Boulder Valley Frequency

BVHz
  • 4.9 (17)
  • News Commentary
  • 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. 1d ago

    More homeless services close as Boulder stops giving warnings before removing encampments

    Nov. 11, 2026 Boulder County news, in 15-minutes or less Headline linksBoulder Bridge House to close by Dec. 31. BRL Boulder will no longer provide advanced notice before removing encampments along Boulder, Goose Creeks. BRL Boulder Start lighting tonight LIVESTREAM: https://business.boulderchamber.com/events-calendar/details/livestream-2026-boulder-star-lighting-ceremony-1573210Pick Longmont’s new city flag! https://longmontcolorado.gov/news/longmont-invites-community-feedback-on-new-official-city-flag/VOTE HERE: https://longmontcityxm.gov1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6yWphtrbi2nfaZ0 Front Range CC earns state award for quantum program https://blog.frontrange.edu/2026/11/09/frcc-earns-state-innovation-award-for-quantum-work/ St. Vrain Valley School District also recognized: https://governorsoffice.colorado.gov/governor/news/celebrating-job-growth-governor-polis-and-oedit-announce-opportunity-now-performance-awards State champs abound in Boulder County Niwot Cross Country - 3rd consecutive title for boys CC; 2nd for girls lhvc.com/story/2026/11/04/sports/niwot-boys-and-girls-cross-country-continue-to-reign-as-state-champions/12757.html Niwot gymnastics three-peat: dailycamera.com/2026/11/06/niwot-gymnastics-4a-state-champions/Lyons softball: lyonsrecorder.org/2026/11/05/high-school-lady-lions-win-state-championship/ Sponsor: Boulder Bookstore Yung Pueblo w/Connor Breaton Journey: The Year That Changes Everything 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17 Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St.  $43 (includes signed copy) Tickets + more info: https://boulderbookstore.net/event/2026-11-17/yung-pueblo-journey-connor-beaton Friday Eldora deal looks shaky as ski season opens on local mountain One More Thing Book Santa’s Poet Amy at northpolepoet.com Read more: Poetry in the Park. KGNU --------------------------- 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

  2. 6d ago

    Election results + local news across Boulder County

    Nov. 6, 2026 We round up election results + headlines from around the county ICYMI: Headlines Judge denies parents’ attempt to pause BVSD school closures. Daily Camera Boulder firebomber pleads guilty to federal hate crime charges. The Colorado Sun CU ranks 2nd in nation in reported sexual assaults on campus. 9News 100+ frat members suspended after fall 2025 hazing incident at CU Boulder. 9News, Daily Camera Election results Unofficial results, as of 10:06 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5 Boulder County Election Results | Colorado Election Results Reminder: Several races include results from multiple counties (Longmont, Erie, Front Range Passenger Rail, etc.) In those cases, use the state election results Next week Eldora deal looks shaky as opening day approaches One More Thing Audio Montage of Election Night Speeches "Change" cover of Big Thief by 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

  3. Nov 4

    A Central City Ghost Story

    Nov. 4, 2026 Paranormal investigator LeeAnna Jonas says Gilpin County is collecting souls.  The many historic buildings throughout Central City and Black Hawk are supposedly haunted, and she spent years trying to communicate with these spirits.  On today's special post-Halloween/Day of the Dead episode, Jonas details her chilling encounters with Central City's spirits, and reveals why she thinks this mining town has become famous for its hauntings. Stream Spirit Realm Investigative Project's episode of True Ghost Stories inside the Sauer McShane building here: tubitv.com/tv-shows/200320575/s01-e08-sauer-mcshane The SRIP YouTube page is here: youtube.com/user/srip3 A Night with the Spirits: A Paranormal Investigation at the Gilpin History Museum 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 7 228 E. First High Street, Central City. $35 Space for this event is limited so advance reservations are required. Call the Gilpin History Museum at 303-582-5283 to purchase tickets (if there is no answer leave a message, calls will be returned in the order they are received). More info: gilpinhistory.org/ Friday Post-election breakdown + other Boulder County news --------------------------- 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 30 ·  Bonus

    15-ish minute guide to Boulder ballots

    Oct. 30, 2026 Click the links for more information State + federal level candidates More information from The Colorado Sun and CPR RTD District O Jack Rosenthal Transit advocate (helped write law, lobby for Longmont airport bus) Priorities: Front Range train, Increasing service to events, Growing ridership Audrey DeBarros CEO, Commuting solutions Priorities: Front Range train, Improving reliability, Restoring trust in RTD More info: BRL Boulder mayor + City Council Candidates Read | Listen Judges Read | Additional note: Katherine E. Lum (Court of Appeals) helped overturn the conviction of paramedics who administered lethal dose of ketamine to Elijah McClain, a 19-year-old Black resident of Aurora, in a highly publicized 2019 case. Read more More info on judges: The Colorado Sun, The Denver Post Amendments 81-86, Proposition 132 + 136 Sponsored by conservative PAC Advance Colorado Learn more: whoisadvancecolorado.org Detailed pros + cons from The Colorado Sun + CPR Amendment 87 + Prop NN Listen (starts at 8:24) Detailed pros + cons from The Colorado Sun + CPR Propositions 133, 134, 135 Sponsored by anti-abortion, anti-trans group Protect Kids Colorado Learn more Detailed pros + cons from The Colorado Sun + CPR Proposition 137 Detailed pros + cons from The Colorado Sun + CPR Boulder County Ballot Issue 1A Read | Listen Boulder County Questions 200 + 201 Read | Listen City of Boulder Ballot Issue 2J Read | Listen (starts at 5:25) City of Boulder Ballot Issue 2K Read | Listen City of Boulder Ballot Issue 2L What does it mean? Should the firefighters union be allowed to collectively bargain (like cops do)? Why you might want to vote for this Gives workers additional protections Why you might not want to vote for this Takes away flexibility in hiring/firing + pay for government/taxpayers City of Boulder Ballot Issue 2M What does it mean?  Should the city be able to borrow more money?  What is the limit now, and what would it be raised to? Now: 3% of assessed value of all city property, around $150 million If 2M passes: 3% of actual value of all city property, around $1.5 billion Important note: Future borrowing would still be subject to voter approval — Boulder has to ask voters every time it borrows money, and it also has to ask voters to raise the total debt cap. That’s what 2M is asking. Why you might want to vote for this Other cities use 3% of actual value; it is allowed under state lawActual value is closer to what the city could sell properties for, making it a better measure to use when securing debt Why you might not want to vote for this It is a huge increase in the debt limit, almost 10XThis is a companion measure to 2K; if you are opposed to that, vote no on this as well Front Range Passenger Rail District 7A What does it mean? Should a new sales tax be charged to pay for additional passenger rail service? How much will it cost? 33 cents per $100 on everything you buy in the district + online (except gasoline, food, residential electricity and gas, prescription drugs, and medical supplies) What will the money be used for? A train from Denver to Fort Collins (with stops in Boulder, Longmont and Louisville) is already paid for using FasTracks taxes (paid by Boulder County voters since 2004). That train, expected to begin in 2029, will provide 3 round trips per day. 7A would increase the number of daily trips from 3-10 and expand the rail line to Colorado Springs and Pueblo, plus station and local improvements throughout the system and a new Amtrak station in Trinidad. Detailed pros + cons from The Colorado Sun + CPR Ballot guides for  Longmont (Read | Listen)Louisville (Read | Listen - starts at 3:07)Erie (Read | Listen - starts at 2:49)Niwot (Read | Listen - starts at 7:50)Timberline Fire Protection District (Read)

  5. Oct 28

    City of Louisville Ballot Issue 2B + Questions 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H

    Oct. 28, 2026 Everything you need to know (quickly) to fill out your Louisville ballots Ballot Issue 2B: Historic preservation tax What does it mean? Should a 0.125% sales tax funding historic preservation be extended for 10 years? And should the share of the tax going to Louisville’s History Museum be increased from 20% to 30%? How much will it cost? Nothing — you’re already paying it, and have been since 2008. The tax was extended for 10 years in 2017.  If the measure fails, you would save 12.5 cents for every $100 purchase made in Louisville or online. What will the money be used for? The tax is expected to generate $900,000 annually. It will fund continued operations of the Louisville Museum, and any city programs or capital projects that “promote and preserve the city’s history and cultural heritage,” according to the ballot language. That could include the restoration of places such as the Austin Neihoff building, the first residence on Main Street, according to the city, or the purchase of a property with two historic rail cars on the eastern gateway of the city.  Per the city, past uses of the tax include:  Designation of 67 residential and commercial landmarks since 2005Over $3.8M in grants awarded to 40 unique recipients What you might want to vote for this It’s not a tax increase; you’re already paying it. The tax provides operational funding for the Longmont History Museum; without the ongoing tax, services would be reduced.It could help the city expand its cultural and historical offerings, by pursuing projects like the ones listed above.Why you might not want to vote for this Although it’s not an increase, the tax does add costs to everything purchased physically and online in LouisvilleDedicating funding in this way leaves less for general city operations (police, fire, IT, administration, etc.)Grants give taxpayer money to owners of historic properties, a small group who also tend to be wealthier. Monies in the general fund could be used to benefit a broader portion of the population. More information + resources louisvilleco.gov/departments/city-clerks-office/find-elections-information/2026-ballot-questions/ Ballot Question 2C: Expanding Executive Session Topics What does it mean? Should Louisville’s charter be changed to allow city council and Louisvlle’s other advising and government bodies (boards and commissions) to meet privately to discuss all matters allowed under Colorado law, rather than the limited matters allowed under Louisville’s charter currently? What’s an executive session? A meeting closed to the public and attended by city officials, including elected/appointed council and board members, city staff and the city attorney. The topic of the executive session must be released to the public 24 hours in advance. Recordings are kept but released only if a judge rules Colorado open meetings laws were violated (improper notice, discussion of things not allowed under executive session, etc.) Learn more: https://dlg.colorado.gov/open-meetings-requirements What can council and other groups meet in executive session about now? Council:  Personnel matters related to dismissal, demotion or reviewWater rights and real property acquisitions and dispositionsPending litigation Boards and commissions: Pending litigation How would this expand the use of executive sessions? City council: Expansions of the currently allowed topics in addition to Specialized details of security arrangements or investigationsDetermining positions relative to matters that may be subject to negotiationsConsideration of any document exempt from the Colorado Open Records ActMatters required to be kept confidential by federal or state law or rules and regulations Boards and commissions: All of the above What you might want to vote for this Informing members of public bodies while respecting open meetings laws involves city staff meeting with them individually or in pairs. This is time consuming, inefficient and costly to taxpayers.No records are kept of individual, informal meetings. Executive sessions are recorded, although recordings are only released if a judge rules the open meetings law has been violated.  Why you might not want to vote for this This greatly expands the amount of council and city business that can be conducted in secret, with no written record and little public notice.Abuse of executive sessions is rampant and well-documented throughout the state.With diminished media capacity, challenges of potential violations are rare.Legal challenges to determine the legality of executive sessions are paid for by the government, meaning taxpayers. If the city violates open meeting laws, you pay for it.Louisville’s charter lays out acceptable uses of executive session. This would default to state law. State lawmakers have repeatedly narrowed the definition of what constitutes an open meeting, making it harder for the public to watch government business. Other considerations The League of Women Voters of Boulder County and Protect Your Voice Louisville, a citizen group, are opposed to 2C.More information + resources League of Women Voters ballot positionsprotectyourvoicelouisville.org/boulderweekly.com/content-archives/voters-guide/executive-session-closed-door-meetings/coloradonewsline.com/2024/03/11/colorado-narrow-open-meetings-law-legislature Ballot Question 2D: Change Timing for Taking Office What does it mean? Should Louisville’s charter be changed so that newly council members are sworn in after the election results are certified?  What you might want to vote for this It’s an extremely rare occurrence, but in the case of a recount or close race, this would prevent someone from taking office who may not be the rightful winner.Why you might not want to vote for this This gives “lame duck” council members 1-2 weeks longer in office.  Ballot Question 2E: Initiative and Referendum Signatures What does it mean? Should Louisville’s charter be changed to require more signatures to place citizen petitions on initiatives and referendums on the ballot?  Initiatives are when citizens want to propose a new law, or ordinance. Referendum are when citizens want to overturn an existing law or decision of the city council. How many signatures are required now, and how many will be required if 2E passes? Initiatives now: 5% of registered voters, 810 signatures Initiatives under 2E: 7.5% or ~1,215, an increase of 50% Referendum now: 2.5%, or ~405 Referendum under 2E: 5%, or ~810, an increase of 100% (double) How often are initiatives and referendum petitions used in Louisville? Three in the past four years. 2022: A referendum measure successfully overturned the 4-3 vote of city council related to the Red Tail Ridge redevelopment. 2025: Two initiatives related to growth and development were defeated What you might want to vote for this Louisville’s signature requirements are below average when compared to similar and neighboring Colorado cities.Higher thresholds are intended as a gatekeeping mechanism to prevent special interest groups from getting measures on the ballot that are confusing to voters.  Why you might not want to vote for this This is a significant increase in the number of signatures required.Making direct democracy harde

  6. Oct 23 ·  Bonus

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

    Oct. 23, 2026 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 staff However, 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 vehicles If 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. Why you might want to vote for this Multi-winner RCV results in more representative government bodies. Elsewhere, it has increased repres

  7. Oct 21

    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

  8. 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

See All (87)

4.9
out of 5
17 Ratings

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.

Information

  • Creator
    BVHz
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    87
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Boulder Valley Frequency
  • Show Website
    Boulder Valley Frequency

You Might Also Like