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Happy Friday, Longmont! Christopher Nolan-directed movies return to the big screen today as the highly anticipated epic, The Odyssey, hits movie theaters. Controversy has swirled around the film as many onlookers have found themselves irked by curious castings and anachronistic happenstances. The Longmont Brief isn’t at liberty to take a stance, but we do urge you to remember…pineapple on pizza has somehow become one of the most popular food trends of the 21st century. Some things unexpectedly work out. Check out showtimes at Regal Village at the Peaks here.
Today, we’re previewing two massive town halls, a renaissance in downtown Longmont, and the unveiling of a new art exhibit.
Let’s dive in.
Top Story
🌎 Longmont gears up for two massive town halls on passenger rail, airplane noise
Planes, trains, and automobiles are hot topics in Longmont. Steve Martin and John Candy would be proud.
Over the course of five days, the City of Longmont will host two town halls on two of the biggest topics in town: airplane noise and passenger rail.
Out with one, in with another:
As locals plead for an end to incessant airplane noise across the city, many are eagerly awaiting the long-awaited emergence of passenger rail
On July 23, the city will host a town hall on the future of passenger rail in Longmont. The city is expected to become one of 12 stops for Colorado Connector, more affectionately known as “Coco,” the train that hopes to revolutionize public transportation in Colorado. The project plans for trains to run its first routes by 2029 but, after the failed promises from the FasTracks debacle, many residents remain skeptical.
The town hall…
Offers an overview of the project, as well as a Q&A portion.
Takes place next Thursday from 5-7 p.m. at Front Range Community College.
Learn more details and how to attend here.
Airplane noise:
Meanwhile, the City of Longmont is facing significant challenges managing overhead aircraft noise and the public backlash that comes with it. A central sentiment throughout this saga has been the public’s belief that the city can take action to mitigate aircraft noise while the city insists that its capacity to take such action is limited. To clear the air — pun intended — the city is hosting a town hall to discuss its legal limitations regarding what the city can and cannot do about airport noise.
This town hall…
Features John Putnam, an attorney with Kaplan Kirsch — the city’s special counsel on airport issues. Kaplan Kirsch is a national law firm specializing in environmental, land use, public lands, energy and transportation law.
Includes a presentation and Q&A opportunities.
Takes place Mon. July 27 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Longmont Museum. A virtual option is available, as well. Learn more here.
Zooming out:
On July 28, consultants with the city’s Airport Noise Improvement Project will present a summary of findings and recommendations to Longmont City Council.
Longmont is also seeing renewed action regarding bus routes. On July 28, RTD’s full board is voting on whether to add a new route to the Skyride bus service — Route AL — which would connect Longmont to Denver International Airport.
Sponsored by SNOW Apparel
Here’s what happens when Longmont fashion and e-bikes join forces
Only in Colorado could there be an event bringing cyclists and sustainable fashion fanatics together.
Tomorrow, SNOW Apparel and CYCLERIE E-Bikes are teaming up for a two-hour event you don’t want to miss. Between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. at SNOW, you can receive 30% off summer sportswear, pick up FREE bike & trail maps, and meet Longmont’s newest e-bike experts.
The award-winning SNOW Apparel has been specializing in sustainable fashion in Longmont since 2017. In fact, it was recently named Sustainable Resilient’s 2025 Sustainable Business of the Year for 2025. Learn more about SNOW (and their accolades) here.
Headlines
3 Big Things
Longmont Concert Band announces 2026-27 lineup: Since most people get their classical music from Bridgerton, here’s an opportunity to expand your palate. The Longmont Concert Band has announced its next three performances for the upcoming seasons: October 11, March 14, and May 30. The October show even features a special collaboration with Longmont Chorale. All shows will take place at Vance Brand Civic Auditorium. Continue to keep your eyes peeled — LCB says there are still more concert dates to be announced, including their Holiday Market.
Longmont completes improvements to greenway section: The City of Longmont announced Wednesday that crews have completed upgrades to the Rough and Ready Greenway Trail between 9th Avenue and Mountain View Avenue. The two-month project included replacing the asphalt trail with a new concrete surface, as well as infrastructure and drainage upgrades. The city says the new trail will make the walking surface smoother and more durable. The trail is now open to the public.
Local gas prices spike again: As tension in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz continues to prove more unstable than Leonardo DiCaprio in Shutter Island, average gas prices in Longmont are quickly creeping back towards $4 per gallon. According to AAA, the average cost of a gallon of gas in the Longmont-Boulder area is $3.98. That’s a five-cent jump from yesterday and nearly 20 cents above a week ago. It’s still lower than the average mark a month ago — But, by only five cents.
Check this out
A renaissance for hole-in-the-wall north downtown Longmont storefronts
Colorado Dumplings on Main St. and Longs Peak Ave
It’s been quite the week for shops on north Main Street.
In the span of a week, a stretch of Main Street by Longs Peak Avenue that was largely unoccupied has been revitalized by a list of characters unfamiliar to downtown Longmont: a thrift shop bar, a wine bar, and, as of yesterday, a dumpling shop, have all opened for business.
Here’s a timeline:
Drifters Thrift Bar & Event Space opened last Wednesday on 624 Main St. They also hosted their first karaoke night on Monday. It was described by their next-door neighbor as “crazy as hell.”
Kuper Wine Bar moved into a new, larger space across Longs Peak Avenue at 704 Main St. and opened to the public this Wednesday. Their grand opening celebration takes place tomorrow.
Colorado Dumplings added a second location, in addition to their original spot in the Old Town Marketplace, next door to Drifters.
Colorado Dumplings’ new location also shares a building with Racheli’s Italian. For now, Racheli’s is only take-and-bake, but both shops are aiming to open a private dining experience August 15.
Zooming out:
This area is becoming a miniature late-night hot spot. In addition to Drifters staying open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, Cheba Hut across the street keeps serving customers until midnight Sunday - Thursday, and until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Colorado Dumplings is yet to finalize hours but plans to mirror Drifters to provide more late-night dining options.
Events
Happening this weekend
New exhibition opens at Firehouse Art Center: Tomorrow night, experience the opening reception for Firehouse’s newest exhibit titled Rehearsals for Remembering. The work from Kelly Leslie, Craig Cully, and Whitney Sage uses paintings, images, and sculptural fragments to explore memory and its relationship with individuals. The event is free, includes refreshments, and is open to anyone.
Callahan House Club-A-Fair: Time to get out of the house…and into another one. The historic Callahan House is hosting a club fair and open house to introduce locals to all the clubs Longmont has to offer. The event is free, includes refreshments, and you can even tour the house while you’re at it.
World Cup Final watch parties: It may not be the Cape Verde vs. Senegal showdown we had all hoped for, but it’ll do. Spain is taking on Lionel Messi and Argentina for a shot at World Cup glory in the final match of the tournament. Pumphouse, Wibby, Ironwood and many more continue to broadcast the games on the best TVs they have to offer. La Mariposa is also still offering free tequila shots following the first goal.
Last Call
Weather forecasts continue to show sunny and clear skies today through Sunday. Rain showers aren’t likely until Monday, per the National Weather Service.
Coffee with Council returns Saturday. Councilmembers Matthew Popkin and Alex Kalkhofer will attend.
A new mural is in the works on the wall of Jester’s Dinner Theatre.
Tomorrow, attend a free workshop on lighting design at the Longmont Theatre Company. This is the first of three free workshops the theatre is hosting on backstage show production.
The Longmont Public Library has added two new hold pickup lockers.
Central Longmont found a 1917 Buffalo Head nickel underneath its floorboards while doing maintenance.
Until next time,
The Longmont Brief