Headlines – September 11, 2023

Folsom Field Sees Largest Audience In 15 Years

Boulder got its first experience with the so-called ‘Coach Prime effect’ over the weekend as the University of Colorado Buff’s first home game with Nebraska drew the largest crowd to Folsom Field in 15 years.

With Deion Sanders as the new head football coach, his sports celebrity sparkle has fueled significant hype and renewed interest in the university’s sports program. Over 53,000 people filled the stands at Folsom Field Saturday and visitors from out of town filled hotels.

According to The Daily Camera, the Boulder Chamber estimates a “$17 million economic impact on the Boulder area” whenever the Buffs have a sold-out home game this season.

Boulder Police Charge Suspect Linked To Game-Day Home Break-In 

While some Boulder residents were out enjoying the CU Buffs game Saturday, several break-ins occurred at homes in the University Hill neighborhood.

Boulder Police responded to a call around 9 a.m. after a man attempted to break into a home on 10th street when the homeowners were inside. The suspect fled before officers arrived. Following that incident, several more residents called to report break-ins.

Police spotted the suspect from the first call two times before catching him that afternoon. The suspect was identified as 50-year-old Patrick Sean Gillespie of Kansas. Gillespie was jailed on five counts of burglary, five counts of theft, and 12 counts of possession of a financial transaction device.

Police believe Gillespie may have committed other robberies. They are asking people who think they were a victim to call Boulder Police and Fire Dispatch.

Boulder Receives Funding For Income Pilot Program

The City of Boulder has announced it will partner with the Community Foundation of Boulder County to launch a guaranteed basic income pilot program. 

The program, Elevate Boulder, will provide 200 Boulder households with direct cash assistance of $500 per month. Residents who qualify for the program will be able to spend the fund however they choose. 

To qualify, applicants must live within the City of Boulder, be at least 18 years of age, earn no more than 60% of the area median income, and have experienced hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Deputy Director for the City’s Housing and Human services department, Elizabeth Crowe says the program uniquely supports lower-income residents by “trusting people to know what’s best for themselves and their families.”

The Community Foundation Boulder County is opening donations to the public. The city’s portion of the funds comes from the American Rescue Plan Act. 

Neguse, Pettersen Alert FAA To Aviation Noise Pollution Issues 

Colorado representatives Joe Neguse and Brittany Pettersen requesting action from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (RMMA) to decrease aircraft noise in the area. 

Representatives Neguse and Pettersen sent a letter to the FAA and RMMA, urging them to address residents’ complaints about aviation noise pollution.

In the letter, Neguse and Petterson urge both organizations to work on an Airport Noise Compatibility Planning agreement that helps them develop new strategies to mitigate noise while complying with FAA regulations and ensuring safety.

Flight activity at the RMMA has increased by 40% in recent years with some pilots beginning to fly at 5:00 a.m. and well after 10:00 p.m. These fall outside the recommended hours of 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., affecting resting time for residents and decreasing their quality of life.

Lyons Residents Gather To Remember 2013 Floods

Lyons community members gathered Sunday to remember the 2013 floods and to celebrate the town’s recovery. The occasion was officially named, “Grit, Grace and Gratitude Day.” Gov. Jared Polis, Sen. John Hickenlooper and Sen. Michael Bennet spoke at the ceremony.

Ten years ago this week, record flooding left nine people dead and destroyed thousands of homes across Boulder County. The town of Lyons became like an island, but volunteers from around the nation and the world came to help residents begin the recovery process.

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