City of Boulder 2J – Residential Vacancy Excise Tax

In an attempt to encourage homeowners with multiple residences to either spend time in Boulder and spend money here or else to rent or sell their homes to others in Boulder, the city is proposing a vacancy excise tax. Various exemptions exist, such as if the property is in probate or the owner is in a long-term care facility or on active military duty.

Regardless of the size of one’s home, the tax will start at $4,000 per home for any homes that are occupied less than 184 days per year. The tax cannot go below $4,000, but can rise with inflation up to a maximum of $7,000 per year.

Recommendation: Tax

Issue 2J does not impose a vacancy tax in proportion to the assessed value of the home so the uber-wealthy with a $3M home won’t feel the pain as much as someone with a $500K condo. A $500K condo would also have a more affordable rent than a $3M home. .

Website for the Yes Side – Vacancy to Vitality
https://www.bouldervacancytax.org/

Website for the No Side – No registered issue committee
https://kimmonson.com/colorado-voter-guide/2026/boulder-2j/


Approved Ballot Language
City of Boulder Ballot Issue 2J
RESIDENTIAL VACANCY EXCISE TAX (TABOR)

SHALL THE CITY OF BOULDER TAXES BE INCREASED $6,000,000 ANNUALLY (WHICH AMOUNT REPRESENTS ESTIMATED REVENUES IN 2028, THE FIRST FULL FISCAL YEAR OF COLLECTION), AND BY SUCH AMOUNTS RAISED ANNUALLY THEREAFTER, BY IMPOSING A $4,000 TAX ON VACANT HOMES THAT ARE OCCUPIED FOR 183 DAYS OR LESS PER YEAR, WITH SUCH AMOUNT NEVER FALLING BELOW $4,000 BUT INCREASING ANNUALLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DENVER-AURORA-LAKEWOOD CONSUMER PRICE INDEX UP TO, BUT NEVER EXCEEDING $7,000, WITH THE REVENUE FROM SUCH TAX TO BE USED FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUPPORTING CITY SERVICES, INCLUDING: POLICE AND FIRE PROTECTION; PARKS AND RECREATION; TRANSPORTATION AND MAINTENANCE; AND OTHER GENERAL SERVICES IMPORTANT TO THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE CITY;
AND SHALL THE REVENUES FROM SUCH TAXES AND ANY RELATED EARNINGS BE COLLECTED, RETAINED, AND SPENT AS A VOTER-APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE WITHOUT LIMITATION AND AN EXCEPTION TO THE REVENUE AND SPENDING LIMITS OF ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION?

YES/FOR ___
NO/AGAINST ___

Ordinance 8759 to refer 2J to the voters
https://documents.bouldercolorado.gov/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=202825&dbid=0&repo=LF8PROD2