City of Boulder Ballot Issue 2A / 2B (2025)
Yes / For the Measure. Ballot Issues 2A and 2B are a permanent extension and bond of an existing capital improvements tax that continues Boulder’s investments in the infrastructure and culture.
City of Boulder Ballot Issue 2A / 2B
Issue 2A: COMMUNITY, CULTURE, RESILIENCE, AND SAFETY (CCRS) TAX EXTENSION (TABOR)
WITHOUT RAISING ADDITIONAL TAXES, SHALL THE EXISTING COMMUNITY, CULTURE, RESILIENCE, AND SAFETY SALES AND USE TAX OF 0.3 PERCENT, INITIALLY SCHEDULED TO EXPIRE ON DECEMBER 31, 2036, BE EXTENDED IN PERPETUITY, AS A VOTER APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE, WITH THE REVENUE FROM SUCH TAX EXTENSION AND ALL EARNINGS THEREON, STARTING JANUARY 1, 2026, TO BE USED TO BUILD AND MAINTAIN CITY CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
ROADS, PATHS, BIKE LANES, TRAILS, AND SIDEWALK ENHANCEMENTS; RECREATION CENTER RENOVATIONS AND REPLACEMENTS; SNOW AND ICE RESPONSE; PARKS AND PLAYGROUND REFURBISHMENTS; FIRE AND POLICE STATION RENOVATIONS AND REPLACEMENTS; CRITICAL BRIDGE REPLACEMENTS; AND OPEN SPACE TRAIL AND TRAILHEAD IMPROVEMENTS;
AND USE UP TO 10 PERCENT OF SUCH TAX REVENUE TO FUND A GRANT POOL FOR NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION PROJECTS THAT SERVE THE PEOPLE OF BOULDER AND RELATED COSTS INCLUDING GRANT PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION COSTS IN COMPLIANCE WITH TERMS, CONDITIONS, AND TIMING ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL;
AND IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, SHALL THE TAX REVENUES AND ANY EARNINGS FROM THE REVENUES CONSTITUTE A VOTER APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE AND AN EXCEPTION TO THE REVENUE AND SPENDING LIMITS OF ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION?
Issue 2B: COMMUNITY, CULTURE, RESILIENCE, AND SAFETY (CCRS) TAX DEBT AUTHORIZATION (TABOR)
SHALL CITY OF BOULDER DEBT BE INCREASED UP TO $262,000,000 (PRINCIPAL AMOUNT) WITH A MAXIMUM REPAYMENT COST OF UP TO $350,000,000 (SUCH AMOUNT BEING THE TOTAL PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST THAT COULD BE PAYABLE OVER THE MAXIMUM LIFE OF THE DEBT) TO BE PAYABLE SOLELY FROM THE EXTENSION OF THE COMMUNITY, CULTURE, RESILIENCE AND SAFETY SALES AND USE TAX OF 0.3 CENTS, IF SEPARATELY APPROVED;
WITH SUCH DEBT TO BE SOLD AT SUCH TIME AND IN SUCH MANNER AND TO CONTAIN SUCH TERMS, NOT INCONSISTENT HEREWITH, AS THE CITY COUNCIL MAY DETERMINE, AND THE PROCEEDS OF SUCH DEBT AND EARNINGS THEREON BEING USED TO FUND CITY CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS AND NON-PROFIT PROJECTS THAT SERVE THE CITIZENS OF BOULDER
PAYABLE FROM SUCH SALES AND USE TAX EXTENSION INCLUDING, AMONG OTHER THINGS:
ROADS, PATHS, BIKE LANES, TRAILS, AND SIDEWALK ENHANCEMENTS; RECREATION CENTER RENOVATIONS AND REPLACEMENTS; SNOW AND ICE RESPONSE; PARKS AND PLAYGROUND REFURBISHMENTS; FIRE AND POLICE STATION RENOVATIONS AND REPLACEMENTS; CRITICAL BRIDGE REPLACEMENTS; AND OPEN SPACE TRAIL AND TRAILHEAD IMPROVEMENTS;
AND IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, SHALL ANY EARNINGS FROM THE INVESTMENT OF THE PROCEEDS OF SUCH DEBTS CONSTITUTE A VOTER APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE AND AN EXCEPTION TO THE REVENUE AND SPENDING LIMITS OF ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION?
Yes / For the Measure. Originally approved by voters in 2014 and renewed in 2017 and 2021, the tax has funded numerous important projects in our community. Funds have helped renovate fire and police stations, improve roads and bike paths, and maintain public spaces across the city. Here are some examples of projects identified from 2026 to 2032 that the city intends to complete upon passage of the CCRS tax extension:
- East Boulder Community Center Deep Retrofit and Renovations (2027)
- Fire Stations 2 & 4 Replacements (2032)
- Civic Area Phase II (2027)
- Pearl Street Revitalization (2027)
- Streetlight Acquisition (Ongoing)
Additionally, up to 10% of tax revenue has gone to local nonprofits for essential capital projects. A few examples of previously funded projects:
- Solar panel installations at the Boulder Jewish Community Center
- Renovations at TGTHR’s Source Drop-In Center and Shelter
- Renovations at Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence
- Renovations at Boulder Valley Women’s Health Center
- Renovations at the Museum of Boulder
As Boulder has many on-going capital project needs, renewing this tax in perpetuity makes sense for our community.
Additional Reporting, Commentary, and Sources
City of Boulder Ballot Issue 2A: CCRS Tax Extension – Richard Valenty
City of Boulder Ballot Issue 2B: CCRS Debt Authorization – Richard Valenty