May 14, 2026 City of Boulder City Council Study Session

The City of Boulder City Council held a study session on May 14, 2026, focusing primarily on the city's financial forecast and potential ballot measures for 2026. Presentations included detailed economic forecasts from University of Colorado experts and city staff, highlighting challenges such as flattening sales and use tax revenues, modest economic growth, and increasing expenditure pressures. The council discussed budget shortfalls, cost containment measures including hiring freezes and operating savings, and the need for additional revenues to address unfunded infrastructure and facility maintenance needs. Staff presented several ballot measure options, including a proposed increase and expansion of the parks and public improvement mill levy, a residential vacancy excise tax, and general fund debt authorization. Council members debated polling strategies for these measures, emphasizing transparency about service impacts and the importance of community engagement. The session also covered the inclusion of wildfire mitigation in open space charter language and the timing and communication of capital improvement projects. No final votes were taken, but council provided direction to proceed with further analysis and polling on key ballot measure options.