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Happy hump day, Longmont! In case you wanted to feel more insecure about your lifetime accomplishments, a 13-year-old Chinese swimmer just won two gold medals in the Asian Games, and is being hailed as one of the top contenders for the 2028 Olympics is Los Angeles. Ah, to be 13 again. Jennifer Garner knows what I’m talking about.
Today — A stabbing at a local park, the formation of a tech advisory board received final approval and St. Vrain Valley schools are on a heater.
Let’s dive in.
TOP STORY
🌎 Longmont City Council votes to officially establish Technology Advisory Board
In the fight against the machines, arising in Longmont is a formidable source of resistance: a technology advisory board.
In last night’s Longmont City Council meeting, members voted unanimously to establish a technology advisory board that could help shape future public policy regarding A.I., privacy, autonomous vehicles, surveillance cameras, emerging technology and more.
What you need to know:
It will consist of seven voting members appointed by city council and one non-voting member appointed by the Longmont Youth Council, all of whom receive three-year terms.
The board is intended to be made up of tech experts. The ordinance specifically mentions that a candidate’s ideal background could relate to software engineering, cybersecurity, A.I., information privacy, ethics and more.
The board will be advisory only. As a result, members will have no authority to cast votes or make decisions. Their primary role is to make suggestions to city council on policy matters related to the city’s use of technology, data governance, and privacy.
“I think it’s really important that we’re ahead as much as possible on technology issues. Longmont’s fortunately not chasing a trend with this board. In fact, we’re one of a small handful of cities, nationally, that’s building a standing proactive advisory body on technology policy,” Councilmember Matthew Popkin said.
Zooming out:
The new board comes after city council chose to consolidate the duties of other advisory boards earlier this year. City council voted to dissolve the Airport Advisory Board in April and the Golf Course Advisory Board in August.
Headlines
3 Big Things
Stabbing at Loomiller Park: One child went to the hospital Monday afternoon after being stabbed at Loomiller Park in central Longmont. According to Longmont Public Safety spokesperson Robin Ericson, just after 2:30 p.m., two juveniles, who know each other, were involved in an altercation at the park. During the incident, the juvenile male victim was stabbed and suffered non-life threatening injuries. The victim then took himself to a medical facility. A juvenile suspect is in custody. Police are considering this an isolated incident and there is no known threat to the public. The investigation remains active.
Big year for the Longmont Water Fair: The annual Water Fair returned to Longmont in June and saw big attendance. Staff member Hope Bartlett reported that participation increased roughly 20% between 2025 and 2026, as the fair recorded 425 visitors. It’s an encouraging sign for the city as Longmont — along with the rest of Colorado — continues to rally residents to help it weather the effects of drought. Bartlett also mentioned she hopes to continue the water fair in the years to come, with aims to add a water fair in the winter, as well.
Quiet Zone construction continues: Beginning Monday, crews will begin the construction of a “Quiet Zone” at the 21st Avenue railroad crossing. The next stage of construction is part of Phase 2 of the Railroad Crossing Safety Improvements Project, which seeks to eliminate train horns at 17 rail crossings across Longmont. Construction at 21st Avenue will require two phases until completion in mid-November. On Monday, the crossing will be fully closed to vehicles until a temporary reopening between October 10 - November 2. It’s slated to close again November 3 - 24. To date: Construction work has been completed at four rail crossings (3rd, 9th, 17th, Longs Peak avenues) and is in progress at 4th and 6th avenues.
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Duo of honors for St. Vrain Valley School District and its students
Scarecrows aren’t the only things outstanding in their field.
Three Longmont schools and over 1,200 students in St. Vrain Valley School District received recognition for academic excellence.
Kids, first:
1,239 students throughout SVVSD schools were recently recognized as AP scholars for the 2025-2026 school year, per a press release from the school district. To become an AP scholar, a student must achieve a score of three or higher on at least three AP exams (possible scores only go up to five).
It’s a significant accomplishment — AP exams are the culmination of a year’s worth of work in any given advanced placement course: history, biology, English, chemistry, etc. The stakes are high, too. Many universities offer college credit to students who score at least a 3.
Zooming out:
SVVSD has made it a priority to increase participation in AP courses as it continues to pioneer its “AP for All” initiative. The district offers 38 AP courses across its high schools, including at alternative high schools like New Meridian and LaunchEd Virtual Academy.
“In St. Vrain, we firmly believe that every student benefits from the rigor and opportunities offered by the Advanced Placement curriculum,” Chris Gardner, AP Coordinator for St. Vrain Valley Schools, said. Other highlights from the news:
In 2026, 3,087 students took 5,604 AP exams.
Since 2016, AP exam participation has grown by 109%
Now to the schools…
In addition to the excellence posted by high school students, several schools are receiving recognition of their own.
Four St. Vrain Valley schools — three of which are from Longmont — have been recognized as Apple Distinguished Schools: Longmont Estates Elementary, the Innovation Center, Columbine Elementary, and Soaring Heights PK-8 (Erie), each received a nod. Here’s what it means:
The award — which runs for three years — is awarded to schools demonstrating continuous innovation and a vision for how technology can inspire learning and boot student success.
It also acknowledges schools that use Apple technology “to create engaging and innovative learning environments.”
Longmont Estates Elementary and the Innovation Center have previously won the award.
The four St. Vrain schools are the only schools in Colorado named Apple Distinguished Schools.
Last Call
Today’s Longmont weather forecast shows a mostly cloudy day with a high of 80 degrees, a low of 57 degrees, and a decent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. and throughout the evening, per the National Weather Service.
Gas prices continue to remain stagnant. The average cost for a gallon of gas in the Longmont-Boulder area is $4.39, according to AAA. On the bright side, oil prices fell for a sixth straight day this morning.
Longmont City Council member Matthew Popkin responded with enthusiasm to a proposal to use wastewater to power redevelopment at the Longmont sugar factory, saying “Full steam ahead.”
Longmont Sister Cities is searching for Longmont adults interested in becoming chaperones for trips bringing local youth on trips as far away as Japan and Mexico.
Longmont Museum is hosting a free screening of the film Councilwoman tomorrow night. The screening is followed by a panel discussion with Longmont Mayor Susie Hidalgo-Fahring and Boulder County Commissioner Marta Loachamin.
Longmont Theatre Company announced the cast for The Rocky Horror Show.
The lineup for the 9th Annual Bluebird Music Festival was just announced.
Until Friday,
The Longmont Brief
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