🌱 CU Grass Fire Burns + Hikers Rescued + Sports Gambling Profits

Good morning, Boulder! Here's everything you need to know to get this Friday started off right.

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Friday's weather: Cooler with showers. High: 50 Low: 38.

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Here are the top stories in Boulder today:

1. Grass fire burns on CU East campus. Thursday afternoon fire crews were fighting a 6.3-acre grass fire on the University of Colorado Boulder East Campus. (Out There)
2. Xcel bills are going up this winter for Colorado customers. Colorado's Xcel customers could see their monthly natural gas bills rise by as much as $27 compared to last winter's charges– even if they use the same amount of energy. (Westword)
3. Sports gambling profits soar as online gaming takes off in Colorado. October was the most active month yet in Colorado's fledgling sports betting market, with $491 million wagered on everything from football to basketball to baseball. Even table tennis. (CPR)
4. Hikers Rescued Wednesday in three separate incidents. Two of the hikers were transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. (Patch)
5. Leanin 'Tree transitions into an employee owned company. Starting next week, the Leanin 'Tree Inc. greeting card maker will be owned by its employees. The company, which has 148 employees, is in the process of transitioning from a family business to one operated in the form of an employee stock plan. (BizWest)

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Today in Boulder:

• Scrooge Bah Humbug! Jesters Dinner Theater. (2 p.m.)
• Christmas Eve Service: The Lookout. (3 - 4 p.m.)
• Friday Night Jazz: Hotel Boulderado. (5-8 p.m.)
• Living Lights: At the Butterfly Pavilion. (5:40-10 p.m.)

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From my notebook:

• Water those trees: The lack of snowfall and rain isn't helping the thirsty trees in the city, so watering your trees this winter is crucial. (Facebook)
• Holiday sock drive benefitting homeless youth in Boulder. Tgthr and Preimer Member's Credit Union have partnered to collect socks and monetary donations for Boulder's homeless youth. (PMCU)
• Downtown Boulder: Thank you to everyone who voted in this year's downtown window display contest. With a total of 184 votes, Liberty Puzzles is this year's winner! Congratulations and Happy Holidays! (Facebook)
• City of Golden enacts stage 1 fire restrictions: Due to unfavorable weather and fire danger conditions, the City of Golden's restrictions go into effect at 5 p.m. on Thursday Dec. 23, 2021 (Golden)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday! I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow morning with your next update. — Brad K. Evans