Ballot Question 2C would increase pay for council members and the mayor by basing the pay on a percentage of Area Median Income (AMI) for a single-person household. The pay would increase from about $12,500 this year to 40% ($40,880 this year) of AMI for council members and 50% ($51,100) of AMI for the mayor. Both the current pay based on the Consumer Price Index and the proposed pay based on AMI have annual adjustments. The new pay would start in December of 2026 with the swearing in of new council members.
Question 2C proposes paying the mayor more than council, which Boulder has never done.
The last time we saw a council pay measure, the voters in 2021 passed 2M to untie council pay from meeting attendance.
Recommendation: Against
More pay for council members is okay, but our mayor should not get more pay than the council members. We have a weak-mayor/strong-city-manager system. When we directly elected our mayor for the first time in 2023, we learned that a mayoral election deprives the city of a public servant who would likely have continued on council under our former system. Perhaps we should stop directly electing our mayor and go back to electing 5 council members every two years.
More pay for council members is okay, but if council wants their job to be considered as the large time commitment that they claim it is, then when they were asked to place a charter amendment on the ballot to prohibit a council member from simultaneously serving in the state legislator, they should have done so.
More pay for council members is okay, but perhaps such a large and sudden (as opposed to gradual) pay raise is not warranted. A council member’s primary obligation is to prepare and attend a meeting every week. The meetings are in the evening so that council members can, and some do, have a day job. In contrast, the county commissioner job is considered full-time, and the commissioners hold regular meetings during the day.
An argument for more pay for council is that people with lower incomes will be more encouraged to run for office. The proposed substantial pay raise may encourage more candidates of all stripes to run, making the elections much more competitive and expensive, and thereby shutting out those with fewer resources. To ensure diverse representation, a better solution is adopting proportional representation for council.
This site has consistently argued that council members deserve more pay, but recent hypocrisy around this issue and the proposed structure in this ballot question lead to an “Against” recommendation.
Website for the For Side
No known website – Info on a proponents’ website appreciated.
Website for the Against Side
No known website – Info on an opposition website appreciated.
Approved Ballot Language
City of Boulder Ballot Question 2C
Council Pay
Shall Sec. 7 of the Boulder Home Rule Charter be repealed and replaced to set compensation for City Council members at 40% of the Area Median Income and 50% of the Area Median Income for Mayor, commencing on the swearing-in date of the newly elected City Council in December of 2026, as more specifically provided in Ordinance 8640?
For the Measure ___
Against the Measure ___
Ordinance 8640 to refer Question 2C to the ballot
https://documents.bouldercolorado.gov/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=187437&dbid=0&repo=LF8PROD2
Monday, October 14, 2024
City of Boulder 2D – Executive Sessions
City council is asking again for permission to hold executive sessions. Ordinance 8641 lists eight matters for which an executive session could be called. Some of the matters are legal advice, transactions of “property interest,” security arrangements, and personnel matters. The ninth matter is “Any other discussion allowed by C.R.S. 24-6-402.” The eight matters listed closely mirror the list allowed by C.R.S. 24-6-402 (4) for a local public body. (C.R.S. = Colorado Revised Statutes)
Question 2D also includes this text: “Council members not present and voting for a regular or special council meeting may nonetheless participate in an executive session that is part of that meeting using remote technology.”
Recommendation: leaning for
This site has been supportive of executive sessions in the recent past (Question 2P in 2017 and Question 2B in 2014) and mildly against Question 2B in 2008 when the number of council members that would have been needed to call an executive session weren’t even in favor of the ballot measure.
The stated reasons for calling an executive session sound reasonable, but an October 7, 2024 Boulder Weekly posting in its “Voter Guide” points out that “Aurora (2023), Basalt (2020), Denver Public Schools (2023), Glenwood Springs (2023), Del Norte (2024) and Florence (2024) have all been recently been [sic] found” to have abused the option of executive sessions.
Boulder untied council pay from meeting attendance by passing Question 2M in 2021. This year’s Question 2D also could be seen as reducing the imperative of council members attending public council meetings.
Website for the For Side
No known website – Info on a proponents’ website appreciated.
Website for the Against Side
No known website – Info on an opposition website appreciated.
Approved Ballot Language
City of Boulder Ballot Question 2D
Executive Sessions
Shall Sec. 9 be amended and A NEW Sec. 21A. of the Boulder Home Rule Charter be adopted to authorize City Council to hold executive sessions as provided by state law, and implement the transition as more specifically provided in Ordinance 8641?
For the Measure ___
Against the Measure ___
Ordinance 8641 to refer Question 2D to the ballot
https://documents.bouldercolorado.gov/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=187438&dbid=0&repo=LF8PROD2
Question 2D also includes this text: “Council members not present and voting for a regular or special council meeting may nonetheless participate in an executive session that is part of that meeting using remote technology.”
Recommendation: leaning for
This site has been supportive of executive sessions in the recent past (Question 2P in 2017 and Question 2B in 2014) and mildly against Question 2B in 2008 when the number of council members that would have been needed to call an executive session weren’t even in favor of the ballot measure.
The stated reasons for calling an executive session sound reasonable, but an October 7, 2024 Boulder Weekly posting in its “Voter Guide” points out that “Aurora (2023), Basalt (2020), Denver Public Schools (2023), Glenwood Springs (2023), Del Norte (2024) and Florence (2024) have all been recently been [sic] found” to have abused the option of executive sessions.
Boulder untied council pay from meeting attendance by passing Question 2M in 2021. This year’s Question 2D also could be seen as reducing the imperative of council members attending public council meetings.
Website for the For Side
No known website – Info on a proponents’ website appreciated.
Website for the Against Side
No known website – Info on an opposition website appreciated.
Approved Ballot Language
City of Boulder Ballot Question 2D
Executive Sessions
Shall Sec. 9 be amended and A NEW Sec. 21A. of the Boulder Home Rule Charter be adopted to authorize City Council to hold executive sessions as provided by state law, and implement the transition as more specifically provided in Ordinance 8641?
For the Measure ___
Against the Measure ___
Ordinance 8641 to refer Question 2D to the ballot
https://documents.bouldercolorado.gov/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=187438&dbid=0&repo=LF8PROD2
City of Boulder 2E – Boards and Commissions Changes
One way that city residents engage with the city’s government is by serving on boards and commissions. The city charter’s Article IX. Advisory Commissions has been in the charter since the charter’s inception in 1917.
City council wants to delete almost all of “Section 130. - General provisions concerning advisory commissions” and replace it with a sweeping statement that “the council may, by ordinance, establish appointive boards and commissions” and prescribe the powers, terms of office, etc.
Recommendation: Against
The city has been accused of not listening to the community and not seeking the community’s input. For instance, in 2017 the city reduced Open Comment time at council meetings. Recently, perhaps in response, the city has started working with the National Civic League on a Better Public Meetings Project.
The board and commission members are already appointed by council and are mostly advisory in nature. Removing language from the voter-approved charter and replacing it with council-passed ordinance language seems problematic. If a particular problem exists with the boards and commissions, council should request voters approve a specific change to the charter to address that issue rather than request overarching power. Councils come and go, but the charter is more permanent and can be a bulwark against a “bad” council.
Website for the For Side
No known website – Info on a proponents’ website appreciated.
Website for the Against Side
No known website – Info on an opposition website appreciated.
Approved Ballot Language
City of Boulder Ballot Question 2E
Boards and Commissions Changes
Shall Sec. 130 of the Boulder Home Rule Charter be amended to authorize City Council to set the terms and criteria of board and commission members and amend the language regarding removal of board and commission members as more specifically provided in Ordinance 8639?
For the Measure ___
Against the Measure ___
Ordinance 8639 to refer Question 2E to the ballot
https://documents.bouldercolorado.gov/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=187436&dbid=0&repo=LF8PROD2
City council wants to delete almost all of “Section 130. - General provisions concerning advisory commissions” and replace it with a sweeping statement that “the council may, by ordinance, establish appointive boards and commissions” and prescribe the powers, terms of office, etc.
Recommendation: Against
The city has been accused of not listening to the community and not seeking the community’s input. For instance, in 2017 the city reduced Open Comment time at council meetings. Recently, perhaps in response, the city has started working with the National Civic League on a Better Public Meetings Project.
The board and commission members are already appointed by council and are mostly advisory in nature. Removing language from the voter-approved charter and replacing it with council-passed ordinance language seems problematic. If a particular problem exists with the boards and commissions, council should request voters approve a specific change to the charter to address that issue rather than request overarching power. Councils come and go, but the charter is more permanent and can be a bulwark against a “bad” council.
Website for the For Side
No known website – Info on a proponents’ website appreciated.
Website for the Against Side
No known website – Info on an opposition website appreciated.
Approved Ballot Language
City of Boulder Ballot Question 2E
Boards and Commissions Changes
Shall Sec. 130 of the Boulder Home Rule Charter be amended to authorize City Council to set the terms and criteria of board and commission members and amend the language regarding removal of board and commission members as more specifically provided in Ordinance 8639?
For the Measure ___
Against the Measure ___
Ordinance 8639 to refer Question 2E to the ballot
https://documents.bouldercolorado.gov/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=187436&dbid=0&repo=LF8PROD2
RTD 7A – Debruce RTD Permanently
The Regional Transportation District (RTD) provides public transportation in all of 4 counties, including Boulder County, and in parts of 4 other counties. All CU-Boulder students get an RTD pass with their student ID.
Voters are being asked to permanently debruce RTD. In 1999 voters temporarily debruced RTD while paying off bond debt; that debt should be paid off in November 2024.
From the Bell Policy Center website https://www.bellpolicy.org/2019/07/12/what-is-debrucing/: “Debrucing” is the act of eliminating the government spending limit and allowing that government to retain and spend all of the revenue it collects under existing tax rates. The revenue cap is part of the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) and reduces the state’s ability to raise revenue and invest more funding into the priorities that Coloradans care about.
Recommendation: YES
Most jurisdictions have already received voter approval to debruce. Doing away with RTD’s revenue cap makes sense – as it has every time debrucing has appeared on the city of Boulder ballot.
Some people may be unhappy with RTD for not completing the FasTracks commuter rail to Boulder, but denying RTD revenue that it has already collected will certainly not help achieve commuter rail.
Website for the Yes Side
https://www.keepcoloradomoving.com/
Website for the No Side
No known website – Info on an opposition website appreciated.
Approved Ballot Language
Regional Transportation District Ballot Issue 7A
WITHOUT IMPOSING ANY NEW TAX OR INCREASING ANY TAX RATE, SHALL THE REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION DISTRICT'S ("RTD") AUTHORIZATION TO COLLECT, RETAIN AND SPEND ALL REVENUES IT RECEIVES FROM ALL SOURCES, INCLUDING ITS SALES TAX REVENUES, GRANT FUNDS AND OTHER MONEYS LAWFULLY RECEIVED BY RTD FROM THE STATE OF COLORADO OR ANY OTHER SOURCE, ORIGINALLY APPROVED BY THE VOTERS IN 1999, BE CONTINUED TO PERMIT RTD TO RETAIN REVENUE NECESSARY TO PROVIDE VITAL RTD SERVICES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
· PROVIDING TRANSPORTATION CHOICES TO LOCAL RESIDENTS BY MAINTAINING AND GROWING CURRENT LEVELS OF BUS, AND RAIL SERVICES;
· REPAIRING AND IMPROVING RAIL LINES, BUSES, BUS STOPS AND STATIONS AND OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE TO PRESERVE THE PUBLIC'S INVESTMENT IN TRANSIT;
· MAINTAINING THE AVAILABILITY OF SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES;
· CONTINUING TO PROVIDE CLEANER, MORE EFFICIENT METHODS OF TRANSPORTATION OTHER THAN DRIVING ON ROADS AND HIGHWAYS; AND
· PROVIDING TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR YOUTH AGES 19 AND UNDER AT REDUCED OR NO FARES;
WITH ALL FUNDS SUBJECT TO INDEPENDENT AUDIT AND OVERSEEN BY THE ELECTED RTD BOARD; AS A VOTER APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE AND EXEMPTION FROM ANY REVENUE AND SPENDING LIMITATIONS UNDER ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION?
YES/FOR ___
NO/AGAINST ___
Resolution 009 to refer Issue 7A to the voters
https://www.denvergov.org/files/assets/public/v/1/clerk-and-recorder/documents/elections/2024/ballot-measures/rtd-tabor.pdf
Voters are being asked to permanently debruce RTD. In 1999 voters temporarily debruced RTD while paying off bond debt; that debt should be paid off in November 2024.
From the Bell Policy Center website https://www.bellpolicy.org/2019/07/12/what-is-debrucing/: “Debrucing” is the act of eliminating the government spending limit and allowing that government to retain and spend all of the revenue it collects under existing tax rates. The revenue cap is part of the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) and reduces the state’s ability to raise revenue and invest more funding into the priorities that Coloradans care about.
Recommendation: YES
Most jurisdictions have already received voter approval to debruce. Doing away with RTD’s revenue cap makes sense – as it has every time debrucing has appeared on the city of Boulder ballot.
Some people may be unhappy with RTD for not completing the FasTracks commuter rail to Boulder, but denying RTD revenue that it has already collected will certainly not help achieve commuter rail.
Website for the Yes Side
https://www.keepcoloradomoving.com/
Website for the No Side
No known website – Info on an opposition website appreciated.
Approved Ballot Language
Regional Transportation District Ballot Issue 7A
WITHOUT IMPOSING ANY NEW TAX OR INCREASING ANY TAX RATE, SHALL THE REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION DISTRICT'S ("RTD") AUTHORIZATION TO COLLECT, RETAIN AND SPEND ALL REVENUES IT RECEIVES FROM ALL SOURCES, INCLUDING ITS SALES TAX REVENUES, GRANT FUNDS AND OTHER MONEYS LAWFULLY RECEIVED BY RTD FROM THE STATE OF COLORADO OR ANY OTHER SOURCE, ORIGINALLY APPROVED BY THE VOTERS IN 1999, BE CONTINUED TO PERMIT RTD TO RETAIN REVENUE NECESSARY TO PROVIDE VITAL RTD SERVICES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
· PROVIDING TRANSPORTATION CHOICES TO LOCAL RESIDENTS BY MAINTAINING AND GROWING CURRENT LEVELS OF BUS, AND RAIL SERVICES;
· REPAIRING AND IMPROVING RAIL LINES, BUSES, BUS STOPS AND STATIONS AND OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE TO PRESERVE THE PUBLIC'S INVESTMENT IN TRANSIT;
· MAINTAINING THE AVAILABILITY OF SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES;
· CONTINUING TO PROVIDE CLEANER, MORE EFFICIENT METHODS OF TRANSPORTATION OTHER THAN DRIVING ON ROADS AND HIGHWAYS; AND
· PROVIDING TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR YOUTH AGES 19 AND UNDER AT REDUCED OR NO FARES;
WITH ALL FUNDS SUBJECT TO INDEPENDENT AUDIT AND OVERSEEN BY THE ELECTED RTD BOARD; AS A VOTER APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE AND EXEMPTION FROM ANY REVENUE AND SPENDING LIMITATIONS UNDER ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION?
YES/FOR ___
NO/AGAINST ___
Resolution 009 to refer Issue 7A to the voters
https://www.denvergov.org/files/assets/public/v/1/clerk-and-recorder/documents/elections/2024/ballot-measures/rtd-tabor.pdf
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
4 Ballot Measures Withdrawn
As the state’s Sept 6 deadline for finalizing ballot measures approaches, two state and two local ballot measures that qualified for the ballot are being withdrawn.
Initiative 50 “Statewide Limit on Property Tax Revenue Growth” and Initiative 108 “Property Tax Assessment Rates” scared many county and local governments, such as school boards and fire districts. They worried that voters would pass the initiatives, reducing needed operating revenue. They came out in opposition to the initiatives and asked Gov Polis to call a special session, which he did.
The proponents of Initiatives 50 and 108 agreed to withdraw their initiatives if the special session passed an acceptable level of property tax relief. The 4-day special session wrapped up on Aug 30 with the passage of HB24B-1001 which also provides some level of fiscal protection for local government services.
Meanwhile, the city of Boulder sued the Federal Aviation Administration, challenging the FAA’s claim that the city must operate its airport “in perpetuity.” Two tandem local ballot initiatives were set to ask voters to decommission the airport and convert it into “mixed-use neighborhoods, with at least 50% of on-site housing units designated as permanently affordable…” Those measures have been withdrawn while awaiting resolution of the lawsuit.
House Bill 24B-1001
https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb24b-1001
Airport Neighborhood Campaign website
https://www.airportneighborhoodcampaign.org/
Initiative 50 “Statewide Limit on Property Tax Revenue Growth” and Initiative 108 “Property Tax Assessment Rates” scared many county and local governments, such as school boards and fire districts. They worried that voters would pass the initiatives, reducing needed operating revenue. They came out in opposition to the initiatives and asked Gov Polis to call a special session, which he did.
The proponents of Initiatives 50 and 108 agreed to withdraw their initiatives if the special session passed an acceptable level of property tax relief. The 4-day special session wrapped up on Aug 30 with the passage of HB24B-1001 which also provides some level of fiscal protection for local government services.
Meanwhile, the city of Boulder sued the Federal Aviation Administration, challenging the FAA’s claim that the city must operate its airport “in perpetuity.” Two tandem local ballot initiatives were set to ask voters to decommission the airport and convert it into “mixed-use neighborhoods, with at least 50% of on-site housing units designated as permanently affordable…” Those measures have been withdrawn while awaiting resolution of the lawsuit.
House Bill 24B-1001
https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb24b-1001
Airport Neighborhood Campaign website
https://www.airportneighborhoodcampaign.org/
Monday, July 29, 2024
2023 Election Results and Looking to 2024
All the 2023 ballot measures passed, except for Prop HH. Prop HH was a complicated property tax measure referred by the legislature, and its opponents were able to raise questions in the electorate’s mind.
Supporters of the 2023 2A tax extension which would split the tax proceeds 50/50 between the general fund and the arts feel betrayed by the proposed new budget numbers. The city says that the 2A proponents were forewarned: “Nothing in the ballot language mandated the tax revenue be added to current spending; it only specified that the money brought in by the sales tax be split evenly between ‘arts, culture and heritage purposes’ and general fund purposes.” (Boulder Weekly, April 23, 2024)
Question 302 “Safe Zones 4 Kids” easily passed with 20,261 votes (61% of the vote). One of the main proponents of Question 302, Terri Brncic, was a candidate for city council and received 14,365 votes, coming in 46 votes behind the 4th-place city council candidate. With such a slim margin of victory (or loss, depending on one’s point of view), the county clerk was compelled to conduct a recount of the city council election.
The tabulation for the new mayoral election using ranked voting went smoothly, but negative campaigning soured the experience for some voters.
Looking ahead, a ballot measure enshrining the right to abortion in the constitution and another one about property taxes have already qualified for the 2024 ballot. Five more measures have submitted signatures for review, and ten more are approved for collecting signatures. One that is expected to be on the ballot (because it’s very well-funded) would change the way primary and general elections are conducted for most federal and state offices – except that the legislature put a stalling provision in a bill at the end of the session.
Meanwhile, Kamala Harris has hit the ground running as the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee after Biden dropped his reelection bid on Sunday, July 21. Donald Trump was amazingly lucky on July 13 to survive an assassination attempt with only a bloody ear. What a month this has been!
Supporters of the 2023 2A tax extension which would split the tax proceeds 50/50 between the general fund and the arts feel betrayed by the proposed new budget numbers. The city says that the 2A proponents were forewarned: “Nothing in the ballot language mandated the tax revenue be added to current spending; it only specified that the money brought in by the sales tax be split evenly between ‘arts, culture and heritage purposes’ and general fund purposes.” (Boulder Weekly, April 23, 2024)
Question 302 “Safe Zones 4 Kids” easily passed with 20,261 votes (61% of the vote). One of the main proponents of Question 302, Terri Brncic, was a candidate for city council and received 14,365 votes, coming in 46 votes behind the 4th-place city council candidate. With such a slim margin of victory (or loss, depending on one’s point of view), the county clerk was compelled to conduct a recount of the city council election.
The tabulation for the new mayoral election using ranked voting went smoothly, but negative campaigning soured the experience for some voters.
Looking ahead, a ballot measure enshrining the right to abortion in the constitution and another one about property taxes have already qualified for the 2024 ballot. Five more measures have submitted signatures for review, and ten more are approved for collecting signatures. One that is expected to be on the ballot (because it’s very well-funded) would change the way primary and general elections are conducted for most federal and state offices – except that the legislature put a stalling provision in a bill at the end of the session.
Meanwhile, Kamala Harris has hit the ground running as the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee after Biden dropped his reelection bid on Sunday, July 21. Donald Trump was amazingly lucky on July 13 to survive an assassination attempt with only a bloody ear. What a month this has been!
Thursday, October 26, 2023
Vote on the Ballot Measures!
Only 7 ballot measures on the ballot this year, but Prop HH at the state level is particularly worthy of your attention. At the local level, your vote counts more so make sure that you vote your whole ballot. A new feature on your ballot will be ranked choice voting for mayor.
In odd years only finance measures can be on the state ballot. Most of the local and state ballot measures involve dedicated taxes which are often designed for maximum appeal – Let’s support “rainbows and puppies.” Meanwhile the rest of the government functions are funded with non-dedicated taxes.
Rather than weigh in on whether or not you should vote for a tax or associated debt question, most, but not all, of the finance measures just have the TAX recommendation similar to last year. This site does give you some things to consider for each of those measures though.
Each of the 7 ballot measures has its own post if you’d like more information or if you would like to make a comment on a specific ballot measure. Please limit comments on this introductory post to general comments about the process or the election.
In general, the further down the ballot you go, the more influence you have! Please research the issues and candidates and vote the entire ballot. Encourage your family, friends, neighbors, colleagues and anyone else eligible to vote to do likewise.
At the bottom of this blog entry are other ballot measure websites as well as a link to the Boulder County Clerk’s website. The links will be updated as more information becomes available.
Since ballots were mailed out beginning October 16, check with your county clerk or go to a Voter Service and Polling Center (VSPC) to figure out the best way to get your ballot if you are registering or updating your address now. Remember that in Colorado you can register and vote as late as Election Day, Tuesday, November 7th.
Most people vote in one of 3 ways:
1) Drop off your ballot at any Colorado VSPC or ballot drop box. The VSPC and drop box don’t have to be in the county where you vote. For instance, if you work in a different county, you can drop off the ballot at a VSPC or ballot box in the county you work in.
2) Mail your ballot with appropriate postage and allow for adequate delivery time to arrive at the election office by 7pm on Election Day. The postmark doesn’t matter in Colorado! Little-known fact: If you mail your ballot in Colorado without postage, it will still be delivered.
3) In person at one of your county’s Voter Service and Polling Centers
VOCABULARY
Amendment = Constitutional change
Proposition = Statutory change
Propositions can be modified later by the Colorado General Assembly.
State Initiatives - denoted by numbers
Electors signed petitions to put these on the ballot.
State Referenda - denoted by letters
The General Assembly put these on the ballot.
Ballot Issues = Tax or debt measures
Ballot Questions = Others
2023 BALLOT MEASURES
STATE OF COLORADO
Proposition HH
Reduce Property Taxes and Retain State Revenue
Reduce the increase in property taxes and allow CO to retain revenue that TABOR would otherwise require refunding in order to backfill some of the reduced revenue to local governments
TAX
Proposition II
Retain Nicotine Tax Revenue in Excess of Blue Book Estimate
Allow CO to retain tax revenue in excess of Prop EE estimates that TABOR otherwise requires be refunded to tobacco wholesalers and distributors
YES/FOR
COUNTY OF BOULDER
County of Boulder Issue 1A
Extension of the Expiring 0.05% Portion of the 2004 Open Space Sales and Use Tax
Continue for 15 years the half of a sales and use tax for open space that 2004 voters did not make permanent
TAX
County of Boulder Issue 1B
Sales and Use Tax Extension and Reallocation to Attainable Housing
Extend for 15 years a 0.185% sales and use tax approved in 2018 for the Boulder County Jail and repurpose it for affordable and attainable housing
TAX
CITY OF BOULDER
City of Boulder Issue 2A
Sales and Use Tax Extension and Reallocation
Beginning in 2025, extend for 20 years a current 0.15% sales and use tax for the general fund but reallocate half for arts and culture
AGAINST THE MEASURE
City of Boulder Issue 2B
Elections Administrative Charter Changes
Change candidate and issue petition rules to give the city clerk more time to process petitions and to clarify that state law governs the process for charter amendments
For the Measure
City of Boulder Question 302
Prioritize Removal of Prohibited Items on Certain City Properties
Amend city code to prioritize removal of prohibited items on city property near schools, sidewalks and multi-use paths
Leaning for the measure
ELECTION ADMINISTRATION SITES
Colorado Secretary of State – Go Vote Colorado page http://govotecolorado.gov
Boulder County Clerk and Recorder
303 413 7740
https://www.bouldercounty.org/elections/
Look up your voter registration, see a sample ballot, check your ballot status, and find the county Voter Service and Polling Center locations.
GOVERNMENT SITES
Blue Book / Folleto Informativo (Colorado Legislative Council)
https://leg.colorado.gov/content/initiatives/initiatives-blue-book-overview/ballot-information-booklet-blue-book
The real name of the Blue Book is the 2023 State Ballot Information Booklet – available in English and Spanish.
State Ballot Analysis - https://leg.colorado.gov/BallotAnalysis
County of Boulder
https://bouldercounty.gov/government/2023-county-ballot-issues/
TABOR Notice - https://assets.bouldercounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023-Boulder-County-TABOR-Notice.pdf
City of Boulder
https://bouldercolorado.gov/elections
TABOR Notice - https://assets.bouldercounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023-Boulder-County-TABOR-Notice.pdf
In odd years only finance measures can be on the state ballot. Most of the local and state ballot measures involve dedicated taxes which are often designed for maximum appeal – Let’s support “rainbows and puppies.” Meanwhile the rest of the government functions are funded with non-dedicated taxes.
Rather than weigh in on whether or not you should vote for a tax or associated debt question, most, but not all, of the finance measures just have the TAX recommendation similar to last year. This site does give you some things to consider for each of those measures though.
Each of the 7 ballot measures has its own post if you’d like more information or if you would like to make a comment on a specific ballot measure. Please limit comments on this introductory post to general comments about the process or the election.
In general, the further down the ballot you go, the more influence you have! Please research the issues and candidates and vote the entire ballot. Encourage your family, friends, neighbors, colleagues and anyone else eligible to vote to do likewise.
At the bottom of this blog entry are other ballot measure websites as well as a link to the Boulder County Clerk’s website. The links will be updated as more information becomes available.
Since ballots were mailed out beginning October 16, check with your county clerk or go to a Voter Service and Polling Center (VSPC) to figure out the best way to get your ballot if you are registering or updating your address now. Remember that in Colorado you can register and vote as late as Election Day, Tuesday, November 7th.
Most people vote in one of 3 ways:
1) Drop off your ballot at any Colorado VSPC or ballot drop box. The VSPC and drop box don’t have to be in the county where you vote. For instance, if you work in a different county, you can drop off the ballot at a VSPC or ballot box in the county you work in.
2) Mail your ballot with appropriate postage and allow for adequate delivery time to arrive at the election office by 7pm on Election Day. The postmark doesn’t matter in Colorado! Little-known fact: If you mail your ballot in Colorado without postage, it will still be delivered.
3) In person at one of your county’s Voter Service and Polling Centers
VOCABULARY
Amendment = Constitutional change
Proposition = Statutory change
Propositions can be modified later by the Colorado General Assembly.
State Initiatives - denoted by numbers
Electors signed petitions to put these on the ballot.
State Referenda - denoted by letters
The General Assembly put these on the ballot.
Ballot Issues = Tax or debt measures
Ballot Questions = Others
2023 BALLOT MEASURES
STATE OF COLORADO
Proposition HH
Reduce Property Taxes and Retain State Revenue
Reduce the increase in property taxes and allow CO to retain revenue that TABOR would otherwise require refunding in order to backfill some of the reduced revenue to local governments
TAX
Proposition II
Retain Nicotine Tax Revenue in Excess of Blue Book Estimate
Allow CO to retain tax revenue in excess of Prop EE estimates that TABOR otherwise requires be refunded to tobacco wholesalers and distributors
YES/FOR
COUNTY OF BOULDER
County of Boulder Issue 1A
Extension of the Expiring 0.05% Portion of the 2004 Open Space Sales and Use Tax
Continue for 15 years the half of a sales and use tax for open space that 2004 voters did not make permanent
TAX
County of Boulder Issue 1B
Sales and Use Tax Extension and Reallocation to Attainable Housing
Extend for 15 years a 0.185% sales and use tax approved in 2018 for the Boulder County Jail and repurpose it for affordable and attainable housing
TAX
CITY OF BOULDER
City of Boulder Issue 2A
Sales and Use Tax Extension and Reallocation
Beginning in 2025, extend for 20 years a current 0.15% sales and use tax for the general fund but reallocate half for arts and culture
AGAINST THE MEASURE
City of Boulder Issue 2B
Elections Administrative Charter Changes
Change candidate and issue petition rules to give the city clerk more time to process petitions and to clarify that state law governs the process for charter amendments
For the Measure
City of Boulder Question 302
Prioritize Removal of Prohibited Items on Certain City Properties
Amend city code to prioritize removal of prohibited items on city property near schools, sidewalks and multi-use paths
Leaning for the measure
ELECTION ADMINISTRATION SITES
Colorado Secretary of State – Go Vote Colorado page http://govotecolorado.gov
Boulder County Clerk and Recorder
303 413 7740
https://www.bouldercounty.org/elections/
Look up your voter registration, see a sample ballot, check your ballot status, and find the county Voter Service and Polling Center locations.
GOVERNMENT SITES
Blue Book / Folleto Informativo (Colorado Legislative Council)
https://leg.colorado.gov/content/initiatives/initiatives-blue-book-overview/ballot-information-booklet-blue-book
The real name of the Blue Book is the 2023 State Ballot Information Booklet – available in English and Spanish.
State Ballot Analysis - https://leg.colorado.gov/BallotAnalysis
County of Boulder
https://bouldercounty.gov/government/2023-county-ballot-issues/
TABOR Notice - https://assets.bouldercounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023-Boulder-County-TABOR-Notice.pdf
City of Boulder
https://bouldercolorado.gov/elections
TABOR Notice - https://assets.bouldercounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023-Boulder-County-TABOR-Notice.pdf
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