Boulder Valley Frequency

BVHz
  • 4.9 (16)
  • News Commentary
  • Updated Weekly

We cover news, events, and voices shaping the Boulder Valley — all in a tight, reliable package for people on the move. Whether you ride, drive, or walk, our weekly episodes — under 15 minutes each — will help you be an informed community member.

  1. 2d ago ·  Bonus

    Boulder TimeBank and the power of alternative economies

    Aug. 7, 2026 Sponsor: INSTAARCU Boulder’s Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, also known as INSTAAR, is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. In honor of this milestone, the institute will host a science-y celebration for all ages at its Mountain Research Station, just north of Nederland off the Peak-to-Peak Highway.  On Wednesday August 19, get a peek into its inner workings through guided hikes and tours, hands-on activities, dinner with a scientist and an evening seminar from ecologist Katharine Suding.  Sign up now at tinyurl.com/MRSopen, or find more info at colorado.edu/instaar/events. Time Banking: Help your neighbors; get free stuff What is your time worth? On Boulder’s TimeBank, it’s worth just as much as anyone else’s.  What is TimeBanking? An exchange of goods, skills or services: Spend an hour editing or petsitting, get an hour to “spend” on whatever other members are offering Visit timebankboulder.org to learn more and sign up This interview with Boulder TimeBank president Heather Goldborough was originally recording in March 2026. We’re re-releasing it in light of our story on Karmy, another Boulder County platform offering rewards (to local businesses) in exchange for good deeds. Start earning Karma points at karmy.net and listen to that episode at boulderfrequency.com --------------------------- Produced by BVHz in partnership with The Mountain Ear Independent, local journalism for Boulder County Our team Journalist + producer: Shay Castle Audio producer + music: Kelly Garry Additional support provided by Jeff Rozic and Tyler Hickman *Find bonus content and support us on Patreon

  2. 4d ago

    Karmy wants to reward your good deeds with discounts to BoCo businesses

    Aug. 5, 2026 Sponsor: Regional Air Quality CouncilTake simple steps for better air, and go electric with your lawn care equipment. Through the end of 2026, take advantage of a 30% point of sale discount on all new electric leaf blowers, lawn mowers, and trimmers at participating retailers statewide.  Learn more at simplestepsbetterair.org Headline linksSundance announces locations, schedule sundance.org/blogs/what-to-know-about-the-2027-sundance-film-festival/ Festival HQ is at Hotel Boulderado, where workers are currently fighting to unionize amid what they say are increased workloads and degraded conditions. GO: Bi-weekly worker’s picket, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 4:45 p.m.Boulder rejects tipped wage changes dailycamera.com/2026/07/30/boulder-city-council-opts-to-not-slow-growth-of-tipped-minimum-wage/ Fiber internet build stalls in Boulder after company pulls out bouldercolorado.gov/news/allo-communications-informs-city-it-will-pull-out-contract-build-out-fiber-network boulderreportinglab.org/2026/07/30/allo-pulls-out-of-boulders-citywide-fiber-project-forcing-city-to-find-new-partner/Colorado’s oldest county fair kicks off in BoCo bouldercountyfair.org Boost your karma points A new platform, Karmy, is helping Boulder County residents earn points for their good deeds that can be traded in for gift cards, discounts and coupons at local businesses. That includes volunteering for local nonprofits. We chat with founder Connor Moynihan and nonprofit Boulder Food Rescue to learn more about what it is, how it works and why it’s good for everyone Learn more + start helping (or get help) karmy.net Friday Boulder Time Bank and the power of alternative economies Next week Why is it so hard to date in Boulder County? With local matchmakers Meet Cute One More Thing 4-7-8 breathing with Colin Baker of Briar and Balm counseling Ocean beach ambience from Playa Conchal in Costa Rica where our Audio Producer Kelly is on vacation (but working, as usual)  --------------------------- FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT Produced by BVHz in partnership with The Mountain Ear Independent, local journalism for Boulder County Our team Journalist + producer: Shay Castle Audio producer + music: Kelly Garry Additional support provided by Jeff Rozic and Tyler Hickman *Find bonus content and support us on Patreon

  3. Jul 31 ·  Bonus

    15 years in, Boulder Food Rescue is bigger than ever — but wish they weren’t

    July 31, 2026 Sponsor: INSTAAR CU Boulder’s Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, also known as INSTAAR, is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. In honor of this milestone, the institute will host a science-y celebration for all ages at its Mountain Research Station, just north of Nederland off the Peak-to-Peak Highway.  On Wednesday August 19, get a peek into its inner workings through guided hikes and tours, hands-on activities, dinner with a scientist and an evening seminar from ecologist Katharine Suding.  Sign up now at tinyurl.com/MRSopen, or find more info at colorado.edu/instaar/events. Food insecurity keeps growing in Boulder County 1 in 8 Boulder County residents don’t have enough to eat or know where their next meal is coming from — including 1 in 10 kids Thanks to Sean Kohler of Boulder Food Rescue for talking food insecurity, food injustice and what regular people can do to help Boulder Food Rescue works to creat a more just and less wasteful food system by facilitating the rescuing and redistribution of excess food to community sliving with food insecurity. Additionally through their inhouse software program, national network and programmatic structures BFR works to address and change the root causes of food insecurity. Learn more here.  Get involved Volunteer: boulderfoodrescue.org/volunteer Donate: boulderfoodrescue.org/donate Bonus content Listen to the full interview at Patreon.com/BoulderFrequencyPod. Next week Hear more from Sean and Boulder Food Rescue when we highlight a new app rewarding Boulderites for their good deeds --------------------------- Produced by BVHz in partnership with The Mountain Ear Independent, local journalism for Boulder County Our team Journalist + producer: Shay Castle Audio producer + music: Kelly Garry Additional support provided by Jeff Rozic and Tyler Hickman *Find bonus content and support us on Patreon

  4. Jul 29

    Should Boulder use your tax dollars to save the city’s downtown core?

    July 29, 2026 Sponsor: Regional Air Quality CouncilTake simple steps for better air, to help reduce ground-level ozone pollution, and to protect your health. Taking public transit, carpooling and combining trips, riding your bike, working from home, and going electric all help us breathe easier.  Learn more at SimpleStepsBetterAir.org Headline linksErie residents fight deal to frack town land coloradohometownweekly.com/2026/07/20/erie-mineral-rights-deal-resident-petition/ BoCo moves child care tax to ballot denver7.com/news/local-news/in-your-community/boulder-county/boulder-county-is-putting-childcare-funding-on-the-ballot-this-year Boulder city councilman Mark Wallach resigns mid-meeting boulderreportinglab.org/2026/07/23/boulder-city-councilmember-mark-wallach-resigns-after-vote-to-keep-municipal-airport-open-indefinitely Frequency host named one of the Women who Light the Community business.boulderchamber.com/events-calendar/Details/women-who-light-the-community-1572890?sourceTypeId=Hub Downtown tax tradeoff Thanks to Chip from Big Creative Consulting and Mike Mills from Boulder Progressives for talking downtown development with me Learn more bouldercolorado.gov/projects/downtown-development-authority-dda-formation-projectblog.boulderprogressives.org/tell-city-council-no-dda-dont-divert-our-tax-dollars-to-downtowns-biggest-landlords/kunc.org/news/2026-06-15/boulder-dda-plans-proceed-apace-but-some-leaders-remain-skeptical GO 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6 1777 Broadway, Boulder WATCH bouldercolorado.gov/government/watch-council-meetings SPEAK bouldercolorado.formstack.com/forms/sign_up_for_public_hearing *Sign-up opens Friday, July 31 WRITE bouldercolorado.gov/contact-city-council-and-staff Bonus content Listen to the full interviews with Chip and Mike at Patreon.com/BoulderFrequencyPod. Next week Do good things and get free stuff for it with Karmy, a new Boulder County-based app One More Thing Sean Kohler of Boulder Food Rescue - Tune in Friday to hear the full interview --------------------------- Produced by BVHz in partnership with The Mountain Ear Independent, local journalism for Boulder County Our team Journalist + producer: Shay Castle Audio producer + music: Kelly Garry Additional support provided by Jeff Rozic and Tyler Hickman *Find bonus content and support us on Patreon

  5. Jul 24 ·  Bonus

    Service workers describe ‘culture of degradation’ in Boulder Part 2: Boulder weighs cuts to tipped wage

    July 24, 2026 Sponsor: INSTAARCU Boulder’s Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, also known as INSTAAR, is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. On Wednesday August 19, get a peek into its inner workings through guided hikes and tours, hands-on activities, dinner with a scientist and an evening seminar from ecologist Katharine Suding.  Sign up now at tinyurl.com/MRSopen, or find more info at colorado.edu/instaar/events Tipped wage cuts Part 2 In this episode, we hear from three bar + restaurant workers about Boulder’s proposed changes to the tipped wage. Thanks to Justin Kalvin of Sundown Saloon, Rachel Rose Isaacson of Walnut Cafe and Aidan Wall, a server in Erie and Boulder. Learn more + calculate your wage changes bouldercolorado.gov/projects/exploring-citys-new-authority-modify-tip-offset BONUS CONTENT Listen to the full interview with Justin Kalvin at Patreon.com/BoulderFrequencyPod GO 6 p.m. Thursday, July 30 1777 Broadway, Boulder WATCH bouldercolorado.gov/government/watch-council-meetings SPEAK bouldercolorado.formstack.com/forms/sign_up_for_public_hearing *Sign-up opens Friday, July 24 WRITE bouldercolorado.gov/contact-city-council-and-staff Additional sources: https://www.dailycamera.com/2026/07/10/boulder-vacuums-r-us-closure/-------------------------- Produced by BVHz in partnership with The Mountain Ear Independent, local journalism for Boulder County Our team Journalist + producer: Shay Castle Audio producer + music: Kelly Garry Additional support provided by Jeff Rozic and Tyler Hickman *Find bonus content and support us on Patreon

  6. Jul 22

    Boulder weighs cuts to tipped wage Part 1: Who gets listened to and who gets left out of local government

    July 22, 2026 Sponsor: Central City OperaThere are still a few weeks left to watch world-class talent perform The Ballad of Baby Doe, The Marriage of Figaro and more. Tickets start at $32, and the festival runs through August 2. Visit centralcityopera.org to learn more. Headline linksHudson ICE detention center lease starts Aug. 1 coloradosun.com/2026/07/16/people-urge-hudson-town-leaders-to-fight-ice-detention-center/ —> LISTEN: Full interview with Jenifer Montes, an activist who has been protesting the Hudson immigrant detention center since 2025: patreon.com/BoulderFrequencyPod/posts/activist-jenifer-148212750 Hotel Boulderado workers picket venture capital owners dailycamera.com/2026/07/17/hotel-boulderado-union-next-steps/ —> LEARN MORE + SUPPORT: unitehere.org Town hall: What local gov’t can and can’t do about airport noise 5:30-7:30 p.m. Monday, July 27 Longmont Museum 400 Quail Road https://longmontcolorado.gov/news/city-hosts-town-hall-what-the-city-can-and-cannot-do-about-airport-noise/ Front Range train will cost $5B for full build out axios.com/local/denver/2026/07/20/colorado-connector-train-cost-5-billion —> LISTEN: Hello, CoCo: All aboard (and about) Front Range Passenger Rail —-> GO: Front Range Passenger Rail Summer Town Hall: Longmont 5-7 p.m. Thursday, July 23 Front Range Community College 2190 Miller Drive Front Range Passenger Rail Summer Town Hall: Boulder 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, July 28 East Boulder Recreation Center 5660 Sioux Dr What about the workers? Who gets listened to and who gets left out of local government Learn more + calculate your wage changes bouldercolorado.gov/projects/exploring-citys-new-authority-modify-tip-offset GO 6 p.m. Thursday, July 30 1777 Broadway, Boulder WATCH bouldercolorado.gov/government/watch-council-meetings SPEAK bouldercolorado.formstack.com/forms/sign_up_for_public_hearing *Sign-up opens Friday, July 24 WRITE bouldercolorado.gov/contact-city-council-and-staff Friday Shay interviews two workers from beloved Boulder eateries One More Thing Ben Sooy of Holy Fool LISTEN: Ben Sooy wants to set the world on fire: On Holy Fool, mutual aid and local music GO: bluciferfest.org --------------------------- Produced by BVHz in partnership with The Mountain Ear Independent, local journalism for Boulder County Our team Journalist + producer: Shay Castle Audio producer + music: Kelly Garry Additional support provided by Jeff Rozic and Tyler Hickman *Find bonus content and support us on Patreon

  7. Jul 17

    Are cities a pyramid scheme? Exploring Louisville’s growth with Mark Cathcart

    July 17, 2026 Two housing developments are working their way through Louisville’s approval process. Frequent city council watcher Mark Cathcart gives us the scoop — and explains why continued growth is the only way cities can survive, despite what residents may wish. Info on the developments: Koelbel Permanently Affordable Housing GDP Amendment: https://louisvilleco.portal.civicclerk.com/event/24/files/agenda/2222Other Documents can be found in the meetings minutes https://louisvilleco.portal.civicclerk.com/event/24/overviewNorth Louisville, Senior active community at Paschal Drive and Highway 42: https://louisvilleco.portal.civicclerk.com/event/24/files/report/1252View a full transcript of the episode SupportThis podcast is made possible by listeners and local businesses. You can sponsor an episode of The Frequency.Reach our growing audience of highly engaged listeners. Email boulderfrequency@gmail.com --------------------------- Produced by BVHz in partnership with The Mountain Ear Independent, local journalism for Boulder County Our team Journalist + producer: Shay Castle Audio producer + music: Kelly Garry Additional support provided by Jeff Rozic and Tyler Hickman *Find bonus content and support us on Patreon

  8. Jul 15

    On the cosmic highway with BoCo-based band Prairiewolf

    July 15, 2026 Sponsor: Regional Air Quality CouncilAvoid idling your car when parked in parking lots or waiting in pick-up lines and drive-throughs. Turning your car off and on again helps reduce ground-level ozone pollution in the Colorado Front Range. Know when it matters most, by signing up for ozone alerts from the Regional Air Quality Council. Learn more at simplestepsbetterair.org Headline linksLafayette Cemetery meeting - July 21 lafayetteco.gov/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/10142 Boulder to sell downtown parking lot for hotel redevelopment bouldercolorado.gov/news/city-boulder-reaches-tentative-agreement-2121-broadway-parking-lot-redevelopment Ahead of Sundance, Boulder to move homeless services farther from downtown core boulderreportinglab.org/2026/07/09/boulder-relocates-homelessness-services-amid-broader-push-to-curb-outdoor-sleeping-downtown/ Get in the zone with Prairiewolf This episode features an excerpt an exclusive interview with Boulder County-based cosmic Americana group Prairiewolf. Caribou Current editor Jezy Gray sat down with Jeremy Erwin, Tyler Wilcox and Stefan Beck to chat about their latest album Zone Poems, out July 17. Last year the group went on tour around Colorado and got into some pretty funky head spaces on stage. They didn't know it yet, but they were recording their next record in real time. Listen in to go on that journey with them. You can check out their upcoming show schedule here: prairiewolfmusic.com/home#shows Head to cariboucurrent.com to read the full story and listen to the full podcast interview. Friday Are cities a pyramid scheme? With Mark Cathcart One More Thing “Burning Edges” by Prairiewolf prairiewolfcf.bandcamp.com/album/zone-poems --------------------------- Produced by BVHz in partnership with The Mountain Ear Independent, local journalism for Boulder County Our team Journalist + producer: Shay Castle Audio producer + music: Kelly Garry Additional support provided by Jeff Rozic and Tyler Hickman *Find bonus content and support us on Patreon

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4.9
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

We cover news, events, and voices shaping the Boulder Valley — all in a tight, reliable package for people on the move. Whether you ride, drive, or walk, our weekly episodes — under 15 minutes each — will help you be an informed community member.

Information

  • Creator
    BVHz
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    62
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Boulder Valley Frequency
  • Show Website
    Boulder Valley Frequency

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