City of Boulder Business Bulletin

Welcome to the City of Boulder Business Bulletin
Supporting businesses with timely updates, resources and opportunities

Each edition of the Business Bulletin brings you timely updates on city initiatives, funding opportunities, infrastructure projects, and other developments that may affect your business.

The City of Boulder remains committed to supporting a thriving, resilient local economy and partnering with our business community to navigate opportunities and challenges together. Visit our newsletter archive to explore past editions and stay connected to the latest business news and resources.

Wishing you and your team a Happy Thanksgiving!

Retailers planning to offer complimentary alcoholic beverages to customers this holiday season are reminded that in order to legally serve alcohol at their businesses, they must apply for the Liquor Retail Establishment Permit. Unlike a traditional liquor license, this permit streamlines the process by removing requirements such as a public hearing, petitioning and neighborhood boundary setting. Businesses should apply at least 30 days before they plan to serve alcohol.

Designed specifically for retail environments back in 2019, the permit requires less documentation than a full liquor license. Fees include a state charge of $93.25, a $100 application fee, and a $3.75 city license fee. The permit is valid for one calendar year and allows retailers to serve complimentary alcohol to customers for up to 24 days per year.

For more information about the Liquor Retail Establishment Permit, please visit the city website or contact Kristen Teague at teaguek@bouldercolorado.gov.

11th Street and Canyon Boulevard Stormwater Project:

The City of Boulder is moving into the next phase of stormwater system improvements near 11th Street and Canyon Boulevard. Crews will line the existing storm pipe beneath Canyon Boulevard to extend its lifespan and reduce future disruptions.

Work will continue on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through mid-December.

Community members and employees in the area may experience brief construction noise and minor traffic impacts. These improvements support the city’s ongoing efforts to strengthen stormwater infrastructure, enhance stream health and minimize long-term roadway impacts. For questions, please contact the City Flood Projects team.

15th & Pearl Street Garage Maintenance:

The City of Boulder is underway with two key repair projects at the 15th & Pearl Garage. The first involves emergency repairs to the elevator landings on Levels 4, 5 and 6 of the north stairwells, where concrete landings are being removed and replaced. Stair access in this area will be temporarily disrupted.

The second project is a facade restoration, including replacement of the stone facade around the building perimeter.

Parking access is not expected to be affected, and pedestrian access to third-floor tenant spaces will remain available through the main entrances during open hours. Some noise and dust are expected during construction. Stay up to date with the latest construction impacts by checking the city's website.

The City of Boulder’s maintenance teams work hard to keep our facilities clean, safe and welcoming. Last week, they removed graffiti from the 11th & Spruce Garage. Thank you to these dedicated teams for keeping our districts looking their best!

The City of Boulder is in its second season using the storm-size response framework to guide snow and ice operations. The goal is safe, accessible travel for all by prioritizing safety, equity, mobility, and customer service.

The framework sets expectations for which streets and paths are cleared based on snow accumulation: small (less than 3 inches), medium (3–8 inches), and large (more than 8 inches). Boulder typically sees 25–46 snowfalls annually, most under three inches. The city clears 425 miles of streets and 70 miles of multi-use paths, including emergency routes, major streets, bike networks, hospitals, schools, and steep neighborhood streets. Community members can view the snow and ice response map for details. Nearly 25,000 homes are served by snow routes under this system.

This season, several steep streets have been added to the small-storm response due to high traffic and operational feasibility. The framework ensures consistent service on priority routes and for first responders; streets are not plowed by request.

Winter weather tips:

Visit the city's website for more information about how to prepare for winter and to learn how the city responds to snow and ice. For more information about winter travel, visit COtrip Traveler Information.

Downtown Boulder Partnership brightens the holiday season from late November through December with special events, activities and promotions throughout downtown. From Small Business Saturday and the Lights of December Parade to the new Downtown Dash promotion, there are plenty of ways for community members to enjoy and support the district this holiday season.

It’s also a great time to remind customers about parking and access downtown. Parking in BoulderPark Garages is free on Saturdays, Sundays and city holidays. On weekdays, garages offer a $3 flat rate for entry and exit between 3 p.m. and 3 a.m. Payment is managed through Metropolis at app.metropolis.io. On-street parking follows a performance-based pricing model, with rates varying by block. An interactive map of parking options is available on the city’s website.

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