UHNA Meeting Notes 1/28/26

UHNA WINTER MEETING MINUTES

1/28/2026

Introduction from Co-Presidents: Elise Longbottom and Alicia Curtin

Elise has been on the UHNA Executive Committee for six years.  She is passionate about promoting the Hill as a desirable place to live that has a strong sense of community.  She views her role as a facilitator, listener, and communicator.  Most important to Elise is inclusivity for all neighbors including families, seniors, students, and businesses.

Alicia has been on the Executive Committee for a few years and is very active as a Fire Adapted Colorado (FACO) Wildfire Ambassador. Her special interests include fire resistant landscaping, which she incorporates into her landscaping business Desert Bloom.  She is also focusing on the effects of increased residential density.

Events and Fundraising: Cherie MacFarlane

Cherie leads events and fundraising. Her responsibilities include social media, photography, block captains, google calendar events, and volunteers. She requested volunteers to sign up and reminded attendees of the following upcoming events:

3/6   Firepit Friday, which will be held in conjunction with CU’s OCL 

3/7   Wildfire Preparation 

May   Plant sale

Summer TBD

Watch the listserv for emails from Cherie.

Listserv: Jacob Kaufman-Osborn

Jacob gave a very detailed and informative presentation on upcoming changes to the listserv mailing list.

 Goals: facilitating shared information, discussion of local issues, coordination of community events, and avoidance of engaging in destructive dialogue

Relevance: posts must concern the Hill neighborhood

Respect/Etiquette: an expectation of constructive and polite conversation

Content: no ads, campaigning, defamation, hate or misinformation

Moderation: utilizing a “light touch,” Jacob will initially report concerns about inappropriate posts privately, but repeat offenders may lose privileges

The listserv should be friendly and welcoming.  Jacob will send out a document with more specific information.

Off-Campus Life (OCL) and Community & Campus Coalition (CCC): Jeff Morris and Tara Korst

Jeff and Tara head CU’s OCL, formerly Off-Campus Student Housing and Neighborhood Relations.  With the help of Tara’s crew of student ambassadors, they assist off-campus students and neighbors with any concerns.  They also develop programs to increase positive relations between students and permanent residents.

Jeff administers the CCC with the City of Boulder’s Brenda Ritenour.  CCC, formerly the Hill Revitalization Working Group, is a committee of neighborhood representatives, CU staff, City of Boulder officials, BPD, and other entities to collectively find solutions for issues in neighborhoods surrounding the university.  Ongoing initiatives include looking at how increased density, with the loss of occupancy limits, increased trash, parking, and other secondary effects.

Tara discussed the upcoming Firepit Friday and also reminded us that there is funding available for up to $2500 for community events.  Jeff reiterated that if there are any ongoing problems or if neighbors need support with communicating with students, this is the best way to contact the office directly: neighborambassadors@colorado.edu 

BPD Hill Team: Sgt. Michael Marquez

Sgt. Marquez heads the Hill Neighborhood Impact Team.  He and his officers were present at the meeting to meet neighbors and answer any questions.

He has served 29 years on the force, including 20 years on the Hill team, and is passionate about being involved in the neighborhood. The team has been expanded from four to five officers. Currently, due to multiple circumstances, some members of the team have been temporarily assigned to fill in on Watch One, Boulder Police Department’s 6:00 am to 4:00 pm, Mon-Thurs shift, to give the city adequate coverage.

Sgt. Marquez has requested and been granted funds for overtime coverage on the Hill on the weekends.  There will be regular patrol officers who take direction from Sgt. Marquez as well as overtime Hill officers covering the area in the interim during busy periods.

PLEASE CONTACT 911 FOR EMERGENCIES AND THE DISPATCH NUMBER 303-441-3333 FOR NONURGENT BUT IMMEDIATE RESPONSE REQUESTS

Sgt. Marquez requests DIRECT CONTACT for any NONURGENT Hill policing concerns:

Email: marquezm@bouldercolorado.gov

Cell: 720-541-3373

 Sgt. Marquez will be available during his shift hours.

University Hill Commercial Area Management Commission (UHCAMC):  Ted Rockwell

Ted is a citizen volunteer who has chaired UHCAMC, formerly the University Hill General Improvement District Advisory Board, for a number of years. He is celebrating 20 years of teaching at CU.  UHCAMC promotes the vibrancy of the Hill commercial district. It is an advisory commission consisting of three property or business owners in the district and two at large members elected by the Boulder City Council. 

The University Hill General Improvement District (UHGID) was established 56 years ago. Among other things, this group oversees land acquisition and parking, recommends general improvements, and oversees the Hill Ambassador Program. The current priority on the Hill is financial sustainability. Currently there is not enough tax or parking revenue for general services. Some goals are general improvements, developing a sense of place, and creating a welcoming atmosphere that encourages visitors. He spoke about the new hotels, the Moxy and the Limelight, and the first Sundance event in January 2027. 

Safety is a high priority, and the BPD presence as well as good relations with neighborhood residents are positive attributes.  Although the Hill has been isolated from other business districts in Boulder and does not have adequate revenue, the newly proposed DDA project, explained by following speaker, may help solve this problem.  Mr. Rockwell promotes shopping on the Hill, and he encourages interested people to apply for a position on UHCAMC.  He hopes UHCAMC will continue to foster the development and change we want to see in our community.

Downtown Development Authority (DDA):  Reegan Brown

 DDA is an economic development strategy. The current funding and government assistance is not sufficient to support the Uni Hill business community. Decreased revenue, COVID, economic stagnation and other factors have contributed to this lag. A DDA offers a sustainable tool to close the gap. Other areas being studied for inclusion in the DDA include Alpine-Balsam, the Downtown Core, East Pearl, the Civic Area, and the South Broadway Core.  

 Details discussed can be found on the website:

https://bouldercolorado.gov/projects/downtown-development-authority-dda-formation-project

Other Colorado communities that have DDAs include Denver, Colorado Springs, Longmont, Fort Collins, Castle Rock, Littleton, Englewood, Golden, Grand Junction, and Glenwood Springs.

DDAs are usually funded by Tax Increment Financing (TIF) that generates funds based on the anticipated increase in sales and property taxes in a district in lieu of a new property tax.  TIF funds are then reinvested into the district.

We are in Phase 2 of the project which includes input from the public.  If interest is sustained, Phase 3 would consist of a 2026 ballot issue.  Creation of a DDA demands a majority vote in favor by those in the defined district.  If approved, the plans would move forward with a board as early as January 2027.

Thank you to outgoing members:  Lisa Spalding

Outgoing president Nancy Blackwood received our gratitude for her 10 years of service and a lovely engraved recognition plaque.

 Stephen and Andrea Clark received a gift card and travel book for their many years of service.

The Spring Meeting is scheduled for April 29th