Boulder's Child-Friendly City Initiative launched in April 2023. Courtesy: Growing Up Boulder
The City of Boulder and child advocacy nonprofit Growing Up Boulder have completed an initial report on the needs and concerns of local children, titled "State of the Child." The report is part of Boulder's effort, led by Growing Up Boulder, to become a child-friendly city, a designation created by United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
A draft plan to address three key issues — bullying, safety in public spaces and government engagement — will be presented to city council on May 15. Read the report: bit.ly/431sYFn
In other news...
- The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office last week identified the victim of the 2024 Stone Canyon Fire just outside Lyons as Kevin James Tracy, 74. The cause of the fire is still undetermined; investigators concluded it started at 2602 Eagle Ridge Road, where Tracy’s remains were found.
- A more than four-hour police standoff involving a SWAT team at 1440 Pine St. in Boulder on April 30 ended with the arrest of an unnamed suspect for alleged possession of a weapon and trespassing. The man was not a resident of TGTHR, which operates supportive housing for formerly homeless youth at the site, according to a spokesperson for the organization. It is unclear at this time how he gained entry to the building: officials for the nonprofit are working with law enforcement to review security footage, the spokesperson said.
- Front Range Community College is now offering four, non-credit behavioral health certificates to help “alleviate the statewide shortage of qualified workers,” according to a press release from the institution. Beginning in August, students can receive certification as behavioral health assistants; classes for patient navigator certification will begin in fall 2026.