Boulder Mayoral Candidates

City of Boulder Mayoral Candidates (2023)

I'm voting for and ranking both Aaron Brockett and Nicole Speer, the two Democrats running for Mayor.

Eric Budd

Eric Budd

— 6 min read

City of Boulder Mayoral Candidates – Aaron Brockett and Nicole Speer

Vote for and rank both Nicole Speer and Aaron Brockett, the two Democrats running for Mayor. For my thoughts on how to rank them using Ranked Choice Voting (click here) or continue reading below. Before you fill out your ballot for mayor, you will definitely want to read the city council section, as there are implications for how you may choose to rank mayoral candidates.

For the first time, Boulder will vote directly to select its mayor. While the position of mayor will continue to have the same powers as it does currently, the process of electing our mayor has become emblematic of Boulder’s increasing political engagement

Since the end of 2021, Boulder has seen one of the most progressive and most pro-housing city councils in decades. Two of the current mayoral candidates, current Mayor Aaron Brockett and current Council Member Nicole Speer, have been a pivotal part of our progress in statewide housing reform, addressing discriminatory housing occupancy limits, supporting our libraries, and improving our elections.

Our current mayor Aaron Brockett is a hard-working, collaborative leader who is willing to push the envelope to make change. Aaron has consistently moved to implement progressive priorities over his eight years on council. He has worked to pass measures for better housing options, legalized housing cooperatives, better bike infrastructure, establishment of the Police Oversight Panel, and other key progressive initiatives. Most notably, Aaron took a bold step to move forward on housing in Colorado as being the only mayor in the state to come out in support of statewide housing reform. Aaron’s leadership has made Boulder a partner across the state to help solve our housing crisis.

The impact of Aaron’s work is reflected in endorsements from Boulder Progressives, Sierra Club, Better Boulder, the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, and the Boulder Weekly, among others. Aaron’s personal endorsements among Democratic elected officials are unparalleled in this race – including endorsements from many state legislators, mayors, school board members, and Governor Jared Polis.

Council Member Nicole Speer is a progressive leader that pulls our council to go farther on key progressive priorities like establishing a local minimum wage and fighting for racial and social equity. In just two years, Speer has been an important voice to push forward on structural change in Boulder in championing successful efforts to increase voter turnout in local elections and establishing a library district with sustainable funding. Nicole consistently pushes to break down systemic barriers to create a more equitable city.

Nicole endorsements reflect her strong progressive and pro-housing record, with particular strength from labor and social-justice focused groups like Boulder DSA, Boulder Progressives, Colorado Working Families Party, United Campus Workers, and Boulder Area Labor Council.

Council member Bob Yates has consistently opposed many pro-housing policies, and has stood in opposition to most, if not all, progressive council priorities. 

Since last elected in 2019, here are some of the positions Bob Yates has taken:

Also during his terms in office, Yates has used the City of Boulder email system to sign up thousands of people to his political newsletter, often without their consent. 

Bob Yates is a lifelong Republican who changed his voter registration last year in advance of running for Mayor. His record on city council is deeply conservative and out of touch with the values we hold in Boulder. It is imperative to vote for Aaron Brockett and Nicole Speer to continue making progress in Boulder.

Here is a visual representation of the Mayoral candidate endorsements:

How should I rank Aaron and Nicole?

Before you fill out your ballot for mayor, you will definitely want to read the city council section, as there are implications for how you may choose to rank mayoral candidates. In brief, I think that electing Aaron Brockett as mayor will likely ensure a larger progressive / pro-housing majority than if Nicole Speer is elected mayor. Read more of my thoughts on the city council races here.

Because the City of Boulder has moved to a Ranked Choice / Instant Runoff style of voting for mayor, you will be able to vote for and rank more than one candidate in the race (as first, second, third, et al). While voters are not required to rank additional candidates, I want to outline why you want to rank both Aaron and Nicole in the election this year.

I want to outline a few important factors in making your ranking. Nicole Speer is two years through a four-year term, and will serve out the remainder of her term if she does not get elected mayor. Aaron Brockett and Bob Yates are at the end of their current terms. If not elected mayor, Brockett and Yates will no longer be serving on city council in any capacity. 

Another factor to consider is that if Nicole Speer wins, instead of four members getting elected to city council, five members will get elected, as Speer will vacate the council seat to become mayor. However, voters will only get to vote for four candidates. The fifth candidate selection would go to the fifth highest vote-getter in the council race, which will give that candidate the remainder of Speer’s two-year term. I will discuss the implications and uncertainties of such an outcome more in the city council section.

I also want to mention that Boulder uses a “weak mayor” system, which will not change with this year’s direct election of the mayor. The mayor has as much power as the other eight council members, and any council action requires at least five votes to proceed. While the mayor also contributes to agenda scheduling and running meetings, a council majority (five or more city council members, of which the mayor can be one) is the only way to make changes in city policy.

Aside from any policy or personal differences between Aaron and Nicole, the makeup of council will shift if either or none get elected. I want to give my read on the potential outcomes for the 2024-2025 city council:

If Bob Yates gets elected, along with 1-2 progressive council candidates, and 2-3 conservative candidates, our council will have more strongly conservative members and have fewer progressives than it does now.

If Nicole Speer gets elected, along with 1-2 progressive council candidates, and 3-4 conservative candidates (due to Speer resigning her council seat), our council will have fewer progressives than it does now.

If Aaron Brockett gets elected, along with 1-2 progressive council candidates, and 2-3 conservative candidates, our council will have a similar number of progressive as it does now.
Why am I making these assumptions about the city council race makeup? You’ll have to read more in the city council section!

Read the Full xxxx Voter Guide

Additional Reporting, Commentary, and Sources

How to Vote for Boulder’s Mayor Using Ranked Choice Voting – Boulder Progressives

A 10-minute guide to candidates for Boulder City Council, mayor and school board – Boulder Beat

Boulder Reporting Lab Voter Guide – Mayor

Aaron Brockett is ‘already on the ground running’ as Boulder’s mayor – Boulder Beat News

Councilwoman Nicole Speer is tired of ‘nibbling at the edges’ of Boulder’s big problems – Boulder Beat News

Councilman Bob Yates struggles to lead from the bottom – Boulder Beat News

Aaron Brockett — 2023 Boulder Mayoral Candidate Questionnaire – Boulder Weekly

Nicole Speer — 2023 Boulder Mayoral Candidate Questionnaire – Boulder Weekly

Bob Yates — 2023 Boulder Mayoral Candidate Questionnaire – Boulder Weekly

Aaron Brockett: Current Mayor Seeks Three More Years – Richard Valenty

Nicole Speer: Looks Toward Collaboration In Decision Making – Richard Valenty

Bob Yates: Touts Leadership Experience For Leadership Position – Richard Valenty