Boulder County

Back on the Chain Gang

Medical marijuana caregiver Stylios Trachanas's bust as much about illegal weapons as weed

Reports about Stylios Trachanas's court appearance on Friday led with his role as a medical marijuana caregiver, as did a U.S. Attorney's Office release. But while his MMJ work will contribute to his sentence, he may not have been arrested at all if he hadn't used and possessed weapons forbidden to ... More >>

Fire bans in Boulder and Golden as Lower North Fork Fire blazes out of control

The Lower North Fork Fire has already resulted in two fatalities and remains uncontained at this writing -- and the conditions that have fueled it are clearly not lost on officials in other communities. Below, see information about newly announced fire bans in Boulder and Golden, as well as a releas ... More >>

Boulder County ACLU pushes penalty reductions for minor legal violations

The Boulder City Council is considering a proposal to reduce penalties for sixty minor legal violations such as littering and throwing rocks. Under ordinance 7831, first and second time offenders would no longer face jail time, though their rights to a trial by jury would be changed to a single judg ... More >>

Citizens Cropland Policy says no to GMOs in Boulder County

​"We, the citizens of Boulder County, in order to create a more perfect food system, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common need, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of a food system free from the influences of corporate power, and ensure publi ... More >>

Gross Dam protest: Can a kayak drum circle halt Denver's water diversion?

​When powerful development forces in metro Denver conspire to drain more water from already depleted Western Slope rivers, there's only one thing for a self-respecting environmentalist to do: Grab your gear and head to Boulder for The World's Largest Kayak Drum Circle. At least, that's what ... More >>

Dining Out Days at Terroir

​Good food for good causes: How can you go wrong? You can't, so head to Terroir, 246 Main Street in Longmont, which is hosting Dining Out Days from 4 to 9 p.m. The Boulder County Aids Project will receive 15 percent of the proceeds; for more information, call 303-651-0630 or visit www.terroir- ... More >>

Needle exchange: Boulder County approves first legal dirty-for-clean needle swap in the state

​ This week, Boulder County's 22-year-old syringe exchange program -- called "The Works" -- became the first legal syringe exchange in the state, thanks to a state law passed in 2010 legalizing such programs.

Rocky Flats critics on a collision course with Boulder County... and the Jefferson Parkway

​Pardon our dust! Boulder County has signed off on a controversial deal that brings the proposed Jefferson Parkway closer to concrete reality. And that worries LeRoy Moore -- because the deal involves buying a corner of land right by Rocky Flats.

4/20, Boulder and driving under influence of weed: Three arrests, crash into cop car

​Opponents of a bill to set THC driving limits got a big boost after a blood test of Westword medical marijuana critic William Breathes showed he was nearly three times over the proposed limit when sober. But while the legislation has been put on hold, it's not dead -- and those in favor of it ... More >>

Boulder teens to lobby Congress to improve treatment of eating disorders

Jim Knapp PhotographyBYBA students with Representative Patrick Kennedy.​Colorado has a reputation as one of the healthiest places in the country -- and in many regards, it is. But while this state's residents may be more successful than most at resisting over-consumption, that doesn't mean Col ... More >>

Model rocket allegedly starts Boulder County grass fire, and that's not only burn ban violation

Flickr​The precipitation falling at this writing should put a punctuation mark on the Indian Gulch and Burning Tree fires -- but the moisture isn't enough to end the dry conditions that have prompted multiple local fire bans. Not that everyone's paying attention, judging by not one, not two, b ... More >>

Top 10 mug shots from 2010 of celebrities and notables

Photos below.​We're almost ready to unveil our top mug shots of 2010, after sharing galleries of women, tattoos, bad hair and accused teachers and caretakers. But as one last tease, check out booking photos of the famous and infamous that appeared here this year. Some you'll immediately recogn ... More >>

World AIDS Day: Here and now

​ Even if you miss out on a Mondo t-shirt for amfAR, there are still ways to observe World AIDS Day locally. Here's how to help let the world know that HIV/AIDS isn't over, because yeah, it's not:

Boulder Fourmile Canyon fire update: County providing toilets, dumpsters, grief counseling

​Another sign that Boulder's Fourmile Canyon fire is flaming out: The County's providing burn-area resources to residents returning to their property, including portable toilets, dumpsters and more. Also offered -- grief counseling for those having a difficult time grappling with their loss. D ... More >>

Boulder Fourmile Canyon fire update: Returned residents ordered out can come back again

​The Fourmile Canyon fire near Boulder has been unpredictable. Note that only hours after authorities allowed some evacuated residents back into their homes yesterday, they were ordered out again due to high-wind concerns. Understandably, some never left -- but now they, and their neighbors, h ... More >>

Boulder Fourmile Canyon fire update: Residents allowed back to homes ordered out again

​When Boulder officials said people allowed back into their homes on the eastern edge of the Fourmile Canyon fire evacuation area should be prepared to leave again if conditions shift weren't kidding. Residents of several subdivisions, who were granted access to their homes at 10 a.m. today, a ... More >>

Marijuana farm in Boulder: Commissioner says it's okay under old rules, not new ones

​Back in June, commissioner Ben Pearlman told us about the passage of new rules for medical marijuana operations in Boulder County. An application to grow marijuana on the 67-acre Szymanski Farms property would have been rejected under the updated regs. But because the ap was filed before thei ... More >>

Marijuana grow bust in Boulder County 2.0: Now 7,500 plants seized worth $1 million

A 2009 Ralston Creek haul.​An update about yesterday's Boulder County marijuana grow seizure of 3,000 plants. After a closer count, the Boulder County Sheriff's Office thinks the plant total was closer to 3,500 -- and after more inspection of the nearby area, law-enforcement types located a se ... More >>

Marijuana grow bust in Boulder County: 3,000 plants worth estimated $500,000 seized

2009 Sugarloaf Mountain bust.​Breaking news: Boulder is recognized the world over as a marijuana-friendly town. But apparently the weed smoked by thousands of attendees at the annual 4/20 orgasm of cannabis consumption at CU is largely grown elsewhere. As evidence, note that this week's bust ... More >>

ACLU suing Boulder over postcards-only policy for inmates

Gino Rael.​In January, registered sex offender Gino Rael was accused of trying to recruit young girls in letters sent from Boulder County jail. Division Chief Larry Hank told Westword he thought such a situation could be prevented by restricting inmates to sending only postcards. But if this ... More >>

Inmate postcards: "Having wonderful crime, wish you were here"

This is NOT a mail truck.​Jailers in Boulder and Colorado Springs have cracked down on inmate mail, banning personal letters and limiting prisoners to postcards that staff can monitor and intercept if the communication is objectionable. County officials say the practice saves money and makes t ... More >>

Boulder County Caregivers opens the door to friendly pros

​In "Mile Highs and Lows," Westword offers a no-holds-barred look at what goes on behind the locked doors of marijuana dispensaries, whether they resemble swanky bars, sterile dentist's offices or a dope dealer's college dorm room. This week, the Wildflower Seed reviews Boulder County Caregiv ... More >>

Our updated medical-marijuana directory

​The latest entry in our Mile Highs and Lows dispensary reviews feature has just been published: Join The Wildflower Seed at Boulder County Caregivers. And there's more where that came from. Check out our newly updated dispensary directory by clicking here.

Medical marijuana dispensaries restrictions approved in Boulder County

Ben Pearlman.​In Boulder County, commissioners have placed a number of restrictions on where medical marijuana dispensaries and grow operations can locate, limiting them mainly to retail or industrial areas, of which there aren't many in unincorporated areas. Commissioner Ben Pearlman sees th ... More >>

Get ready for meals on wheels

Ben Pearlman.​In Boulder County, commissioners have placed a number of restrictions on where medical marijuana dispensaries and grow operations can locate, limiting them mainly to retail or industrial areas, of which there aren't many in unincorporated areas. Commissioner Ben Pearlman sees th ... More >>

Culinary calendar for the week ahead: Chops, latkes and more

​From sour beer to facial hair to a debate between latke lovers and hamantasch supporters, here's a taste of the next seven days in food: Monday, February 22: Café Gondolier, 1600 Pearl Street in Boulder, will donate 15 percent of the day's sales to the Boulder County AIDS Project as part o ... More >>

Culinary calendar for the week ahead: Fat Tuesday, brews and tequila

​There's plenty going on this week for Fat Tuesday, but if you don't feel like abstaining for six weeks until Easter, don't fret; we've got all the indulgent food-and-drink events to keep the debauchery going for as long as you please, including Wynkoop's 2010 Beerdrinker of the Year brew. Her ... More >>

High Fiber Diet

​There's plenty going on this week for Fat Tuesday, but if you don't feel like abstaining for six weeks until Easter, don't fret; we've got all the indulgent food-and-drink events to keep the debauchery going for as long as you please, including Wynkoop's 2010 Beerdrinker of the Year brew. Her ... More >>

How did that body wind up hanging in a Boulder tree?

View Larger Map Earlier this week, a Boulder County resident was hiking near the 200 block of Sandy Drive, a Sugarloaf Mountain area captured in the graphic above (if you have problems seeing the image, click "View Larger Map"), when he came upon what the Boulder County Sheriff's Office described as ... More >>

Shoot First

View Larger Map Earlier this week, a Boulder County resident was hiking near the 200 block of Sandy Drive, a Sugarloaf Mountain area captured in the graphic above (if you have problems seeing the image, click "View Larger Map"), when he came upon what the Boulder County Sheriff's Office described as ... More >>

Boulder County: Taking the "social" out of "social media"

​The Boulder Daily Camera reported today that Boulder County has installed rules covering the use of social media by employees (CBS4 Denver also blogged about it). The gist of the rules seems to be requiring permission from a department head to post anything to Twitter, Facebook, etc. Reall ... More >>

Mysterious death on Williams Fork Trail in Boulder

View Larger Map Tuesday evening, the body of a 34-year-old woman was found in a residence on the 5100 block of Williams Fort Trail in Boulder County, the area featured in the graphic above (if you have problems seeing the image, click "View Larger Map"). At this point, officials haven't identified ... More >>

Boulder County used "open-source" software for post-election audit?

To review the accuracy of the last election's vote count, Boulder County conducted an audit of ballots using a groundbreaking software program that was developed through open-source methods. This is computer geek-speak for a collaborative design approach based on the sharing of knowledge and techno ... More >>

Horn of Plenty

To review the accuracy of the last election's vote count, Boulder County conducted an audit of ballots using a groundbreaking software program that was developed through open-source methods. This is computer geek-speak for a collaborative design approach based on the sharing of knowledge and techno ... More >>

Top ten worst Denver graffiti crew names

To review the accuracy of the last election's vote count, Boulder County conducted an audit of ballots using a groundbreaking software program that was developed through open-source methods. This is computer geek-speak for a collaborative design approach based on the sharing of knowledge and techno ... More >>

Let Art Be

To review the accuracy of the last election's vote count, Boulder County conducted an audit of ballots using a groundbreaking software program that was developed through open-source methods. This is computer geek-speak for a collaborative design approach based on the sharing of knowledge and techno ... More >>

Best Time Travel

Colorado Historical Society Tours & Treks Programs

Best Bike-Ride Maps

Latitude 40 Degrees

Best Mountain-Bike Ride for a Secret Squirrel

Hall Ranch

Throw Away the Key

Boulder County slams the door on a group of juvenile homes that won't lock theirs.

Weed Whacker!

Tim Seastedt takes no prisoners in the war against knapweed.

Best Farmers' Market

Boulder County Farmers' Market

Best Place to Do It in the Moonlight

Dream Canyon

Harvest Home

The Boulder County Farmers' Market goes dormant for the winter.

Send in the Clowns

The JonBenét circus continues, but the center ring remains empty.

Hell, No, They Won't Grow

Boulder property owners worry that the county's slow-growth policies have become no-growth policies.

A Slippery Slope

For mountain property owners in Boulder, the road home may be getting steeper.

Hot Chocolate

For mountain property owners in Boulder, the road home may be getting steeper.

Karma Crash

A developer's search for Nirvana has turned Boulder's Fourmile Canyon into a living hell.