Archaeological evidence shows that Boulder Valley has been continuously inhabited byNative American tribes for over 13,000 years, beginning in the latePleistocene era. Throughout the Paleo-Indian, Archaic, and Late Prehistoric periods, indigenous peoples moved seasonally between the mountains and plains, taking shelter in winter along the Front Range trough where Boulder now lies. By the 1500s, the area was occupied by Ute tribes, joined byArapaho tribes in the early 1800s.[13]
Boulder was founded in late 1858 when prospectors led by Thomas Aikins arrived at Boulder Canyon during the Colorado Gold Rush. Arapaho leader Niwot allowed them to stay for the winter, but the settlers abused this peaceful approach, and some later took part in theSand Creek massacre of Arapaho.[15] In early 1859, gold was discovered along Boulder Creek, drawing more miners and merchants to the area. The Boulder City Town Company was formed in February 1859 to establish a settlement at the canyon mouth. The Boulder, Nebraska Territory, post office opened on April 22, 1859.[16]
On August 24, 1859, voters of thePike's Peak mining region approved the formation of theProvisional Government of the Territory of Jefferson,[17] and on November 28, 1859, the extralegal Jefferson Territory createdJackson County with Boulder City as its seat.[18] By 1860, Boulder City had 70 cabins, occupied mainly by Anglo families. Non-whites like Chinese miners and black residents were part of early Boulder, but were rarely pictured.[13]
ThefreeTerritory of Colorado was organized on February 28, 1861,[19] and Boulder County was created on November 1, 1861, with Boulder City as its seat. The Arapaho were forced to relocate by the Treaty of Fort Wise. With declining numbers, Niwot's band soon moved to the Cheyenne-Arapaho Reservation. By 1862, the creek had yielded $100,000 in gold, and Boulder's population exceeded 300.
On November 7, 1861, theColorado General Assembly passed legislation to locate the University of Colorado in Boulder.[20] The City of Boulder City was incorporated on November 4, 1871.[4] On September 20, 1875, the first cornerstone was laid for the first building (Old Main) on the CU campus. Colorado became a state on August 1, 1876,[21] and the university officially opened on September 5, 1877.[22] The City of Boulder City shortened its name to the City of Boulder.
In 1907, Boulder adopted an anti-saloon ordinance.[23] In 1916, statewideprohibition started in Colorado, and ended with the repeal of national prohibition in 1933.[24]
Median home prices rose 60% from 2010 to 2015 to $648,200.[25] In 2024, the City Council of Boulder repealed a long-standing law that prevented Boulder from increasing new residential units by more than 1% in a year.[26]
In 1959, city voters approved the "Blue Line" city-charter amendment, which restricted city water service to altitudes below 5,750 feet (1,750 m), to protect the mountain backdrop from development. In 1967, city voters approved a dedicated sales tax to acquire open space to containurban sprawl. In 1970, Boulder created a "comprehensive plan" to dictate future zoning, transportation, and urban planning decisions. Hoping to preserve residents' views of the mountains, in 1972, the city enacted an ordinance limiting the height of newly constructed buildings. In 1974, a Historic Preservation Code was passed. In 1976, aresidential-growth management ordinance, the Danish Plan, was passed.[27][28]
The city of Boulder is located in the Boulder Valley, where theRocky Mountains meet theGreat Plains. TheFlatirons, slabs of sedimentary stone tilted up on the foothills, are located west of the city and are a widely recognized symbol of Boulder.[29]
Boulder Creek is the primary flow of water through Boulder. The creek was named before the city's founding and its etymology is unknown. It is from Boulder Creek that the city is believed to have taken its name.[citation needed] Boulder Creek has significant water flow, derived primarily from snow melt and minor springs west of the city.[citation needed] The creek flows intoSt. Vrain Creek east ofLongmont, which is a tributary of theSouth Platte River.
At the2020 United States census, the city had a total area of 17,514 acres (70.877 km2), including 664 acres (2.689 km2) of water.[7]
The40th parallel, 40 degrees north latitude, runs through Boulder and can be easily recognized asBaseline Road today.
Boulder lies in a wide basin beneathFlagstaff Mountain just a few miles east of the continental divide and about 25 miles (40 km) northwest of Denver. Arapahoe Glacier provides water for the city, along with Boulder Creek, which flows through the center of the city.[30]
In 1899, government preservation of open space around Boulder began, with theCongress of the United States approving the allocation of 1,800 acres (7.3 km2) of mountain backdrop and watershed extending from South Boulder Creek to Sunshine Canyon.[citation needed]
Boulder has created an Urban Wildlife Management Plan which sets policies for managing and protecting urban wildlife.[32] The city's Parks and Recreation and Open Space and Mountain Parks departments have volunteers who monitor parks, including wetlands, lakes, etc., to protect ecosystems.[33] From time to time, parks and hiking trails are closed to conserve or restore ecosystems.[34]Traditionally, Boulder has avoided using chemicalpesticides to control the insect population. However, with the threat ofWest Nile virus, the city began an integrative plan[35] to control the mosquito population in 2003 that includes chemical pesticides. Residents can opt out of the program by contacting the city and asking that their areas not be sprayed.[36]
Under Boulder law, exterminatingprairie dogs requires a permit.[37]
In 2005, the city experimented with using goats for weed control in environmentally sensitive areas. Goats naturally consume diffuseknapweed andCanada thistle, and although the program was not as effective as it was hoped, goats will still be considered in future weed control projects. In 2010, goats were used to keep weeds under control at the Boulder Reservoir.[38]
The city's Open Space and Mountain Parks department manages approximately 8,000 acres (32 km2) of protected forest land west of the city, in accordance with a 1999 Forest Ecosystem Management Plan. The plan aims to maintain or enhance native plant and animal species, their communities, the ecological processes that sustain them and to reduce the wildfire risk to forest and human communities.[39]
Autumn in BoulderSnowfall is common in Boulder throughout the winter.
Boulder has a temperate climate typical for much of the state and receives many sunny or mostly sunny days each year. Boulder is consideredsemi-arid (Köppen:BSk) orhumid subtropical (Köppen:Cfa) within theKöppen climate classification due to its relatively high yearly precipitation and average temperatures remaining above 32 °F (0 °C) year-round.[40][41][42][43]
Winter conditions range from generally mild to the occasional bitterly cold. Highs average in the mid to upper 40s °F (7–9 °C). There are 4.6 nights annually where the temperature drops to 0 °F (−18 °C). Because oforographic lift, the mountains to the west often dry out the air passing over theFront Range, shielding the city from precipitation in winter, though heavy snowfalls may occur. Snowfall averages 88 inches (220 cm) per season. Snow depth is usually shallow. Due to the high elevation, a strong warming sun can quickly melt snow cover during the day andChinook winds bring rapid warm-ups throughout the winter months.[44]
Summers are warm, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. There are roughly 30 days of 90 °F (32 °C) or above each year.[44]Diurnal temperature variation is typically large due to the high elevation and semi-arid climate. Daytime highs are generally cooler than those of most Colorado cities with similar elevations.
The highest recorded temperature of 104 °F (40 °C) was on June 25, 2012.[45] The record low was −33 °F (−36 °C) on January 17, 1930. The coldest high temperature, −12 °F (−24 °C), was on February 4, 1989. The warmest overnight low was on July 20, 1998, with a temperature of 82 °F (28 °C)[46]
Climate data for Boulder, Colorado, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present
Boulder, Colorado – Racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
In the 2010 census, there were 97,385 people, 41,302 households, and 16,694 families in the city. The population density was 3,942.7 inhabitants per square mile (1,522.3/km2). There were 43,479 housing units at an average density of 1,760.3 units per square mile (679.7 units/km2). Theracial makeup of the city was 88.0% White, 0.9% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 4.7% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 3.2% some other race, and 2.6% from two or more races. 8.7% of the population wereHispanic or Latino of any race.[52]
There were 41,302 households, of which 19.1% had children under 18 living with them, 32.2% were headed by married couples living together, 5.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 59.6% were non-families. 35.8% of all households comprised individuals, and 7.1% were someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.16, and the average family size was 2.84.[52]
Boulder's population is younger than the national average, largely due to the presence of university students. The median age at the 2010 census was 28.7 years compared to the U.S. median of 37.2 years. In Boulder, 13.9% of the residents were younger than 18, 29.1% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 8.9% were 65 or older. For every 100 females, there were 105.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and older, there were 106.2 males.[52]
In 2011, the estimated median household income in Boulder was $57,112, and the median family income was $113,681. Male full-time workers had a median income of $71,993 versus $47,574 for females. The per capita income for the city was $37,600. 24.8% of the population and 7.6% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 17.4% of those under 18 and 6.0% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.[53]
Boulder has hosted a10 km road run, theBolder Boulder, onMemorial Day every year since 1979. The race involves over 50,000 runners, joggers, walkers, and wheelchair racers, making it one of the largest road races in the world. It has the largest non-marathon prize purse in road racing.[58] The race culminates atFolsom Field with a Memorial Day Tribute. The 2007 race featured over 54,000[59] runners, walkers, and wheelchair racers, making it the largest race in the US in which all participants are timed and the fifth largest road race in the world.[60]
Founded in 1981, the Boulder Bach Festival is an annual festival celebrating the life, legacy, and music ofJ.S. Bach. The festival is led by Executive DirectorZachary Carrettin and Artistic DirectorMina Gajić.[63][64]
Founded in 1988,Colorado MahlerFest celebrates the legacy of composer Gustav Mahler through an annual festival. Under Artistic DirectorKenneth Woods, The Colorado MahlerFest Orchestra draws together young professionals, conservatory and university students, and advanced amateurs.
Boulder is home to multiple dance companies and establishments. Boulder Ballet was founded by formerAmerican Ballet Theatre dancer Larry Boyette in the 1970s as part of the Ballet Arts Studios.[65] Lemon Sponge Cake Contemporary Ballet was founded in 2004 by Robert Sher-Machherndl, former principal dancer of theDutch National Ballet andBavarian State Ballet.[66]
The internationally syndicated radio programeTown has its headquarters ateTown Hall, at the intersection of 16th and Spruce Streets, in downtown Boulder. Most tapings of this weekly show are done at eTown Hall.[68][69]
Beginning in 1983, hundreds of people head to theBoulder Reservoir on New Year's Day to take part in the annualpolar bear plunge.[70] With rescue teams standing by, participants use a variety of techniques to plunge themselves into the freezing reservoir.[71]
Starting in 1998, dozens of people have taken part in aHalloween run down the city's streets wearing only shoes and a hollowed-out pumpkin on their heads. In 2009, local police threatened participants with charges ofindecent exposure, and no naked runners were reported in official newscasts, although a few naked runners were observed by locals. Several illegal attempts, resulting in arrests, have been made to restart the run, but no serious effort has been mounted.[72]
Bicycle riders joining together on Happy Thursday Cruiser Ride
The Happy Thursday Cruiser Ride is a weekly bicycle ride in Boulder Colorado.[73] The Boulder Cruiser Ride grew from a group of friends and friends of friends in the early '90s riding bicycles around Boulder into the social cycling event it is today.[74] Some enthusiasts gather wearing costumes and decorating their bikes; themes are an integral part of the cruiser tradition.[citation needed] Boulder Police began following the cruiser ride as it gained in popularity in the early 2000s.[citation needed]
Issues with underage drinking, reckless bicycle riding, and other nuisance complaints led organizers to drop the cruiser ride as a public event.[75] Returning to an underground format, where enthusiasts must become part of the social network before gaining access to event sites, the Boulder Cruiser Ride has continued as a local tradition.[citation needed] On May 30, 2013, over 400 riders attended the Thursday-night Cruiser Ride in honor of "Big Boy", an elk that was shot and killed on New Year's Day by an on-duty[76] Boulder Police officer.[77]
Founded in 2005, theBoulder International Film Festival is held annually in March and showcases films in different venues around Boulder, including the Boulder Theater.[79]
Starting in 2027, Boulder will become the new host for theSundance Film Festival. Under the terms of the contract, the festival will be held in Boulder for 10 years until 2037, with an option to extend. Boulder is around 10x larger than the original (and only) host city Sundance was based in,Park City, Utah.[80][81] Boulder defeated rival bids fromSalt Lake City-Park City andCincinnati.[82]
Trailheads for many popular hikes are located at Chautauqua Park.
Boulder is surrounded by thousands of acres of recreational open space, conservation easements, and nature preserves. Almost 60%, 35,584 acres (144.00 km2), of open space totaling 61,529 acres (249.00 km2) is open to the public.[83]
Theunincorporated community ofEldorado Springs, south of Boulder, is home torock climbing routes.[84] There are climbing routes available in the city open space, including climbing routes of varying difficulty on theFlatirons themselves (traditional protection).Boulder Canyon (sport), directly west of downtown Boulder, has many routes. All three of these areas are affected by seasonal closures for wildlife.[85][86]
Every year onGroundhog Day, Boulder Parks & Open Space hosts a special event at the Chautauqua Ranger Cottage featuring Flatiron Freddy, a stuffedmarmot instead of a groundhog.[87]
Politically, Boulder is one of the most liberal and Democratic cities in Colorado when viewed from a Federal and State elections lens. As of July 2019[update], registered voters inBoulder County were 43.4% Democratic, 14.7% Republican, 1.6% in other parties, and 40.3% unaffiliated.[89] By residents and detractors alike, Boulder is often referred to as the "People's Republic of Boulder".[90]
In 1974, the Boulder City Council passed Colorado's first ordinance prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation. Boulder voters repealed the measure by referendum within a year. In 1975, Boulder County Clerk Clela Rorex was the second in the United States ever to grantsame-sex marriage licenses, prior to state laws being passed to prevent such issuance.[91]
In July 2019, Boulder declared a "climate emergency" and established target dates[92] for achieving 100% renewable electricity,[93] a reduction ingreenhouse gas emissions from city organizations and facilities,[94] an increase in local generation of electricity through renewable sources, and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the community.[95] The city created a community-centered process to focus on energy systems, regenerative ecosystems, circular materials economy, land use, and financial systems.[96]
TheBoulder Valley School District (BVSD) administers the public school system in Boulder, aside from a few areas in northeast Boulder, where students attend the St. Vrain Valley School District.
University of Colorado Boulder, public university which contributes roughly 46,000 residents (30,000 undergraduate students, 7,000 graduate students and 10,000 staff/faculty) to the population.
Naropa University is a private university based on Buddhist principles. It has approximately 400 undergraduate and over 600 graduate students.
Boulder's main daily newspaper, theDaily Camera, was founded in 1890 as the weeklyBoulder Camera, and became a daily newspaper in 1891. TheColorado Daily was started in 1892 as a university newspaper for CU Boulder. Following many heated controversies overColorado Daily's political coverage, it severed its ties to the university in 1971. From 1996 to 2000, theBoulder Planet competed with theBoulder Weekly as a free weekly.[97]
Newspaper conglomerateScripps acquired theColorado Daily in 2005 after its acquisition of theCamera in 1997, leaving theBoulder Weekly as the only locally owned newspaper in Boulder. Scripps relinquished its 50 percent ownership in both daily papers in early 2009 to Media News Group.Boulder Magazine, a lifestyle magazine, was founded in 1978.[98]Boulder Magazine is published three times per year.
Boulder is part of theDenver market for television stations, and it receives many radio stations based in Denver orFt. Collins. For cable television, Boulder is served byComcast Cable. The city operates public service Boulder 8 TV on cable (high- and standard-definition), which airs, live-streams and archives council meetings. With its in-house video production facilities, it also produces news, talk and informational programming.[99] Over-the-air television reception is poor in the western part of the city because of interference from mountains.
KVCU, also known as Radio 1190, is a non-commercial radio station run with the help of university-student volunteers. KVCU started broadcasting in 1998.[103]
The University of Colorado Press, a non-profit co-op of various western universities, publishes academic books, as doLynne Rienner Publishers,Paradigm Publishers, andWestview Press.[104]Paladin Press book/video publishers andSoldier of Fortune magazine both have their headquarters in Boulder.[105][106] Paladin Press was founded in September 1970 by Peder Lund and Robert K. Brown. In 1974, Lund bought out Brown's share of the press, and Brown foundedSoldier of Fortune magazine in 1975.[107]
The city from northbound US 36 as the highway descends into Boulder
Because Boulder has had residential growth control ordinances in place since 1976, the number of jobs in the city has grown much faster than the number of residents. Considerable road traffic enters the city each morning and leaves each afternoon, since many employees live inLongmont,Lafayette,Louisville,Broomfield,Westminster, andDenver. Boulder is served byUS 36 and a variety of state highways. Parking regulations in Boulder have been explicitly designed to discourage parking by commuters and to encourage the use of mass transit, with mixed results.[108]
Over the years, Boulder has made significant investments in the multi-modal network. The city is now well known for its grade-separated bicycle and pedestrian paths, which are integrated into a network of bicycle lanes, cycle tracks, and on-street bicycle routes. Boulder provides a community transit network that connects downtown, the University of Colorado campuses, and local shopping amenities. Boulder has no rail transit. Local and regional shuttle busses are funded by a variety of sources. Due in part to these investments in pedestrian, bicycle, and transit infrastructure, Boulder has been recognized both nationally and internationally for its transportation system.[109]
In 2009, the Boulder metropolitan statistical area (MSA) ranked as the fourth highest in the United States for percentage of commuters who biked to work, at 5.4 percent.[110] In 2013, the Boulder MSA ranked as the fourth lowest in the United States for percentage of workers who commuted by private automobile, at 71.9 percent. During the same time period, 11.1 percent of Boulder area workers had no commute whatsoever: they worked out of the home.[111]
Boulder has an extensive bus system operated by theRegional Transportation District (RTD). The HOP, SKIP, JUMP, Bound, DASH and Stampede routes run throughout the city and connect to nearby communities with departures every ten minutes during peak hours, Monday-Friday. Other routes, such as the 204, 205, 206, 208 and 209 depart every 15 to 30 minutes. Regional routes, traveling between nearby cities such as Longmont (BOLT, J), Golden (GS), and Denver (Flatiron Flyer,[112] abus rapid transit route), as well asDenver International Airport (AB), are also available. There are over 100 scheduled daily bus trips on seven routes that run between Boulder and Denver on weekdays.[113]
Currently there is no intercity passenger service. The last remaining services connecting the Front Range cities ceased with the formation ofAmtrak in 1971.
A 41-mile (66 km) RTDcommuter rail route called the Northwest Rail Line, also known as theB Line, is proposed to run from Denver through Boulder toLongmont, with stops in major communities along the way. The Boulder station is to be north of Pearl Street and east of 30th Street. At one time this commuter rail service was scheduled to commence in 2014, but major delays have ensued. In 2016, an initial 6-mile (9.7 km) segment opened, reaching from downtown Denver to southernWestminster atWestminster Station.[115] The remaining 35 miles (56 km) of the Northwest Rail Line is planned to be completed by 2044, depending upon funding.[116]
These future transit plans, as well as the current Flatiron Flyer Bus Rapid Transit route, are part ofFasTracks, an RTD transit improvement plan funded by a 0.4% increase in the sales tax throughout the Denver metro area.RTD, the developer of FasTracks, is partnering with the city of Boulder to plan atransit-oriented development near Pearl and 33rd Streets in association with the proposed Boulder commuter rail station. The development is to feature theBoulder Railroad Depot, already relocated to that site, which may be returned to a transit-related use.
Boulder, well known for itsbicycle culture, has hundreds of miles of bicycle-pedestrian paths, lanes, and routes that interconnect to create a renowned network of bikeways usable year-round. Boulder has 74 bike and pedestrian underpasses that facilitate safer and uninterrupted travel throughout much of the city. The city offers a route-finding website that allows users to map personalized bike routes around the city,[117] and is one of five communities to have received a "Platinum Bicycle Friendly Community" rating from theLeague of American Bicyclists.[118]
Boulder was a setting forStephen King's bookThe Stand (1978), as the gathering point for some of the survivors of the superflu. King lived in Boulder for a little less than a year, beginning in the autumn of 1974, and wroteThe Shining (1977) during this period.[134]
The television sitcomMork & Mindy (1978–1982) was set in Boulder, with 1619 Pine St. serving as the exterior shot of Mindy's home.[135] The New York Deli, a now closed restaurant in thePearl Street Mall, was also featured prominently in the series.[136]
In the American version of the television sitcomThe Office, the character Michael Scott leaves the show in season 7 and moves with his fiancée to Boulder.[137]
"Boulder to Birmingham" is a song written byEmmylou Harris andBill Danoff which first appeared on Harris's 1975 albumPieces of the Sky. It has served as something of a signature tune for the artist and recounts her feelings of grief in the years following the death of country rock star and mentorGram Parsons.[138]
Significant parts of the 2006 movieCatch and Release were filmed in Boulder, and includes many well-known Boulder institutions such asCelestial Seasonings, the Boulder Farmer's Market, and Pearl Street Mall.[140]
Landmarks representing Boulder's connection with its various sister cities can be found throughout the city. Boulder's Sister City Plaza – dedicated on May 17, 2007 – is located on the east lawn of Boulder's Municipal Building. The plaza was built to honor all of Boulder's sister city relationships.[142]
TheDushanbe Tea House is located on 13th Street just south of the Pearl Street Mall. Dushanbe presented its distinctive tea house as a gift to Boulder in 1987. It was completed in Tajikistan in 1990 and then shipped to Boulder, where it was reassembled and opened to the public in 1998.[143]
A mural representing the relationship between Boulder and Mante, Mexico, was dedicated in August 2001. The mural, which was painted by Mante muralist Florian Lopez, is located on the north-facing wall of the Dairy Center for the Performing Arts.[144]
^"An Act Defining the Boundaries of Counties and for other purposes".Provisional Laws and Joint Resolutions of the General Assembly of Jefferson Territory. General Assembly of the Provisional Government of the Territory of Jefferson. November 28, 1859. RetrievedNovember 7, 2024.
^Henao, Alejandro, et al. "Sustainable Transportation Infrastructure Investments And Mode Share Changes: A 20-Year Background Of Boulder, Colorado." Transport Policy 37.(2015): 64–71. Academic Search Complete. Web. February 16, 2016.
Deloria, Philip J. "Drain the Lake! Tear Down the Butte! Build Paradise!: The Environmental Dimensions of Social and Economic Power in Boulder, Colorado, and Benzie, Michigan,"Southern California Quarterly (2007): 65–88.in JSTOR
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