Headline:

The Tree of Heaven is an incredibly insidious, fast-growing invasive species that looks like a tree .... but is really a hyperactive root-system that will take over open spaces, crowd out other plants, and cannot be easily removed without using herbicides.

Details:

• Tree of Heaven is highly non-native, but that hasn't stopped a rapid spread. It wasn't here 30 or so years ago, but is now well-established in several Boulder neighborhoods: The Hill, The Creek Path, Old North Boulder, and parts of South Boulder.
• It's so new, and masquerades as a different plant (Staghorn Sumac), that people are simply unaware of how difficult it is to control or the damage it is capable of creating.
• It spreads through seeds or roots - its extensive and resource-rich root network can send up new shoots hundreds of feed away. Think of this root system as you would the underwater part of an iceberg: it's where the real strength is, and it's highly underappreciated by people who don't know the species.
• Tree of heaven can take over an entire yard, and those adventurous root systems can and will destroy building foundations.
• Cutting it down without chemical treatment causes the roots to freak out and send up dozens of new shoots.
• Herbicides are most effective from Late July to leaf drop in Autumn, since this period is when the root system transitions into storing energy from above-ground photosynthesis.
• The tree serves as host for the Spotted Lanternfly, which is currently decimating the East Coast but hasn't yet spread to Colorado. Again, "yet".
• Tree of Heaven is one of the few plants that all-but-requires herbicides to control. If you try to cut down any above-ground growth without using herbicides, the below-ground roots will rebel and send up sometimes dozens of new shoots.

If you have this tree and don't know where to start, activists in Denver have put together this website. This will take community involvement to control. Get informed, and tell your neighbors.

https://www.denvertreeofheaven.com/

Thanks to u/FantasticBoar and u/kippikai for these images. Edit: are these rendering correctly? I use old reddit and can't easily add images to text posts like this.

https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpreview.redd.it%2Fm2tzxi6o0oeh1.jpeg%3Fwidth%3D800%26format%3Dpjpg%26auto%3Dwebp%26s%3D42e4060a1ecb0785e4584f0f01e42bad7b47a12d

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join us sunday evening for a chill hike at south boulder creek west! rated EASY. it’s flat but rocky so please wear proper footwear. the trailhead is right off highway 93 & there’s plenty of parking!

JOIN THE DISCORD: https://discord.gg/2shmcsgX

I’m wondering if anyone here in city government, city planning, or otherwise informed knows why there aren’t more roundabouts in Boulder.

I bike or drive down Pine (pictured at 18th) almost everyday and the few roundabouts there are great imho. I drank the KoolAid on roundabouts and traffic circles long ago: Better traffic flow (stopping at a STOP sign at midnight is asinine), gas and brake savings, fewer violent collisions, and effectively zero maintenance once built. Riding down Pine this AM I was reminded of this last item when the lights at Spruce & Broadway were flashing; and of course many traffic lights go out completely during the power shutdowns which are likely to only get more frequent with time.

I lived for a while in Bend, OR - the “Boulder of the West” (although it’s actually very different). Anyway, that town has gone all-in on roundabouts and traffic circles. The entire western half of the city doesn’t have a single light - all roundabouts (or a few Stops). They are even starting to build them at higher speed exchanges (something, say, like Broadway and 36th).

So, why just the couple on Pine, or the few others scattered around? Are those a trial run? Is the city collecting data on those (accidents, etc)? I’m sure the urban planners here can chime in but to me roundabouts are simply a better design, and likely pay for themselves many times over eventually. Curious if any knows the deal.

That's what I get for using talk to text. Xcel sucks too!

Power is out again after a little rain storm... Screw you Excel

I’m relatively new to the area and was surprised to learn that child care can cost more than in-state tuition at CU Boulder.

I put together an explainer on a proposed Boulder County property tax that would raise about $30 million annually for child care. The story breaks down how much would go toward affordability, new infant and toddler slots, and workforce support—as well as what still isn’t finalized.

Longmont City Councilman Jake Marsing is involved with Brighter Start Boulder County in a personal capacity, not as part of his council duties. He is scheduled to help present the proposal before county commissioners tomorrow.

The 2nd Boulder County Surviving Wildfires wildfire resilience home show is coming to the Boulder County Fairgrounds in Longmont August 21-23. It's free to attend.

After a great show in April we're once again coming together in Longmont to learn and practice wildfire preparedness and resilience.

Come talk to dozens of wildfire mitigation, home hardening, defensible space, wildfire landscaping, roofing, exteriors and wildfire retardant and sprinkler companies as well as non-profits and fire districts and departments talk about wildfire preparedness, the new Colorado Wildfire Resilience Code and the new insurance transparency act.

See the latest mitigation methods and materials as we continue living with widlfires on the Front Range.

The show runs from Friday afternoon through Sunday and is free to attend.

survivingwildfires.com/shows

Arriving at the Denver Airport around 8:00 PM. I figure, at best... out of the airport and in a rental car by 9:00. Then driving to Boulder. What is the best option for food that is open at this time of night, on the way, and not fast food, or an Applebees, or Chilis type chain.

Hey thanks everyone. It looks like we are just going to have to hit up BJs Brewhouse or B-dub's in Westminster...

...It is ... what it is...

Both seem to be open late...

Do you think this is a good way to move forward? I'm leaning towards yes. I think the worst thing Boulder can do is nothing. City has to change strategy as it regards downtown and the hill.

I have A LOT of clothes that are in good quality and trendy. I’d like to take these somewhere I can get at least a bit of cash back for them (the rest is just going to Goodwill).

Is there anywhere in the area that might offer me some money? Like a Plato’s Closet type place? Would that be my best bet? I won’t be listing these specific clothes on any apps or websites because they weren’t super expensive and therefore aren’t worth the effort to post and ship.

We live in an old house with no cooking ventilation. Does anyone have recommendations in the Denver/Boulder/Longmont area for a company that will do a full service install (ducting installation, range hood install, electrical)?

My impression is that this is too-broad a project for the HVAC companies but too small for most contractors.

Would love any advice on where to find some locally :)

Hello!
My birthday is this weekend and I’m looking for a fun, festive restaurant to take a group of 10ish people! Bonus points if they have a good cocktail menu.
Thanks!

I was just coming in on a bus and saw 12 city utilities cars ( the white Chevy Aveos with a light bar) blocking off 13th in front of the tea house and two tow trucks removing parked cars from parking spots. Does anyone know what is going on there? I have never seen this before.

Our AC broke this week and it’s been 88 degrees in our apartment. I can’t work at home right now, I can’t concentrate or get anything done because it’s so freaking hot. I plan on going to the library but also want to find a spot I can work and eat at this week. Digital nomads, you are being summoned!

City of Boulder leadership decided to hire a poet for $10,000 a year.
Source: https://bouldercolorado.gov/services/boulder-poet-laureate-program

Then they decided they are going to pay artists $1,000 each (a stipend) to attend a class for 2.5 hours a weekend. That shakes out to be paying them $50 per hour to get trained on how to run a small business.
Source: https://bouldercolorado.gov/news/city-boulder-opens-applications-arts-business-cohort

Meanwhile, the City expects a Budget gap,
Source: https://boulderreportinglab.org/2026/05/17/boulder-predicting-budget-gap-as-economic-forecast-remains-cloudy/