Boulder County Ballot Issue 1A (2025)
Yes / For the Measure. Boulder County and the City of Boulder have long had a commitment to preserving natural landscapes, wildlife habitats, and outdoor recreation areas that has shaped both our quality of life and our local identity.
Boulder County Ballot Issue 1A
OPEN SPACE SALES AND USE TAX EXTENSION AND REVENUE CHANGE
WITH NO INCREASE IN ANY COUNTY TAX, SHALL THE COUNTY’S EXISTING 0.15% OPEN SPACE SALES AND USE TAX BE EXTENDED IN PERPETUITY FOR THE PURPOSES OF ACQUIRING, IMPROVING, MANAGING, AND MAINTAINING OPEN SPACE LANDS AND OTHER OPEN SPACE PROPERTY INTERESTS, INCLUDING AGRICULTURAL OPEN SPACE; AND SHALL THE REVENUES AND THE EARNINGS ON THE INVESTMENT OF THE PROCEEDS OF SUCH TAX CONSTITUTE A VOTER-APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE; ALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS’ RESOLUTION NO. 2025-036?
Yes / For the Measure. While I support the measure, we’ve now reached a point where much of the open space that made sense to acquire has already been acquired. The challenge now is no longer one of expansion, but of managing the amenity that we have. We are increasingly in maintenance mode — managing what we already own, making strategic purchases and trail connections where it makes sense, rather than pursuing large-scale additions.
In general, I think a permanent extension of the open-space sales tax makes sense, but I believe it’s time for Boulder County and the City of Boulder to rethink how we use dedicated open-space taxes. Instead of reflexively renewing them as-is, we should explore shifting or diversifying their purposes — to include broader public and environmental needs, such as climate resilience, wildfire mitigation, or shared public realm improvements as part of the focus on how the funds are spent.
We’ve already seen this evolution in the City of Boulder’s proposed Public Realm Tax in 2025 (which was unfortunately deferred to a future year). I would like to see more leadership and courage from Boulder County officials willing to reimagine open space funding for the next generation, not just renew what’s been done before.
I will vote Yes on Issue 1A, but with the clear hope that future measures will better reflect a more balanced, forward-looking vision for Boulder County’s natural and public spaces.
Additional Reporting, Commentary, and Sources
Boulder County RESOLUTION NO. 2025-037 – Open Space Sales and Use Tax Extension and Revenue Change
Boulder County Ballot Issue 1A: Open Space Tax Extension – Richard Valenty