Boulder Valley Frequency

BVHz
  • 4.9 (17)
  • News Commentary
  • Updated Weekly

We cover news, events, and voices shaping the Boulder Valley — all in a tight, reliable package for people on the move. Whether you ride, drive, or walk, our weekly episodes — under 15 minutes each — will help you be an informed community member.

  1. 11h ago

    City of Longmont Ballot Issues 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D

    Everything you need to know (quickly) to fill out your local Longmont ballot City of Longmont Ballot Issue 3A: Public safety tax What does it mean? Should property + sales taxes be increased to boost the budget + hiring for police + fire? What will it cost?  The .33% sales tax would add 33c to a $100 purchase, or $3.30 for every $1,000 purchase made online or physically within the city of Longmont. That includes high-ticket items like cars. The property tax would add roughly $75 per year to a home with an assessed value of $500,000, and $350 for a commercial property of the same value.  What will the money be used for?  The tax is expected to bring in $16.5 million next year: $10.8 from sales tax and $5.7 from property tax. By 2036, that’s expected to grow to more than $20 million annually The bulk of the money would go toward hiring more police, emergency dispatchers and firefighting staff: 86 positions in total 43 full-time employees for the police department31 for fire12 for support staffHowever, that hiring won’t happen all at once. It will be phased in over the next 10 years. Tax money could also be used for public safety equipment, vehicles and facilities, according to the ballot language. The city has the following projects planned:  New Fire Station 7 on the southwest side of town, with a new fire engine and all the equipment neededRehabilitation and expansion of Fire Station 4Two fire rescue trucks and equipmentEquipment, uniforms and training needed for each new firefighter and police officerNew storage building for reserve fire apparatus and equipmentPolice vehiclesIf the city brings in more money than it anticipates, it would be allowed to keep the extra instead of returning it to taxpayers, as this measure also asks voters to exempt the tax from TABOR. (Learn more about TABOR + refunds in our Oct. 16 episode) Why you might want to vote for this Police + fire have been asking for more money + staffing for years. The last tax increase for public safety was in 2017, when Longmont’s population was under 95,000. The city has added nearly 6,000 residents during that time, and is projected to add 3,000-4,000 more by 2030. Longmont also has a smaller-than average police force for a city of its size, according to FBI statistics.Calls for service have increased 19.5% (police) and 86% (fire) between 2009 and 2025. Overtime is a significant concern and cost for the city, according to officials, contributing to burnout and turnover in the department.Why you might not want to vote for this It is a tax increase. It will add costs to homeowners, business owners and on everything you buy in Longmont or online. It’s a substantial increase over today’s staffing and funding. The number of firefighters and police employees will jump by 28% if 3A passes, and the combined public safety budget will nearly double from $22 million to $42 million by 2036. However, that is spread over 10 years, not all at once. There is no cap on how much funding this tax can bring in. If revenue exceeds expectations, the city can keep that money but ONLY use it for police and fire (unless they come back to voters and ask to spend it on other things).More information + resources  timescall.com/2026/06/24/longmont-sales-property-tax-ballot-election/https://longmontcolorado.gov/information/ballot-information-november-3-2026-election/ City of Longmont Ballot Issue 3B: Open space disposal What does it mean? Should Longmont voters have to approve any “disposal” of open space land in the city? What does “disposal” mean? Disposal is a formal process for removing an open space designation from a piece of property. It can be selling that land, but it could also mean switching the designation and ownership of land from open space to something else. That’s because there are restrictions on what open space land can be used for and what structures can be built there. For instance: If the city wants to use open space for another purpose, like building a school or rec center, the open space property would first need to be “disposed” so something can legally be built on it. What’s the disposal process now? Laid out in the city code, any disposal must be approved by city council, with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board making an informal recommendation for or against. Transferring open space between departments requires a majority vote; selling it to an outside entity requires a ⅔ vote of council.  Even if 3B passes, city council retains the right to dispose of open space for public roads, utilities, life-safety infrastructure and open space operations. Those will not require voter approval. Why is this on the ballot now? Last year, Longmont considered a land swap of two city properties: Distel and Tull. Distel was zoned open space; Toll for utilities purposes.  Longmont proposed making the Toll property open space, and use Distel — currently home to a gravel mining operations — for the construction of a county-owned composting facility. Residents opposed to the swap lobbied city council, who eventually voted unanimously against the deal.  This measure would prevent any similar proposals from being considered in the future, as it would have put this land swap to a vote of the people. Why you might want to vote for this Park lands and property used for water rights already have similar protections under Longmont’s charter. This would put the city’s 2,006 acres of open space in the same category.This would give all voting residents in Longmont a say over what happens with public lands, rather than a small sample who attends city meetings.It would prevent future councils from selling or otherwise getting rid of open space. Why you might not want to vote for this Opponents point to the Distel-Tull situation as proof the current system works to protect valuable open space: Residents didn’t want the land swap to happen, and city council listened. This limits the city’s flexibility to pursue projects that further Longmont’s sustainability goals, if they involve open space — particularly in partnerships with other governments that might involve the use of city property.There is already a provision in city code that requires land swaps to result in a net gain in open space. More information + resources  longmontcolorado.gov/information/ballot-information-november-3-2026-election/bouldercounty.gov/environment/composting/county-composting-facility/boulderreportinglab.org/2025/10/19/longmont-halts-land-swap-discussions-still-open-to-boulder-county-composting-project/ City of Longmont Ballot Issues 3C + 3D: Ranked choice voting + Election year re-alignment What does it mean? 3C: Should Longmont pick its mayor + city council via multi-winner ranked choice voting, beginning in 2029? 3D: Should Longmont’s election cycles be shifted so all at-large candidates are elected at once, and all Ward races are voted on in a separate year? What is ranked choice voting (RCV), and how does it work? Rather than picking one candidate, you can rank them in order of preference (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.)  Each “round” of voting eliminates the candidate with the fewest first-place votes. Voters who picked that unpopular candidate then get their second choice votes distributed to the remaining candidates.  Under RCV, a candidate cannot win until they get 50% or more of the vote. (Unlike now, where the person with the most votes wins — even if it’s less than 50% support.) The process of redistributing 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-choice votes continues until a candidate has received majority support. Find more info, including pros + cons, here

  2. 2d ago

    Boulder mayor + city council candidates. Plus: Ranked choice how-to

    How to use ranked-choice voting Rank candidates in order of preference (1-6)You do NOT have to rank all candidates; rank as many or as few as you likeDon’t skip any place rankings; any votes after the rank skipped will not be countedMore information + instructions: bouldercolorado.gov/guide/ranked-choice-voting-guideboulderbeat.news/2023/10/20/mayor-election-2023/ (2023 guide)Mayoral candidates In the order they appear on your ballot Lisa Ann Jacobs Priorities: Housing, health care, tenant rights, small businessTaishya Adams*^ Priorities:  Partnerships, Affordability, Transparency, Healthy SystemsAaron Brockett^ Priorities: housing, homelessness, mental health, climate change + resilience, wildfire prep, cutting red tape for businessesJameson (Jamo) Goldstein* (CU student) Priorities: public works deficit, Flock cameras, bikes, airportGrateful Fred Instead Priorities: City income tax, lower drinking age, mental health, housing, child care, and basic city services, Bring community events back to the ReservoirAquiles La Grave Priorities: governance, safety, economy*Renter ^Incumbent Should Boulder remove Flock cameras? YES: Taishya Adams, Jamo Goldstein, Aquiles La GraveMAYBE/NO: Aaron BrockettDid not respond: Lisa Ann Jacobs, Grateful Fred InsteadEndorsements Boulder County DSA (Democratic Socialists) Taishya Adams (1st), Aaron Brockett (2nd)Boulder Progressives (Center/left) Aaron BrockettPLAN Boulder (Center/conservative) Aquiles La Grave (1st), Taishya Adams (2nd), Jamo Goldstein (3rd)More information + resources https://www.dailycamera.com/2026/10/15/boulder-mayor-debate-2026/https://boulderreportinglab.org/2026/08/30/meet-the-19-candidates-running-for-boulder-mayor-and-city-council-in-2026/#mayoral-candidateshttps://www.dailycamera.com/2026/10/09/colorado-2026-election-guide/City council candidates Lee Gilbert Priority: Transportation, including a revisiting of Baseline bike line designSam Fuqua Priorities: Housing, transparency + communication, climate/wildfire + sustainability, transportation, infrastructure, arts + culture, public safetyRyan Schuchard^ Priorities: Cost of living, adaptability, cutting red tape, climate action, strengthen + maintain city systemsJamillah Richmond* Priorities: Community-driven governance, housing, wages/employment + business development, climate + environmental justiceBenita Duran Priorities: housing + affordability, economic vitality, open space, public safety, government responsiveness + efficiencyTara Winer^ Priorities: Open space, economic vitality, public safety, climate action, sensible growth, transportation, homelessness, housing, arts + cultureRachel Rose Isaacson* Priorities: Wildfire + climate resiliency, economic vitality, good governance + financial stewardship, housingDave Martus Priorities: Fiscal stewardship + governance, wildfire resilience, affordable housing, transportation + mobility, downtown + local economy, land useScott RendlemanPriorities: Strengthening public confidence in city government, climate adaptability, economic vitality, housing access + affordability, public safety, transportationJill Adler Grano** Priorities: Commercial vacancies + small business, housing, budget deficit, public safety + homelessness, climate resilience, arts + culture, local agriculture, manufactured homes, safer streetsRyan Jamieson Priorities: Housing, budget, commercial vacancies, parks + open space, climate + wildfire, Flock + digital surveillanceLynn Segal Priorities: Mitigate CU’s impact on Boulder, municipalization (city-owned electric utility), development fees, divest from Israeli companiesTina Marquis^ Priorities: Family housing, homelessness + public safety, wildfire resilience + power shut-offs, outcome-based budgeting, transparent governance + engagement, infrastructure + deferred maintenance, data collection/sharing + surveillance*Renter ^Incumbent **Has previously served on council, but is not a current member Should Boulder remove Flock cameras? YES: Rachel Rose Isaacson, Lynn Segal, Jamillah Richmond, Jill Grano, Ryan Schuchard, Sam Fuqua, Benita Duran, Dave Martus, Ryan JameisonMAYBE/NO: Tina Marquis, Tara Winer, Scott RendlemanDid not respond: Lee GilbertEndorsements Boulder County DSA (Democratic Socialists) Jamillah Richmond, Sam Fuqua, Ryan Schuchard, Jill Grano(Neutral on Rachel Rose Isaacson, Tina Marquis) Boulder Progressives (Center/left) Jamillah Richmond, Rachel Rose Isaacson, Jill Grano, Ryan Schuchard, Tina Marquis, Sam FuquaPLAN Boulder (Center/conservative) David Martus, Ryan Jameison, Tina Marquis, Tara Winer, Ryan SchuchardMore information + resources boulderreportinglab.org/2026/08/30/meet-the-19-candidates-running-for-boulder-mayor-and-city-council-in-2026/#city-council-candidatesdailycamera.com/2026/08/27/boulder-city-council-candidates-issues/Friday: 15-minute Longmont vote guide Next week: 15-minute Louisville vote guide Sponsor: Boulder Bookstore  Carter Wilson,When They Find Me 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2 | 1107 Pearl St. Boulder. $5 Tickets and more: boulderbookstore.com Headline links Boulder firebomber to change plea in federal case. The Colorado Sun Boulder County calls it quits on composting facility Erie hires new town manager, to start Jan. 4 One More Thing An Evening With Rainn Wilson When: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3 Where: Macky Auditorium --------------------------- Produced by BVHz in partnership with The Mountain Ear Independent, local journalism for Boulder County Our team Journalist + producer: Shay Castle Audio producer + music: Kelly Garry Additional support provided by Jeff Rozic and Tyler Hickman *Find bonus content and support us on Patreon

  3. Oct 16 ·  Bonus

    TABOR + taxes: Boulder County 1A, City of Boulder 2J and Prop NN

    Who should pay for the world we live in? State + local tax measures force question of government funding into the spotlight Boulder County Ballot Issue 1A What does it mean? Should Boulder County raise property taxes by up to $30 million to pay for childcare? The spending breaks down into three main categories (more below):  Tuition assistance for low- and middle-income familiesAdding spotsTraining + keeping teachersWhat will it cost? $79.31 per year for a home with an assessed value of $500,000 $115 for a home worth $725,000 (the county median) $158.62 for a home worth $1 million Commercial properties will be taxed at the rate 3-4X this amount, per state law Find your estimated property cost at brighterstartbouldercounty.org/faq What will the money be used for?  $20 million would be spent on direct tuition assistance or vouchers through CCAP, Colorado’s childcare assistance program, to address the 900-1,200 children on the waitlist.$5 million would help childcare facilities add more spots and teachers, or otherwise grow their businesses$2.5 million will be focused on teachers: helping train and retain them, paying for substitute care and shared workforce expenses between centersWhy you might want to vote for this Childcare is expensive: Nearly $20,000 per year, per kid, in Boulder County, on average. Federal + state funds to help pay for childcare have dried up. Hundreds of kids are not receiving care that otherwise qualify for assistance.Even with declining family population, there aren’t enough spots for Boulder County’s children. Parents reporting being waitlisted for months before receiving care. When families don’t have care, parents (usually mothers) reduce their hours or leave the workforce altogether. The economic losses due to lack of care are estimated at hundreds of millions of dollars in the state.Why you might not want to vote for this It is a tax increase. Though property values (and therefore taxes) are largely declining at the moment, this will cost homeowners more money.Since landlords charge tenants for property taxes in commercial leases, it will also cost small businesses more money. However, the Boulder Chamber has endorsed the measure given the high costs and impacts of childcare on the workforce.More information + resources  brighterstartbouldercounty.orgstatic1.squarespace.com/static/69e28e0b1e41522d7004be4f/t/6aaad13d9008280d61311fb8/1789579581171/9-16.pdfcoloradosun.com/colorado-child-care-out-of-reach/denverpost.com/tag/child-care/City of Boulder Issue 2J What does it mean? Should Boulder put a tax on homes that are empty more than 6 months per year?  How much will it cost? $4,000 to start, and increasing annually with inflation. The maximum tax will be $7,000 per year. What will the money be used for? General operations of the city. The tax is expected to bring in $6 million each year, though the enforcement mechanism for identifying and verifying empty properties has not yet been decided.  Why you might want to vote for this Advocates say empty homes cost the city money, because the owners are not here living and spending money in the city, yet infrastructure (roads, water, sewer, streetlights, etc. need to be maintained). Sales tax, the city’s main source of revenue, has declined along with the population.The city is facing a budget gap of $6.3 million in 2027. This could close that gap, if the full amount were collected, without adding tax burden to full-time residents.It would be paid by people wealthy enough to own multiple properties but who do not primarily reside in the City of Boulder. Up to 4,000 Boulder homes are estimated to be empty at least 183 days per year. A tax could (theoretically) encourage holders of empty properties to rent them long-term. (Short-term or vacation rentals are only permitted for homeowners who use the property as their primary residence.)Why you might not want to vote for this It may not bring in as much money as the city hopes. Again, the enforcement mechanism has not yet been determined. It may end up costing significant staff time to identify and verify vacant properties, along with the standard appeals process. It is a small portion of the city’s overall budget: 1.4%More information bouldervacancytax.orgVacancy tax proposal, BVHz April 1boulderreportinglab.org/2026/08/06/boulder-city-council-sends-vacancy-tax-and-400-million-bond-to-november-ballot-rejects-downtown-development-authority/ Amendment 87 https://coloradosun.com/2026/10/02/amendment-87-graduated-income-tax-colorado-voters-guide/ Proposition NN coloradosun.com/2026/10/03/proposition-nn-colorado-tabor-refunds-would-be-diverted-to-k-12-education Proposition 136 coloradosun.com/2026/10/02/proposition-136-income-tax-limit-explained-voter-guide/ Next week: Ranked choice how-to and Boulder Mayor + City Council --------------------------- Produced by BVHz in partnership with The Mountain Ear Independent, local journalism for Boulder County Our team Journalist + producer: Shay Castle Audio producer + music: Kelly Garry Additional support provided by Jeff Rozic and Tyler Hickman *Find bonus content and support us on Patreon

  4. Oct 14

    Town of Erie 3E, 3F and council candidates Plus: Boulder County headlines

    Oct. 14, 2026 Town of Erie Ballot Issue 3E What does it mean? Should Erie implement a 3.5% tax on all short-term lodging (hotels, motels, bed-and-breakfasts, Airbnb, etc.) to help pay for general government operations? What will it cost? Nothing, unless you run a short-term rental or other lodging. In that case, it will cost 3.5% of the total rental rate.  What will the money be used for?  “General governmental purposes,” according to the ballot language, which could include parks, police, transportation, administration or anything else the town uses money on. Why you might want to vote for this Taxes like this are paid for by visitors, reducing the burden on residents. The tax is expected to generate up to $150,000 annually, so it won’t add a ton to the budget. Most towns have lodging taxes of some kind. With Sundance coming to Boulder, it is a good time to capitalize on any visitors who may stay in Erie. Why you might not want to vote for this It is a new tax, which could slightly increase costs for Airbnb and other short-term rentals. More information + resources  erieco.gov/2664/Lodging-Tax Town of Erie Ballot Issue 3F What does it mean? Should Erie implement a .501% sales tax and borrow $32.5 million (with total repayment costs of up to $52.6 million) to fund the expansion of the town’s community center?  What will it cost? “2.5 cents on a $5 cup of coffee, or $2.50 on a $500 appliance,” according to town officials. What will the money be used for? Proposed improvements include:  A new multi-purpose community roomA new full-size gymA new fitness spaceExpanding the Columbine Lounge (for adults 60+)Expanding the Mini Miners/KidStation area, including dedicated space for childcare and public access to the indoor playgroundConverting the existing racquetball courts into dedicated fitness space Why you might want to vote for this The community center is well-used: over 800 people, on average, use it each day, and nearly 1,500 people were on program waitlists in 2025.  Use of the center has increased greatly since its construction in 2008. According to the town, annual visits climbed from 158,000 in 2008 to 225,000 last year, and program participation more than doubled from 44,000 to 98,000. This project will expand and evolve it to meet community needs.  The cost to individuals is low; less than a few cents per dollar. Why you might not want to vote for this It is a tax increase, and will cost residents money. The tax is permanent. Once the community center debt is repaid, the town can use the money for whatever it wants.  More information + resources erieco.us/ecc-expansion-and-renovation   Erie Town Council Candidates District 1 Andrew Sawusch Priorities: Growth management, Sustainable infrastructure & resources, Financial resiliency, Resident-first governance and transparency Bob Braudes Priorities: Workforce housing, Flag policy, Mixed-Use zoning and development, Mineral rights, Business development, Managed growth, Budget transparency District 2 Delaney Dreckman Priorities: Protect Erie’s water future, Prioritize infrastructure before expansion, Preserve our small-town character Ben Hemphill Priorities: Transparency and accountability, Environment, Transportation, Sustainability, Growth, Affordability, Collaboration Dipak Basnet Priorities: None listed District 3 Amy Becker Priorities: Smart growth, Water resources, Inclusivity, Accountability, Transparency, Affordable housing Brian O'Connor Priorities: Safeguarding our open space areas, Northern Integrated Supply Project (NISP), infill developments, Traffic conflicts and safety, Accessory dwelling units (ADUs), Erie's historic buildings and artifacts, Budget, Erie Municipal Airport, Commercial and Light Industrial Development, Use fees More information + resources erieco.gov/1345/2026-Election yellowscene.com/2026/10/06/council-candidates-differ-on-growth-water-and-oil-and-gas/ Headline linksLafayette votes to strip Flock funding from 2027 budget. Colorado Hometown Weekly Kimbal Musk sells The Kitchen to local Boulder restaurateur Bryan Dayton. Daily Camera Boulder County offers $1.3M loan for San Lazaro residents to buy mobile home park. BRL Lyons cement plant laying off more than half of staff. Colorado Sun Friday TABOR + taxes: Boulder County Childcare Tax 1A, City of Boulder Vacancy Tax 2J, Prop NN and Amendment 187 One More Thing imdb.com/title/tt39150234/ --------------------------- Produced by BVHz in partnership with The Mountain Ear Independent, local journalism for Boulder County Our team Journalist + producer: Shay Castle Audio producer + music: Kelly Garry Additional support provided by Jeff Rozic and Tyler Hickman *Find bonus content and support us on Patreon

  5. Oct 9 ·  Bonus

    Boulder County Ballot Questions 200 + 201: Should BoCo add 2 commissioners?

    What does it mean? 200 - Should we add 2 commissioners to the current board of 3? 201 - IF we add two commissioners, should the county be divided up into 5 districts, with one commissioner elected from each by the voters who live in that district OR should the county stay at 3 districts (which may or may not be reconfigured) with the 2 additional commissioners serving at-large, meaning they are elected by voters throughout the entire county? Will it cost anything? Not directly. Commissioners are paid, with their salaries determined by state law. Two more commissioners will add roughly $330,000 to the budget (including pay and benefits). That money will come from the general operating budget, and is 0.04% of the overall county budget. 5 districts vs. 3 - Things to consider Per state law, districts have to be “fair and equitable” and based on population See a map of the current districts Because Boulder and Longmont each make up roughly ⅓ of the population, they will either serve as 2 of the 3 districts or, in the 5 district model, have to be divided up to make sure the districts are roughly equal in population size Adding at-large commissioners could give Boulder and Longmont voters more power. Because they are population centers, voters there would each get 1 commissioner from their district, and have the most say over the at-large candidates Proponents of 5 districts say it could give greater representation to voters in smaller towns and rural areas, since the population (and therefore voting power) of Boulder and Longmont will be diluted Why you might want to vote for this Boulder County’s population has grown, but its governing body has not The issues facing local government have grown more complex: wildfires, housing affordability, homelessness, public health crises Proponents say it could result in better governance. With a three-member board, one person is essentially always the swing vote on divisive issues. More voices could require coalition building and therefore more thoughtful policy making Why you might not want to vote for this It will add slightly to the county budget 2 of 3 current commissioners are opposed, saying it could slow their work and make governing less efficient One note on campaign spending A handful of wealthy individuals, including two former tech CEOs, contributed large amounts to this campaign: Boulder mayoral candidate Aquiles La Grave - $10,000 Dan Caruso - $25,000 Kent Thiry - $45,000 (through his family trust) Denver-based election reform group called Courageous Colorado, an advocate for ranked choice voting alongside Thiry, also donated $10,000 Total fundraise: $104,738.65

  6. Oct 7

    Ballot Questions 300-306: Should Niwot become a self-governed town?

    Ballot Questions 300-306: Should Niwot become a self-governed town?Oct. 7, 2026 There are 6 ballot items (including 3 taxes) related to the incorporation of Niwot. They are: Proposed Municipality of Niwot Ballot Question 300: Shall Niwot be incorporated as a municipality? What does it mean? It’s pretty simple: Should Niwot become its own self-governing town (and all that entails), rather than being governed by Boulder County? 301: Shall a Home Rule Charter Commission be formed…?  What does it mean? Should a group of people be picked (you can vote for up to 9 of the 28 listed candidates) to write a draft set of rules that will govern Niwot, known as a charter? The proposed charter itself will be subject to a separate vote before going into effect.  302: Sales + use tax What does it mean? Can the newly formed government of Niwot impose a 2.5% sales + use tax, which they estimate will collect up to $2.8 million in the first year, to pay for the operations of the town? How much will it cost? 25c per $10 purchase, or $2.50 per $100 purchase. This includes online purchases from retailers such as Amazon 303: Property tax What does it mean? Can the newly formed government of Niwot impose a 4 mill levy property tax, which they estimate will collect up to $900,000  in the first year, to pay for the operations of the town? How much will it cost? $279 per year for a home worth $1.095 million (Niwot’s median), or $25.48 for every $100,000 of value. The tax rate for commercial properties is roughly 3-4X that amount. 304: Marijuana sales tax What does it mean? Should Niwot tax recreational cannabis sales at 3%, up to an estimated $60,000 in the first year, on all sales conducted within the town? How much will it cost? A 3% sales tax adds 30c per $10 purchase, or $3 per $100 305: Authorization to retain and spend all revenues What does it mean? This is an exemption to TABOR, Colorado’s Taxpayer Bill of Rights. Among other things, it requires taxing entities to project how much tax they will collect before asking voters. Any amount collected above and beyond that amount must be returned to taxpayers.  A “yes” vote on this would allow Niwot to keep that excess revenue rather than issuing tax returns. Many communities have “de-bruced,” as the process is colloquially known, including the majority of Colorado counties. How much will it cost? There is no additional cost associated with this. If tax revenue (property or sales) come in above the voter-approved estimates, that money will simply  not be returned to taxpayers. 306: Authorization to increase debt What does it mean? Should the newly formed town of Niwot be allowed to borrow up to $15 million, with up to $13 million in interest costs (for a total cost of $28 million) to pay for transportation infrastructure?  What will the money be used for? Per the ballot language, “the repair, reconstruction, improvement and maintenance of streets, roads, bridges, draining, sidewalks” and other transportation infrastructure How much will it cost? There is no additional cost associated with this. It simply allows Niwot to borrow the money, to be paid back by anticipated sales + use tax revenue Do all these measures have to pass in order for Niwot to become a town? No — just 300. All other steps (like forming a charter commission) could be completed at another date, via another election. However, if the funding measures don’t pass, there will be no way to fund a local government. Subsequent taxes would have to be brought to voters for approvals. Are there any other costs of incorporation? Donors to the Niwot Incorporation Committee are entitled to be repaid by the town for the ~$94,000 they have loaned the group. This repayment has already been incorporated into revenue projections.  Why you might want to vote for this  Proponents express frustration with Boulder County government and/or a belief that a more local government could provide better services and representation It provides funding directly for roads and transportation (via Ballot Question 306, specifically; the other funding measures would provide general government revenue, not tied to any specific cause or project) It would allow Niwot to set its own rules for virtually everything: zoning, land use, wages, etc. and allow them representation in regional bodies such as DRCOG or the Boulder County Consortium of Cities. (Niwot currently has a non-voting representative on the Consortium of Cities.) Why you might not want to vote for this  It’s expensive, adding hundreds of dollars in taxes to property owners and residents Opponents question the financial projections; the town may have to pass additional taxes to properly fund governmental operations. Larger governments are struggling to cover basic operations as tax revenue declines. Campaign finances As of Oct. 5 Pro-incorporation total fundraised: $126,500* *Includes Niwot Incorporation Committee Anti-incorporation total fundraised: $9,638.75 More information Pro-incorporation Anti-incorporation:  FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT Friday Should Boulder County add 2 commissioners, and who should they represent? Headline linksParents sue BVSD over planned school closures. CPR News Read the lawsuit Boulder Library to cut up to 20% of workforce amid declining property tax revenue. BRL Can you close Boulder’s $6.3M budget gap? Try this tool to see. BRL Nederland ‘restructuring’ Eldora deal, seeking $20M in ‘philanthropy.’ The Mountain-Ear AG Weiser sues feds to stop Hudson immigrant detention center. Colorado Newsline One More Thing Chris Winter, executive director of CU Boulder’s Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources, Energy, and the Environment.  Listen to Chris talk about Suncor v. Boulder, a potentially precedent-setting Supreme Court lawsuit, on the Sept. 18 episode of The Frequency. --------------------------- Produced by BVHz in partnership with The Mountain Ear Independent, local journalism for Boulder County Our team Journalist + producer: Shay Castle Audio producer + music: Kelly Garry Additional support provided by Jeff Rozic and Tyler Hickman *Find bonus content and support us on Patreon

  7. Oct 2 ·  Bonus

    Who will pay for the city’s aging buildings? A deep dive on Boulder ballot issue 2K

    Oct. 2, 2026 This week, we explore Boulder’s $400M bond to pay for infrastructure with current city councilwoman Nicole Speer and former city councilman Bob Yates What is it asking? Should Boulder borrow up to $400 million (with a total repayment of $650 million) to pay for capital projects (things like buildings, roads, vehicles, and other infrastructure) related to recreation and safety? That could include, but not be limited to, the six examples listed in the ballot language: Replacing the South Boulder Rec Center and adding a lap poolMaintenance at the North Boulder Rec Center, including replastering the pool, new heating + cooling, replacing walls + windowsMoving the West Age Well Center to the North Boulder Rec Center, including a redesign of the showers and lockers and expansion of the weight roomRenovating Fire Stations No. 1 and No. 5Building a new police headquarters + dispatch centerRedeveloping the Municipal Services Center, hub of the city’s Fleet, Transportation and Utilities departmentsRenovate and repair the Penfield Tate II Municipal BuildingFind a full list of proposed projects here The cost of borrowing the money will be paid for by up to $32.5 million in new property taxes each year for 20 years. How much will it cost? $400 per year on a home worth $1 million; 3-4X that for a commercial property of the same value Use this map to find out how much your property taxes would go up However, the full $400M will likely not be borrowed all at once. The city typically undertakes only a few big capital projects at a time (due to staff limitations) and there are already ongoing projects at the head of the list.  Property tax increases may be more gradual over time as the city borrows for projects in batches, rather than all at once.  Why you might want to vote for this Boulder has a huge backlog of infrastructure projects: $500 million, according to city estimates. Its 75 buildings average 50+ years old, and many are in poor shape — leaks, risk of mold, temperature swings and accessibility issues via broken elevators.  Consolidating + replacing buildings could save money over time. (Think about an old car — You could keep paying for $1-3K in repairs, plus regular maintenance, but it only loses value over time. It might be cheaper in the long run to buy a new one.) Fewer buildings also means lower maintenance costs over time. (This tax would pay to consolidate at least two buildings.) If the city has to vacate buildings due to their degradation over time, some services could be eliminated. For example: the South Boulder Rec Center. Others, like police headquarters, would move into other offices, but there are fewer options for relocating a gym + pool facility. Why you might not want to vote for this It’s expensive — one of the largest tax increases on the ballot (depending on your home value and income) and one of the largest in recent memory. It will be especially expensive for businesses, which pay a higher rate of tax. Since landlords factor taxes into commercial rents, businesses themselves are likely to pay this, not the owners of commercial properties.  Boulder’s budget is constrained. The population + tax base is shrinking. Some critics of the tax say the tax should focus only on necessary repairs + maintenance, rather than any expansions or upgrades (like the North Boulder Rec Center, police headquarters or city hall). Other things to consider Rec centers are also used as emergency shelters during natural disasters (displaced residents stayed at North Boulder Rec Center during the Marshall Fire) or severe weather (East Boulder Rec Center has been used numerous times as shelter for the unhoused). These uses may increase due to climate change, and expand to include uses like cooling centers during heat waves.  As even critics of the bond measure admit, taxpayers will eventually have to fund the city’s infrastructure backlog. There is no alternative to government-provided services like police + fire. Boulder’s infrastructure maintenance backlog was reported at $700 million in 2011. Adjusted for inflation, that’s $1.02 billion in today’s dollars. The City has asked voters for $257.65 million in sales tax specifically for infrastructure since 2014 (through the Community, Culture, Resilience + Safety Tax, passed in 2014 and renewed in 2017, 2021 and made permanent in 2025), according to a BVHz analysis.  This is the first property tax specifically for infrastructure. Home owners + businesses typically have an outsized voice in local government, which may account for the vocal opposition.   Other opinions PRO: Facilities funding debate deserves facts not misinformationCON: Boulder deserves a better bond proposal, not a $400 million blank check  Next week Should Boulder County add two commissioners? FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT SupportElection coverage takes a lot of work! Throw us some cash if you’ve got it at Patreon.com/BoulderFrequencyPod. Or sponsor an episode and reach our growing audience of highly engaged listeners. You can sponsor an episode of The Frequency — email boulderfrequency@gmail.com. --------------------------- Produced by BVHz in partnership with The Mountain Ear Independent, local journalism for Boulder County Our team Journalist + producer: Shay Castle Audio producer + music: Kelly Garry Additional support provided by Jeff Rozic and Tyler Hickman *Find bonus content and support us on Patreon

  8. Sep 30

    Boulder + Longmont headlines: Cops, kids + license plate cameras

    Sept. 30, 2026 Headlines - more infoFormer BoCo Sheriff’s deputy arrested for shooting at cop cars, sheriff’s office in Broomfield, Boulder. CPR News ICE detains at least one person in Longmont. KGNU Longmont delays rollout of replacement license plate reading cameras. City press release They watch the city council so you don’t have to! Sign up for Longmont City Council Recap: longmontcitycouncilrecap.substack.com/Flocking to dystopia: AI-fueled mass surveillance in Boulder County. BVHzBoulder City Council performing 5-year review of police oversight panel. Daily Camera FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT Sponsor: Boulder BookstoreOn Thursday, Oct. 15 see Pam Houston, author of Animals Taught Me Everything, at the Boulder Public Library. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. Tickets + more info Support the Boulder Bookstore’s Literacy Foundation: boulderbookstore.net/Foundation Friday Who will pay for Boulder’s crumbling buildings? A deep dive on Boulder ballot issue 2K One More Thing Bob Yates + Nicole Speer on Boulder’s $400M bond Music: Westest- don't hold your breath --------------------------- Produced by BVHz in partnership with The Mountain Ear Independent, local journalism for Boulder County Our team Journalist + producer: Shay Castle Audio producer + music: Kelly Garry Additional support provided by Jeff Rozic and Tyler Hickman *Find bonus content and support us on Patreon

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About

We cover news, events, and voices shaping the Boulder Valley — all in a tight, reliable package for people on the move. Whether you ride, drive, or walk, our weekly episodes — under 15 minutes each — will help you be an informed community member.

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  • Creator
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  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
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    © 2026 Boulder Valley Frequency
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