Recently, one of Boulder’s most beloved public artworks received new life. The BOLDERBoulder Spirit of Frank Shorter mural — a downtown landmark at the corner of Spruce and Broadway — was refreshed and expanded by its original creator, artist Jim Nelson, whose work of portraits, historical and biographical paintings, and murals can be found in many private collections as well as museums throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Originally painted in 1997, the mural celebrates the enduring spirit of Olympic marathon champion Frank Shorter, who helped ignite America’s running boom in the 1970s and made Boulder his home for more than four decades. The large-scale work portrays runners, walkers, and wheelchair athletes moving together beneath the iconic Flatirons, symbolizing Boulder’s passion for fitness, health, and community.
A Landmark Reimagined
Over the course of the October 24th weekend, Nelson returned to the site where his mural has stood for nearly 30 years. With brushes and bright new paint, he not only restored the original colors but also added new imagery that expanded the story the mural tells. Most notably, the updated work now includes a tribute to Diane Israel — a lifelong athlete, educator, and filmmaker whose life and work embodied Boulder’s spirit of resilience and mindful living.
The restoration took place in the parking lot at 2100 Broadway, where Nelson spent the weekend repainting and speaking with visitors and media about the evolution of the piece. Many stopped by to watch the artist at work, reminiscing about the original mural and celebrating its renewal.
Honoring Diane Israel
The addition of Diane Israel’s likeness and story to the mural brings a powerful new dimension to its narrative. A passionate runner and triathlete, Israel moved to Boulder in the early 1980s and quickly became a central figure in the city’s vibrant endurance community. In 1982, she ran her BolderBOULDER 10K personal best—38:26—placing her among the top female finishers. That same year, she won the Pikes Peak ascent, and in 1984, she was ranked in the top three best triathletes in the country. A devoted fan of the race, Israel eagerly recruited her triathlete friends to experience Boulder’s unique spirit firsthand. “She loved showing off Boulder to her friends and did so each year by inviting and hosting them over the Memorial Day weekend so they could run in the BOLDERBoulder,” recalled her brother, Rob Israel, as he watched Nelson at work on the mural.
Beyond athletics, she was a longtime adjunct professor at Naropa University, where she taught courses in counseling and transpersonal psychology. Her deep interest in the intersection of body, mind, and spirit inspired both her teaching and her creative work. She was also the executive producer of the award-winning documentary Beauty Mark (2008), which explored the cultural obsession with body image and perfectionism in athletics and society. As a speaker and author, she delivered the TEDxBoulder talk “Messenger of the Unspeakable which offered a compassionate invitation to embrace vulnerability. Israel, who battled her own mental health issues, was an advocate for others with similar challenges.
After stepping away from elite competition, Israel dedicated her life to healing and advocacy — helping others find balance, self-acceptance, and purpose beyond performance. She served on numerous educational and nonprofit boards and was known throughout Boulder for her generosity, candor, and commitment to mindful living.
Israel passed away in 2021 at the age of 61, but her impact continues to shape the Boulder community she loved. The inclusion of her image in the refreshed mural ensures that her story — like Shorter’s — remains woven into the city’s cultural and athletic legacy.
More Than a Restoration
The mural refresh did more than brighten faded colors — it deepened the meaning of the piece itself.
In addition to the new tribute to Israel, Nelson enhanced the depiction of Officer Eric Talley, who was initially added to the mural in 2022. Talley, a Boulder police officer, was killed in the 2021 King Soopers mass shooting while responding heroically to protect others. Nelson updated Talley’s likeness with new details to honor his courage, compassion, and service. For many visitors, this addition became one of the most emotional parts of the refresh, symbolizing Boulder’s collective resilience and how the community continues to heal.
By adding Israel’s tribute and refining Talley’s image, Nelson transformed the mural into a multi-generational story of Boulder’s athletic and communal spirit. It honors the entire community of people who have found joy, identity, and connection through movement, creativity, and courage.
Visitors over the weekend described the restoration as “a celebration of Boulder’s soul” and “a living monument to what this city stands for.” For many, seeing the artist back at work after nearly three decades was a rare and inspiring reminder that public art — like the community it reflects — can grow, evolve, and renew itself with time.
A Living Legacy
Standing once again in full color, the BOLDERBoulder Spirit of Frank Shorter mural continues to greet everyone who passes through downtown Boulder — runners heading to morning workouts, students biking to class, families out for a walk, and visitors discovering the city for the first time.
Its refreshed panels tell a richer story now: one of endurance and artistry, of excellence and compassion, of people like Frank Shorter, Diane Israel, and Officer Eric Talley who helped define Boulder’s unique blend of athleticism, service, and heart.
As Jim Nelson reflected during the weekend’s work, “Murals are living things — they carry our stories, and every few years, they ask us to add another chapter.”
This latest chapter ensures that the BOLDERBoulder Spirit of Frank Shorter will continue to inspire — and reflect — Boulder’s spirit for generations to come.