Life in Boulder Valley #21

Welcome to the 21th issue of Life in Boulder Valley!

I want to start this week with a quick thank you. Whether you have been here since Issue #1 or you just joined us this week, I’m so glad you are here. It is hard to believe we are already at twenty-one newsletters!

We have a packed issue for you today as we settle into January. We’re taking a look at some important news, keeping an eye on the Weather, and I’ve got a Recipe that is perfect for this time of year.

Let’s dive in!

Michele

Erie Town Hall Reopening (Jan 14):

The Town of Erie will host a Ribbon Cutting & Open House for the newly renovated and expanded Town Hall on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM. The event will include a time capsule burial.

Boulder Speed Cameras

Enforcement is increasing on the Diagonal Highway in Boulder. Speed cameras that previously issued warnings in work zones will now begin issuing actual fines for drivers going more than 10 mph over the limit.

Valmont Power Station Clean-Up:

Boulder residents and local officials are pushing for independent air monitoring as Xcel Energy prepares to excavate coal ash at the Valmont Power Station. There are community concerns regarding potential dust and toxins during the process.

The Colorado SecureSavings program is experiencing a major surge, providing a critical retirement safety net for thousands of local workers.

Participation grew an incredible 38% in the last year alone.

Nearly 100,000 Coloradans who previously lacked a workplace retirement plan have now saved a collective $180 million for their futures.

However, the program faces a significant challenge with employer compliance.

Officials report that thousands of businesses are still ignoring the state mandate to either offer their own plan or register for the SecureSavings program.

After focusing on education, the office of State Treasurer Dave Young is now preparing for stricter enforcement, which may include fines for noncompliant companies.

The initiative is successfully pushing more businesses to offer retirement benefits, ultimately helping more residents build a nest egg.

In response to Boulder's severe housing crisis, a groundbreaking local partnership is creating a path to homeownership for residents.

The initiative, known as Project Ponderosa, is a collaboration between the City of Boulder, Flatirons Habitat for Humanity, and the Boulder Valley School District.

Its goal is to rebuild the North Boulder neighborhood destroyed in the 2013 flood with permanently affordable, energy-efficient homes.

What makes this project unique is the BoulderMOD factory, where high school students in the district's APEX program gain real-world construction skills by building the modular housing units.

This innovative model tackles both the affordable housing shortage and the need for skilled labor.

The first duplexes were successfully placed in late 2025, marking a major milestone for the community and a powerful model of local problem-solving.

The "Quick Fixes" (2 Minutes or Less)

• Box Breathing: This is used by Navy SEALs to calm the nervous system immediately.

  1.  

  2. Inhale through your nose for 4 seconds.

  3. Hold that breath for 4 seconds.

  4.  

  5. Exhale through your mouth for 4 seconds.

  6. Hold the empty breath for 4 seconds.

  • Repeat this cycle 4 times.

• The Physiological Sigh: Inhale deeply through your nose, then take a second, shorter inhale on top of it to fully inflate your lungs. Then, exhale slowly and fully through your mouth. This mechanically offloads carbon dioxide and lowers stress instantly.

• Cold Water Splash: Splash ice-cold water on your face. This triggers the "mammalian dive reflex," which instantly slows your heart rate.

Important School News

BVSD Boundary Changes (Effective Aug 2026)

The School Board approved these changes to help balance enrollment. They officially take effect for the 2026-27 school year, but the enrollment process begins now.

Specific Neighborhood Impacts

•  

• South Boulder (Bear Creek vs. Creekside):

  • Area: The "dual attendance" zone located west of Broadway and north of Table Mesa.

  • Change: Previously, families here could choose between Bear Creek and Creekside. This area is now assigned exclusively to Bear Creek Elementary.

•  

• Central Boulder (Whittier vs. Creekside):

  • Area: A small "island" neighborhood currently zoned for Creekside but geographically surrounded by the Whittier boundary.

  • Change: This area is being reassigned to Whittier Elementary to fix the map irregularity.

•  

• Gunbarrel (Crest View to Heatherwood):

  • Area: The neighborhood east of the Diagonal Highway (Hwy 119), west of 63rd St, and north of Independence Rd.

  • Change: Students here will move from Crest View Elementary to Heatherwood Elementary.

Middle School Feeder Shifts

• Whittier Feeds to Casey: The feeder pattern is being simplified so that all Whittier Elementary graduates will move on to Casey Middle School (eliminating the split feeder pattern).

• Gunbarrel Shift: The Gunbarrel neighborhood mentioned above (East of Diagonal) will also switch its middle school assignment from Centennial to Nevin Platt Middle School.

Important Note on "Grandfathering": Generally, students currently enrolled in an affected school can stay until they finish that specific grade level (e.g., finishing 5th grade), but transportation is usually not provided for grandfathered students.

We are Boulder Valley!

Knee pain can be life-altering.  For many people, it limits movement, impacts sleep, and turns everyday activities into constant negotiations with discomfort.  Some are even told that surgery-including knee replacement- may be their only option.  That's why so many individuals have been exploring X39, a non-transdermal phototherapy patch designed to support the body's natural regenerative processes.

Testimonials from real people

Kapusnyak: The Hearty Ukrainian Sauerkraut Soup Your Winter Needs

When the cold weather bites, a hearty bowl of soup is the perfect comfort.

A beloved staple of traditional Ukrainian cuisine, Kapusnyak, or Sauerkraut Soup, is finally getting its global moment.

Featured by acclaimed chef Yevhen Klopotenko in his celebrated cookbook, this dish offers a breathtaking culinary experience right in your own kitchen.

The secret is a brilliant balance of flavors.

Rich, tender pork shoulder simmers to create a deep, savory broth.

The star ingredient, sauerkraut, provides a signature sourness that cuts through the richness of the pork for a complex and delicious taste.

Sautéed carrots, onions, and starchy potatoes complete the nourishing one-pot meal.

Best of all, the entire process is remarkably straightforward, making this authentic taste of Ukraine accessible for any home cook looking for a warm embrace in a bowl.

Kapusnyak/Sauerkraut Soup

Servings: 4 to 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450 grams) boneless pork shoulder
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 allspice berries
• 1 large carrot
• 1 large onion
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) sunflower oil
• 2½ cups (300 grams) sauerkraut
• 4 to 5 medium starchy potatoes
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
•  

• Directions

  1. Cut the pork shoulder into bite-size pieces and put them in a medium stockpot. Add enough cold water to completely cover the meat and bring to a rapid boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat and cook at a simmer for about 1 hour, occasionally skimming off and discarding the foam. After an hour, add the bay leaf and the allspice and continue cooking over low heat.

  2. While the broth is simmering, shred the carrot using a box grater. Peel and dice the onion. Add a little oil to a sauté pan placed over medium heat and sauté the shredded carrot and the diced onion until fragrant. Add the sauerkraut. Ladle some of the broth into the pan so the vegetables don’t dry out. Once the vegetables are tender, take the pan off the heat.

  3. Peel and dice the potatoes and add them to the broth. Simmer for about 20 minutes and then add the sautéed vegetables to the pot. Bring everything to a rapid boil, reduce the heat, simmer the soup for about 5 minutes, and remove from the heat. Season with a little salt and freshly ground pepper and let rest a little before serving.

Yum and Easy!  

As Colorado's School Choice 2025 season begins, families across the Front Range face a uniquely complex landscape.

In Douglas County, parents are grappling with the emotional decision to consolidate six elementary schools in Highlands Ranch, a move set for 2026.

This difficult change highlights how enrollment numbers are forcing major community shifts.

Meanwhile, the Cherry Creek School District is experiencing a different pressure.

Major construction projects are bringing hundreds of new homes, raising questions about future classroom sizes and local school demand.

These local challenges unfold during the state’s open enrollment period, where families can apply to schools outside their neighborhood, from Denver Public Schools to Boulder Valley.

Parents must navigate each district’s unique application deadlines, many of which fall in January and February, to find the best fit for their child.

Amazon Prime - 6 month Trial

Please don't forget about the animals at Longmont Humane 

Donate to help the animals at the Longmont Humane, please!

I am doing Thai Bodywork here!  Book your appointment.

I'm happy to answer any and all questions-feel free to reach out anytime! Contact Michele

Jalisco Painting

As we head into the spring renovation season, local contractors like Jalisco Painting are booking up for exterior refreshes. Now is the time to check your exterior trim for winter weather damage. Jose is a great guy.

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