August 30, 2008
McMansions In Boulder 

With little unimproved land within the City of Boulder, it is common to expand or demolish existing residential properties.  Arguably, some of these expansions or replacements have been out-of-character with the surrounding neighbors in terms of size.

In the past, efforts to limit such expansion projects have meet with great resistance and failed.  Once again, an effort to limit such expansions is underfoot.  The Boulder City Council will be asked to retain the consulting firm Winter and Co. to look at expansions that are referred to as "pops and scrapes" and make recommendations as to how to craft statutes that find a middle-ground between opposing views.  Stay tuned.
  

August 25, 2008
Eco-Friendly Democratic National Convention 

A Boulder company has made the DNC a tad greener.  Sustainable Cards LLC has donated 70,000 biodegradable hotel key cards to local hotels.  If the entire U.S. lodging industry made the switch to these wood-based card keys, 1,300 tons of plastic would be kept out of our landfills -- the weight of seven Boeing 777 airliners!
  

August 22, 2008
Boulder Film Festival 

The Boulder International Fringe Festival is currently underway at various times in various venues through-out Boulder.  Fringe refers to both film styles and topics.  The themes of the numerous short-films include child birth, obsessive-compulsive behavior, the American justice system, the Nixon administration, burlesque, etc. -- you get the idea.  Very Boulder.
  

August 21, 2008
Boulder Climate Change 

UCAR, University Corp. for Atmospheric Research, is a consortium of over 70 universities engaged in the study of the Earth's atmosphere.  UCAR manages the National Center for Atmospheric Research -- NCAR.  Both UCAR and NCAR are based in Boulder.

Representatives of UCAR have called on Congress and the respective presidential candidates to increase funding for the study of climate change.  NCAR faces an $8-million budget deficit this year and a projected $10-million deficit for next year.  At a time of increasing global warming consciousness, doesn't it make sense to listen to these earth scientists?  

August 20, 2008
Boulder Compost 

The Boulder City Council approved the eco-conscious curbside pick-up of certain compostable items including food scraps and yard waste.  The food scraps must exclude animal products so as not to unnecessarily attract bear and other wildlife.  The specially-designed containers will also discourage wildlife.

It is avante garde programs such as this that has earned the city the moniker "The Republic of Boulder".  Perhaps a bit of jealousy?  

August 19, 2008
Boulder's Olympians 

Boulder resident Laura Bennett was pleased with her 4th-place finish in the Women's Triathlon Finals in Beijing.  She has already announced plans to pursue the 2012 London Olympics. 

In his Olympic debut, Boulderite Matt Reed finished 32nd in the Men's Triathlon Finals.  He was 3.37.16 behind the gold finisher.  In an unusual twist, Matt's brother Shane was 34th representing New Zealand.

Congratulations to Laura and Matt in earning the privelege to represent the United States in the 2008 Olympics!   

August 18, 2008
Organic Boulder 

Celestial Tea, Horizon Organic Dairy, White Wave Soy, Rudi's Bakery, Boulder Canyon Snacks, Izzy fruit drinks, Justin's Nut Butters and Fiona's Granola all began in Boulder as did Wild Oats Market -- now in the process of merging into Whole Foods Market.  Boulder plays host to a number of organic industry conferences each year as well. 

Not surprisingly, Boulder has the highest per-capita consumption of organic foods in the country.  Equally not surprising is the fact that Boulder is the training home for many Olympic and professional athletes.  As they say, "You are what you eat".  I would add "You are what you breathe and drink as well".  Boulder has the clean air and water to complete the package!

Good luck to Matt Reid in tomorrow's Olypmic Men's Triathalon!

Good luck to Lance Panigutti in next week's 24-hour USA Triathalon sanctioned event.     

August 15, 2008
Boulder's Economy 

Boulder's sales and use tax revenues grew almost 5% for the first six-months of 2008 compared with 2007.  Motor vehicle sales tax revenues, a component of the 5% increase, did decrease 9.34%.  Local auto dealers note that they are selling fewer SUV's and more fuel-efficient vehicles resulting in lower sales dollars.  Boulder appears to have avoided the overall economic slowdown experienced in most areas of the country. 

As an armchair-economist and former CPA, I would note that the University of Colorado, as the area’s largest employer, and it's attendant student population offer a layer of economic insulation that greatly benefits the Boulder economy.   

August 14, 2008
Boulder Flower Power 

Each Fall, the Boulder Parks and Recreation Department plants about 15,000 new tulip bulbs imported from Holland through-out Boulder.  After their Spring bloom, they are removed and replaced with Summer plantings.  Each August, the bulbs are given-away for free!  If you are on the Pearl Street Mall this weekend, you should see the give-away.   

August 13, 2008
Boulder Affordable Housing ~ Continued 

The elected Boulder City Council has voiced it's opinion that the Orchard Grove Mobile Home Park should remain a mobile home park.  The council intends to oppose any attempt to rezone it for any use other than manufactured housing.  Stay tuned... .   

August 12, 2008
Boulder Affordable Housing 

The 32-acre Orchard Grove Mobile Home Park is located at the northeast corner of 30th Street and Valmont Road in Northeast Boulder.  You can purchase a used mobile home for an average price of $5,000 and rent a pad for $350 per month.  It is an old mobile home park in need of $30,000 of infrastructure repair per mobile home pad.  The owner has contracted to sell the 32-acres for $15,000,000 for redevelopment that will include an affordable housing component.  Affordable housing in Boulder, based on area demographics, will be priced between $90,000 and $150,000 considering that the median price of a Boulder condo is approximately $245,000.  Many of the current residents will not be able to afford living in the redeveloped project.  The same affordability problem looms even if the project is not redeveloped, but undergoes infrastructure repair.  Most people would agree that the cost of living in Orchard Grove is artificially low given the deteriorating infrastructure.  There are clearly stories to be heard on each side of this argument.  

August 11, 2008
Boulder Recycles National Democratic Convention 

Boulder -based ReSource Conservation, a building material recycling company, has contracted with the NDC to recycle the building materials that will make-up the convention stage, press stands and walkways.  ReSource will re-sell this historic building material avoiding the typical trip to landfill as is common.  When this fact is known, be assured it will make the rounds on the various late night talk shows as fresh humor.

August 10, 2008
University Of Colorado - Boulder Housing 

This year's freshman class is estimated to exceed 5,750 students -- a new record.  To accomodate the influx of new students, CU has made reservations at a local hotel near the campus.  This measure is temporary to allow the orderly processing of students into traditional college dorms.  Hope the university instructs the front desk to keep the mini-bar key -- heh, heh.   

For parents of these incoming students, plan ahead and begin considering the purchase of a "kiddie condo" for your student's sophomore year and beyond when they are allowed to be in their own housing.  I have assisted many parents with the purchase of a student condo. 

August 9, 2008
Boulder Real Estate Companies Combine 

Bill Goodacre, Goodacre & Co., and Jane Stebbins, Meridian Properties, have announced the merger of their Boulder luxury real estate companies.  I have had the opportunity of working with both Bill and Jane and they are very fine people and realtors.  Good luck Jane and Bill!