Attachment A - World of Possibilities DRAFT

2027 – 2030 Boulder Citywide Strategic Plan World of Possibilities DRAFT Aug 13, 2026 Introduction This document provides staff and City Council with the first, most broad review of all the possible considerations that will be discussed as foundational information for building a series of strategies in the 2027 – 2030 Boulder Citywide Strategic Plan. “INPUTS” (WHAT THEY ARE AND ARE NOT) This World of Possibilities document is staff speaking to City Council about what is on our minds. The tone is intentionally conversational, reflecting the past few months of exchange across all departments about what is most important to consider as we move forward in the process. The results of those conversations are “Inputs”: issues that matter for what strategies will eventually be developed. Inputs can be divided into four categories: • Services: what are the critically vital, mandated, and community enrichment services that are ongoing, essential to the functioning of the city, and must be prioritized? • Planned Commitments: what are the policies in the BVCP that are ready for action and what moves should we make in the next four years? Also, are there any other planned commitments in department plans, area plans, or “blueprints” that need to be considered? • Emerging Opportunities and Threats: are there any unplanned issues or circumstances that are not in planning documents, but need the attention of the city. • Organizational Improvements: how can the city take steps to ensure that delivery of services are fully supported, transparent, and efficient through the continual improvement of our workforce and systems? Inputs answer the question: “what impacts us that may require a strategy”. As opposed to a “strategy” which, for our purposes, answers the question: “what will we do in the next four years to accomplish our goals”. Thus, these Inputs are not draft strategies. That step is ahead. When reading the ideas presented, please keep in mind that this is a staff exercise: we, the people who are lucky enough to serve the Boulder community, are speaking to City Council and our city as people who are committed to the safety, resilience, and well-being of our neighbors. The Inputs are not what staff thinks we can do: budget and capacity demand that we target the most important issues for developing final strategies. Nor should they be considered what we should do. This should be read as a conversation about the spectrum of possible approaches, not a declarative list of intentions. The Inputs are also not a fundamental list of city services or municipal responsibilities. These are new ideas, changes to services, or initiatives that are time-bound and intended to have a tangible, measurable outcome. Finally, these Inputs are not specific: they intersect the work of several or all departments, address most or all of the city, and impact all communities and DRAFT August 13, 2026 — Page 1

groups.

The Possibilities The following section categorizes the Inputs based on the related SER goals: Safe, Healthy and Socially Thriving, Livable, Accessible and Connected, Environmentally Sustainable, Responsibly Governed, and Economically Vital. As with all applications of the SER Framework, please keep in mind that concepts often overlap several goals. There is also a spectrum of Inputs, with some narrow and targeted, while others are quite general. This range of qualities is appropriate for this document and will be benefits to future conversations as the Inputs are used to develop clear, tangible, measurable, and achievable strategies in a coming phase of the process. The order of sorting does not indicate any priority or preference. The reference number is an internal organization tool. SERVICES Many city services are essential to the community. Maintaining or exceeding minimal service levels is critical for the safety, resilience, and wellbeing of the community. Services include the most basic functions of a city, represent our values, and occupy much of the capacity of our staff. As we consider how to prioritize strategies over the next four years, we will keep these in mind and ensure that our departments deliver what the community needs. An examination of city services was conducted over the last 12 months as part of the Fund our Future initiative. Of the services represented, the community indicated a prioritization of infrastructure and safety services - areas that are considered necessary for the immediate safety and wellbeing of our community - as well as the affordable housing service area: • • • • • • • • •

Ongoing Maintenance of Facilities Paramedic Emergency Response Pavement Management Police Patrol Emergency Response SAMPS (Encampment Abatement) Snow and Ice Response Wildfire Response Wildfire Preparedness & Mitigation Affordable Housing

For more about Fund our Future, including the results of community engagement about service levels, please visit the project website: https://bouldercolorado.gov/projects/long-term-financialstrategy. The sections below feature the Inputs, organized by SER Framework goal:

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SAFE Title: Description:

Take Care of our Infrastructure Staff members across many departments are caretakers of the city's necessary infrastructure such as water and sewer systems, roads and trails, stormwater and flood protection. Ironically, when our infrastructure is working at its best, these complex systems will be invisible! We can improve how we maintain existing infrastructure by investing in new technology, improving our use of data, and centering lifecycle costs, maintenance capacity, and long-term serviceability in how we plan, design, budget, and maintain our infrastructure. Key infrastructure must also be adaptable for the higher risk of being damaged or compromised due to wildfires, flooding, and extreme weather.

Category / BVCP Policy:

20. Maintaining Existing Assets Plus 21, 34, 35, 39, 43, 47, 50, 64, 69, 77, and 98

Ref #:

219

Title:

Water Supply Reliability

Description:

Category / BVCP Policy:

The city can be a leader with a unified, coordinated approach to the protection, development and implementation of water resource management to balance the reliability of urban uses, sustainable agriculture, ecosystem stewardship, protection of water rights, efficiency, and resilience. Of note are the water system needs for manufactured housing communities and future annexations including considerations for infrastructure, water quality, emergencies, funding, and more. 43. Water Resources Planning

Ref #:

220

Title:

Match Emergency Response to Community Need

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Description:

Not every 911 call requires a fire engine or ambulance, and connecting residents to the right resource improves care and keeps emergency crews available for life-threatening situations. Boulder should support programs that direct callers with nonemergency needs to nurses, health resources, or other appropriate services. Closing that gap on callers who connect with alternate programs benefits both residents and the emergency system as a whole.

Category / BVCP Policy:

87. Community Safety

Ref #:

024

Title:

Address Root Causes of Harm

Description:

As we think about our role in municipal government to improve public safety, staff recognizes that prevention is often the most compassionate and cost-effective approach. Enhancing how to support people before crime, harm and crises begin is a wise use of the city's time and resources. Our departments can help in diverting individuals from the criminal justice system into recovery or alternative support, educating people directly on their terms, and making thoughtful improvements to our systems and training. We can also elevate problem-oriented policing to make sure specific issues do not grow into intractable problems. Examples may include: further development of the Police Liaison officer program; a traffic program for neurodiverse drivers to practice traffic stops and dealing with collisions; building on the Safe and Managed Public Spaces (SAMPS) model to effectively enforce the camping prohibition within city limits.

Category / BVCP Policy:

87. Community Safety

Ref #:

205

Title:

A Wildfire Ready Community

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Description:

Wildfire is an inevitable part of Boulder’s landscape, and staff are urgently working to mitigate risks to life, property, and the environment in our community. Building on years of cross-departmental and regional partnerships, Boulder will comprehensively address the wildfire risks the community faces. This will involve three primary strategies: Fire Adapted Communities, Resilient Landscapes, and Safe and Effective Wildfire Response. Efforts require regional collaboration, staff training, education of the community, protection of Boulder's most vulnerable population, equity, fire risk conscious zoning and building codes, improvement of fireresistant infrastructure, planning of safe evacuation and sheltering, and incentivizing of fire reduction measures. A special focus on issues in the Wildland-Urban Interface is important for success.

Category / BVCP Policy:

89. Fire Adapted Communities Plus 13, 41, and 46

Ref #:

213

Title:

Advanced Resilience

Description:

Staff seek to expand the number of people, households, and neighborhoods that are ready to withstand the shocks of disasters, economic challenges, and climate change. Local government can be looked at as a tool for building the networks of social, economic, infrastructure, and systems resilience needed to weather all storms. Services and pilot projects can be put in place to make resilience visible, local, and actionable by embedding preparedness and support directly into community life. This includes resilience work in neighborhoods and fostering sustainable business practices. Resilience works best when focusing on addressing the most vulnerable populations first. Examples may include: piloting resilience hubs; promoting backup power; establishing cooling centers, piloting a neighborhood connectors program; localized mutual-aid networks; and deploying artists to help community members understand, prepare for, and respond to environmental change.

Category / BVCP Policy:

34. Climate Action Plus: 28, 29, 35, 36, 47, 49, 51, 57, 59, 61, 62, 65, 68, 77, 89, and 93

Ref #:

197

Title:

Improvements to Disaster Response and Evacuations

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Description:

Category / BVCP Policy: Ref #:

Considering the future land use map in the BVCP update, data about intensifying natural disasters, existing policies to encourage alternatives to car ownership, and other factors, there is an opportunity to improve Boulder's evacuation strategy to ensure public safety while prioritizing vulnerable populations. Boulder cannot handle large-scale emergencies alone and depends on agreements with neighboring and regional partners to provide an adequate response. 88. Disasters and Public Health Risks

236

HEALTHY AND SOCIALLY THRIVING Title: Description:

Social Infrastructure Community resilience, wellness, and interpersonal connection is connected to the places where we gather, experience art, share a meal, or meet with strangers who become friends. These places are the soft skill of a city: called social infrastructure by academics, and staff is eager to study them and expand their benefits. Deploying services to address social infrastructure can start by assessing strengths and gaps in social places or programs that offer belonging, arts, and community cohesion. Access and welcomeness for all abilities, ages, and backgrounds are key principles.

Category / BVCP Policy: Ref #:

68. Social Infrastructure

210

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Title: Description:

Improve Health and Wellbeing The city has a role to play in the physical and emotional health of the community; a role that staff believes is ready for new action as the complexities of healthcare, physical fitness, generational shifts, and evolving cultural issues, interact. Service options to improve community members’ physical, mental and behavioral health can be expanded in a manner that prioritizes acute and complex needs, advances health equity, and maximizes opportunities for collaboration to benefit people of all ages and backgrounds. This access to recreation opportunities; prevention and resolution services for community members experiencing conflict and harm; and culturally-appropriate programming and services so everyone can thrive in their city and create community safely and with joy.

Category / BVCP Policy: Ref #:

66. Community Health and Wellness

241

LIVABLE Title: Description:

Urban Design Staff recognize a throughline in many BVCP policies around improved urban design that would require study, planning, and action. A multi-department team can be formed to fully understand what changes are needed to implement the visual environment elements inherent in neighborhood hubs, 15-minute neighborhoods, green infrastructure and nature everywhere. Of note would be the examination and proposed changes to the land use code in Title 9 of the Boulder Revised Code.

Category / BVCP Policy: Ref #:

5. Boulder Valley Planning Areas Plus 6, 8, 10, 26, 29, 30, 35, 37, 38, and 52 131

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Title: Description:

Nature as Infrastructure We wonder how we approach our urban spaces differently if we look at natural corridors and green spaces as "infrastructure", like water, power, and streets? The community benefits of natural infrastructure could be expanded across Boulder to strengthen attention on climate resilience, improve health, provide for pollinator and animal corridors, and build community well-being. Also important are data projects to define measurable benefits including urban cooling, social connection, wildfire resilience, stormwater absorption, and drought adaptation. Examples include: establishing criteria for the integration of nature assets in urban areas, learning and volunteer opportunities, passive recreation tactics, and the design of access connections.

Category / BVCP Policy:

30. Urban Natural Infrastructure Plus 93.

Ref #:

193

Title:

Pivot to 15-minute Neighborhoods

Description:

Category / BVCP Policy: Ref #:

To prepare for future transformations, city staff are ready to come together across departments to study the criteria for changes needed to build 15-minute neighborhoods. 29. 15-Minute Neighborhoods

201

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Title: Description:

Respond to Demographic Shifts Boulder must adapt to changing demographics: age, economic circumstances, needs, language, ability, and lived experiences. It is important to assess and appropriately plan for changes projected in the size and composition of Boulder's population, including the implications of possible development in the planning reserve. Considerations include infrastructure needs, service levels, age inclusive community issues, impacts on school districts, and more.

Category / BVCP Policy:

21. Projections for Planning Plus 4, 5, 6, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 24, 25, 28, 29, 64, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77 and 78

Ref #:

226

Title:

Meet Housing Needs

Description:

Category / BVCP Policy:

The city faces ongoing challenges in the availability and affordability of housing in Boulder. Increasing the amount and proportion of permanently affordable housing in Boulder is an ongoing effort that can see some immediate wins through bolstering existing services and mobilizing pilots and initiatives to improve and expand our tools. Of note is our response to state land use mandates, as well as the opportunity that may be provided by ongoing discussion of the planning reserve. 82. Housing Diversity and Supply Plus 25 and 83

Ref #:

200

Title:

Strengthen Safety Net Services

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Description:

Our community values supporting the most vulnerable of our neighbors. Boulder bands together through city services, not only out of a sense of sympathy and justice, but for the practical outcomes of improved social connection, economic opportunity, and a reduced reliance on emergency services. The city may build on this strength by maintaining or expanding basic needs assistance services and investments – such as for food, rent, health care, caregiving and transportation – to reduce household stress and trauma; increase food security, housing security and wellness; stabilize families and neighborhoods. Providing new approaches for high-needs behavioral health care / complex care coordination, and assistance to reduce long-term shelter use can be elevated. Building on all this, efforts to stand up economic mobility and intergenerational wealth-building may secure resilience over generations. Examples may include continuing the implementation of the citywide Homelessness Strategy,

Category / BVCP Policy: Ref #:

66. Community Health and Wellness

216

ACCESSIBLE AND CONNECTED Title: Description:

Walking is Fundamental Walking is a crucial form of transportation. It has powerful benefits: for our health, the environment, and the social connections that are a natural result of hitting the sidewalks and trails. Boulder continues to evolve to be a great place to walk with comfortable, safe environments that foster healthy community connections and provide a welcoming alternative to travel by car.

Category / BVCP Policy:

73. Multimodal Transportation Strategy Plus 1, 13, 20, 27, 28, 29, 49, 68, 72, and 74

Ref #:

083

Title:

Accessible Transit Options

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Description:

Boulder's population is aging, and the city wants to ensure the transportation system continues to support the lives of people through all phases of life and considering all abilities. As Boulder's population ages, the demand for paratransit services will increase. Solutions for accessible and on-demand service fully understood and acted on, with the help of local and regional partners.

Category / BVCP Policy:

75. Innovative Transportation for All Plus 85

Ref #:

238

Title:

Safe and Comfortable Transportation

Description:

First and foremost, staff want to maximize the safety of our transportation options. And that focus on safety is part of a series of ideals that align around the comfort, reliability, and accessibility of trails, sidewalks, rails, and roads for cars, buses, trains, bikes, scooters, and feet. Centered on the continuing commitment to Vision Zero: eliminating traffic deaths, the city will advance initiatives and capital investments that enhance transit options, improve the experience of public transportation and pedestrian commuting, decrease bike theft, ease of use for people of all ages and abilities, regulations and enforcement for E-motos and E-bikes, and adoption of technology for Smart City implementation. Examples may include: expanded regional connections including the proposed start of regional train services through Boulder in 2029, transit priority street and signals, bus stop maintenance and upgrades, HOP electrification, and preparing Boulder for a regional train station.

Category / BVCP Policy: Ref #:

74. Transportation Safety and Vision Zero Plus 13, 27, 49, 50, 72, 73, 75, and 78 203

ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE Title:

Local Agriculture and Food System

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Description:

There are lessons to learn from our experience in recent years about the vulnerability of food systems, supply chain disruptions, and the accelerating impact of climate change on local farms and ranches. We on staff see ways to leverage the city's role of managing our city-owned agricultural lands and providing leadership in the community. Possible solutions include improvements to the diversity of food and agricultural products grown on suitable city-managed lands which increases the reach of local agriculture, regenerates the land, advances climate resilience, preserves cultural heritage, and improve local food security. Working on these issues must also consider affordability and access to food, especially among vulnerable groups.

Category / BVCP Policy:

95. Local Food Production and Access Plus 98, 99, and 100

Ref #:

194

Title:

Ecosystem Health

Description:

Improving the health of the geology and biology that flows under, through and around our city is critical for future generations of Boulder. Building on work already underway, staff are focused on the biggest returns on investment to foster the ability of our natural environment, soil, landscape, biodiversity, and green spaces to thrive. Doing so benefits our people and climate, enhances resilience to natural disasters, secures Boulder's water supply, and more.

Category / BVCP Policy:

36. Boulder Valley Biodiversity Plus 44 and 45

Ref #:

222

Title:

Electrification Transition

Description:

Our eyes are on the accelerating transition to electric homes, cars, bikes, and scooters. Electrification supports Boulder's emissions goals and requires further work in the realms of regulation, safety, and infrastructure.

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The regulatory framework and infrastructure needed for easy use of electric cars and bicycles will continue to expand in Boulder. Also on the rise is the need to ensure enforcement and safety measures, particularly for youth using their e-bikes to travel around the city. Thinking about the carbon impacts of our buildings, the city can support the transition to electrification described in the Healthy Buildings Stronger Communities Roadmap to reduce emissions. Category / BVCP Policy:

50. Electrification Transition Plus 76

Ref #:

198

Title:

Implementing Emission Reduction Plans

Description:

With the help and endorsement of Council, staff are motivated to make gains on our carbon emission goals from the updated Climate Action Plan. To start, our community can accelerate implementation of Boulder’s highest-impact greenhouse gas reduction strategies to keep the city on track for its 2030 community-wide emissions targets. Over the next four years, Boulder's focus must be a coordinated citywide effort on building decarbonization, transportation electrification, renewable energy, and other priority mitigation actions where accelerated implementation is needed to close the gap between current progress and adopted climate goals. Included is investments in the transportation system with an array of low-stress, multi-modal choices.

Category / BVCP Policy: Ref #:

34. Climate Action Plus 48 and 49 225

RESPONSIBLY GOVERNED Title: Description:

Equitable Government Services The struggles of this moment in our history are unevenly distributed in the community. Addressing this inequity lifts up the

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entire community to drive more prosperity, belonging and wellbeing for everyone. Improving our welcoming and inclusive city experience through accessibility, universal design, and language access in public spaces, programs, and services will allow every community member, student, worker and visitor, at every age, ability and background, to take part and thrive. Examples include the design and deployment of an Equity Data Dashboard for use by city staff, expansion of language access in our public places, and the implementation of universal design principles. Category / BVCP Policy:

1. Equity and Racial Justice

Ref #:

239

Title:

Community Outreach and Engagement

Description:

Boulder has an engaged community: people who are civically active with high expectations for outreach, engagement and transparency. Staff seeks to meet or exceed those high expectations. "Outreach" is defined as connecting with the community where they are for the purpose of building relationships and sharing information about services and resources. This can be done by developing a consistent, citywide outreach approach informed by best practices. Staff may also improve engagement specific to city decision-making with a focus on youth engagement practices.

Category / BVCP Policy:

101: Community Engagement

Ref #:

235

Title:

Advancing a City Culture of Continuous Improvement and Leadership

Description:

We are proud of our work but know we can always improve. Taking steps to broadcast a culture of continuous improvement,

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shared leadership, and accountability at all levels of the organization will improve our work and the services we deliver. Strengthen the City of Boulder leadership culture by clarifying expectations, improving internal communication practices, building skills to navigate change, and establishing a consistent approach to leadership and employee development. By standardizing training, reinforcing cultural competency, celebrating successes, and enhancing accountability structures we will ensure employees have trust in a safe leadership culture of clarity, consistency, and transparency. Category / BVCP Policy:

Organizational Improvement

Ref #:

223

Title:

Recruitment, Retention, and Training

Description:

For our city organization to meet the needs of this extraordinary moment, we must have a team of talented, diverse, and committed staff that feel supported, are well trained, and are ready to do their best work for the community. The city can make moves focus on building and supporting a team who have the training and workplace resources needed to meet the expectations of the community. A focus on supporting the first responder workforce in meeting national standards and increasing the diversity of the fire and police teams are critical to consider. Examples may include: systems to measure and encourage employee engagement and satisfaction; projects to improve workplace safety; and new training curricula, with a focus on manager skills.

Category / BVCP Policy:

Organizational Improvement

Ref #:

224

Title:

A Welcoming Experience with Government

Description:

After years of work on the systems and staff on the front lines of customer service, we are in a position to make positive change in

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how people using city services, so they feel supported and respected when they engage with the City of Boulder. Contacting the City should feel easy, reliable, and genuinely helpful. That is achieved with a new approach to standard practices, expanded tools, training, support networks, and delivery centers including the new Western City Campus. Alignment of this new approach with community partners, events, and new technology will inspire better service delivery and better balance of community expectations with city goals and resources. This includes a focus to increase our commitment to immigrants, evaluate that innovation, and apply what we learn to be more welcoming to other communities (families, older adults, etc.). Category / BVCP Policy:

Organizational Improvement

Ref #:

228

Title:

Upgrading our Internal Business Tools

Description:

There's always room for improvement, and we with the city take that seriously. It's time to revisit our portfolio of business processes, software tools, and record keeping platforms to improve our efficiency. Operational effectiveness can be improved, and organizational risk reduced, when staff are equipped with sophisticated tools and practices in project management, centralized operating procedures, and asset management. Formalized and documented standard operating procedures will ensure critical knowledge is accessible, transferable, and resilient through change or succession. Examples include: the establishment of an internal decisionmaking framework for climate resilience; a modernized and streamlined portfolio of information systems and software including improvements to record keeping; improvements to the use of the Racial Equity Instrument and its measures; and next steps in the implementation of the OneMeeting platform for use by Boards & Commissions.

Category / BVCP Policy:

Organizational Improvement

Ref #:

230

Title:

Data Excellence in Public Service

Description:

A culture of data-informed decision making that includes effective use of data, data sharing, and records management will improve

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the efficiency and effectiveness of staff. Services can blossom with support in a strong data philosophy, technology use, dashboard creation, and tools for the timely availability of data for staff and the community. Category / BVCP Policy:

Organizational Improvement

Ref #:

231

Title:

Enhance Information to the Public

Description:

Our local government functions at its best when the public has access to information, understands the work we do, and keeps an eye on our work while trusting in our stewardship. We can earn that trust through transparency and communications projects for important initiatives such as long-term financial strategy, BVCP, and more. Staff also have the opportunity to improve the ways we tell our story and demonstrate the remarkable work of the city staff devoted to serving the community. Examples include: consistent use of plain language and voice; data dashboards and other transparency practices; mobile apps and website improvements; enhanced ethics policies; strengthened audit and procurement procedures; and comprehensive training,

Category / BVCP Policy:

104. Transparent Governance

Ref #:

232

Title:

Process Improvements

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Description:

When staff interacts with community members, around things like permits or paying a ticket, we follow the rules because we know they are there to ensure transparency and good stewardship. Yet they can also seem complex, full of bottlenecks in process, and seemingly riddled with opaque guidelines and criteria. We think we can make our relationship with people easier while still being good stewards of the process. In the spirit of continual improvement that all city staff share, we can target high-impact process improvement opportunities, prioritizing initiatives that reduce administrative burden, implement workflow efficiencies without disrupting day-to-day service delivery. The ease of permitting for art in public places, special events, and other social activities may be a focus. Implementing the recently designed improvements to customer service technology, systems and practices will be critical, including how the new Western City Campus promotes the best experience for people who access city services.

Category / BVCP Policy:

Organizational Improvement

Ref #:

233

Title:

New Tech and AI

Description:

Establishing and institutionalizing the clear and responsible approach to the use of emerging technologies, especially Artificial Intelligence will enhance efficiency and performance, but only with the right guardrails. The city can develop a coherent strategy and policy framework that guides appropriate use cases, complies with state and federal regulations, reflects data governance best practices, and balances Boulder values in places where they compete. Doing this right may have profound benefits to systems like asset management, production of analytics, written content, and graphics, and accelerating the delivery and quality of services like permit reviews and Human Resources operations.

Category / BVCP Policy:

Emerging Opportunity or Threat

Ref #:

217

Title:

Long-Term Financial Strategy Implementation

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Description:

The city's financial strategy has evolved significantly following the recognition that sales tax dependency is not a financially stable foundation. Staff has spent years exploring new solutions and heard some great ideas from the community through Fund our Future engagements. Improving the trajectory of City finances in the long term requires making the shifts described in the Long-term Financial Strategy. This may include innovations such as new approaches to fees and taxes, expanded use of regional, state and federal grant funds, or innovative ways to partner with the private sector.

Category / BVCP Policy:

Organizational Improvement

Ref #:

111

Title:

Spend City Budget Wisely

Description:

City budgets express the community's values, which change over time and compete for limited resources. We on city staff are committed to being excellent stewards of these funds to deliver value to the community. Building on the results of Fund our Future and a thorough examination of city services, the city is poised to consider tradeoffs in new ways to prioritize and become more efficient and attentive to the role that municipal spending plays in Boulder's economy.

Category / BVCP Policy:

65. City Resources Management Plus 64

Ref #:

190

Title:

Maintain Public Buildings

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Description:

We want to be excellent caretakers of the facilities that house our important services (including recreation centers, police and fire stations, and maintenance hubs) so that everyone in the community is as proud as we are of our public buildings. Building on the Asset Management Program Strategy, staff can begin implementing that roadmap for how to responsibly prioritize the work of caring for, investing in, and in some cases divesting from, these buildings within constrained financial circumstances. Methods for prioritizing actions can be included, taking into account Council advice, community input, and the level of services that are tied to specific buildings. Our public buildings themselves should be models of careful design and readiness: built with wildfire and flood response, community mass care, recovery, and continuity of government in mind. Once this roadmap of actions is complete, a further step will be to develop a financial investment strategy for the public buildings that will continue be in the portfolio for the coming decades.

Category / BVCP Policy:

65. City Resources Management Plus 64

Ref #:

209

Title:

Federal Funding Uncertainty

Description:

Federal government appropriations, grants, and guidance have been rapidly changing in recent years, putting city programs and projects that receive federal funding at risk. Staff must be ready to pivot in our approach to many services and projects as Federal programs may become less predictable. The City can be nimble and ready to respond to these challenges with policy initiatives, focusing flexible resources where the need is highest, and collaborating with other agencies in the region. In addition, this volatility impacts community organizations that we collaborate with including health centers and childcare services, as well as increased cost burden for individuals and families.

Category / BVCP Policy: Ref #:

Emerging Opportunity or Threat

221

ECONOMICALLY VITAL

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Title: Description:

Respond to Changing Economic Conditions Though the state of the economy depends on a lot of factors, city staff want to clear the path for success by making it easier to do business in Boulder. Boulder can be an increasingly affordable and efficient place to do business; where employees can afford to live and work, businesses can afford to lease, buy, or build, and regulatory processes are streamlined, simplified, and less costly. This includes a look at improvements to our permit processes and fee structures. All this will be most successful when we work in collaboration with our partners in the community, our neighbors at the universities, and with thought leaders across industries. Making people aware of resources.

Category / BVCP Policy:

57. Economic Resilience

Ref #:

206

Title:

Strengths, Opportunities, and Challenges in Industries

Description:

The local government can make the best impact on the economy when smart tactics are tailored to the needs of targeted industries: taking advantage of opportunities, helping to address challenges, and building on our strengths. Recent examples provide a playbook for how the city can mobilize resources and leadership when focusing on industries: opportunities presented themselves when new destination events decided to relocate to Boulder; the city worked with community partners to respond to the needs of restaurants and retail during the challenges of public safety power shutoffs; and the city partnered with business leaders to encourage new Innovation Economy business to find a home in Boulder. Expanding these kinds of actions will have a significant return for residents, workers, students, and visitors: improving quality of life and having a positive effect on tax revenues.

Category / BVCP Policy:

60. Primary and Emerging Industry Support Plus 56,58, 61, 62 and 63

Ref #:

207

Title:

Circular Economy

Description:

We understand and appreciate that our economic evolution is directly tied to climate and social changes. All investments in

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Boulder's economy will be more effective when considering how to apply the benefits of waste reduction, supply chain refinement, adaptive reuse, and a local focus. Boulder's resilience to global supply chain disruption will be strengthened by advancing a more circular local economy that reduces waste, recovers valuable materials, encourages the adaptive reuse of existing buildings, and expands the systems and infrastructure needed to keep resources in productive use. Boulder will strengthen regional partnerships, scale reuse and recovery solutions, and increase local markets for materials including organics, construction materials, and other high-impact waste streams. Category / BVCP Policy:

54. Waste Minimization and the Circular Economy Plus 25, 55, 64, 67 and 76

Ref #:

208

Title:

Activate the Night Economy

Description:

Boulder's reputation as a lively nightlife destination faces new competition as cities in the area offer excellent art, music, restaurant, special events, theater, cinema, and night market experiences. Thoughtful regulation, leadership, programming, and most of all public safety efforts can feed a vibrant 24-hour experience that rivals the vibrancy of any city in the World. Boulder will have a safe, vibrant, and inclusive evening and nighttime economy anchored in arts, music, entertainment, and culture. This will be done with care, focusing on public safety, neighborhood character, and equity in mind. Evening activation strengthens local businesses, opens options for the service industry, encourages safe behavior, and fosters community connection.

Category / BVCP Policy: Ref #:

62. Night Economy

212

Next Steps After incorporating input from the August 13 Study Session into this document, staff will move on to begin drafting possible strategies. These drafts will be the subject of a narrowing and DRAFT August 13, 2026 — Page 22

refining process. All staff members will be able to contribute during that phase, as will members of the community. At a workshop in November, members of Council, representatives of Boards and Commissions, and other invited community representatives can have a conversation about the content of the Citywide Strategic Plan. Final results are expected to be presented to Council in the first quarter of 2027.

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