Flatiron Freddy, Boulder’s favorite yellow-bellied marmot, will be making his annual appearance Monday to celebrate Groundhog Day.
For years, the stuffed marmot — killed by a car some time ago — has popped out of tree stumps or ridden in on remote-controlled cars to let Boulderites know whether winter would continue for six more weeks. In past years, Freddy has looked for his shadow at Chautauqua Park.
Instead, “sources close to the marmot” confirmed he’ll be appearing at an elementary school this year, said Alex Burness of the Daily Camera.
Groundhogs are actually a type of marmot, meaning Colorado has been right on target by using Flatiron Freddy to commemorate the holiday, according to Ken Armitage, professor emeritus of behavioral ecology at the University of Kansas.
Reports in recent years have suggested Freddy may soon need to retire, having been gnawed on by mice on at least one occasion.
