked to broader federal actions against sanctuary jurisdictions.
On June 10, 2025, the Boulder City Council discussed its sanctuary status in an executive session but made no policy changes. The 2017 ordinance, prohibiting city employees, including police, from assisting ICE unless required by law, remains in effect. Colorado state law further limits local police involvement in federal immigration enforcement. The Department of Justice sued Colorado and Denver in May 2025 over sanctuary policies, though federal judges have temporarily blocked funding cuts. Boulder’s estimated 7,000 immigrant residents face uncertainty as legal and financial challenges persist.
Boulder’s Police Pay Woes Persist Amid Rising Crime
Sep 3rd
Boulder Sept 3, 2025 The City of Boulder and the Boulder Police Officers Association (BPOA) finalized a new contract for 180 officers and sergeants, ratified with a modest 4.75% salary increase for 2026.
Non-economic terms, settled in June, will also be included. City Manager Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde hailed the agreement as a testament to mutual commitment to public safety,
Non-economic terms, settled in June, will also be included. City Manager Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde hailed the agreement as a testament to mutual commitment to public safety,
Signature:
emphasizing proactive community policing. However, the deal fails to address Boulder’s chronic underpayment of its police force, leaving the department 20 officers short. BPOA President Officer Bryan Plyter acknowledged the preserved healthcare protections but noted the salary bump falls below the independent arbitrator’s recommendation. Despite the raise, officers’ pay lags behind regional standards, fueling retention and recruitment struggles.
The compromise—between the city’s 4% and the union’s 6% offer—reflects Boulder’s projected $7.5 million 2026 budget deficit, balancing economic pressures with fiscal constraints. Rivera-Vandermyde recognized inflation’s toll on employees, expressing hope for future raises as finances improve. Yet, the shortfall in competitive pay continues to hamstring the department. With 20 vacant positions, response times lag, and crime rates climb. Boulder’s streets see criminals roaming freely, emboldened by an understaffed force stretched thin.
The city’s focus on fiscal caution overlooks the urgent need for robust public safety investment. The agreement averts a ballot measure, ensuring stability but not satisfaction. Boulder’s police remain underpaid, understaffed, and overwhelmed, as the city grapples with rising crime and a strained budget. Plyter vowed to keep pushing for fair compensation, but for now, officers face mounting challenges with inadequate support, leaving the community vulnerable. The contract, while a step, falls short of addressing the deeper crisis threatening Boulder’s safety.
Boulder News Labor Day: Gun Safety, Reporters without Borders, Boulder Channel1 Pioneers,
Sep 1st
Boulder Channel 1 and Jann Scott Aid Reporters Without Borders
Boulder Channel 1, led by Jann Scott, supports Reporters Without Borders in 2025, advocating for press freedom. Scott’s platform amplifies RSF’s mission to protect journalists, highlighting local issues like Palestine, potentially saving lives through fearless reporting.
Boulder Channel 1 News: Pioneering Online Journalism Since 2003
BOULDER, Colo. – In 2003, veteran Boulder journalist and TV talk show host Jann Scott launched Boulder Channel 1 News, marking the city’s first exclusive online newspaper and TV channel. Frustrated with traditional media’s limitations, Scott envisioned a digital platform blending video reports, articles, and community-focused content, accessible anytime via the web. Starting from a modest setup, it quickly gained traction for its hyper-local coverage of events, politics, and culture.
Self-funded through local and national advertising, the for-profit outlet has maintained independence without relying on subscriptions. It has secured grants from the Boulder Chamber of Commerce and Boulder Community Foundation to support operations. During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, federal aid helped sustain its team amid economic turmoil.
Compared to the Daily Camera, Boulder’s longstanding print newspaper (founded 1891, now owned by Alden Global Capital), Boulder Channel 1 offers a nimble, video-centric alternative, emphasizing real-time online delivery over print editions. Meanwhile, the nonprofit Boulder Reporting Lab (launched 2022) focuses on investigative journalism with donor funding, contrasting Channel 1’s ad-driven, profit-oriented model. Both challengers highlight evolving local media landscapes, but Channel 1’s early digital pivot sets it apart as a trailblazer.
Boulder Channel 1, led by Jann Scott, supports Reporters Without Borders in 2025, advocating for press freedom. Scott’s platform amplifies RSF’s mission to protect journalists, highlighting local issues like Palestine, potentially saving lives through fearless reporting.
Boulder Channel 1 News: Pioneering Online Journalism Since 2003
BOULDER, Colo. – In 2003, veteran Boulder journalist and TV talk show host Jann Scott launched Boulder Channel 1 News, marking the city’s first exclusive online newspaper and TV channel. Frustrated with traditional media’s limitations, Scott envisioned a digital platform blending video reports, articles, and community-focused content, accessible anytime via the web. Starting from a modest setup, it quickly gained traction for its hyper-local coverage of events, politics, and culture.
Self-funded through local and national advertising, the for-profit outlet has maintained independence without relying on subscriptions. It has secured grants from the Boulder Chamber of Commerce and Boulder Community Foundation to support operations. During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, federal aid helped sustain its team amid economic turmoil.
Compared to the Daily Camera, Boulder’s longstanding print newspaper (founded 1891, now owned by Alden Global Capital), Boulder Channel 1 offers a nimble, video-centric alternative, emphasizing real-time online delivery over print editions. Meanwhile, the nonprofit Boulder Reporting Lab (launched 2022) focuses on investigative journalism with donor funding, contrasting Channel 1’s ad-driven, profit-oriented model. Both challengers highlight evolving local media landscapes, but Channel 1’s early digital pivot sets it apart as a trailblazer.
Labor Day History in Boulder
In 1887, Colorado became the second state to recognize Labor Day, honoring workers’ contributions. Boulder’s celebrations, rooted in the labor movement’s fight for rights, began with
heartfelt gatherings. Today, the city hosts backyard Barbeques, reflecting its rich history of community and worker solidarity.
Bob Yates on Gun Safety
Bob Yates, a former Boulder city council member and gun owner, advocates for locking firearms to prevent accidental shootings, suicides, and domestic violence deaths. 
In Colorado, where 45% of homes have guns, secure storage can save lives, especially children. Free gun safes and locks will be distributed on October 18.
