The City of Boulder launches new campaign urging residents to ‘Be Safe, Boulder’

With a large student population, coronavirus raged through the city and infected many within both the city and university population. According to archived data from the university’s COVID-19-Ready dashboard, the total number of positive results for on-campus testing in the fall semester was approximately 1,725. In hopes of returning to in-person instruction and welcoming freshmen back to campus this month, the city takes a stance through the ‘Be Safe, Boulder’ campaign. 

Supported by well-known Boulderites, the campaign aims to encourage the city to remain strong. Coming up on a year of battling the pandemic, fear in relaxation of enforcing social distancing policies and compliance are rising. Especially among the student population, an “I already had it” mindset may be detrimental to the Boulder community. 

Navigating the pandemic proves to be difficult due to its effect on many aspects of life. For CU Boulder student, Ryan Sherr, supporting local restaurants is important but eating out is a rarity. “I have gone out much less since the pandemic started, only on the rare occasion,” she said. “When I do, I always feel guilty about not having my mask on as soon as the waiter approaches the table.” 

Partner Owner Chris Heinritz of The Sink, a beloved Boulder restaurant flourishing with historical significance and delicious American cuisine, is grateful for the city’s support. 

“People look at this pandemic from how it affects them,” said Heinritz. “A lot of college kids are like ‘I don’t care if I get it.’ But what they don’t consider is great, so you go to The Sink and you eat and the family sitting at the table in the same room is like I have to get out of here. People don’t think about the web they’re casting.” 

This instance cements the idea that the Boulder community as a whole is affected by careless actions of the student population specifically. A shared feeling of exhaustion in complying to curb the virus and support local businesses during this difficult time is keeping establishments like The Sink open. With tables spaced out, ionizers in the ventilation systems and outdoor and indoor seating pods, restaurant goers shouldn’t have to fear. However, the atmosphere of the city, even prior to the return of freshmen is unsettling. That is where ‘Be Safe, Boulder’ comes in.

Spokesperson for the City of Boulder Shelby Condit shares the campaign’s objective in encouraging community support. “This particular campaign is more focused on awareness of sticking it out through the end of the pandemic,” she said. “The goal is to “make sure that people see it through to the finish line.”

In hopes of inspiring the community to stand alongside the message, participants in the campaign are eager to spread the word. Supporters include, Jeff Orlowski, Boulder-based documentary filmmaker known for The Social Dilemma and Chasing Ice; Mara Abbott, 2016 Olympic cyclist from Boulder; Natalia Grossman, professional climber and University of Colorado Boulder student; Hosea Rosenberg, Top Chef winner and owner of Blackbelly and Santo in Boulder; and Chip, the University of Colorado’s costumed mascot. 

In a video shared by the City of Boulder on Twitter, Boulder resident Gov. Jared Polis voices his support for the campaign. “My heart goes out to all the families that have been rocked by this deadly virus,” he said.

Abbott, award-winning journalist following her Olympic cyclist career, felt honored to support ‘Be Safe, Boulder.’ Though she does not reside in Boulder currently, she will always consider the city her home. 

“I imagine this is a really tough time to be navigating the gap between what students imagined as their college experience and the one that exists under a pandemic,” Abbott said. “Students are an important part of the community in Boulder, and their actions with regards to virus precautions will impact the entire community — my parents included!”

As Boulder County Public Health works to continue rolling out COVID-19 vaccinations for those eligible in Phase 1, the university plans to resume in-person instruction remains in place. For now, students and community members are encouraged to socially distance and carry on as normal as possible. So, ‘Be Safe, Boulder.’