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Boulder City of Boulder
—  Satellite city  —
Mountain side view of Downtown Boulder
Location in Boulder County and the State of Colorado
Coordinates: 40°1′10″N 105°17′34″W / 40.01944°N 105.29278°W / 40.01944; -105.29278
Country	United States
State	Colorado
County	Boulder County Seat[1]
Settled	1858 as Boulder City, N.T.
Incorporated	1871-11-04[2]
Government
• Type	Home Rule Municipality[1]
• Mayor	Matthew Appelbaum
• Deputy Mayor	Lisa Morzel
Area
• Satellite city	25.4 sq mi (65.7 km2)
• Land	24.4 sq mi (63.1 km2)
• Water	1.0 sq mi (2.6 km2)
Elevation	5,430 ft (1,655 m)
Population (2010)
• Satellite city	97,385 (city proper)
• Density	3,884.1/sq mi (1,499.9/km2)
• Metro	293,161
Demonym	Boulderite
Time zone	MST (UTC-7)
• Summer (DST)	MDT (UTC-6)
ZIP codes[3]	80301-80310, 80314, 80321-80323, 80328, 80329
Area code(s)	Both 303 and 720
FIPS code	08-07850
GNIS feature ID	0178680
Highways	US 36, SH 7, SH 52, SH 93, SH 119, SH 157
Website	City of Boulder
Eleventh most populous Colorado city

Boulder is the county seat^[4] and most populous city of Boulder County and the 11th most populous city in the U.S. state of Colorado. Boulder is located at the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of 5,430 feet (1,655 m). The city is 25 miles (40 km) northwest of Denver.

The United States Census Bureau reported that in 2010 the population of the City of Boulder was 97,385,^[5] while the population of the Boulder Metropolitan Statistical Area was 293,161.^[6]

Boulder is famous for its status as one of the most liberal cities in Colorado, its colorful Western history, being a choice destination for hippies in the late 1960s, and as home of the main campus of the University of Colorado, the state's largest university. Furthermore, the city of Boulder frequently acquires top rankings in health, well-being, quality of life, education, and art.^[7]

History[link]

On November 7, 1861 legislation was passed making way for the state university to be located in Boulder and on September 20, 1875 the first cornerstone was for the first building (Old Main Building) on the C.U. campus. The university officially opened on September 5, 1877.^[8]

Panorama print of Boulder, 1900

Boulder adopted an anti-saloon ordinance in 1907.^[9] Statewide prohibition started in Colorado in 1916^[10] and ended with the repeal of national prohibition in 1933.

Demographics[link]

As of the census of 2000, there are 94,673 people, 39,596 households, and 16,788 families residing in the city.^[13] The population density is 3,884.1 inhabitants per square mile (1,499.9/km²), making Boulder's population density higher than Denver's and among the highest in the state; of Colorado's twenty-one largest cities, only Englewood and Northglenn (two close-in Denver suburbs) have greater population densities. There are 40,726 housing units^[13] at an average density of 1,670.8 per square mile (645.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city is 88.3% White, 1.2% Black or African American, 0.48% Native American, 4.02% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 3.50% from other races, and 2.40% from two or more races. 8.9% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.^[13] In December, 2009, the U.S. Census Bureau officially estimated Boulder's population to be 99,466.^[14]

There are 39,596 households out of which 20.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.3% are married couples living together, 6.5% have a female householder with no husband present, and 57.6% are non-families. 33.7% of all households are made up of individuals and 6.2% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.20 and the average family size is 2.84.^[13]

Boulder's population is younger than the national average, largely due to the presence of university students. The median age is 29 years compared to the U.S. median of 35.1 years.^[13] In Boulder, 14.8% of the residents are under the age of 18, 25.9% from 18 to 24, 33.0% from 25 to 44, 18.4% from 45 to 64, and 7.8% are 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there are 106.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and older, there are 107.4 males.

According to a 2007 estimate, the median household income in Boulder is $50,209, and the median family income is $85,807.^[13] Males have a median income of $41,829 versus $32,100 for females. The per capita income for the city is $31,539. 17.4% of the population and 6.4% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 10.4% of those under the age of 18 and 6.5% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line. The higher population poverty line is due to the large number of college students living in the area. Aside of that, Boulder is one of the most affluent communities in Colorado.^{[citation needed]}

Boulder housing tends to be priced higher than surrounding areas. For the 2nd quarter of 2006, the median single family home in Boulder sold for $548,000 and the median attached dwelling (condo or town home) sold for $262,000. According to the National Association of Realtors, during the same period the median value of single family homes nationwide was $227,500.^[15]

Geography[link]

Boulder's iconic rock formations, the Flatirons.

The City of Boulder is in Boulder Valley where the Rocky Mountains meet the Great Plains. Just west of the city are imposing slabs of sedimentary stone tilted up on the foothills, known as the Flatirons. The Flatirons are a widely recognized symbol of Boulder.

The primary water flow through the city is Boulder Creek. The creek was named well ahead of the city's founding, for all of the large granite boulders that have cascaded into the creek over the eons. It is from Boulder Creek that Boulder City and hence Boulder is believed to have taken its name. Boulder Creek has significant water flow, derived primarily from snow melt and minor springs west of the city. The creek is a tributary of the South Platte River.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 25.4 square miles (66 km²). 24.4 square miles (63 km²) of it is land and 1.0 square mile (2.6 km²) of it (3.94%) is water.

The 40th parallel (40 degrees north latitude) runs through Boulder and can be easily recognized as Baseline Road today.

Boulder lies in a wide basin beneath Flagstaff Mountain just a few miles east of the continental divide and about 30 miles (48 km) northwest of Denver. Arapahoe Glacier provides water for the city, along with Boulder Creek, which flows through the center of the city.^[16]

Denver International Airport is located 50 miles (80 km) southeast of Boulder.^[17]

	Jamestown	Lyons	Longmont
	Nederland		Erie
		Boulder    East
		Golden	Louisville

Climate[link]

Autumn in Boulder brings many sunny days

Snowfall is common in Boulder throughout the winter

Boulder has a rather dry climate typical of much of the state, and receives many sunny or mostly sunny days each year. Under the Köppen climate classification, central parts of the city have a semi-arid climate (Köppen BSk).^[18] Winters are cool to occasionally bitterly cold, with highs averaging in the mid to upper 40s °F (7−9 °C). Lows may plummet below -10°F (-23 °C) on a few nights per year, but extended subzero cold is uncommon. Because of orographic lift, the mountains to the west often dry out the air passing over the Front Range, often shielding the city from precipitation in winter, though heavy falls may occur. Snowfall averages 85 inches (220 cm) per season, but snow depth is usually shallow; a strong warming sun due to the high elevation can quickly melt snow cover during the day. Occasionally, Chinook winds bring rapid warm-ups. Summers are hot and dry, with 27 days reaching 90 °F (32 °C) or above. Nights are significantly cooler than days year-round due to the high-elevation dry climate.

The all time highest recorded temperature in Boulder of 104 °F (40 °C) occurred on June 23 and July 11, 1954. The lowest temperature ever recorded in Boulder was −24 °F (−31 °C), which occurred in February 1989 and December 1990.

Politics and government[link]

Boulder is a Home Rule Municipality, being self-governing under Article XX of the Constitution of the State of Colorado; Title 31, Article 1, Section 202 of the Colorado Revised Statutes.

Politically, Boulder is one of the most liberal and Democratic cities in Colorado. As of April 2012^[update], registered voters in Boulder County, which includes Boulder's more conservative suburbs, were 41% Democratic, 20% Republican, 1% in other parties, and 38% unaffiliated.^[21] To residents and detractors alike, the city of Boulder is often referred to as the "People's Republic of Boulder," and "25 square miles surrounded by reality."^{[citation needed]} Similar epithets are applied to other liberal cities surrounded by more conservative areas, such as Madison, Wisconsin and Austin, Texas.

In 1974, the Boulder City Council passed Colorado's first ordinance prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation. Boulder voters, however, repealed the measure by referendum within a year. In 1975, Boulder County Clerk Clela Rorex was the second in the United States to ever grant same-sex marriage licenses, prior to state laws being passed to prevent such issuance.^[22] In 1987, Boulder voters reversed their 1974 vote, and the city became the first in the United States to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation by a direct vote of the people.^{[citation needed]}

In 1996, Boulder became the first city in Colorado to enact a smoking ban that included bars.

Coexisting with the liberal tendencies of the population at large are the less numerous but politically active conservative and libertarian residents. Bob Greenlee, a Republican, was briefly the mayor of Boulder and ran against Mark Udall in 1998 for Colorado's 2nd congressional district. The Promise Keepers, an evangelical organization for men, was conceived of in Boulder in 1990 by then-coach of the University of Colorado football team Bill McCartney. Bill McCartney's son, Tom McCartney went on to coach the Fairview High School football team, where he has formed a large community of high school "Promise Keepers." Fundamental to his strategy has been the use of reptiles to portray the strength which he believes young men should wield. The organization has since relocated to Denver.^[23]

Culture[link]

Outdoor sports[link]

Trailheads for many popular hikes are located at Chautauqua park.

Boulder is surrounded by more than 36,000 acres (150 km²) of recreational open space, conservation easements, and nature preserves.^[24] There are world class hiking trails throughout the city-owned and county-owned open space. The most popular trailheads are near Chautauqua Park in southwestern Boulder, while others are at the Western edge of the city or a short drive away. The trails vary in difficulty: some are quite easy while others are challenging. The City of Boulder Open Space website is a resource for information about outdoor activities and volunteer opportunities. Shorter summit hikes include Flagstaff and Mount Sanitas to the North. Mountain biking single track is also available. North Boulder is the road biker's most popular starting point. There is an abundance of rock climbing for all skill levels.

World-class rock climbing is found in nearby Eldorado Canyon (traditional protection), near the small unincorporated community of Eldorado Springs, six miles (10 km) south of Boulder. Eldorado Canyon is most famous for its hundreds^[25] of world-renowned^[26] rock climbing routes. There are also high quality climbing routes available in the city open space, including climbing routes of varying difficulty on the Flatirons themselves (traditional protection). Boulder Canyon (sport), directly west of downtown Boulder, also has many good routes. All three of these areas are affected by seasonal closures for wildlife.^[27][28][29]

Boulder is home to USA Ultimate (USAU), the governing body for the sport of Ultimate in the United States. USAU is a player-run non-profit organization, founded in 1979, with over 27,300 members and hundreds of volunteers.

Boulder is also the Headquarters of USA Rugby.

Film[link]

Boulder International Film Festival[link]

BIFF is held each February by the Colorado Film Society, a nonprofit organization founded by local filmmakers Kathy and Robin Beeck. BIFF is dedicated to providing the urban, film–hip audiences of the Denver/Boulder metro area with an early look at the best new films in international cinema. There also are conversations with directors, producers, and actors; world–class food and parties; and an opportunity to rub elbows with filmmakers in a winter wonderland. BIFF has hosted over 150 filmmakers from around the world since the Boulder–based Beeck sisters led the inaugural event in 2005. In 2009, actor Chevy Chase attended and was honored with an award.^[30]

The Shoot Out 24 Hour Filmmaking Festival[link]

Founded in 2004, The Shoot Out 24 Hour Filmmaking Festival Boulder has attracted filmmakers and film lovers from across the Front Range with its annual festival in which filmmakers are challenged to make a short film within 24 hours using in-camera editing techniques only and including five of the eleven items required by the organizers. The Top 10 Films are screened and awarded prizes at the Historic Boulder Theater on the same weekend of the event. The Worldwide Event Guide from Frommers wrote that "Hollywood may take years to create a film, but Shoot Out throws down the gauntlet with a challenge to make one in 24 hours."^[31] The Shoot Out Boulder is listed as one of the unique events that "Keep Boulder Weird".^[32] Denver's Westword Weekly Editors honored The Shoot Out Boulder as the Best Local Film Festival 2009,^[33] Best Film Festival 2007, Best New Festival 2004.