Journal
Updated April 26, 2026
APRIL 2026
AIRPORT: Council gave direction on the future of the airport, deciding 5-4 to operate the airport indefinitely and authorize the use of FAA grants, which would obligate the city to run the airport in perpetuity (April 23). Councilmembers who opposed the direction — including me — raised concern about making such a consequential decision through a straw poll at a study session without a public hearing or community input. I believe Boulder needs a long-term airport plan, but a forever obligation to the FAA goes too far — and I requested that the two questions be separated and that any final decision be made at a formal meeting with a public hearing. More: Boulder Reporting Lab (https://boulderreportinglab.org/2026/04/23/boulder-city-council-moves-to-keep-airport-open-indefinitely-limiting-future-housing-options/)
POWER RESILIENCE: Council gave direction on the new workplan item of power resilience, which will work to reduce power outages and their impacts (April 23). The initiative aims to clarify risks, responsibilities, and options so the city can make informed decisions, advocate effectively with Xcel Energy and regulators, and explore city-led strategies including grid hardening, undergrounding, sectionalization, and microgrids. The work will produce a policy roadmap for steps future Councils may consider to improve reliability — particularly as climate-driven hazards like extreme winds and wildfire increase. More: Boulder Reporting Lab (https://boulderreportinglab.org/2026/04/12/boulders-powerlines-pose-wildfire-risk-why-are-so-many-still-above-ground/)
METROPOLITAN DISTRICTS: Council adopted a new framework allowing metropolitan districts within city limits for the first time (April 16). The ordinance passed unanimously and is designed to give primarily commercial developers a financing mechanism to fund large-scale infrastructure, with at least 90% of any district’s assessed value required to be non-residential and a cap of 50 mills on the debt repayment levy. A performing arts venue and housing project in East Boulder is already in line to use the new tool, and the city cites support for Boulder’s tax base and long-term financial sustainability as the rationale. More: Boulder Reporting Lab (https://boulderreportinglab.org/2026/04/16/boulder-city-council-allows-metro-districts-opening-door-to-a-powerful-development-finance-tool-with-a-troubled-past/)
ARTS BLUEPRINT: Council reviewed the Boulder Arts Blueprint, a 10-year roadmap for the city’s arts and cultural ecosystem developed with input from more than 2,000 community members (April 9). The blueprint sets seven goals including accessibility and inclusion, entrepreneurship and workforce development, and public art, and links them to practical tools including policy, funding, and partnerships. The blueprint is intentionally aligned with the BVCP update and frames arts and culture as essential civic infrastructure — not standalone amenities — supporting equity, economic opportunity, community wellbeing, and regional resilience. More: City of Boulder (https://bouldercolorado.gov/news/city-boulder-releases-boulder-arts-blueprint)
FACILITIES FUNDING STRATEGY: Council discussed the $500+ million backlog of deferred maintenance across the city’s 75 public buildings and contemplated funding strategies and potential ballot measures (April 9). Keeping city facilities in good working order is fundamental to delivering the services residents depend on and to preserving assets the community has already paid for. More: Boulder Reporting Lab (https://boulderreportinglab.org/2026/04/16/mark-wallach-and-ryan-schuchard-we-must-fix-boulders-aging-infrastructure/)
BOULDER VALLEY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN (BVCP): Council joined Planning Board, County Planning Commission, and Board of County Commissioners in a four-body meeting to review draft plan policies spanning city and county jurisdictions (April 13). The session covered land use, housing, and transportation policies central to the plan’s ten-year update, and members of the public could attend to view the meeting. A recommended draft is expected in mid-May ahead of adoption hearings beginning in June. More: A Boulder Future (https://aboulderfuture.org)
FESTIVAL LODGING LICENSE: Council adopted an ordinance expanding the Festival Lodging Rental License ahead of the 2027 Sundance Film Festival (April 2). The update allows tenants — with owner approval — to rent out their space during approved festival events, and allows owners with vacant units holding long-term rental licenses to participate, with a new one-year license at a $75 fee. I supported the measure’s goals but raised concerns about liability and structural protections for renters, noting that the ordinance effectively makes landlords and tenants business partners in a commercial enterprise and that guidance is needed to protect renters if things go wrong. More: Boulder Reporting Lab (https://boulderreportinglab.org/2026/04/02/boulder-city-council-approves-ordinance-allowing-renters-to-sublease-homes-fo-sundance-film-festival/), KUNC (https://www.kunc.org/news/2026-04-06/good-news-for-boulder-tenants-you-can-now-rent-your-place-out-during-the-sundance-film-festival)
MINIMUM WAGE AND TIP CREDIT: Council had a first conversation about making adjustments to the minimum wage tip credit, following a council decision in January to make this a 2026 priority (April 2). I do not support adjusting the tip credit, which would effectively reduce wages for some of Boulder’s lowest-paid workers. More: Daily Camera (https://www.dailycamera.com/2026/04/15/boulder-tipped-minimum-wage/)
MARCH 2026
BOULDER VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT: Council met jointly with the BVSD Board of Education to discuss the district’s declining enrollment challenge alongside the joint BVCP study session (March 26). BVSD has lost approximately 3,600 students over the past decade and projects another 1,700 decline over the next five years, driving difficult conversations about school consolidation and closure. The discussion connects directly to Boulder’s housing challenge — rising costs have made it harder for young families to stay, and a less family-friendly city compounds both the enrollment and affordability problems over time. More: Boulder Reporting Lab (https://boulderreportinglab.org/2026/03/10/too-many-schools-too-few-students-bvsd-begins-planning-possible-closures/)
BOULDER VALLEY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN (BVCP): Council and Planning Board met jointly to review the draft BVCP and future land use map (March 26). The draft introduces new residential categories emphasizing character and scale over numerical density limits and establishes a framework for 15-minute neighborhoods where residents can reach daily needs by foot, bike, or transit. Ahead of the meeting, I submitted written comments calling for access-centered language that prioritizes people’s ability to reach destinations over vehicle throughput, meaningful transit quality standards with measurable targets, adoption of safe systems principles, and tighter integration between land use and transportation decisions throughout the plan. The BVCP is one of the highest-leverage tools the city has to embed climate and livability goals into the physical shape of Boulder over the long term. Council feedback will inform a recommended draft expected in mid-May ahead of adoption hearings in June. More: Boulder Reporting Lab (https://boulderreportinglab.org/2026/03/08/boulder-releases-draft-comprehensive-plan-that-would-eliminate-housing-density-limits/), A Boulder Future (https://aboulderfuture.org)
BALLOT MEASURES: Council directed staff to develop several potential November 2026 ballot measures for further study (March 12). The measures under consideration include a vacancy tax on homes sitting empty more than half the year — aimed at freeing up housing supply — as well as possible property tax increases to fund parks, open space, and other public projects, and a restructuring of existing dedicated sales tax funds to give the city more spending flexibility. The potential consolidation of the dedicated Open Space Sales Tax Fund drew concern from conservation advocates who urged Council not to dilute it. More: Boulder Reporting Lab (https://boulderreportinglab.org/2026/03/12/boulder-advances-vacant-home-tax-other-potential-2026-ballot-measures/)
STATE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING: Council received a staff briefing on the current state of affordable housing in Boulder (March 5). Staff presented findings including a shortage of deeply affordable rentals, limited options for middle-income homebuyers, and gaps in housing for seniors aging in place. Next steps include strategies tied to the BVCP update and continued work toward the city’s goal of 15% permanently affordable housing citywide.
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: Council appointed members to all 38 open seats on the city’s boards and commissions, drawing from a pool of more than 150 applicants (March 5). Boards and commissions advise Council on housing, transportation, parks, climate, and other core city priorities — and strong civic participation in these roles is essential to good governance. More: City of Boulder (https://bouldercolorado.gov/government/boards-and-commissions)
FEBRUARY 2026
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS: Council members participated in disaster management preparedness exercise in lieu of a regular meeting (February 26). The training reflects Boulder’s ongoing work to strengthen community resilience given the city’s exposure to wildfire, flood, and other climate-related hazards. No public business was conducted at this session.
AREA III PLANNING RESERVE: Council held a public hearing to determine whether there is community need to develop the Area III Planning Reserve for housing (February 12). Council adopted a finding that continued exploration of development is warranted, with potential for up to 8,700 new middle housing units. Council also voted to pass a resolution to establish conditions and principles to guide subsequent considerations. I supported moving forward. As I said earlier in this process, any development scenario here should avoid triggering road widening, and this is an opportunity to model the kind of compact, transit-connected housing that makes Boulder more sustainable and accessible for more people. Planning Board will now have an opportunity to reconsider its prior 4-3 vote finding no community need. More: Boulder Reporting Lab (https://boulderreportinglab.org/2026/02/12/boulder-city-council-advances-study-of-area-iii-expansion-that-could-eventually-add-8700-homes/)
INTERGOVERNMENTAL POLICY ADVOCACY: Council adopted updates to the policy statement for intergovernmental advocacy that include stronger positions on coal ash, wildfire hardening, and support for multifamily dwellings (February 5). Council also confirmed its support for numerous specific distributed renewables and electrification technologies. I was particularly focused on strengthening the coal ash positions given ongoing concerns about air and water quality at the former Valmont site, and on securing stronger support for multifamily housing in our state and regional advocacy.
WILDFIRE HARDENING AND WATER CONSERVATION: Council adopted a new standard for wildfire hardening and water conservation in new buildings and landscaping, completing work that had been under development since January (February 5). More: City of Boulder (https://bouldercolorado.gov/projects/waterwise-landscaping-and-wildfire-hardening)
JANUARY 2026
SETTING EXPECTATIONS WITH XCEL: Council finalized a statement of expectations for the partnership with Xcel, stemming from the decision to continue the franchise agreement rather than pursue a different path at the end of 2025 (January 23). The letter highlights issues with recent power outages and developments with Xcel’s coal ash cleanup. Here’s a copy of the letter (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dmarjrURMuXteRee4Ko-tUvjuNdlDIdU/view?usp=sharing). More: RyanWithBoulder (https://www.ryanwithboulder.com/city-of-boulders-expectations-for-xcel-in-2026), CPR (https://www.cpr.org/2026/01/28/xcel-power-cuts-community-impact-costs/), Boulder Reporting Lab (1) (https://boulderreportinglab.org/2026/01/20/simply-not-acceptable-boulder-city-council-warns-xcel-over-prolonged-power-shutoffs-missed-climate-targets/), Boulder Reporting Lab (2) (https://boulderreportinglab.org/2026/01/06/boulder-residents-push-for-independent-air-monitoring-as-xcel-prepares-to-dig-up-toxic-coal-ash-at-valmont/), Daily Camera (https://www.dailycamera.com/2026/01/23/boulder-city-council-xcel-energy-letter/), Denver7 (https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/boulders-city-council-drafts-letter-expressing-major-concerns-after-public-safety-power-shutoffs)
COUNCIL WORKPLAN PRIORITIES FOR 2026: Council met with staff to develop workplan priorities for 2026 along with additional commitments to collaboration between council and staff (January 12-13). New initiatives include bicycle parking and security, power resilience, a new program of wildfire hardening, and transit strategy. More: RyanWithBoulder (https://www.ryanwithboulder.com/new-initiatives-in-2026), Boulder Reporting Lab (https://boulderreportinglab.org/2026/01/15/boulder-city-council-sets-six-priorities-for-2026-amid-one-year-term/)
WILDFIRE HARDENING AND WATER CONSERVATION: Council approved numerous improvements to the standard for new buildings and landscaping that was under development (January 8). More: City of Boulder (https://bouldercolorado.gov/projects/waterwise-landscaping-and-wildfire-hardening)
2025
DECEMBER 2025
BOULDER VALLEY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN (BVCP): Council and Planning Board met jointly to receive recommendations from Boulder’s first-ever Community Assembly and to review major BVCP policy recommendations ahead of the draft plan (December 11). The Community Assembly — a citizens’ body convened to shape the plan’s vision — presented 15 recommendations focused on inclusive local economy, housing choice and opportunity, accessibility for people of all abilities, and a Boulder-specific definition of 15-minute neighborhoods as places where daily needs are reachable within 15 minutes on foot or by bike. The session also built on months of work to simplify the city’s land use map from 26 fine-grained designations to a smaller set of categories organized around neighborhoods, hubs, networks, and institutions — with the goal of reducing complexity, increasing flexibility for infill and redevelopment, and better integrating mobility and climate strategies. More: City of Boulder (https://bouldercolorado.gov/news/city-and-county-celebrate-completion-boulders-first-community-assembly), A Boulder Future (https://aboulderfuture.org)
BOULDER’S INTERGOVERNMENTAL POLICY ADVOCACY: Council adopted the policy statement guiding the city’s advocacy with federal, state, and county agencies in 2026 (December 4). Council also directed the intergovernmental affairs committee to incorporate additional items submitted by Speer and Schuchard.
NOVEMBER 2025
CIVIC AREA CONCEPT PLAN: Council reviewed a concept plan for the Civic Area and gave direction on which elements should advance into Phase 2 design and construction (November 13). The multi-zone vision spans a natural West End, an expanded Boulder Beach lawn, an Arboretum Path, and a festival-oriented 13th Street East End, with $18 million of the project budget allocated to an initial set of improvements and construction anticipated in 2027. Council backed the work but pushed staff on the need to fund ongoing maintenance and operations alongside new capital investment — a theme I have consistently raised as essential to ensuring public spaces deliver lasting value. I am especially interested in the potential for a year-round farmers market, generous restroom and drinking fountain facilities, and abundant bike parking throughout the area’s activity centers. More: City of Boulder (https://bouldercolorado.gov/projects/civic-area-phase-2)
CLIMATE ACTION PLAN: Staff presented a final framework for the climate action plan update, which includes compact land use and transportation choices in the most rigorous way to date (November 6). The update deepens the city’s work on system change, adds new commitments to integrating climate action throughout city functions, and takes stock of the changing energy landscape. I’m especially glad to see compact land use and transportation choices integrated into the framework — this reflects the view that climate action has to be a design principle for the whole city, not a standalone program.
PARTNERSHIP WITH XCEL: Council launched the formal process of communicating with Xcel about issues and expectations with the franchise agreement, as Boulder chose to stay with the partnership going into 2026 (November 6). The conversation set the stage for the letter Council would finalize in January 2026 addressing power outages, coal ash cleanup, and clean energy commitments.
OCTOBER 2025
TRANSPORTATION MAINTENANCE FEE FOR BETTER COST MANAGEMENT: Council approved a transportation maintenance fee projected to raise $73 million over ten years to improve the city’s pavement condition, reduce the total cost of pavement maintenance, and assess the costs of operating motor vehicles more directly to users (October 9). The decision recognizes that nobody wants to pay more fees, but residents are currently paying through substandard pavement conditions and deferred maintenance that is more expensive in the long run. More: Boulder Reporting Lab (https://boulderreportinglab.org/2025/10/09/boulder-city-council-approves-521-million-2026-budget-with-new-fees-and-cuts/)
SEPTEMBER 2025
TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT: Council approved a transportation demand management (TDM) policy for developers that creates a meaningful new investment requirement along with a new program of quality assurance including program design standards, user needs assessments, and accountability mechanisms (September 19). The measure requires qualifying projects to submit and implement a TDM plan to cut single-occupant vehicle trips, using tools like unbundled parking, transit pass subsidies (e.g., EcoPass), robust bike and micromobility amenities, carshare, employer commute programs, and parking cash-out. Passage concludes the major Access Management and Parking Strategy (AMPS) policy update that has been under way for more than a decade. This is a policy I championed from the beginning of my term as a necessary complement to parking reform because real demand management requires investment and accountability, not just nominal requirements.
AUGUST 2025
BUILDINGS ROADMAP: Staff presented a working outline of the city’s long-term efforts to accelerate climate progress with existing buildings (August 28). The roadmap aims to stabilize energy costs as climate extremes increase, deeply reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve building resilience, and advance affordability and equity. Staff presented concepts to update, consolidate, and streamline existing regulations based on lessons over the past ten years.
BOULDER VALLEY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN (BVCP): Staff presented a key component of the BVCP update — a new philosophy and approach to land use mapping — including enhanced ways to analyze and visualize the networks and hubs that connect neighborhoods (August 28). The direction moves away from a parcel-by-parcel map toward broader, more flexible designations that better integrate housing, mobility, and climate strategies.
SAFE AND WELCOMING FOLSOM STREET: Council approved design updates to Folsom Street, including a road diet, new protected bikeways on both sides of the road, transit upgrades, and additional safety and calming measures for all users (August 7). It is the third of three safety and accessibility upgrades to arterials made by the current council and is part of the Core Arterial Network. More: City of Boulder (https://bouldercolorado.gov/news/boulder-city-council-approves-folsom-street-travel-safety-improvements)
JULY 2025
PARKING MINIMUMS ELIMINATED: Council finalized an ordinance to end mandates for developers to build car parking, shifting to context- and demand-based management (July 24). The city will no longer require off-street parking for multifamily housing, which means more shared and unbundled parking, better curb management, and fewer costly on-site stalls bundled into new housing — especially near frequent transit. The policy aligns with Colorado’s HB24-1304. More: City of Boulder (https://bouldercolorado.gov/projects/access-management-and-parking-strategy-code-policy-updates), Colorado HB24-1304 (https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb24-1304)
ACCESS OVER VEHICLES: Council adopted a new definition of traffic engineering in city code establishing access to destinations — not car throughput — as the primary goal of transportation planning (July 24). The ordinance prioritizes people’s ability to reach daily needs safely by walking, biking, transit, and other low-impact modes, and requires traffic engineering to recommend land use strategies that improve efficiency and equity. More: City of Boulder (https://bouldercolorado.primegov.com/Portal/viewer?id=0&type=7&uid=b141a36a-6a17-4946-8d47-6b2b9247b46e)
WILDFIRE HARDENING AND WATERWISE LANDSCAPING: Council provided direction for wildfire hardening, including new regulations for prohibited plants within 0-5 feet and 5-30 feet from homes in new developments (July 24). More: Boulder Reporting Lab (https://boulderreportinglab.org/2025/08/03/boulder-councilmembers-debate-allowing-gardens-in-wildfire-buffer-zones/)
BOULDER’S WATER SUPPLY: Staff provided background on Boulder’s water supply, and Council directed staff to develop an integrated water supply plan over the next two years (July 24). I asked for the assessment to include scenarios for future data center demand, analysis of how compact and efficient housing forms can support water stewardship, vantage points from both Boulder’s own water rights and the wider regional system, and mechanisms for council to stay apprised of the emerging science on our changing water cycle. More: Daily Camera (https://www.dailycamera.com/2025/07/24/boulder-water-supply/)
SUPPORT FOR RESIDENTS OF MANUFACTURED HOUSING: Staff presented a package of measures developed throughout 2024 and 2025 to increase affordability, protections, and quality standards for residents of mobile homes and manufactured housing (July 24). More: City of Boulder (https://bouldercolorado.primegov.com/Portal/viewer?id=0&type=7&uid=572e2a6d-9f8b-4e50-ba28-f21b31ae48b1)
CLIMATE ACTION INTEGRATED INTO ALL COUNCIL BUSINESS: Staff unveiled a new memo format requiring every proposal going to Council to include a standard assessment of climate, resilience, and sustainability implications (July 24).
OPEN COMMENT PROCEDURES: Council approved updates to public open comment procedures, effective August 7 (July 24). Key changes include meetings with open comment starting at 5:30 p.m. with comment scheduled first, a 45-minute maximum, speakers alternating between in-person and virtual, and the regular meeting following at 6:30 p.m. The changes were prompted in part by chronic disruptions that led to 19 recesses for disturbances and multiple rescheduled agenda items. More: City of Boulder (https://bouldercolorado.gov/news/city-council-adopts-new-open-comment-procedures-council-meetings), Boulder Reporting Lab (https://boulderreportinglab.org/2025/07/24/boulder-city-council-approves-new-open-comment-rules-after-months-of-heated-meetings/)
JUNE 2025
PARKING POLICY: Council moved forward a package of parking policy updates covering off-street parking requirements, standards for motor vehicle and bike parking, and the Neighborhood Parking Program, including universal elimination of off-street parking requirements (June 26). Council made minor changes and the policy moved to a third and final reading. More: Boulder Reporting Lab (https://boulderreportinglab.org/2025/06/26/boulder-to-end-parking-mandates-for-new-developments-in-major-shift/), Daily Camera (https://www.dailycamera.com/2025/07/06/editorial-parking-minimums-boulder-status-quo-embrace-change/)
SAFE AND WELCOMING NORTH 30TH STREET: Council approved design updates to 30th Street between Arapahoe and Diagonal Highway, including a road diet, a new protected bikeway on both sides of the road, and additional safety and calming measures for all users (June 26). North 30th is part of the Core Arterial Network and is part of a package of improvements to a set of interconnected corridors citywide. More: Boulder Reporting Lab (https://boulderreportinglab.org/2025/05/22/boulder-proposes-protected-bike-lanes-fewer-car-lanes-on-30th-street-to-improve-safety/), Daily Camera (https://www.dailycamera.com/2025/06/01/boulder-cycling-community-hopes-for-continued-safety-efforts/)
2025 BALLOT INITIATIVES: Council moved forward consideration of one potential tax ballot initiative — extension of the Community, Culture, Resilience & Safety (CCRS) sales and use tax — while ruling out a new city property tax or vacancy tax for 2025 (June 26). More: Boulder Reporting Lab (https://boulderreportinglab.org/2025/07/01/boulder-city-council-opts-not-to-put-property-tax-measure-on-2025-ballot/), Daily Camera (https://www.dailycamera.com/2025/07/04/survey-boulder-voters-support-tax-extension/)
WILDFIRE HARDENING: Council approved changes expanding the area considered “wildland-urban interface” in Boulder for the purposes of home and landscape hardening and other fire mitigation, increasing the number of affected properties from about 4,600 to more than 16,000 (June 5). Council also directed staff to consider a more holistic approach to hardening rules that could allow for relatively low-risk, high-value vegetation near homes in qualified settings. More: Boulder Reporting Lab (https://boulderreportinglab.org/2025/06/15/boulder-expands-wildfire-risk-zone-to-16000-homes-is-yours-one-of-them/), Boulder Reporting Lab (https://boulderreportinglab.org/2025/05/15/boulder-set-to-mandate-fire-resistant-materials-and-plants-for-new-homes-in-wildfire-zones/)
STANDING WITH BOULDER’S JEWISH COMMUNITY: Council made a statement about the June 1 antisemitic terror attack (June 2). The city stands in solidarity with those directly impacted and with Boulder’s entire Jewish community, united in condemning this hateful act of terror. More: City of Boulder (https://bouldercolorado.gov/news/city-boulder-statement-boulder-attack)
MAY 2025
2026 CITY BUDGET: Council received a financial forecast signaling the need to brace for a significantly constrained 2026 budget, driven by flattening sales tax revenue, expiring federal pandemic-era funds, and climate-related economic headwinds (May 15). The forecast underscored the long-term fiscal stakes of decisions around land use, transportation, and energy — and the need for a city financial strategy that accounts for those pressures. More: Boulder Reporting Lab (https://boulderreportinglab.org/2025/05/08/boulder-braces-for-budget-strain-as-revenue-slows-and-federal-funds-hang-in-limbo/)
BOULDER VALLEY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN (BVCP): Council and Planning Board held a joint meeting to develop ideas and direction for the BVCP update (May 22). The bodies discussed a wide range of visionary ideas including establishing new tools to visualize how long it takes to reach destinations by walking, biking, and transit; setting data-driven goals to significantly improve public transit service in collaboration with RTD, CU, and Via; and driving infill middle housing in mixed-use walkable neighborhoods. I am especially excited about these directions and their potential to expand options for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. More: Daily Camera (https://www.dailycamera.com/2025/05/19/housing-among-hot-topics-for-boulder-valley-comprehensive-plan/)
COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE CITY AND SCHOOL DISTRICT: Council held a joint meeting with the Board of Boulder Valley School District to explore opportunities for partnership (May 7). I encouraged increased collaboration around making public transit and other aspects of transportation work better for students and families, recognizing that political involvement is often needed to make those changes happen. More: Daily Camera (https://www.dailycamera.com/2025/05/10/bvsd-boulder-city-council-talk-priorities-collaboration/)
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: Council considered updates to the Boards and Commissions program (May 1). I recommended that Council develop a process to directly address and provide guidance to Boards and Commissions, given that most have a role in advising Council and a more direct interaction could improve the experience of all members and the quality of advice Council receives.
APRIL 2025
FUTURE OF THE CIVIC AREA: Council provided direction on the concept plan to update Boulder’s downtown Civic Area, which aims to evolve the area’s fragmented appearance into a more cohesive identity, improve wayfinding, bring forward Boulder’s distinct history and culture, and improve universal access and multimodal connections (April 17). I am especially interested in exploring options for a year-round farmers market and public food hub, generous facilities for restrooms and drinking fountains, and abundant bike parking throughout the area’s activity centers. More: Daily Camera (https://www.dailycamera.com/2025/04/21/boulder-city-council-talks-about-upgrading-downtown-hub/)
COUNCIL PROCEDURE: Council adopted findings and recommendations of a City Council Process Working Group to improve council efficiency and effectiveness, including a new protocol to select the Mayor Pro Tem targeting the longest-serving Councilmember who has not yet served in that role (April 17). Council also directed staff to explore changes to the historic preservation landmark review process as part of the Historic Preservation Plan update scheduled for late 2025.
IMPACT FEES FOR INEFFICIENT HOME CONVERSIONS: Council directed staff to continue drafting an ordinance to impose a new fee on property owners who demolish single-family homes and replace them with larger, more expensive ones (April 10). Multiple Councilmembers, including me, asked staff to explore fee structures that incentivize the creation of ADUs, multifamily units, and other more efficient housing forms instead. More: Boulder Reporting Lab (https://boulderreportinglab.org/2025/04/10/boulder-city-council-moves-forward-with-fee-on-teardown-to-large-home-rebuilds/), Boulder Weekly (https://boulderweekly.com/news/govt-watch/impact-fees-additions-and-teardowns/), Daily Camera (https://www.dailycamera.com/2025/04/12/boulder-city-council-sizing-up-impact-fees-on-home-projects/)
SAFE, ACCESSIBLE ARTERIAL STREETS: Staff updated Council on the Core Arterial Network, with work continuing toward redesigns of Iris Ave, North 30th, and Folsom that will deliver separated protected bikeways and a calmer experience for all users (April 2025). More: City of Boulder (https://bouldercolorado.gov/guide/core-arterial-network)
MARCH 2025
OCCUPANCY LIMITS: Council finalized an ordinance eliminating occupancy limits based on traditional family relationships, bringing Boulder into compliance with state law HB 24-1007 (March 6). Occupancy limits are now governed by international health and safety standards. The change also renames single-family homes to “detached dwelling units” and multi-family homes to “multi-unit dwellings,” reflecting a shift toward describing places by what they are rather than who is expected to live in them. More: Boulder Reporting Lab (https://boulderreportinglab.org/2025/03/06/boulder-city-council-unanimously-ends-occupancy-limits-after-decades-of-debate/)
PARTNERSHIP WITH XCEL: Council met with Xcel Energy officials to discuss the city’s agreement with the utility on transitioning away from fossil fuels and strengthening Boulder’s electric grid against extreme weather and wildfires (March 13). We also asked Xcel to monitor and ensure stringent controls for air pollution at its coal ash storage site at the former Valmont Power Station. More: Boulder Reporting Lab (https://boulderreportinglab.org/2025/03/13/boulder-city-council-presses-xcel-on-coal-ash-cleanup-microgrids-and-gas-transition/)
FEBRUARY 2025
PROGRESS CHECK-IN: Council held a mid-term check-in on progress with its two-year workplan and the city’s strategic plan, with all eleven Council initiatives generally on track (February 2025). Work in progress includes parking reform, wildfire hardening and water conservation regulations, updates to the BVCP and Climate Action Plan, and development of an economic development plan. More: City of Boulder (https://bouldercolorado.gov/city-council-priorities)
FORM-BASED CODE: Council voted to adopt a form-based code to shape the development of East Boulder as part of the East Boulder Subcommunity Plan, estimated to enable the eventual construction of around 5,000 new housing units east of Foothills Highway and north of Arapahoe Avenue while preserving the area’s industrial character and supporting the development of a local life sciences industry (February 20). More: Boulder Reporting Lab (https://boulderreportinglab.org/2025/02/23/boulder-city-council-advances-new-development-guidelines-to-allow-more-housing-in-east-boulder/)
CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS: Council approved an update to Boulder’s construction codes to simplify requirements, increase fire hardening and other health and safety protections, and align with international standards (February 20). The update improves Boulder’s performance with a key insurer rating system, potentially resulting in lower insurance premium increases and a reduced likelihood of insurers leaving Boulder due to high wildfire risk. The update also eliminates unnecessary requirements for decks with manufactured homes that would otherwise have created racialized burdens.
HOUSING: Council finalized zoning changes to increase the supply of duplexes, triplexes, and other middle housing options by legalizing the conversion of many single-family homes near downtown and transit into those forms, legalizing the potential for more than 15,000 additional units (February 7). The vote codified the substantive policy Council established on January 9. More: Boulder Reporting Lab (https://boulderreportinglab.org/2025/02/06/in-boulders-latest-zoning-reforms-a-new-way-of-thinking-about-neighborhood-character/)
HOMELESSNESS SOLUTIONS: Council reviewed findings from an evaluation of the countywide homelessness services system and received a proposed update to the city’s homelessness strategy, last revised in 2017 (February 13). The updated strategy, developed with Clutch Consulting, sets goals to eliminate unsheltered nights and shorten average shelter stays, and will guide budget discussions. Staff said Boulder is currently “stuck” — existing strategies are preventing increases in homelessness but not reducing it. More: City of Boulder (https://bouldercolorado.gov/2025-homelessness-strategy-update)
CITY INVESTMENTS: Council voted not to revise city policy for investments in weapons (February 7). I voted for the measure because our investments policy was last revised in 2017 and is due for an update — since then, more evidence has emerged that weapons and war have intense climate impacts. I do not support the city’s involvement in the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) initiative, which is specific to Israel/Gaza, and my vote was for a universal approach to aligning city investments with our values. More: Nature (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-03341-1), Boulder Reporting Lab (https://boulderreportinglab.org/2025/02/06/boulder-city-council-declines-to-revisit-investment-policy-on-weapons/)
HOUSING
COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY: Council reassured immigrant and LGBTQ+ community members of our support in an open letter (January 30). Hate has no place here, and every person who lives, works, studies, and visits our city has the right to live authentically as themselves, free from harassment, discrimination, or exclusion. More: City of Boulder (https://bouldercolorado.gov/news/open-letter-boulder-community)
PARKING AND TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT: Council directed staff to move forward updates to the city’s Access Management and Parking Strategy (AMPS), including off-street parking standards, a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) ordinance for new developments, and on-street parking management strategies (January 23). The key change is universal elimination of parking minimum requirements for developers, aimed at reducing housing costs, improving land use efficiency, and reducing car dependency. I called it “such an exciting time to be making these kinds of improvements for our community.” More: Boulder Reporting Lab (https://boulderreportinglab.org/2025/01/23/citywide-parking-minimums-could-soon-be-history-in-boulder-heres-what-it-means/), Daily Camera (https://www.dailycamera.com/2025/01/24/boulder-council-advances-key-parking-and-transportation-initiatives/amp/)
HOUSING: Council approved zoning changes to increase the supply of duplexes, triplexes, and other middle housing options by legalizing the conversion of many single-family homes near downtown and transit into those forms (January 9). The change creates the potential for more than 15,000 new housing units within existing height, massing, and setback requirements, and exempts 100% permanently affordable housing projects from site review. More: KUNC (https://www.kunc.org/news/2025-01-08/boulder-city-council-to-vote-on-zoning-reforms-to-boost-housing-density-and-affordability), Boulder Reporting Lab (https://boulderreportinglab.org/2025/01/09/boulder-city-council-advances-zoning-reforms-to-increase-housing-density/), Daily Camera (https://www.dailycamera.com/2025/01/09/boulder-city-council-advances-zoning-to-allow-7000-new-homes/)
2024
DECEMBER 2024
CLIMATE ACTION: Council kicked off a process to update the city’s climate action plan, introducing a new focus on compact land use and transportation choices — the most rigorous integration of these topics to date (December 19). The update also deepens the city’s work on system change, adds new commitments to integrating climate action throughout city functions, and takes stock of and responds to the changing energy landscape. More: City of Boulder (https://boulder.novusagenda.com/agendapublic/CoverSheet.aspx?ItemID=6083&MeetingID=911)
SAFE STREETS: Council approved a resolution reaffirming the city’s commitment to Vision Zero, including support for staff to deploy safety treatments expeditiously and to streamline community engagement (December 19). Staff also kicked off a major update to traffic signal practices with an enhanced public process (December 12). More: Daily Camera (https://www.dailycamera.com/2024/12/12/boulder-staffers-to-study-left-turn-signals-in-bid-to-reduce-crashes/)
WILDFIRE HARDENING: Council kicked off a process to update the city’s program of wildfire hardening, eventually leading to the standards adopted in early 2026 (December 12). More: Boulder Reporting Lab (https://boulderreportinglab.org/2024/12/15/boulder-city-council-eyes-stricter-wildfire-hardening-rules-including-for-existing-homes/)
WATER CONSERVATION: Council kicked off a process to update the city’s program of landscaping water conservation, eventually leading to the standards adopted in early 2026 (December 12).
NEW MAYOR PRO TEM: Councilmember Lauren Folkerts was elected as Boulder’s next mayor pro tem (December 5). More: Boulder Reporting Lab (https://boulderreportinglab.org/2024/11/22/boulder-city-council-votes-to-explore-urbanizing-area-iii-planning-reserve/)
NOVEMBER 2024
ELECTION: Here are results of measures I endorsed in the November 5 election:
• Increased Boulder City Council pay starting with next elected cohort (Yes on 2C): Successful
• Permission for Council to use executive session (Yes on 2D): Successful
• Council administrative flexibility with Boards and Commissions (Yes on 2E): Not successful
• Statewide RTD funding (Yes on 7A): Successful
• Statewide protection of women’s right to control their bodies (Yes on 79): Successful
• Statewide protection of marriage equality (Yes on J): Successful
• Kamala Harris for president: Not successful
HOUSING: Council and Planning Board decided to advance the study of the Area III planning reserve — about 220 acres of publicly-owned land adjacent to the city’s northeast border — for potential urbanization to create up to 8,700 housing units (November 21). Going to the next stage of study does not mean the area will necessarily be developed, nor does it preclude additional infill housing within existing city boundaries. More: Boulder Reporting Lab (https://boulderreportinglab.org/2024/11/22/boulder-city-council-votes-to-explore-urbanizing-area-iii-planning-reserve/), Daily Camera (https://www.dailycamera.com/2024/11/22/boulder-city-council-votes-to-explore-urbanizing-area-iii-planning-reserve/)
Council also approved two affordable housing projects: the Fulton Hill Properties Jay Road development dedicating 30% of its 84 units to middle-income buyers, and a 183-unit mixed-use building on Folsom Street (November 7). More: Boulder Reporting Lab (https://boulderreportinglab.org/newsletter/%E2%9C%88%EF%B8%8F-boulders-airport-showdown-with-faa-heats-up/)
SAFE STREETS: Council voted to advance a resolution reaffirming the city’s commitment to Vision Zero initiatives, including supporting staff efforts to deploy safety treatments expeditiously and streamline community engagement (November 7).
MUNICIPAL BROADBAND: Council approved a 20-year agreement to bring affordable, market-rate broadband internet to 97% of the city by 2030, partnering with Nebraska-based ALLO Communications (November 21). Reliable, affordable connectivity is essential infrastructure for economic inclusion and quality of life. More: City of Boulder (https://bouldercolorado.gov/news/city-boulder-allo-communications-agree-fiber-lease-deliver-affordable-and-reliable-high-speed), Daily Camera (https://www.dailycamera.com/2024/11/21/boulder-officials-say-yes-to-community-broadband-agreement-worth-estimated-9m/)
OCTOBER 2024
HOUSING: Council directed staff to develop a package of policies to legalize greater numbers and kinds of housing, especially near downtown and transit, as part of the Family-Friendly Vibrant Neighborhoods program (October 17). Staff estimated it will likely be years to decades before residents notice changes from this upzoning, and will now develop an official proposal expected to return to Council in early 2025. More: Boulder Reporting Lab (https://boulderreportinglab.org/2023/10/09/boulder-city-council-eliminates-single-family-zoning-but-dont-expect-dramatic-changes-anytime-soon/)
FEDERAL, STATE, AND REGIONAL POLICY: Council updated the city’s policy statement to advance more than 70 positions with federal, state, and county agencies in 2025 (October 24). Top priorities include state legislation to protect vulnerable road users by allowing cities to assess fees for vehicle heights and weights, an on-bill repayment system for energy upgrades, funding to reduce and prevent homelessness, and federal funding to expand intercity bus and passenger rail corridors. New positions include designing our transportation system for options besides cars by establishing mode-share targets, ensuring transit serves vulnerable groups during emergencies, and ensuring utility investments reduce wildfire risks while minimizing disruption around public safety power shutoff events. More: The Verge (https://www.theverge.com/2024/9/10/24241047/nhtsa-rule-pedestrian-safety-fmvss-suv-truck-design)
HOMELESSNESS: Council provided input to shape the recently-launched regional homelessness working group led by Boulder County (October 10). Council supported the initiative’s focus on advocacy, affordable housing creation, and supportive services, and asked the city’s representative to push for stronger regional coordination, attention to behavioral and physical health, financial literacy and workforce training, and a tighter mission statement that commits to resolving — not just managing — homelessness.
MINIMUM WAGE: Council voted to increase the minimum wage from $14.42 to $15.57 per hour in 2025, followed by eight percent increases in each of the two subsequent years (October 10). More: Boulder Reporting Lab (https://boulderreportinglab.org/2024/10/11/boulder-city-council-approves-15-57-minimum-wage-for-2025-below-denver-and-boulder-county/)
BUDGET: Council approved the 2025 budget of $589.5 million, a leaner budget reflecting flattening sales tax revenue, expiring federal pandemic-era funds, reduced county community partnership grants, and climate-related economic headwinds (October 3). More: Boulder Reporting Lab (https://boulderreportinglab.org/2024/10/17/boulders-approved-2025-budget-highlights-fiscal-constraints-including-funding-for-safety-net-programs/), Boulder Reporting Lab (https://boulderreportinglab.org/2024/10/03/boulder-county-cuts-millions-in-safety-net-funding-as-demand-for-services-rises/)
ANOTHER TRANSPORTATION DEATH: A driver traveling northbound on Broadway struck and killed 38-year-old Jennifer Newman near the crosswalk at Rayleigh Road in South Boulder. She was the third person killed on Boulder city streets that year. As of September 2024, more than 20 crashes had occurred on Boulder streets resulting in death or life-changing injuries. More: Boulder Reporting Lab (https://boulderreportinglab.org/2024/09/27/fatal-crash-on-broadway-marks-fourth-death-on-boulder-streets-this-year/)
MOBILITY ENHANCEMENTS: The city completed design improvements to Baseline Road between Foothills Parkway and Gapter Road — making the street calmer for drivers and more accessible for people walking, biking, rolling, and taking transit — following similar enhancements to Moorhead Ave over the summer. More: City of Boulder (https://bouldercolorado.gov/services/pavement-management-program)
The city completed the acquisition of over 4,400 streetlights from Xcel Energy, giving the city greater control to use modern technology to increase efficiency, reliability, and cost savings while reducing light pollution. More: City of Boulder (https://bouldercolorado.gov/news/city-boulder-acquires-streetlights-xcel-paving-way-improved-safety-performance-and-cost)
RTD announced transit service improvements for January 2025, including reinstatement of 30-minute airport frequency (AB1) and a new airport route from downtown (AB2). More: Colorado Public Radio (https://www.cpr.org/2024/10/10/rtd-proposed-service-changes/)
RTD adopted a Vision Zero resolution committing to eliminate transit-related traffic fatalities and injuries, fund bus stop and pedestrian safety enhancements, and increase engagement with disability rights organizations and disadvantaged communities. More: RTD (https://www.rtd-denver.com/community/news/rtd-adopts-resolution-focused-on-eliminating-transit-related-traffic-fatalities-and-injuries)
SEPTEMBER 2024
ENHANCEMENTS TO IRIS AVE: Council approved the conversion of Iris Ave from a four-lane road to a modern multimodal street with two-way protected bikeways (September 19). The redesign improves safety for cyclists, pedestrians, transit users, and drivers alike — and takes a meaningful step toward building a more complete, inclusive transportation system citywide. More: Daily Camera (https://www.dailycamera.com/2024/09/19/boulder-city-council-says-yes-to-iris-avenue-road-diet-design/), Boulder Reporting Lab (https://boulderreportinglab.org/2024/09/12/plan-to-add-protected-bike-lane-and-reduce-lanes-on-iris-avenue-advances-to-city-council/), Colorado Hometown Weekly (https://www.coloradohometownweekly.com/2024/09/19/boulder-city-council-says-yes-to-iris-avenue-road-diet-design/)
BALLOT INITIATIVES: Council placed three measures on the November ballot: raising pay for future City Councils to 40% of area median income; allowing Council to hold executive sessions for matters such as legal advice; and permitting Council to modify the terms, eligibility, and meeting schedules for boards and commissions (September 5). I personally support all three. Council also endorsed state ballot measure Yes on 7A, which would provide critical transit funding without raising taxes (September 19). More: Daily Camera (https://www.dailycamera.com/2024/09/05/council-members-approve-boulder-ballot-measures-related-to-pay-closed-door-meetings/), Boulder Reporting Lab (https://boulderreportinglab.org/2024/09/05/boulder-city-council-refers-three-measures-to-november-ballot/), Colorado Public Radio (https://www.cpr.org/2024/09/06/campaign-to-let-rtd-keep-money-tabor/)
Council approved adding a mixed-use “creative campus” to the North Boulder Subcommunity Plan and heard an update on Boulder’s downtown commercial areas (August 15, September 19). I complimented the prevalence of high-quality bike racks downtown, encouraged even greater excellence and innovation in bike parking, and asked that we explore meaningful ways to encourage smaller vehicles in the area.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Council discussed an economic development plan and program enhancements in an experimental “community forum” meeting format that involved significant direct input from community members (September 26). More: City of Boulder (https://bouldercolorado.gov/news/city-boulder-host-first-community-and-council-forum-experiment), Boulder Weekly (https://boulderweekly.com/news/govt-watch/community-forum/), Daily Camera (https://www.dailycamera.com/2024/09/17/boulder-to-roll-out-new-community-council-forum-next-week/)
AUGUST 2024
PARKING AND TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT: Council kicked off a process to update the city’s parking and transportation demand management policies (August 8). The proceeding will update off-street parking standards — including a potential citywide elimination of parking minimums that I support — along with on-street parking management and developer demand management requirements. I requested that the proceeding also establish a broader demand management approach for transportation, mobility, and land use. More: Boulder Reporting Lab (https://boulderreportinglab.org/2024/08/18/boulder-planners-explore-elimination-of-parking-minimums-across-entire-city-starting-next-year/)
MAGNUS WHITE: Thousands of residents and visitors rallied to honor Magnus White, a 17-year-old cycling champion killed by a driver while riding his bike on Diagonal Highway (August 11). His parents called deaths on our roads preventable and demanded action from policymakers — specifically fast-tracking the North Foothills Bikeway project connecting Boulder to Lyons along U.S. 36. More: Boulder Reporting Lab (https://boulderreportinglab.org/2024/08/11/thousands-rally-in-boulder-for-ride-for-your-life-honoring-magnus-white-demanding-safer-cycling-roads/), Denver7 (https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/a-ride-not-a-race-thousands-ride-for-magnus-white-a-teen-cyclist-killed-last-summer-in-boulder)
ENHANCEMENTS TO IRIS AVE: Staff recommended “Alternative B” for the Iris Avenue redesign — a two-way protected bikeway on the sunny north side paired with a road diet converting two lanes in each direction to one, with a shared center turning lane (August 11). The design improves safety for kids going to nearby schools, reduces speeding, and creates a calmer experience for all road users. More: City of Boulder (https://bouldercolorado.gov/projects/iris-avenue-transportation-improvements-project)
CHRONIC NUISANCE ORDINANCE: Council passed the city’s first chronic nuisance ordinance along with a one-year moratorium on enforcement at the city’s two 100% permanently supportive housing developments, to avoid creating barriers for that housing type while ensuring a sufficient standard of care for all residents (August 8). More: Daily Camera (https://www.dailycamera.com/2024/08/08/boulder-city-council-approves-new-public-nuisance-ordinance-delays-enforcement/), Boulder Reporting Lab (https://boulderreportinglab.org/2024/07/25/ordinance-would-allow-boulder-to-revoke-rental-licenses-for-chronic-nuisance-violations/)
HOUSING: Staff reported that the Denver Metro area needs 216,000 new units by 2032, per a DRCOG study, and that a new DRCOG calculator will give Boulder deeper insight into its specific housing needs and opportunities for regional collaboration (August 2024). More: Boulder Reporting Lab (https://boulderreportinglab.org/2024/07/28/boulders-housing-shortage-comes-into-sharper-focus-with-new-report/), Denver7 (https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/we-know-metro-denver-needs-housing-a-new-report-details-exactly-how-much)
COMMUTER RAIL: DRCOG updated Council on the future of Front Range commuter rail service, with state legislation requiring a plan for service by January 1, 2029. RTD, Front Range Passenger Rail, and CDOT are co-developing a plan for three morning and three evening trains connecting Boulder between Longmont and Denver, with level boarding and speeds up to 79 mph.
JULY 2024
AIRPORT: Council received a financial analysis of scenarios for the Boulder Municipal Airport and decided to defer new direction until after the November election, which included two airport-related ballot measures (July 25). The city also filed a federal lawsuit seeking a ruling that would allow Boulder to close the airport by 2040, when its most recent grant obligations expire, responding to the FAA’s claim that the obligation runs in perpetuity. More: Daily Camera (https://www.dailycamera.com/2024/07/27/boulder-sues-faa-over-possible-airport-closure/), Boulder Reporting Lab (https://boulderreportinglab.org/2024/07/28/city-of-boulder-sues-faa-over-airport-closure-dispute/)
BOULDER VALLEY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN (BVCP): Council kicked off the process to update the BVCP, the ten-year plan that guides land use, housing, transportation, and sustainability decisions across the Boulder Valley in partnership with Boulder County (July 2024). More: Daily Camera (https://www.dailycamera.com/2024/07/05/boulder-staffers-present-scenarios-for-future-of-area-iii-planning-reserve/), Bizwest (https://bizwest.com/2024/07/21/parallel-runways/)
JUNE 2024
ENHANCEMENTS TO IRIS AVE: Council received a staff update on four design options for protected bikeways and other improvements on Iris Avenue, centered on two key questions: whether bikeways should be paired on the north side or placed on both sides, and whether to convert the road to a road diet configuration or expand the overall width of concrete to accommodate bikeways while maintaining four travel lanes (June 27). I wrote about why the project makes sense — primarily its ability to serve a greater set of needs for more people, both in the immediate area and citywide — in Yellow Scene Magazine (https://yellowscene.com/2024/03/15/to-find-money-shift-how-boulder-does-transportation/). More: Daily Camera (https://www.dailycamera.com/2024/06/27/boulder-city-council-discusses-iris-avenue-transportation-project/amp/), Denver7 (https://www.denver7.com/news/front-range/boulder/boulders-proposed-changes-for-iris-avenue-spark-controversy)
AREA III PLANNING RESERVE: Council received an update on draft scenarios for the Area III Planning Reserve — publicly-owned land that could potentially make way for future housing and other community amenities (June 27). I asked that as options are evaluated, the city avoid scenarios that would trigger road widening. Whether this land will be developed has not been decided; the current process is fact-finding. More: Boulder Reporting Lab (https://boulderreportinglab.org/2024/06/30/boulder-officials-begin-evaluating-potential-housing-development-in-northern-planning-reserve/)
BALLOT INITIATIVES: Council decided to place three measures on the November ballot covering council pay, executive sessions, and boards and commissions flexibility, and heard discussion about airport-related ballot measures under consideration by resident petitioners (June 20). More: Daily Camera (https://www.dailycamera.com/2024/06/21/boulder-city-council-fleshes-out-details-of-2024-ballot-measures/)
The city’s climate lawsuit against Exxon and Suncor may proceed after a district court judge rejected the fossil fuel companies’ motion to dismiss. The judge ruled the case — seeking damages under Colorado tort law for harms caused to the community — is headed for a jury trial. More: Colorado Public Radio (https://www.cpr.org/2024/06/24/boulder-exxon-mobil-suncor-energy-climate-change-lawsuit/)
MAY 2024
STATE POLICY: Several important Boulder-supported state bills passed at the end of the legislative session (May 8). New laws facilitate construction of accessory dwelling units (HB 1152), restrict parking minimums (HB 1304), increase allowability of housing in transit-oriented communities (HB 1313), eliminate housing occupancy limits based on familial relationships (SB 1007), fund projects to protect vulnerable road users (SB 195), fund Front Range Passenger Rail (SB 184), fund fare-free rides for high ozone days and youth (SB 32), require hands-free phones while driving (SB 65), and commission an economic analysis on the generational harms caused by systemic racism (SB 53).
ENERGY CODE: Council adopted a new energy code requiring all-electric equipment in new buildings, aimed at avoiding higher costs that could stand in the way of new middle housing near where people need to go (May 16). The code rewards smaller footprints, multifamily dwellings, and electric vehicles.
PLANNING AND PERMITTING: Council approved measures to cut red tape in the development review process, including a new category for “straightforward” use review projects that may skip a mandatory Planning Board review (May 16). More: Boulder Weekly (https://boulderweekly.com/news/red-tape-reversal/)
LANDSCAPING EQUIPMENT: Council considered whether to phase down the use of gas-powered landscaping equipment (May 16). I said I wanted to be proactive about making regulations but agreed with colleagues that we need to proceed with caution given the risk of disrupting 2,000-2,500 small businesses with an approximately 80% Hispanic workforce.
CITY FINANCE: Council received the annual financial forecast, including a technical presentation by CU partners highlighting climate and water-related “headwinds” as long-term fiscal risks (May 9). The discussion reinforced the need to recognize how land use, transportation, and energy decisions affect long-term financial sustainability.
APRIL 2024
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES: Council established its two-year workplan at its annual retreat (April 3-4). Priorities I am especially excited about include an update to our climate action plan, a schedule of more than a half-dozen proceedings to evolve our transportation system toward being safer, more affordable, and more inclusive, and a new definition of transportation in city code that expands the focus from traffic engineering to accessibility — people’s ability to reach the things they need. More: RyanWithBoulder (https://www.ryanwithboulder.com/new-initiatives-in-2026)
CITY STRATEGIC PLAN: City Manager Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde shared Boulder’s new strategic plan, which makes the city’s large number of ongoing projects transparent for the first time (March 14). It creates new citywide focus areas on climate action, safe streets, and the integration of transportation, land use, and housing into an aim of 15-minute neighborhoods.
XCEL POWER SHUTOFF: Boulder experienced high winds that led Xcel to deliberately shut off power to more than 55,000 residents in April 2024. A survey tallied $1.3 million in lost revenue, $240,000 in unpaid wages, and $125,000 in inventory or product losses from just 96 local businesses. After the event, I asked Xcel’s Colorado president to ensure the company’s improvement plan addressed how its practices compare with industry best practices, what specific steps it is taking in key areas, what it needs from the city for effective partnership, and what regulatory or legislative issues stand in the way. More: Colorado Sun (https://coloradosun.com/2024/04/09/xcel-preplanned-power-outage/)
HOUSING: Council discussed Zoning for Housing Affordability, an initiative to create more housing options by legalizing homes with smaller footprints and shared walls, increasing the supply of middle housing like duplexes and cottage courts, facilitating walkable mixed-use neighborhoods, and bringing more housing near public transit to enable better service (April 25).
CIVIC AREA: Council considered landmarking the downtown civic area; landmarking did not go forward (April 11). The process surfaced an incredible wealth of history and community love that staff will memorialize as improvements to the civic area proceed through other upcoming proceedings.
MARCH 2024
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: Council made appointments to 29 Boards and Commissions from an extraordinary pool of 100 applicants (March 14).
ENERGY CODE: Council passed the first reading of an update to the City’s Energy Conservation Code, which will electrify new building construction and ratchet up energy efficiency in pursuit of Boulder’s climate goals (March 21). The updated code aims to ensure buildings are high-performing, resilient to climate change, and reduce the impact of volatile utility costs on occupants.
HOUSING: Council heard and provided comments for Williams Village II — a concept to build 610 units of housing and new commercial space on 9.5 acres at Baseline near 30th Street, current site of the Dark Horse (March 7). The site is located near major existing and planned bikeway corridors, transit connections, and the CU campus, and the proposal would add green space and safe connections to an area currently dominated by surface parking lots.
FLOOD MITIGATION: Council completed the final approval step for the South Boulder Creek Flood Mitigation project, transferring 2.2 acres of Open Space and Mountain Parks land to the Utilities department after a ten-plus year process (March 21). The project aims to protect 2,300 Boulderites and 1,100 homes from a 100-year flood.
FEBRUARY 2024
XCEL PARTNERSHIP: Xcel Energy shared a status report on its commitment to reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions, a key component of the 2020 voter-approved Xcel Franchise and Partnership Agreement (February 15). The company acknowledged it will miss its 2022 and 2024 targets but projected major progress by 2027 and 2030. I asked Xcel to confirm it is planning for the grid reliability challenges that will come as Boulder shifts transportation and building energy to all-electric. More: YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/live/f8gJv7f5nc0?si=Sos8fB2CbsbKFLnI)
STATE POLICY: Council received an update on Boulder’s state policy advocacy initiatives to fix land use policy, secure transportation funding, and protect vulnerable road users (February 15). Governor Polis also published an update to the Colorado climate plan — Greenhouse Gas Pollution Reduction Roadmap 2.0 — a package of regulatory and legislative reforms relevant to housing, transportation, and energy in Boulder. More: My Daily Camera op-ed (https://www.dailycamera.com/2024/02/26/guest-opinion-ryan-schuchard-colorados-new-climate-roadmap-is-a-resource-for-boulder/)
CLIMATE LAWSUIT: Boulder’s lawsuit against oil companies Exxon and Suncor advanced when a district court judge rejected the companies’ motion to dismiss, ruling that the case — which seeks damages under Colorado tort law for climate harms — may proceed (February 2024). More: City of Boulder (https://bouldercolorado.gov/news/boulder-county-city-boulder-urge-court-reject-oil-companies-motion-dismiss-landmark-climate)
DOWNTOWN PLAN: Council received an update on ten downtown projects planned over the next five years (February 1). I asked that these investments make downtown more accessible to people with fewer and smaller cars, increase housing options, and increase our readiness to serve more regional transit — and recommended we learn what it would take for residents to leave their car at home when heading downtown.
HOMELESSNESS SOLUTIONS: Council reviewed an update on the city’s overall homelessness approach and a deep dive on the high-utilizers program (February 8). I said I believe three things will help us achieve the most going forward: a more centralized public accounting of investments across our homelessness portfolio; reducing the time between learning and doing; and increasing city-county collaboration toward a shared change model. Our staff deserve credit for their dedication to solving an issue that can seem impossible and be thankless to work on.
JANUARY 2024
HOUSING: Council voted unanimously to remove Boulder’s limit on residential growth, aligning with state legislation HB 23-1255 (January 18). Boulder’s population has been declining for years and the prior cap had little practical effect — but removing it helps create new possibilities for housing growth.
STATE POLICY: Council received an update on state legislation priorities including hardening infrastructure against climate change, funding and protecting the city’s ability to reduce and prevent homelessness, advancing housing affordability and transit through qualified state land use involvement, securing state transit funding, and protecting vulnerable road users with a new user-fee program for drivers of large vehicles (January 25).
CITY FACILITIES: Council received an update on the city’s Facilities Master Plan, which contemplates consolidating municipal facilities around the city and using assets more efficiently (January 11). I said I hope to use this process to make Boulder’s next generation of facilities a gold standard for enabling employees and the public to access them by transit, biking, and walking — and to be a model for local developers making their own transportation demand management plans.
ZERO-EMISSION FLEET: Boulder purchased a new electric fire truck, making Boulder the first city in the United States to have two such vehicles. More: City of Boulder (https://bouldercolorado.gov/news/first-responder-safety-and-climate-goals-are-prioritized-purchase-citys-second-rosenbauer)
2023
DECEMBER 2023
HOUSING: Council voted unanimously to repeal Boulder’s Residential Growth Management system on first reading, prompted by state legislation banning enforcement of laws that explicitly limit population growth (December 21). RGMS had been established in the 1970s to limit new housing but had had no practical effect on Boulder’s growth rate in recent decades. Council also considered the Downtown Civic Area and Boulder Junction Phase 2 subcommunity plans; I urged that Boulder be assertive in planning for walkability, bikeability, transit-orientation, and accessibility in both areas.
COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS: Council established committee assignments. Mine are: Financial Strategy Committee; Council Employee Evaluation Committee; Commuting Solutions Committee; State Highway 7 Coalition; Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG, alternate); and Dushanbe, Tajikistan liaison.
MULTI-MODAL ENHANCEMENTS: Boulder won a major federal Safe Streets grant of $23 million. The Federal Rail Administration also announced that the Front Range Passenger Rail system is now part of plans for future federal investment, with a goal of connecting Fort Collins and Pueblo with stops in Longmont and Boulder. More: City of Boulder (https://bouldercolorado.gov/news/us-department-transportation-awards-boulder-23-million-grant-improve-transportation-safety), Bizwest (https://bizwest.com/2023/12/07/passenger-ra/#djPop)
NON-POLICE FIRST RESPONSE (CARE PROGRAM): Boulder launched the CARE program, providing non-police first responders — including a behavioral health clinician, paramedic, and intensive case management personnel — to some 911 and non-emergency calls. More: City of Boulder (https://bouldercolorado.gov/news/city-pilots-alternative-response-program-emergency-calls)
SAFE STREETS: Council unanimously voted to expand traffic photo speed enforcement at our first meeting, improving road safety while reducing subjectivity in policing (December 7). Council also reauthorized the Chautauqua Park to Park trailhead shuttle and paid parking program. More: City of Boulder (https://boulder.novusagenda.com/agendapublic/CoverSheet.aspx?ItemID=5480&MeetingID=821)
NEW CITY COUNCIL: Boulder elected a new cohort of City Councilmembers starting on December 7, 2023. The new members are Taishya Adams, Tina Marquis, re-elect Tara Winer, and me. Our terms end in 2026.
Notes:
A more comprehensive view of City Council business is available through our meeting materials here and meeting recordings here.