Dive into the city’s guiding policy document, the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan, as the city and Boulder County work on a major update of the plan to help shape the future of Boulder.

• Kristofer Johnson - Comprehensive Planning Senior Manager, City of Boulder
• Kathleen King - Comprehensive Planning Planner Principal, City of Boulder

• Hannah Hippley - Long Range Planning Division Manager, Boulder County
• Community Member voices – A Boulder Future Kick-off Video

• The Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan Update project page
• Community Connectors Program
• Community Connectors in Residence

Take a step back into high school civics to learn how Boulder’s government works - and discover how you can get involved and make a meaningful impact in your local community.

Guests in this episode (City of Boulder staff):

• Carl Castillo, Chief Policy Advisor
• Elesha Johnson, City Clerk

Other Guests:

• Glen Krutz, Political Science Professor at University of Colorado Boulder

This episode was hosted by Cate Stanek and Emi Smith. It was produced by the City of Boulder's Podcast Team. Theme music is Wide Eyes by Chad Crouch/Podington Bear (adapted), licensed under an Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Related Resources:

• Municipal Initiative Petition Guidelines
• City of Boulder Boards and Commissions
• City of Boulder Ranked Choice Voting Guide
• Boulder City Council Frequently Asked Questions

Clarification:

The number of employees serving the City of Boulder fluctuates based on seasonal and temporary hires. At one point in the show, a guest mentions that the city employs 1,500 people. This number varies and gets as high as 1,800.

Climb into this episode about Boulder's city trees and hear from the people who care for them.

• Andrew Holt, Forester
• Calvin Wing, Crew Lead
• Heather Bearnes-Loza, Senior Program Manager for the Nature-based Climate Solutions Team
• Kathleen Alexander, Forestry Manager
• Regina Elsner, Senior Manager of Natural Resources

• Daniel Hanson, Community Forestry Corps Lead
• Mike Reichert, Tree Trust Program Manager
• Community Forestry Corps members and tree planting volunteers, Mallory, Josue and Ellory.

• All About City Trees
• City of Boulder Staff Land Acknowledgement
• Inquire Boulder
• Cool Boulder
• PLAY Boulder Foundation Tree Trust & Tree Tender Training
• Cooling Our City
• City Heat Mapping

Meet your neighbors and people behind the city — attend What's Up Boulder!

Get the details on our website.

Got time, talent or treasure to share? You're in the right place. This episode is all about giving back to your neighbors through acts big or small, with some tales of volunteering along the way.

• Aimee Kane, Equity Officer
• Ali Rhodes, Director of Parks and Recreation
• Brian Wegner, Volunteer Services and Partnerships Program Supervisor
• Andrew Shoemaker, Volunteer
• Karen Donnelly, Volunteer

Related Resources:

• Volunteer Opportunities with the City of Boulder
• Count Me In volunteer web portal
• Volunteer with Parks and Recreation
• Volunteer with OSMP
• Volunteer with EXPAND

Meet the people behind the city: attend What's Up Boulder!

• When: Saturday, Sept. 7 from 1 - 4 p.m.
• Where: East Boulder Community Park between the soccer field and East Age Well Center.
• What: Popsicles, lawn games, conversations with council members, music and more!

Learn more on our website.

Ring Ouzel, The Crumbling, Dream Caper and County Courtship by Blue Dot Sessions. All are licensed under an Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License on Free Music Archive.

We're talking child-friendly cities this episode, communities where all kids feel safe and cared for, while being able to express their opinions and influence decisions that affect them. Becoming a child-friendly Boulder is an ongoing journey, but we've got a plan for how to get there. Ready, set, tune in!

Explore more visions for a child-friendly Boulder.

Special guests in this episode:

• Sarah Huntley, Director of the City of Boulder Communications and Engagement Department
• Mara Mintzer, Co-Founder and Director of Growing Up Boulder
• Avery Stuhlbarg, YOAB member
• Elias Weatherley, YOAB member
• Jeff Kagan of Jeff & Paige
• Paige Doughty of Jeff & Paige

This episode was produced and hosted by Leah Kelleher. Theme music is Wide Eyes by Chad Crouch/Podington Bear (adapted), licensed under an Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

Related Resources:

• All about the City of Boulder's Child Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI).
• Learn more about Growing Up Boulder. Explore their CFCI webpage.
• Boulder's digital Child Friendly City Map.
• Check out the city's Be Heard Boulder online engagement platform. Stay tuned for future opportunities to share your thoughts and ideas.
• Learn about UNICEF CFCI around the world.
  • UNICEF CFCI in the United States.
• Jeff and Paige's website and music.
• Fostering a Better Community for Children and Youth, plus Family Services.
• Dig into the city's Youth Opportunities Program.
  • Youth Opportunities Advisory Board (YOAB) and how to apply.
  • More opportunities for youth in Boulder.

Stay in the loop: follow City of Boulder Instagram #CFCIBoulder, and subscribe to city updates and Growing Up Boulder's newsletter.

Upcoming Engagement Opportunities:

• Teen Townhall: A Conversation about Policing and Safety.

• Boulder Police Department Youth Open House.

Learn more about both events.

Music in this episode (adapted):

"A Civic Area" by Jeff and Paige.

A close look at our years-long recovery from the 2013 flood. We're digging into flood mitigation and preparedness, and lessons learned that have made our response and recovery stronger.

• Joe Taddeucci, Director of Utilities
• Chris Meschuk, Deputy City Manager
• Jennelle Freeston, Deputy Director of Community Connections and Partnerships for Open Space and Mountain Parks
• Brandon Coleman, Engineering Project Manager
• Chad Brotherton, Visitor Infrastructure Senior Manager for Open Space and Mountain Parks
• Mike Chard, Director of the Office of Disaster Management for the City of Boulder and Boulder County.

Related Resources:

• Flood Mitigation Project Roundup
• Boulder's Web Guide to Flooding
• How to Be Flood Ready
• City of Boulder Comprehensive Flood and Stormwater Plan
• 2013 Flood Interactive Website
• September 2013 Flood Information and Storytelling

Upcoming Engagement Opportunities:

Feb. 22 – Joint City Council and Open Space Board of Trustees public hearing on open space disposal for South Boulder Creek. A decision on disposal will be made in March. Find more opportunities and office hours with city staff on our website.

• The Silver Hatch, Grand Fell, This Passage, Uncertainty and Leadin by Blue Dot Sessions.
• Brother Richard by Dave Nelson.
• Confidence Trick by Chad Crouch/Podington Bear.

All are licensed under an Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 International License, Attribution-NonCommercial License or Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

We're going back ten years to remember the 2013 Flood, how it impacted our community, and the courage and care of neighbors who stepped up to help each other.

• Joe Taddeucci, Director of Utilities
• Chris Meschuk, Deputy City Manager
• Jennelle Freeston, Deputy Director of Community Connections and Partnerships for Open Space and Mountain Parks
• Brandon Coleman, Engineering Project Manager
• Chad Brotherton, Visitor Infrastructure Senior Manager for Open Space and Mountain Parks
• Mike Chard, Director of the Office of Disaster Management for the City of Boulder and Boulder County.

• 2013 Flood Story Map
• Call for 2013 Flood Art and Reflections
• Carnegie Library Oral Histories
• September 2013 Flood Information and Storytelling
• Boulder's Web Guide to Flooding
• How to Be Flood Ready
• City of Boulder Comprehensive Flood and Stormwater Plan

• By the Pond (Instrumental), Risers, Dim, Ink and Afternoons (Instrumental) by Chad Crouch/Podington Bear. All are licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 International License or Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.