Happy Monday, Longmont! In surprising news, Burger King recently reported an 8.5% increase in U.S. same-store sales last quarter. That beat McDonald’s numbers by the largest margin in more than a decade, and propelled them past Wendy’s to become the country’s second-biggest burger chain. For a fast food chain that’s felt like it was on the verge of bankruptcy for years, this has to be the most abrupt turnaround we’ve experienced since that time our staff drove to Greeley.

Today, we’re previewing this week’s Longmont City Council meeting, profiling a new aerospace business in Longmont, and taking a look inside Front Range Community College’s 2026 class.

Let’s dive in.

There’s no double-edged sword quite like taxes.

Longmont City Council will decide tomorrow whether voters will see a question on their November ballot asking them to raising property and sales taxes to fund 86 jobs in public safety, including police and fire.

After the Longmont Police Department sounded the alarm to city council earlier this year on understaffing, the seven-member team began to mull options for funding the city agency. On August 11, city council approved an ordinance on first reading asking voters to increase city sales and use tax by 0.33% and add a 2.44 mill levy. Tomorrow, the ordinance returns for its second and final reading. Here’s a snapshot of the tax impacts…

Not a fan…

Councilmember Diane Crist was the lone vote opposing the proposal. Her primary concern centers around the potential of losing business from people in surrounding towns, like Firestone and Frederick, if they continue to raise sales taxes. For long, those communities provided ample supply of foot traffic to Longmont as the nearest city with retail stores like Target and Kohl’s. But…

Looking ahead:

If the tax is approved by voters, estimates show it would supply roughly $20.86 million by 2036. If city council votes to approve it, it’ll officially be on its way to the November 3 ballot.

Also on the agenda…

In order to accommodate an expected surge in demand for lodging during the Sundance Film Festival, city council is considering whether to loosen restrictions on who can rent out their homes during special events. The ordinance faces its second reading tomorrow.

Big picture:

The proposal creates a new short-term rental license designed to allow Longmont residents, who are normally ineligible to rent out their properties, to take advantage of major regional events. These licenses can be used for…

St. Vrain State Park loses 30,000 fish: SVSP reported “a devastating fish kill” at Sandpiper Pond that it’s declaring a “total loss.” An estimated 30,000 fish met their end. The park stated that rangers cleaned up ¼ of the fish, while birds claimed the rest. As drought conditions continue to plague the area, the park has decided not to re-stock SVSP’s north side ponds this fall, and instead, place fish in healthier waters, like Coot and Pintail ponds, as well as Blue Heron Reservoir. Crews are currently blowing out aerators in Pelican Pond to bring fresh oxygen to the water. Officials are still workshopping solutions to resuscitate Mallard, Redtail, and Sandpiper ponds.

Nearly 18,000 students arrive at Front Range Community College: The arrival of the 2026 academic year brings with it 17,709 students enrolled at Front Range Community College, according to an announcement. Students come from 51 U.S. states and territories, and countries as far away as Great Britain, Kuwait, Indonesia, and Mongolia. Other fun facts: FRCC has 3,612 new students, the median student age is 23, and 47.6% of students are first-generation.

Landline Doughnuts sells out in two hours: During the final Saturday of Landline’s brief, but illustrious, time in Longmont, the beloved doughnut shop needed just two hours to sell out. Landline opened at 8 a.m. (people were already waiting at the door) and by 10, all doughnuts were gone, sending hopeful potato pastry enthusiasts home disappointed. At one point, the line to buy a doughnut extended out the door and nearly onto the street. Landline fans will have one final opportunity for doughnuts tomorrow when they open again at 8 a.m. Even if you can’t make it then, Landline is hosting a sale at the store this Saturday where you can buy their vintage kitchenware, phones, tables, toys and more.

Ursa Major, a major aerospace and defense company, opened a new manufacturing facility in Longmont on Thursday.

The Berthoud-based company says the expansion was necessary to accommodate intensifying demand. The Longmont facility…

Big picture:

In essence, Ursa Major is expanding so each facility can have its own focus. In-space production and avionics work will be centered in Longmont, while Berthoud will focus on engine and motor production for missiles and rockets.

The ribbon-cutting was attended by high-profile leaders across the state, including Colorado Governor Jared Polis.

“Ursa Major’s expansion in Longmont highlights Colorado as a global leader in aerospace and defense,” Polis said.

Ursa Major now has six sites: Berthoud, Longmont, Galeton, CO, two Ohio locations, and Washington D.C.

Vision Zero workshop: The City of Longmont is hosting an interactive educational session exploring several Vision Zero topics. Vizion Zero is a worldwide initiative focused on reducing traffic fatalities. Longmont adopted it in 2023, aiming to slash deaths and severe injuries on city roadways to zero by 2040. Learn more about the program, how the city is planning, and what lies ahead. It takes place at the Longmont Senior Center on Thursday at 6 p.m., be sure to register ahead of time here.

HOA Annual Legislative Update: Everybody’s favorite neighborhood police is hosting a training to break down new laws passed in the 2026 Colorado legislative session that target or impact HOAs. The class takes place Wednesday at the Longmont Senior Center in rooms D & E at 6:30 p.m.

Free Fitness in the Park: Take advantage of the final weeks of summer by participating in a free Pilyoga workout session. Combining Pilates and yoga, this class will exercise flexibility, strength, and endurance. It takes place Tuesday at Lanyon Park from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. The class is for anyone 14 years and older, and n registration is needed.