Positions

2026 Ballot Measures

Here's how I'm voting this November: In the City of Boulder, I'm voting yes on 2J, 2K, 2L, and 2M. In Boulder County, I'm voting yes on 1A, and I'm not taking a position on Questions 200 and 201, because I believe city council should stay out of restructuring the county government. I'm voting yes on rail measure 7A. At the state level, I'm voting yes on Amendment 87 and Proposition NN, and no on Amendments 81 through 86 and Propositions 132 through 137. Here’s a full list of how I’m voting on my Instagram page.

Airport

I support a long-term commitment to the airport. However I don’t think Boulder has gotten a good enough deal nor completed the necessary due diligence to agree to running the airport in perpetuity. Therefore I do not support accepting FAA funds and the accompanying 2022 grant covenants at this time. I made a motion to go ahead with a long term airport commitment but wait on FAA grants for at least a year on July 23. That failed 3-6. I then voted for an amendment requiring the next FAA grant to require council approval, which passed. On September 17, I voted against pursuing an FAA grant which came with an obligation to operate the airport in perpetuity. The motion passed 6-2 and the Council approved going ahead against my no vote. The Airport Neighborhood Campaign endorses me for my work on this issue and commitment to holding big decisions to high standards.

Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs)

I believe we should stop the use of ALPRs, massively networked AI-enabled surveillance cameras (e. g., Flock and Axon), until and unless we generally have consent from the public. I do support the use red light traffic cameras and the target use of drones for wildfire spotting and other active emergency response that minimize personal data. I spoke about this in March, posted about it in March and posted again about it in July.

Boulderado Workers

I enthusiastically support the drive of Boulderado workers to unionize. I admire the brave, difficult work they are leading to build a more secure future for their families, themselves, and others. Going forward, I stand with Boulderado workers and UNITE HERE Local 23 as I have stood with them before in meetings and the picket line.

Downtown Development Authority (DDA)

I support making it a priority to revitalize downtown and our local economy in a way that is symbiotic with the city budget. However I do not believe we are clear enough on the underlying policy issues nor have sufficient buy-in from the community to warrant referring a DDA, which would impact citywide voter-approved dedicated funds, to a small group of special district downtown voters (under 2500 people in all) to be decided. I voted no to the DDA on August 6.

Fiscal stewardship

I want Boulder to be financially strong so it can take care of everyone, now and in the future. In 2027, I'm pushing for a public dashboard of long-term financial health indicators to guide big decisions, a two-year budget cycle that gives council time for strategy and oversight, and a council-level committee to plan upkeep across every city asset. Read more in my newsletter essays, How to Make Boulder Financially Strong and 3 Ways to Budget Better.

Fixing Boulder’s Facilities

I’ll be voting yes to modernize Boulder’s fifteen failing public buildings, from our police station to the rec centers, in the $400 million ballot measure this fall. So that’s a YES on City of Boulder 2K: Recreation and Safety Bond. Read more in my newsletter essay, Why I’m Voting Yes to Modernize Boulder’s Aging Public Buildings.

Minimum Wage

I’m a leading Council voice to increase earnings for wage workers. I voted to increase minimum wage in 2024, going to $16.82 in 2027, which my council cohort approved. I do not support changes to the tip credit that could reduce pay to minimum wage earners, which I voted against on July 30.

Wildfire

We need to comprehensively protect Boulder from the threat of fast-moving wildfires. With that in mind, I co-wrote Council’s 2026 workplan priority to put Boulder in a position to embark on a major new commitment. That led to Wildfire Ready 2030, the city's new framework to harden homes across our highest-risk neighborhoods, which Council heard on October 22. Going ahead, we need to consider a whole package of measures including public funding and targeted requirements. To get that right, we need an approach that will help us harden Boulder’s buildings and landscapes relatively quickly and cost-effectively. To do that, we need to focus on building an ecosystem of strong home hardening services, guided by the city, so residents can count on a trustworthy provider to harden their homes affordably to city specifications. Strong services make every other tool work better, from assessments to public funding to any future requirements. Read more in my newsletter essay, Why the City Must Help Build Strong Services for Home Wildfire Hardening.

Priorities

Learn about my priorities that lead to these positions at www.ryanwithboulder.com/priorities.