Let’s Talk Boulder

By City of BoulderSociety & Culture Government

Let’s Talk Boulder episodes

September 08 Episode 19: Coexisting with Boulder's Wildlife
Learn about how the City of Boulder and the State of Colorado manage urban wildlife and the different programs we have in place to help humans and wildlife coexist.
32 min
May 26Episode 18: Boulder’s Financial Future
Learn more about how the City of Boulder is funded, and why planning for the future of that funding matters to building a sustainable future and a thriving community.
Guests in this episode (City of Boulder)
Nicole Speer – City Council Member

Mark Wallach – City Council Member

Charlotte Husky – Budget Officer
Other Guests
Rich Wobbekind - Associate Dean and Senior Economist at the Leads School of Business
This episode was hosted by Julie Causa and Emi Smith. It was produced by the City of Boulder's Podcast Team. Music and sounds attributed to:
https://freesound.org/s/325572/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0.
Related Resources
For more information about the City of Boulder’s Long-Term Financial Strategy, visit Long-Term Financial Strategy | City of Boulder.
39 min
February 18 Episode 17: Elevate Boulder Voices
Listen to a conversation between Kellie, a community member who participated in Elevate Boulder, the city's Guaranteed Income pilot project, and Rossana Longo, a storyteller who worked with Elevate Boulder participants to capture their experiences.
11 min
January 29Episode 16: Open Spaces Accessible for All
Join Open Space and Mountain Parks and our Junior Rangers to continue exploring our open spaces and discover different ways they are made accessible for all.
Guests in this episode (City of Boulder)
Topher Downham – Education and Outreach Program Manager, Open Space and Mountain Parks
Juanita Echeverri – Education and Outreach Program Manager, Open Space and Mountain Parks
Other Guests
Noah – Open Space and Mountain Parks Junior Ranger
Sadie – Open Space and Mountain Parks Junior Ranger
This episode was hosted by Julie Causa and Cate Stanek. It was produced by the City of Boulder's Podcast Team. Music and sounds attributed to:
National Park Service
CV20150611003-western_meadowlark.wav by tim.kahn -- https://freesound.org/s/325572/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0.
Related Resources
For more information about Boulder's open space, visit osmp.org.
29 min
December 19, 2025Episode 15: Exploring Our Open Spaces
Join Open Space and Mountain Parks and our Junior Rangers to explore the city's open spaces, and learn how to get outside safely and responsibly.
Guests in this episode (City of Boulder)
Topher Downham – Education and Outreach Program Manager, Open Space and Mountain Parks
Juanita Echeverri – Education and Outreach Program Manager, Open Space and Mountain Parks
Other Guests
Noah – Open Space and Mountain Parks Junior Ranger
Sadie – Open Space and Mountain Parks Junior Ranger
This episode was hosted by Julie Causa and Cate Stanek. It was produced by the City of Boulder's Podcast Team. Music and sounds attributed to:
National Park Service
CV20150611003-western_meadowlark.wav by tim.kahn -- https://freesound.org/s/325572/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0.
Related Resources
For more information about Boulder's open space, visit osmp.org.
29 min
December 03, 2025Episode 14: The Hidden Magic of Boulder's Prairie Landscapes
Discover the magic of Boulder's prairie landscapes in a piece written by Sam Clusman.
Read the blog here
This episode was hosted by Julie Causa and Cate Stanek. It was produced by the City of Boulder's Podcast Team. Music and sounds attributed to:
National Park Service
CV20150611003-western_meadowlark.wav by tim.kahn --

https://freesound.org/s/325572/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0.
Related Resources
For more information about Boulder's open space, visit osmp.org.
7 min
October 28, 2025Episode 13: Connecting Through Arts and Culture
Explore Boulder’s vibrant arts and culture scene and hear from local leaders who are helping shape the city’s creative community.
Guests in this episode (City of Boulder staff):
Lauren Click – Arts and Culture Manager, City of Boulder
Other Guests:
David Dadone - Executive Director and Chief Curator for the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art
Leah Brenner Clack – Founder and Executive Director of Street Wise Arts
Kirsten Wilson – Founder and Executive Director of Motus Theater
This episode was hosted by Angela Urrego and Emi Smith. It was produced by the City of Boulder's Podcast Team. Theme music is Wide Eyes by Chad Crouch/Podington Bear, licensed under an Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

For a full transcript, visit the City of Boulder's podcast webpage.

Related Resources:
Office of Arts and Culture
Boulder Arts Blueprint
Arts & Economic Prosperity 6
23 min
August 04, 2025Episode 12: A Boulder Future
Dive into the city’s guiding policy document, the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan, as the city and Boulder County work on a major update of the plan to help shape the future of Boulder.
Guests in this episode (City of Boulder staff):
Kristofer Johnson - Comprehensive Planning Senior Manager, City of Boulder
Kathleen King - Comprehensive Planning Planner Principal, City of Boulder
Other Guests:
Hannah Hippley - Long Range Planning Division Manager, Boulder County
Community Member voices – A Boulder Future Kick-off Video
This episode was hosted by Cate Stanek and Julie Causa. It was produced by the City of Boulder's Podcast Team. Theme music is Wide Eyes by Chad Crouch/Podington Bear, licensed under an Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

For a full transcript, visit the City of Boulder's podcast webpage.

Related Resources:
The Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan Update project page
Community Connectors Program
Community Connectors in Residence
36 min
May 01, 2025Episode 11: Local Government 101
Take a step back into high school civics to learn how Boulder’s government works - and discover how you can get involved and make a meaningful impact in your local community.
Guests in this episode (City of Boulder staff):
Carl Castillo, Chief Policy Advisor
Elesha Johnson, City Clerk
Other Guests:
Glen Krutz, Political Science Professor at University of Colorado Boulder
This episode was hosted by Cate Stanek and Emi Smith. It was produced by the City of Boulder's Podcast Team. Theme music is Wide Eyes by Chad Crouch/Podington Bear (adapted), licensed under an Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

Related Resources:
Municipal Initiative Petition Guidelines
City of Boulder Boards and Commissions
City of Boulder Ranked Choice Voting Guide
Boulder City Council Frequently Asked Questions
Clarification:
The number of employees serving the City of Boulder fluctuates based on seasonal and temporary hires. At one point in the show, a guest mentions that the city employs 1,500 people. This number varies and gets as high as 1,800.
22 min
November 29, 2024Episode 10: Connecting Our Canopies
Climb into this episode about Boulder's city trees and hear from the people who care for them.
Guests in this episode (City of Boulder staff):
Andrew Holt, Forester
Calvin Wing, Crew Lead
Heather Bearnes-Loza, Senior Program Manager for the Nature-based Climate Solutions Team
Kathleen Alexander, Forestry Manager
Regina Elsner, Senior Manager of Natural Resources
Other Guests:
Daniel Hanson, Community Forestry Corps Lead
Mike Reichert, Tree Trust Program Manager
Community Forestry Corps members and tree planting volunteers, Mallory, Josue and Ellory.
This episode was hosted by Cate Stanek and Jonathan Thornton. It was produced by the City of Boulder's Podcast Team and edited by Leah Kelleher. Theme music is Wide Eyes by Chad Crouch/Podington Bear (adapted), licensed under an Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

Related Resources:
All About City Trees
City of Boulder Staff Land Acknowledgement
Inquire Boulder
Cool Boulder
PLAY Boulder Foundation Tree Trust & Tree Tender Training
Cooling Our City
City Heat Mapping
32 min