Xcel Warns of Power Outages, Boulder Pearl St. Menorah Lighting, Movement Gym Workers Allege Unfair Labor Practices, Potential 150-160 Jobs Cut from Jeffco Schools

Headlines Monday December 16, 2025

Correction: A previous version of this page incorrectly stated that employees of Movement climbing gym filed a lawsuit. Workers filed unfair labor practices charges against the company with the National Labor Relations Board. The story on this page has been updated for accuracy.

 

Xcel Warns of Power Outages Tomorrow

Xcel sent out a notice to customers to expect possible power outages tomorrow, as high winds are predicted. The company said it is evaluating the potential need to use Public Safety Power Shutoffs to reduce the risk of wildfire. This means it may turn off power in high wind areas.

This past September, Xcel and two telecom companies agreed to pay around $640 million to settle claims related to the Marshall Fire, which took place during a high wind event. In April 2024, Xcel conducted a preemptive power shutdown when winds reached 90 miles per hour. Tomorrow beginning around 11 A.M., the National Weather Service is predicting wind gusts between 65 and 85 miles per hour in the Boulder County area.

Boulder Valley School District said it may have to close schools, but that if you do not receive an alert or see closure information on your school’s website – schools will operate on the normal schedule. Customers can look up their address on an outage map on co.my.xcelenergy.com.

CHECK FOR OUTAGES HERE

Boulder Pearl St. Menorah Lighting

Last night Boulder county came together to mark the second night of Hanukkah by lighting more flames to a menorah in front of the courthouse on the Pearl street mall. Those gathering to take part in the festivities got to see live music, ate free food, and got to hear from some of Boulder’s elected officials, faith leaders, and jewish organizers.

Among them was Rabbi Yitsak Muli who spoke about the Menorah he constructed for the ceremony. He told the crowd at the menorah lighting that he wants his work to be a symbol of pride, “ I wanted to work with a community in Boulder to create a new menorah, a bigger, brighter, more powerful. More proud Menorah and it’s my honor and pleasure to be able to share this beautiful menorah with you titled Tradition With a Twist. And it should be a monument of our resilience, of our pride, of our joy.”

Many of the speakers shared their respect, condolences, and remembrance of tragedies that struck the jewish communities globally and locally, referencing the fire attacks on Pearl street and mass shooting in Bondi Beach, Australia.

Aaron is a member of Boulder Jewish Community Center – he said,“​​ it is a bit of a kind of a defiant attitude perhaps…we’re not gonna let these tragedies, tragedies bring us down.”

And then also I think it for the Jewish community, I think we want people to know that community is strong and it’s important to show up and you can get a lot of beautiful things from being within community”

This story was reported by KGNU’s Jack Armstrong.

Movement Gym Workers File Unfair Labor Practice Charges 

Workers at Movement Climbing gyms have filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board against the gym’s CEO for interfering with employees when she refused a meeting with union representation.

The union’s lawsuit alleges CEO Anne-Worley Molter was engaged in unfair labor practices after Movement employees from nationwide met with her in Boulder to discuss their stalled union contract negotiations. At the meeting, the union says they were told they could not bring their union representation into the meeting and had to leave their phones outside the negotiation room.

The unfair labor charge claims this behavior was conveying to the union that their choice in representation was not favored. If Movement is found to have violated labor law, the National Labor Relations Board could require a cease-and-desist or take other measures to restore worker rights.

READ MORE

Potential 150-160 Jobs Cut from Jeffco Schools By End of Week

Colorado’s second-largest school district, Jeffco, expects to cut $45 million from their nearly $1 billion budget, in part, by eliminating 150-160 full-time positions.

These cuts will go into effect in June. Employees impacted should be informed throughout this week.

School District leaders have said they will try to make as many reductions as possible through retirement and other staff turnover. Superintendent Tracy Dorland told The Denver Post that the district’s goal was to make as many of the budget reductions as possible away from the classroom and students.

Jeffco School’s financial crisis is the result of declining enrollment, as well as rising costs, including pay raises for educators.

Statewide, districts are considering budget cuts as fewer children enroll in their schools. Another district, Adams 12 Five Star Schools, cut at least 150 positions earlier this year to save $27.5 million.

READ MORE

 

Picture of KGNU News

KGNU News

Search

Now Playing

play_arrow

Live Broadcast

Recent Stories

Upcoming Events

KGNU PARTNERS

Want to help us build a better radio station?

We’re conducting a survey to help us understand how our listeners are using new technology. Please spend 15 minutes to let us know what you think.

Public media moves forward because you listen, watch, share and support. Thank you for being part of this community — and for helping us continue the journey during Public Media Giving Days.