Boulder Colorado CO Warrant Search

Boulder, Colorado Boulder is the county seat and most populous city of Boulder County and the 11th most populous city in the 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), Boulder is 25 miles (40 km) northwest of Denver.The United States Census Bureau estimates that in 2008 the population of the city of Boulder was 94,268, while the population of the Boulder Metropolitan Statistical Area was 293,161.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. History In the early-to-mid-19th century, the nomadic Southern Arapaho Native American tribe frequently wintered at the base of the foothills in the Boulder area. Chief Niwot and his tribe called the site their home. Other nomadic tribes included the Utes, Cheyennes, Comanches, and Sioux.The first recorded European settlers in the area were gold prospectors who arrived in 1858, when Boulder was part of the Nebraska Territory (The former boundary between Nebraska and Kansas territories is the present Baseline Road in Boulder). The 'Boulder City Town Company' was founded on February 10, 1859. Boulder's first school house was built in 1860, followed by the creation of the Colorado Territory in 1861. In 1871 then 'Boulder City' was incorporated. In 1873 the railroad was extended to Boulder and, in 1890, the Boulder Railroad Depot was constructed to serve as a station for the Colorado and Southern Railroad. In 1876 Colorado was granted statehood.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 corner stone was for the first building (Old Main Building) on the C.U. campus. The university officially opened on September 5, 1877.Gold, silver, and coal mining continued to be a prominent part of the local economy until the mid-20th century. A coal miners strike lasted from 1910 to 1915, causing a military presence in nearby Louisville. Mining's relevance in the local economy declined in the 1940s, when the city began actively recruiting clean industry, such as the National Bureau of Standards, which today is the National Institute of Standards and Technology.Boulder adopted an anti-saloon ordinance in 1907. Statewide prohibition started in Colorado in 1916 and ended with the repeal of national prohibition in 1933.On January 19, 1952, the Denver-Boulder Turnpike opened as a tollway between Boulder and the northern Denver suburb of Westminster. In 1967, the bonds for building the highway were paid off early, its tollway status was lifted, and it became part of U.S. Highway 36. Demographics As of the census of 2000, there are 94,673 people, 39,596 households, and 16,788 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,499.9/km² (3,884.1/sq mi), 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 at an average density of 1,670.8/sq mi (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. In December, 2009, the U.S. Census Bureau officially estimated Boulder's population to be 99,466.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.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. 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. 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.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. Geography and climate 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 (65.7 km²). 24.4 square miles (63.1 km²) of it is land and 1.0 square miles (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. The climate in Boulder is typically mild with dry, moderate summers and relatively comfortable winters. The city boasts more than 300 sunny or mostly sunny days each year. Nearby mountains shield Boulder from the most severe winter storms. Most precipitation occurs during the winter and spring months, with snowfall averaging 83.1 inches. Snow can fall as late as May.Boulder's winters are somewhat mild, and although large amounts of snow can fall, the effects of orographic lift usually dry out the air passing over the Front Range, shadowing the city from precipitation for much of the season. Temperatures during the winter generally average between 45°F (7°C) to 50°F (10°C) for the daytime highs, and overnight the temperatures plunge to typically settle between 17°F (-8°C) and 23°F (-5°C). These rather cold temperatures that occur overnight are mostly due to Boulder's 'High-Desert' climate. Additionally, warm chinook winds occur as air passing over the mountains heats as it descends, in addition to the sunshine, quickly melting most snow accumulations and making Boulder's winters relatively mild.The summer months in Boulder are warm, with daytime highs averaging between 80°F (27°C) and 90°F (32°C), and occasional days reaching 95°F (35°C) not uncommon. Lows in the summer are in the 50°F (10°C) - 60°F (16°C) range; rather cold due to Boulder's altitude and wind patterns.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 on February 5, 1989, and December 22, 1990. Politics and government 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. Boulder County, which includes Boulder's more conservative suburbs, is 37% Democratic, 27% Republican, and 36% independent. 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.'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. 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.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. Outdoor sports Boulder is surrounded by more than 36,000 acres (149 km²) of recreational open space, conservation easements, and nature preserves. There are world class hiking trails throughout the city. The most popular areas to hike are in Chautauqua Park. Many of the trails start at the Western edge of the city, while others are a short drive away. The trails vary in difficulty: some are quite easy while there are some that are technically challenging. A trail map is available online or from a variety of local retailers. The City of Boulder Open Space website is a resource for information about outdoor activities and volunteer opportunities. The three highest summits in the area are South Boulder Peak, Bear Peak and Green Mountain.[not in citation given] Shorter summit hikes include Flagstaff and Mount Sanitas to the North. Mountain biking single track to the South. North Boulder is the road biker's most popular start point. There is an abundance of rock climbing for all skill levels. The primary climbing areas are Eldorado Canyon (traditional protection), The Flat Irons (traditional protection) and Boulder Canyon (sport).World-class rock climbing is found in nearby Eldorado Canyon, near the small unincorporated community of Eldorado Springs, six miles (10 km) south of Boulder. Eldorado Canyon is most famous for its hundreds of world-renowned[citation needed] 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. Boulder Canyon, directly west of downtown Boulder, also has many good routes. All three of these areas are affected by seasonal closures for wildlife.Boulder is home to the Ultimate Players Association (UPA), the governing body for the sport of Ultimate in the United States. The UPA is a player-run not-for-profit organization, founded in 1979, with over 27,300 members and hundreds of volunteers. Boulder International Film Festival 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. The Shoot Out 24 Hour Filmmaking Festival 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.' The Shoot Out Boulder is listed as one of the unique events that 'Keep Boulder Weird'. Denver's Westword Weekly Editors honored The Shoot Out Boulder as the Best Local Film Festival 2009, Best Film Festival 2007, Best New Festival 2004. International Film Series The International Film Series is Boulder's first art-house film series established in 1941. Since its establishment the IFS has continued to show over 100 films a year in correspondence with the University of Colorado at Boulder's fall and spring semesters. The IFS has brought world renowned directors and actors for special screenings followed by meet and greet sessions with the public. For the past few years, the IFS has been one of the three venues in the state of Colorado to screen both the live action and animated shorts nominated for Academy Awards. Music Boulder is home to a variety of music, from classical to jazz to pop, and from informal street performances to concert music performed in historic Macky Auditorium.Founded in 1958, the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra is a critically acclaimed professional orchestra that offers dynamic programming under the leadership of its Music Director Michael Butterman. In addition, every year during the second week of January, Boulder is the host city of Colorado MahlerFest, an annual celebration honoring Austrian composer Gustav Mahler, on the University of Colorado at Boulder campus. Each summer features the acclaimed Colorado Music Festival, a six-week classical music festival with professional musicians from around the world, at the historic Chautauqua Auditorium at the base of the Flatirons. The most recent addition to Boulder's classical music scene is the emerging Boulder Chamber Orchestra. Founded in 2004 by Bahman Saless, this group offers unique and alternative programming and outreach to the community.Boulder is home to several choruses, including Ars Nova Singers, the Boulder Chorale, the Rocky Mountain Chorale, the Cantabile Singers, the Jubilate Sacred Singers, and the Renaissance ProjectNick Forster of the bluegrass group Hot Rize tapes the environmental and musical radio program Etown Sunday evenings at the Boulder Theater.On Wednesday nights from June through mid-August, local bands perform on the Pearl Street Mall just south of the Courthouse. Bands on the Bricks, as the event is called, features a different band each week, with styles ranging from zydeco to oldies, and bluegrass to funk. Buskers are frequently in downtown Boulder especially on warm days and weekends.Boulder is home to a branch of the Revels organization (www.rockymountainrevels.org) which presents an annual Solstice production at the Boulder Theater. The local branch, called the Rocky Mountain Revels, formed in Boulder in 2001. The Rocky Mountain Revels is the local satellite for the Revels organization founded in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1971, and is the only Revels troupe in the Intermountain West.Singer-songwriter Wendy Woo grew up in Boulder. Jello Biafra of the Dead Kennedys is originally from Boulder, as are The String Cheese Incident, Leftover Salmon, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Rose Hill Drive, Baldo Rex, 3OH!3, and The Samples. Jazz musician Chris Wood of Blue Note Records' Medeski, Martin and Wood grew up in Boulder. Al Jourgensen and Paul Barker of the industrial rock group Ministry went to school in Boulder. Award-winning blues musician Otis Taylor has lived in Boulder since 1967. Acoustic Junction, one of the original 'Jam Bands' started in Boulder in the early 1990s. Acoustic Junction was led by Boulder resident and much acclaimed singer/songwriter Reed McGregor Foehl. Boulder Star The lighted star on Flagstaff is a familiar symbol in Boulder. First turned on as a Christmas decoration in December 1947, the star survived several controversies to become what it is today—part of the area’s history and culture.In April 1948, the Boulder Chamber of Commerce converted the star into an Easter cross. Then, for two decades, the long string of lights alternated between the two symbols.In 1955, 1956, and 1960, someone, or some group, painted the bulbs red, speculated to have been part of a Communist conspiracy. In 1969, the star/cross was changed again—this time into a gigantic peace sign.Finally, some Boulder residents had had enough. They filed a complaint with the Boulder Human Relations Commission on the grounds that the star and the cross (both considered Christian symbols and located on city park property) violated the U.S. Constitution in its separation of church and state. Although the lights had sparked a controversy, they stayed on. The debate resurfaced a year later. In 1970, the same group brought to the Boulder City Council a resolution banning all lighted displays on Flagstaff Mountain. Of the Flagstaff star a Boulder City attorney stated, “It is our job to guarantee rights of free speech, but that does not mean that one is guaranteed a platform which gives him a captive community audience.” The termination of the cross was something people could accept, but the possibility that the star might have to come down caused an uproar among the majority of Boulder citizens. Eventually, the council determined that the cross had to go, but the star represented “a sense of community.” In 1980, the star served yet another purpose. It was left on month after month as a reminder of the Americans held hostage in Iran. This ongoing use of electricity, however, upset environmentalists who removed the bulbs, chopped down the wires, and publicly announced that the man-made object disturbed wildlife and wasted energy. Even so, the majority of Boulder’s residents still wanted their star, and, once again, they rallied to its defense. It has survived the test of time and appears to be here to stay. April 20th (4/20) Every year on April 20th, a large number of people go onto CU campus to smoke marijuana at and before 4:20 PM. The 2010 head count was officially between 8,000 and 15,000 with some discrepancy between the local papers and the University administrators (who have been thought to have been attempting to downplay the event). Eleven tickets were given out whereas the year before there were only two. Boulder Creek Festival Every year during Memorial Day Weekend, a three-day festival takes place along Canyon Boulevard. Local vendors participate by setting up tents and selling their products, but the festival itself is free of charge. It features unique flavors of food and live music stages with performers young and old. In addition, there are activities for children, art shows, and a rubber duck race along Boulder Creek. Often, people who participated in the Bolder Boulder stop by after running. Sponsorships are run by Boulder Creek Events. Colorado Chautauqua The Colorado Chautauqua has presented programs every summer since 1898 including lectures, music, cinema, adult education classes, and nondenominational sermons. Its grounds, including the historic Chautauqua Auditorium, are located about one mile (1.6 km) southwest of downtown Boulder, just south of the intersection of Ninth Street and Baseline Road. In recent years the Colorado Chautauqua has become a year-round operation.When Chautauqua Park originated, it was part of a large, nation-wide Chautauqua movement. Chautauquas were traveling educational shows that traveled to different communities across the U.S. performing shows. At the peak of the Chautauqua movement in the 1920s, there were more than 200 Chautauquas around the U.S. Bolder Boulder Boulder has hosted a 10 km road run, the 'Bolder Boulder', on Memorial Day, every year since 1979. The race involves over 50,000 runners, joggers, walkers, and wheelchair racers, making it one of the largest road races in the world. It has the largest non-marathon prize purse in road racing [media guide[dead link] (PDF)]. The race culminates at the University of Colorado's Folsom Field with a Memorial Day Tribute, 'one of the largest Memorial Day gatherings in the United States.' Organizers have dedicated three starting waves to current and former members of the U.S. armed forces. Boulder Kinetics From 1980 until 2007 local radio station KBCO and other corporations sponsored Kinetics, a race from the banks of Boulder Reservoir and back by human-powered vehicles timed on speed and judged for style. The idea for a kinetic sculpture race was imported from Ferndale, California. Many nationally known live bands have played at Kinetics and the event has become a local tradition signalling the beginning of summer.KBCO 97.3 Radio suspended Kinetics for 2008, citing decreasing attendance and increasing costs for the last several years.In 2008 and 2009 the Kineticists Trials and Exhibition were organized by the participants. The 2008 event was held at the Twenty Ninth Street mall and the 2009 event was held on the [Harvest House Hotel] grounds. Preparations are being made for a water and land event beginning in 2010. University of Colorado Events The Colorado Shakespeare Festival is a summer festival of Shakespeare held at the outdoor Mary Rippon Theater on the University of Colorado campus.The Conference on World Affairs is an annual one-week conference featuring dozens of discussion panels on a variety of contemporary issues. Roger Ebert attends the conference every year and conducts his 'Cinema Interruptus' lecture, spending many hours over a number of days closely analyzing one film. It was at the conference in 1996 that Ebert created the Boulder Pledge not to purchase anything offered through email spam.Considered one of the top comprehensive university museums of natural history in the U.S., the University of Colorado Museum of Natural History, located on the University's Boulder campus, contains over four million biology, anthropology, and geology/paleontology research specimens. The Museum also sponsors lectures, classes, tours, and workshops for all ages and interests. Exhibits include fossils, animals of Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region, and ancient Southwestern cultures.The Hiking Club at the University of Colorado at Boulder is the longest-running student organization on campus, organizes member-run trips throughout Colorado and the Rocky Mountain Region for university students and affiliates.The Big Freakin' Deal Film Festival is a completely student run, student founded film festival that takes place every April at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Created by students in 2008, the BFD is dedicated to showing student films and promoting student filmmakers through a glitzy, Academy Award style, over-the-top red carpet event, complete with paparazzis, a musical number to open the show, and extravagant awards. The films are judged by professionals in the film industry of Boulder and Denver. The top 3 films in each category screen on the last night of the festival in 'The Big Show,' and the highest scoring film from each category is awarded a prize. Each year 'The Big Show,' takes place at the historic Old Main Chapel Theater, with an after party to follow. In its third year, 2010, The Big Freakin' Deal Film Festival was 'Bollywood' themed, with film lectures on Bollywood, Bollywood dancers, 3D special effects, and a live Bollywood band. Happy Thursday Cruiser Ride Every Thursday, a group of cruiser bike riders meet to ride their cycles on various streets, alleys and bike paths in an outpouring of creativity and love for bicycles, shouting 'Happy Thursday!' to onlookers. Many dress up in costume for the occasion, and some also decorate and accessorize their cycles for the event. The number of participants varies greatly from week to week, peaking in the summer months of well over 500 riders; only a small group of 'Cold Weather Cruisers' ride during the colder months. Naked Pumpkin Run Starting in 1998, dozens of people have taken part in a Halloween run down the city's streets wearing only shoes and a hollowed-out pumpkin on their heads. In 2009, local police threatened participants with charges of indecent exposure and no naked runners were reported in official newscasts, although a few naked runners were observed by locals. Polar Bear Plunge Beginning in 1983, hundreds of people head to the Boulder Reservoir on New Years Day to take part in the annual polar bear plunge. With rescue teams standing by, participants use a variety of techniques to plunge themselves into the freezing reservoir. Once the plunge is complete, swimmers retreat to hot tubs on the reservoir beach to relieve themselves from the cold. Top Rankings Boulder has gathered many top rankings in recent years for health, well-being, quality of life, education and art. The partial list below shows some of the nominations.Top Brainiest Cities - #1 - Portfolio.com Ten Best Cities for the Next Decade - 4th - Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine Top 25 Destinations in the US - #19 - TripAdvisor.com Top 100 Places to Live - #9 -RelocateAmerica.com Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index - #1 - USA Today Healthiest Town in the US - #2 -Men's Health Best Cities to Raise an Outdoor Kid - #1 - Backpacker Magazine Top 25 Arts Destinations for a small city - #8 - AmericanStyle magazine America's Top 25 Towns to Live Well - #1 - Forbes.com Top Ten Best Midsize Metropolitan Areas - #2 - Bizjounrals.com Most Bicycle Friendly Cities in the World - #4 - Virgin Vacations website Most Educated City in America - #1 -Forbes magazine Top 10 Healthiest Cities to Live and Retire - #6 - AARP magazine Best Green Places to Live in America - #5 - Country Home magazine Top 10 Farmer's Market - #6 - Eating Well magazine Top Triathlon Town - #1 - Inside Triathlon magazine Top 10 Cities for Artists - #8 - Business Week Lesser-Known LGBT Family-Friendly Cities - #1 - Wearegoodkin.com America's Foodiest Town - #1 - Bon Appetit magizine Public schools The Boulder Valley School District (BVSD) administers the public school system in Boulder and also in the neighboring cities and towns of Broomfield, Lafayette, Louisville, and Nederland. The two largest high schools (grades 9–12) in Boulder are Boulder High School and Fairview High School, both part of BVSD. The District also operates the smaller New Vista High School in the building formerly occupied by Baseline Middle School, specializing in alternative and innovative education. Boulder Valley administers several middle schools (grades 6–8) in Boulder. BVSD elementary schools (grades K–5) in Boulder include University Hill Elementary School and a number of others. Charter schools Charter schools (receiving public funding but under private management) within the city of Boulder include Preparatory High School (9–12), Summit Middle School (6–8), Horizons Alternative School (K–8), Peak to Peak Charter School (K-12) and Justice High School (9–12). The last is unusual in that it is operated in rented space in the Boulder County Justice Center, which also houses courtrooms, the sheriff's office, and the coroner's office. Private schools A variety of private high schools, middle schools and elementary schools operate in and near Boulder. Well-known private schools in the Boulder area include The Acorn School for Early Childhood Development (infant-age 6), Boulder Journey School (6 weeks to 6 years), Mountain Shadows Montessori School (preschool-6), Bixby School (K–5), September School (9-12), Jarrow Montessori School (K-6, the oldest Montessori school in Colorado), Bridge School (6–12), the Watershed School (6-12), Shining Mountain Waldorf School (K–12) in Boulder, Sacred Heart of Jesus, a K-8 Catholic school in Boulder, September High School (9-12) in Boulder, Alexander Dawson School (K–12) in Lafayette, The Patchwork School in Louisville (Pre-3), Catalyst and Rocky Mountain School for the Gifted and Creative (K–8) in Gunbarrel, Boulder Country Day School also in Gunbarrel, Hillside School, an alternative for children with learning disabilities, and Patience Montessori School (6 weeks to 6 years). Colleges, universities, science institutes University of Colorado at Boulder, public university which contributes roughly 46,000 residents (30,000 undergraduate students, 7,000 graduate students and 10,000 staff/faculty) to the population. Naropa Universityoffers undergraduate and graduate programs. Private schools Rivendell College private Christian Liberal Arts College Boulder College of Massage Therapy Ruseto College private two-year college for Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Southwest Acupuncture College private 2-3 year college Culinary School of the Rockies Homeopathy School of Colorado Science institutes Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences(CIRES) Center for Astrophysics and Space Astronomy(CASA) Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR) Joint Institute for Laboratory Astrophysics(JILA) Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics(LASP) National Ecological Observation Network(NEON) National Center for Atmospheric Research(NCAR) /University Corporation for Atmospheric Research(UCAR) National Institute of Standards and Technology(NIST) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(NOAA)Earth System Research Laboratory(ESRL) National Snow and Ice Data Center(NSIDC) NTIA - Institute for Telecommunication Sciences Boulder Rocky Mountain Institute Southwest Research InstituteDepartment of Space Studies Space Science Institute Space Weather Prediction Center(SWPC) Economy and industry Major employers in and near Boulder include:University of Colorado(7,500) IBM(4,500) Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.(3,000) Level 3 Communications(2,500) National Institute of Standards and TechnologyandNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(1,700) Covidien, formerly Tyco Healthcare Group (1,700) City of Boulder(1,600) National Center for Atmospheric Research(1,100) Amgen(750) Crispin Porter + Bogusky(600+) Micro Motion(500) Crocs(550) Lockheed Martin(450) Polycom(350) Markit(300) Qualcomm(300) Celestial Seasonings(250) Medtronic(225) Roche Colorado (225) Particle Measuring Systems (225) LeftHand Networks (200) Ericsson(180) OSI(150) Microsoft(150) Array Biopharma (125) HEI Medical,