Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Which Boulder-area fire districts are sharing this $2 million safety boost?
Coming up: Max's Seussical - Teen Cast on the Boulder Patch calendar

Good day Boulder! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Which Boulder-area fire districts are sharing this $2 million safety boost?
- Which new open spaces and trails your Boulder County tax dollars will buy
- How much faster will Boulder County’s new wildfire alerts reach you?
Also on today's calendar: Max's Seussical - Teen Cast and 7 more events.
Find out what's happening in Boulderfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Find out what's happening in Boulderfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Wednesday: Plenty of sunshine, with a high of 61 and low of 42 degrees.
- Thursday: Mostly cloudy, temps: high: 57, low: 41.
- Friday: Times of clouds and sun, with a high of 58 and low of 36 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Boulder County Approves $2 Million in Emergency Services Grants for Local Fire Protection Agencies (bouldercounty.gov) — Boulder County has approved just over $2 million in emergency services grants to bolster rural and mountain fire districts with new equipment, vehicles, and wildfire detection technology. Funded agencies include Boulder Mountain, Boulder Rural, Louisville, Lyons, Nederland, and others, all supported by the county’s Emergency Services Sales & Use Tax that voters passed in 2022 to strengthen regional fire and medical response.
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2. Boulder County predicts $20 million in open space purchases in 2026 (coloradohometownweekly.com) — Boulder County expects about $20 million in open space purchases in 2026, funded by voter-approved sales taxes that also support major projects near Boulder like Dowe Flats and new trail links from Boulder Canyon to Betasso Preserve. The county details recent acquisitions in Gunbarrel, Hygiene, Lyons, and Louisville, underscoring how local tax dollars are preserving land and expanding recreation options.
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3. Boulder County officials explain how emergency alerts have changed since the Marshall Fire (kdvr.com) — Boulder County has overhauled its emergency alert system since the Marshall Fire, giving on‑scene responders faster authority to issue evacuation warnings and using pre‑mapped polygons to target specific neighborhoods. Residents can now receive alerts via text, calls, email, sirens, and social media, and are urged to sign up for BOCO Alerts and the county’s emergency notification tools to stay informed during fast‑moving wildfires.
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4. Residents react to new speeding penalties on CO 119 (kdvr.com) — Drivers who speed through the CO 119 construction zone between Boulder and Longmont will start receiving $75 civil penalties instead of warnings beginning Jan. 12. Officials say automated cameras in this Boulder County work zone have already cut high speeds by more than 80%, and they’re urging motorists to slow down to protect construction crews and themselves.
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5. Design Boulder's new city flag: Museum launches public contest (boulderreportinglab.org) — Boulder residents are being asked to help design a new unofficial city flag, with $500 for the winning design and an unveiling planned at the BOLDERBoulder over Memorial Day weekend. The Museum of Boulder’s project aims to spark conversations about the city’s history, identity and future, with submissions now due April 24 after Boulder Arts Week.
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📸 Around Boulder
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Boulder
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- All Ages Storytime
Community Room (2nd Floor), NoBo Library
10:15 am - STUDIO 24: Open Studio
STUDIO 24 Classroom, NoBo Library, Makerspace STUDIO 24
2:00 pm - Max's Seussical - Teen Cast
The Locol Theatre, 800 S Hover St, Longmont, CO, 80501
7:00 pm - All Ages Storytime
Community Room (2nd Floor), NoBo Library
10:15 am - All Ages Storytime at Reynolds
George Reynolds Branch Library Reynolds Meeting Room, Reynolds Library
10:15 am - Ramble & Write
Reynolds Meeting Room, Reynolds Library
1:00 pm - Club de Literatura Moderna en Español
Arapahoe Room, Main Library
3:30 pm - Storytime Break: No storytime today!
Boulder Public Library All Locations - SOLD OUT: Guided Tour with Food Historian John Lehndorff
Boulder History Museum Museum of Boulder, 2205 Broadway, Boulder, CO, 80302, United States
10:00 am - Free Webinar: The ABCs of Divorce
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82192648330
5:30 pm
Thursday January 1
Friday January 2
Saturday January 3
Thursday January 8
📣 Boulder Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- All Ages Storytime
NoBo Library Community Room (2nd Floor),
10:15 am - STUDIO 24: Open Studio
STUDIO 24 Classroom , NoBo Library, Makerspace STUDIO 24
2:00 pm - Ramble & Write
Reynolds Library Reynolds Meeting Room,
1:00 pm - Club de Literatura Moderna en Español
Main Library Arapahoe Room,
3:30 pm
Thursday January 1
Friday January 2
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Boulder PatchAM possible:
- Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Where's the "time?
" I was checking the "reduced for quick sale" bins at King Soopers. Lots of spices! I guess everyone was short on "Time" because it appears that… (Nextdoor North Broadway - Holiday) - Dog walker needed.
Delilah is a 26 pound bundle of fun. She loves people and dogs and wants a regular walk. On-leash hikes are great too! We had a lovely friend walk… (Nextdoor Silver Maple Village)
- Kroger Family of Companies posted a job opening for Grocery Clerk in Boulder. Apply here.
- PACS posted a job opening for Housekeeper-Part-Time in Boulder. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Boulder here.
Ok Boulder! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I heard there’s only a 50 percent chance of snow.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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