A Boulder Icon Closes, Wages Rewind, and the Sounds That Define Us

Wednesday, December 2, 2025Hosted by Shay CastleSupport independent local journalism: [email protected]/BoulderFrequencyPodHEADLINESDark Horse to Close as Site Redevelops Into 427 UnitsBoulder’s legendary Dark Horse Bar and Grill will close, at least temporarily, as its longtime site off Baseline Road redevelops into 427 units of student housing. Construction may begin in 2026.Developers have said they will help find a temporary location and move the Dark Horse’s historic props and memorabilia. There is no guarantee the bar will return in the final project.Adjacent businesses, including Sprouts, Carelli’s, Cosmo’s Pizza and Moe’s BBQ, will also be displaced. Only McDonald’s and the Broker Inn will remain.Dark Horse celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.Boulder County Rolls Back Planned $25 Minimum WageCommissioners voted to reverse the 2023 plan that would have raised the county minimum wage to $25 by 2030. Instead:• 2026: 1.5% increase• 2027 onward: inflation-based increases onlyThe result: workers will earn roughly $36,000 less between 2026 and 2030 than under the previous plan.Business owners and farmers supported the rollback; workers and advocates strongly opposed it.The county hopes the lower wage will encourage Longmont, Louisville, Lafayette and Erie to adopt their own increases to create a regional standard.The debate is driving renewed incorporation discussions in Niwot and mobilizing Gunbarrel residents seeking more representation.Community meeting:Tuesday, Dec. 9 • 6:30 p.m. • Rocky Mountain Christian Church, 9447 Niwot RdWinchell’s Donuts Finally Reopens in LongmontAfter nearly four years and multiple false starts, the Longmont Winchell’s has reopened. Demand was so high during its soft opening that it ran out of donuts by 10 a.m.Winchell’s originally closed in 2021 after a vehicle crashed into the building. A plumbing issue briefly paused operations again, but the shop is officially back.Craft Beer Shakeup: Sanitas Closes; Upslope Sold• Sanitas Brewing: Closing all three taprooms (Boulder, Lafayette, Englewood) by Dec. 20, citing rising costs and falling craft beer sales.• Upslope Brewing: Selling its brand and production operations to Wilding Brands (owner of Stem Cider). Upslope’s three taprooms remain open and under the same ownership.Next week: an interview with Wilding Brands about the future of Upslope.Snowplow Names Announced for 2025Boulder’s student-named plows include:• Life of a Snowgirl• Sleet Dreams• LollaplowloozaFull list available in the show notes.MAIN SEGMENT: SOUNDS OF THE TOWNA collaborative project by Boulder Valley Frequency, The Mountain Ear, and the Left Hand Valley Courier.Tyler Hickman of The Mountain Ear leads a deep dive into the sounds that define Peak-to-Peak communities:• The rhythmic machinery in Nederland as fire cleanup continues• Moose “chuffing” outside homes in Gilpin County• Boulder’s iconic Pearl Street buskers• Nederland’s constant soundtrack of live music• Trains crossing in Niwot• Golf balls landing at Boulder Country ClubListeners are invited to submit their own hometown sounds:Email submissions to:boulderfrequency@