Agenda Memo (2) · Boulder Politics

Regular Meeting, August 20, 2026 · item 3J: Consideration of a motion to adopt Resolution 1388 in support of the Boulder County Early Childhood Care and Education Mill Levy Increase an… · 16 pages

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City of Boulder City Council Agenda Item Meeting Date: August 20, 2026 Agenda Title Consideration of a motion to adopt Resolution 1388 in support of the Boulder County Early Childhood Care and Education Mill Levy Increase and Voter-Approved Revenue Change and Resolution 1389 indicating the City of Boulder’s position on select 2026 state ballot measures; and setting forth related details.

Staff Contact • •

Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde, City Manager Heather Stauffer, Intergovernmental Affairs Officer, City Manager's Office

Draft Motion Language Staff requests council consideration of this matter and action in the form of the following motion: Consideration of a motion to adopt Resolution 1388 in support of the Boulder County Early Childhood Care and Education Mill Levy Increase and Voter-Approved Revenue Change and Resolution 1389 indicating the City of Boulder’s position on select 2026 state ballot measures; and setting forth related details.

Executive Summary The purpose of this item is to provide council with the opportunity to take official positions through Resolutions 1388 and 1389 on specified 2026 state and county ballot measures. Information on all ballot measures is located in the analysis section of this memo.

Alignment with City Plans and City Council History Sustainability, Equity and Resilience (SER) Framework and Citywide Strategic Plan Alignment SER Framework Goal Area City of Boulder’s advocacy work is guided by the city’s annual Policy Statement, which is meant to further and align with each of the SER Framework Goal Areas. Citywide Strategic Plan As with the SER Framework, the city’s advocacy efforts are guided by the annual Policy Statement, which aligns with and furthers many key priorities within the Citywide Strategic Plan. Council’s positions on 2026 county and state ballot measures aligns specifically with the following citywide strategic plan strategies: Strategy 1: Focus community safety efforts on reducing community harm at critical locations known for high incident rates or significant vulnerabilities. Strategy 4: Strengthen equity-focused programs that help meet community members’ basic needs, including mental, physical, and behavioral health, financial assistance, and access to services. Strategy 5: Support and provide holistic and accessible programs and services to enable diverse individuals and families to live in Boulder. Strategy 7: Invest in and maintain a transportation system with an array of multi-modal choices to reduce vehicle miles traveled and greenhouse gas emissions. Strategy 10: Continue advancement toward the city’s goal of an eighty percent reduction in emissions and the community’s goal of a seventy percent reduction by 2030. Strategy 11: Prioritize sustainability values through new and existing policies. Strategy 14: Enhance collaborative efforts to support an inclusive, healthy, sustainable, and resilient local economy that builds on core economic strengths, promotes economic mobility, and aligns with community values and priorities.

Alignment with Additional City Plans City advocacy efforts are guided by the annual Policy Statement on Regional, State and Federal issues. The purpose of the policy statement is to inform city advocacy on policy decisions that, while made outside the city’s jurisdictional authority, have potential to significantly impact the city. This includes legislative decisions by the Colorado General Assembly or the U.S. Congress.

City Council History Council received an update on 2026 county and state ballot measures during the August 13th study session. Council directed staff to draft resolutions indicating specific positions for state and county ballot measures for consideration at their next meeting.

Analysis Attached to this memo are two proposed resolutions. Resolution 1388 In support of the Boulder County Early Childhood Care and Education Mill Levy Increase and VoterApproved Revenue Change (Attachment A). Resolution 1389 addresses the city’s positions on eight state ballot measures (Attachment B). Information on each of the ballot measures included in the proposed resolutions are detailed below. Additionally, the position indicated by council for drafting purposes is included in the titles of each ballot measure.

County Ballot Measures Boulder County Early Childhood Care and Education Mill Levy Increase and Voter-Approved Revenue Change (Support) Summary: Beginning January 1, 2027 the ballot measure would increase county property taxes by 2.579 mills, generating approximately $30 million annually, to address the shortage and high cost of childcare and preschool for Boulder County families with young children. The net proceeds of the additional mill levy, together with all earnings on the investment of such proceeds, would be deposited in a dedicated fund and expended by the County and with a contracted and qualified community partner (to be determined through a competitive RFP process). The draft ballot measure language identifies priority areas to address with funding including childcare affordability, childcare accessibility and quality, workforce stability, and reducing administrative costs for childcare providers. The ballot measure further exempts the revenue raised from TABOR. Proponents: Brighter Start Boulder County, a coalition of individuals and organizations including the Early Childhood Council of Boulder County, Longmont Community Foundation, Social Venture Partners Boulder County, and the Aspen Center for Child Development, Sister Carmen Community Center, The YMCA, Community Foundation Boulder County, EFAA, YWCA, Wild Plum Center for Young Children & Families, The Family Learning Center, TLC Learning Center, BVEA, Yeya’s Childcare, Treehouse Learning, Alaya Preschool, Rocky Mountain Equality, and WOW! Children's Museum. Opponents: N/A City of Boulder policy statement: 2026 Regional Policy Priorities: Find ways to maintain and then increase funding to nonprofit organizations to provide basic needs

services (e.g., health services, childcare, family services and food) that are critical to the well-being of low-income community members in Boulder and throughout the county; each is important, and collectively, they can be indicators for positive mental health. Potential Impacts to City Programs/Operations: None.

State Ballot Measures Initiative 85: Penalties for Fentanyl Crimes (Oppose) Summary: If passed, the ballot measure raises felony classifications for distributing, manufacturing, dispensing, selling, or possessing fentanyl and certain synthetic opioids. The measure eliminates “Good Samaritan” protections for distribution offenses, removes drug-possession exemptions from the determination of whether someone is a habitual criminal, and adds mandatory treatment requirements for certain drug felonies. This is a statutory change, which means that if passed, it could be changed through state legislation. It requires a simple majority to pass. Analysis: Link to nonpartisan Legislative Council Staff Draft Analysis Proponents: Advance Colorado, the conservative advocacy nonprofit run by Michael Fields, brought the measure forward. Issue committees registered in support with the Secretary of State’s Office also include Brighter Colorado. Opponents: Issue committees registered as opposed are Coloradans for Real Safety Solutions and Vote Common Sense. The Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition (CCJRC) is opposed and is assembling a broader coalition against Advance Colorado’s criminal justice measures generally. Boulder County opposes the measure. City of Boulder policy statement: 34. Support Criminal Justice Reform: The city supports criminal justice reform that includes, but is not limited to, sentencing and bond reform, mental health care, addiction recovery and dismantling of institutional and systematic biases. Mass incarceration has a disproportionate impact on communities of color, particularly African American males who are significantly overrepresented in prison populations. The city supports initiatives that emphasize restorative justice and treatment over incarceration. Inmates also need to be better integrated into the community upon release. Newly released individuals looking to change their lives face significant barriers to employment and housing. The city supports initiatives that support re-entry for released felons. Criminal behavior often can be the result of mental health conditions. Jails and prisons are not appropriate forums for treatment of mental illness. The city supports initiatives to provide better residential and out-patient treatment for people with mental illness. Potential Impacts to City Programs/Operations: Boulder PD does respond to calls involving fentanyl/synthetic opioids on a regular basis. In 2025, PD responded to about 18 calls identified as overdose/poisoning per month; fentanyl/synthetic opioids were

believed to be involved in around five of those calls per month on average. However, staff cannot anticipate what changes, if any, this initiative would have on the number of calls the city responds to involving fentanyl/synthetic opioids. No other impacts to city programs or operations are expected. Initiative 95: Law Enforcement Reporting to Federal Authorities (Oppose) Summary: If passed, the ballot measure requires Colorado law enforcement to notify the U.S. Department of Homeland Security when someone who cannot be verified as lawfully present is charged with a violent crime, or with any crime if they have a prior felony conviction. It reverses the limits on sharing personal information for federal immigration enforcement passed at the state level via HB19-1124 and SB25-276. This is a constitutional amendment, which means that if passed, it could only be changed by another vote of the people. It requires 55% to pass. Analysis: Link to nonpartisan Legislative Council Staff Draft Analysis Proponents: Advance Colorado brought the measure forward. Issue committees registered in support with the Secretary of State’s Office also include Brighter Colorado. Opponents: Issue committees registered as opposed with the Secretary of State’s Office include Colorado Communities First and Vote Common Sense. The Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, the Colorado People’s Alliance, and ACLU of Colorado are opposed. Boulder County opposes the measure. City of Boulder policy statement: 43. Prevent local government mandates to enforce federal immigration laws: The city supports preserving the option for its police officers to enforce federal laws, including federal immigration laws. However, it will vigorously oppose any state or federal legislation that mandates that its police enforce federal immigration laws, especially if they are unfunded mandates or are likely to result in enforcement officers engaging in racial profiling or discrimination based on race, ethnicity or national origin. 44. Prevent the imposition of onerous information gathering and reporting requirements on public safety, especially when those requirements come with substantial costs that are not supported by adequate funding. An example of a reporting requirement that has been imposed on local law enforcement agencies in the past is the state law requiring the arrest of undocumented immigrants to be reported to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The city would oppose such a requirement. Potential Impacts to City Programs/Operations: If this initiative were to pass, it would change how Boulder PD handles immigration enforcement within the city, impacting both operations and relationships with the community. The measure additionally places an unfunded mandate on the city to enforce federal immigration laws.

Initiative 109: Male and Female Participation in School Sports (Oppose) Summary: If passed, the ballot measure requires K-12 and college sports teams to be designated male, female, or coeducational, and limits participation to athletes whose biological sex matches the designation. Girls could play on a boys’ team where no female team exists. It also bars a government entity or athletic association from investigating a school over maintaining separate teams for females. The state education commissioner would enforce it. This is a statutory change, which means that if passed, it could be changed through state legislation. It requires a simple majority to pass. Analysis: Link to nonpartisan Legislative Council Staff Draft Analysis Proponents: Protect Kids Colorado brought the measure forward. The group’s stated mission is to “mobilize the people of Colorado and the church to engage with biblical and biological truth.” Opponents: Families Not Politics is the issue committee opposed, led by coalition partners One Colorado, Planned Parenthood Rocky Mountains, Inside Out Youth Services, Cobalt Advocates, Transgender Law Center, and Rocky Mountain Equality. Boulder County opposes the measure. City of Boulder policy statement: 24. Human Rights: In alignment with the city's Human Rights Ordinance, the city will support applicable state and federal laws and policies that promote equal access and protect individuals from discrimination based on ancestry, color, creed, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic characteristics, marital status, mental or physical disability, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, source of income, and age. The city opposes any laws or policies that impose funding limitations or restrictions on programs based on gender, gender identity, or that create barriers to services, condition funding on discriminatory eligibility criteria, or reduce protections below the standards established in the city's Human Rights Ordinance. Potential Impacts to City Programs/Operations: N/A Initiative 110: Prohibit Certain Surgeries on Minors (Oppose) Summary: If passed, the ballot measure bars health care professionals from knowingly performing surgery on a minor to alter biological sex characteristics. It also bars state and federal funding, including Medicaid, from covering those procedures. This is a statutory change, which means that if passed, it could be changed through state legislation. It requires a simple majority to pass. Analysis: Link to nonpartisan Legislative Council Staff Draft Analysis

Proponents: Protect Kids Colorado brought the measure forward. The group’s stated mission is to “mobilize the people of Colorado and the church to engage with biblical and biological truth.” Opponents: Families Not Politics is the issue committee opposed, led by coalition partners One Colorado, Planned Parenthood Rocky Mountains, Inside Out Youth Services, Cobalt Advocates, Transgender Law Center, and Rocky Mountain Equality. Boulder County opposes the measure. City of Boulder policy statement: 24. Human Rights: In alignment with the city's Human Rights Ordinance, the city will support applicable state and federal laws and policies that promote equal access and protect individuals from discrimination based on ancestry, color, creed, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic characteristics, marital status, mental or physical disability, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, source of income, and age. The city opposes any laws or policies that impose funding limitations or restrictions on programs based on gender, gender identity, or that create barriers to services, condition funding on discriminatory eligibility criteria, or reduce protections below the standards established in the city's Human Rights Ordinance. Potential Impacts to City Programs/Operations: N/A Initiative 175: Restore Our Roads (Oppose) Summary: If passed, the ballot measure dedicates all sales and use and excise taxes or fees currently imposed on motor vehicles and motor vehicle fuel exclusively to “road transportation.” The definition of “road transportation” includes building and fixing public streets, roads, highways, and bridges designed and primarily used for motor vehicle use, development and improvement of safety measures for motor vehicles traveling on public streets, directly related planning and engineering for road transportation, and costs of the Colorado State Patrol. The measure reduces funding for other state transportation programs including local transportation services, transit, and multimodal programs. The measure is expected to obligate up to $1.02 billion toward road transportation in FY 2026-2027 and up to $2.09 billion in FY 2027-2028, with similar amounts in future years. This is a constitutional amendment, which means that if passed, it could only be changed by another vote of the people. It requires 55% to pass. Should it pass, HB26-1430 was designed to offset the impacts of Initiative 175 on the state budget. If voters pass 175, the law temporarily lowers taxes on fuel, registration fees, road safety surcharges, and road usage fees for four years, which largely cancels out the revenue increase the measure would have produced. If HB26-1430 goes into effect, it will also reduce the amount of funding available to local governments for road transportation. Negotiations with Restore Our Roads are ongoing, and the group has until Sept. 3 to withdraw if a compromise comes together. Analysis: Link to nonpartisan Legislative Council Staff Draft Analysis

Proponents: Restore Our Roads brought the measure forward. The Colorado Contractors Association formed the issue committee, and the Colorado Construction Industry Coalition supports it. Opponents: Keep Kids First Colorado is the issue committee registered as opposed. In addition, Gov. Polis and House and Senate Democratic leadership have publicly stated their opposition. The Colorado Municipal League has also called for the withdrawal of Initiative 175 but has not taken an official position on the ballot measure. Boulder County opposes the measure. City of Boulder policy statement: 61. Safeguard, increase and prioritize transportation infrastructure funding with a focus on maintenance of existing infrastructure and projects that are multimodal in design and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The city supports safeguarding local, state, and federal transportation revenue sources. This includes, but is not limited to, programs funded by IIJA, IRA, and Colorado SB21-260 enterprise funding, such as the Clean Transit Enterprise, MMOF, and HUTF. The city also supports generating new transportation infrastructure funding tied to road use, including vehicle registration, vehicle weight, car rentals, car shares, retail delivery, gasoline consumption and vehicle miles traveled. It also supports prioritizing use of these and any other regional, state, or federal transportation funding to maintain existing infrastructure, for projects that are multimodal in design, for travel demand management activities that would increase the efficiency of the existing system, for projects that help increase the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians and for other purposes that would decrease the greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector. Potential Impacts to City Programs/Operations: The passage of Initiative 175 could affect the city’s ability to implement the Transportation Master Plan (TMP) and advance the city’s Vision Zero safety goal to eliminate serious and fatal injury crashes for all road users. The city is prioritizing transportation investments through the Core Arterial Network (CAN) initiative and Vision Zero Action Plan (VZAP), which focus on the corridors where the majority of fatal crashes affecting vulnerable road users occur. These projects are designed as integrated, multimodal improvements to safety, accessibility, and mobility for all users. If Initiative 175 were adopted, restrictions on the use of certain state transportation revenues for roadway-related purposes like roadway and bridge maintenance could limit the city’s ability to fund the multimodal components of these and other projects, requiring additional funding sources, project redesign, or phased implementation and potentially delaying safety improvements on Boulder’s highest-priority corridors. Proposition NN: Public Education Funding; Revenue and Spending Limits (Support) Summary: If passed, the ballot measure allows the state to keep and spend revenue above the TABOR cap, raising the cap by roughly what the state spends on K-12, about

$4.6 billion. It increases public education spending by 2% a year for 10 years, aimed at teacher pay, retention, class sizes, and career and technical programs. At least half the surplus goes to K-12; the rest goes to a children’s account for preschool and childcare. The fiscal note estimates $136 million to K-12 in year one and $970 million in year two. This is a statutory change, which means that if passed, it could be changed through state legislation. It requires a simple majority to pass. Analysis: Link to nonpartisan Legislative Council Staff Draft Analysis Proponents: The legislature referred this ballot measure with the support of the General Assembly’s Democratic majority. The Colorado Education Association is supporting it. Opponents: The issue committee registered as opposed to Proposition NN is the Your Family’s Future Alliance. The Independence Institute and the Colorado Union of Taxpayers are opposed due to the changes to TABOR. City of Boulder policy statement: 2026 State Policy Priority #3: Protect Essential State Funding. As the state faces increasingly severe budget shortfalls, it is essential to protect state funding that city projects and priorities rely on, and funding that ensures community members’ basic needs. This includes: Proposition 123 State Affordable Housing Funds, Transportation funding including the Highway Users Tax Fund (HUTF) and funding used to support multimodal transportation projects, PreK-12 education funding, Medicaid funds, GOCO lottery funding, and cigarette tax revenues. Potential Impacts to City Programs/Operations: The measure, if passed, would not impact city programs; however, it would likely provide additional state funding to Boulder Valley School District. Additional revenue funding schools, one of the state’s largest annual budget items, may take some pressure off the rest of the state’s budget, which could free up additional funding for state level programs and grants that the city participates in. Initiative 177: Right to Natural Gas (Oppose) Summary: If passed, the ballot measure creates a constitutional right for consumers to buy, and producers and utilities to sell, natural gas for cooking and heating in homes and businesses. While the language is unclear, it could constrain state and local efforts to reduce natural gas use and may reach local building codes. This is a constitutional amendment, which means that if passed, it could only be changed by another vote of the people. It requires 55% to pass. Analysis: Link to nonpartisan Legislative Council Staff Draft Analysis Proponents: Advance Colorado is the issue committee supporting the measure.

Opponents: Accountability for Colorado Communities and Vote Common Sense are registered issue committees opposed to the initiative. Conservation Colorado is also opposed to the measure. Boulder County opposes the measure. City of Boulder policy statement: 6. Reduce emissions from the natural gas sector. The city supports accelerating the transition from natural gas and propane to electricity for residential and commercial building applications, including space and hot water heating, cooking and laundry. The city also supports development of a statewide policy framework and set of actions that promote the adoption of high efficiency and low emission heating and cooling technologies such as electric-driven heat pumps (air and ground source), sustainable biomass energy systems, anaerobic digestion, solar thermal and other renewable energy-ready systems. These policies should prioritize equity, affordability, and resilience in addition to emissions reductions. Potential Impacts to City Programs/Operations: As part of the 2024 energy code update, the city now requires most new residential and commercial buildings to use electricity, rather than natural gas, for primary space and water heating, with limited exceptions. Although Initiative 177's broad and vague language makes its impacts uncertain, if passed it could undermine the city's authority to require all-electric construction for new buildings and major redevelopments, potentially leading to litigation and requiring significant staff time to revise major sections of the city code. Because the initiative's language is broad and vague, its full effects on all city programs and operations are difficult to predict and would depend largely on how it is interpreted. For example, it’s unclear whether a right to sell natural gas could allow an energy company to condemn city property for a new gas facility, or to what extent the city could be held liable for actions perceived as limiting the sale or use of natural gas. Initiative 195: Graduated Income Tax (Support) Summary: If passed, the ballot measure replaces the state's 4.4% flat income tax for both individuals and corporations with graduated rates starting in tax year 2027. Rates would apply as follows: • • • • • •

First $25,000 of taxable income: 3.7% $25,001 to $100,000: 4.2% $100,001 to $500,000: 4.4% $500,001 to $750,000: 7.4% $750,001 to $1 million: 7.9% Over $1 million: 8.4%

The state's nonpartisan legislative council staff estimates the measure could raise around $2 billion per year. The measure directs new revenue to K-12, health care, early childhood care and education. Removing TABOR's single-rate requirement is a constitutional change. However, the Title Board found that because the measure only repeals part of the state constitution, it

requires a simple majority rather than 55% to pass. The rate schedule itself sits in statute, and the legislature can adjust it. Analysis: Link to nonpartisan Legislative Council Staff Draft Analysis Proponents: The Protect Colorado’s Future Coalition is the registered issue committee supporting the measure. Coalition members include the Bell Policy Center, Colorado Fiscal Institute, Colorado PTA, Conservation Colorado, the Colorado Center on Law and Policy, Counties and Commissioners Acting Together (CCAT), Save the Children Action Network, Provecho Collective, Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, Growing our Future, Great Education Colorado, Hunger Free Colorado, Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition, Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights, and ProgressNow Colorado. Boulder County supports the measure. Opponents: Keep Colorado Affordable and Brighter Colorado are the issue committees registered as opposed to the measure. Advance Colorado is running Initiative 232, a countermeasure intended to cap the state income tax rate in statute (see below). City of Boulder policy statement: 2026 State Policy Priority #3: Protect Essential State Funding. As the state faces increasingly severe budget shortfalls, it is essential to protect state funding that city projects and priorities rely on, and funding that ensures community members’ basic needs. This includes: Proposition 123 State Affordable Housing Funds, Transportation funding including the Highway Users Tax Fund (HUTF) and funding used to support multimodal transportation projects, PreK-12 education funding, Medicaid funds, GOCO lottery funding, and cigarette tax revenues. Potential Impacts to City Programs/Operations: Allowing the state to retain additional revenue each year in order to fund the state’s largest program costs, including K-12 and healthcare, may take pressure off other state funding currently being used toward funding these programs. In turn, this could lead to more funding being available for state programs or grants in which the city participates.

Anticipated Fiscal and Workplan Impacts At this time, staff cannot predict any impact to the city’s budget as a result of the passage or failure of individual ballot measures.

Equity Analysis The first policy principle listed in the city’s Policy Statement on Regional, State and Federal issues is Equity, Racial Justice and Social Resilience. When using the policy statement as a guide for intergovernmental affairs efforts, city staff consider equity implications as described in the Policy Statement.

Climate, Resilience, and Sustainability Considerations Climate, resilience, and sustainability are woven throughout the Policy Statement and comprise 13 distinct policy positions under “Climate Change and Community Resilience.” As staff use the Policy Statement throughout the year, climate and sustainability considerations are a key factor in policy analysis and recommendations.

Community Engagement In alignment with past practice, staff do not conduct community engagement when researching ballot measures or drafting resolutions.

Next Steps for City Council None.

Digital Accessibility The City of Boulder is committed to digital accessibility. Some content may not be fully accessible due to technical limitations or issues. For alternate formats or accommodations, please visit Accessibility | City of Boulder or contact accessibility@bouldercolorado.gov.

Attachments A - Proposed Resolution 1388 B - Proposed Resolution 1389

A - Proposed Resolution 1388

RESOLUTION 1388 A RESOLUTION INDICATING THE CITY OF BOULDER’S SUPPORT FOR THE BOULDER COUNTY EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION MILL LEVY INCREASE AND VOTER-APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE BALLOT MEASURE APPEARING ON THE NOVEMBER 3, 2026, BOULDER COUNTY BALLOT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BOULDER, COLORADO, HEREBY FINDS AND RECITES THAT: A. The Boulder County Early Childhood Care and Education Mill Levy Increase and Voter-Approved Revenue Change ballot measure will appear on the November 3, 2026, Boulder County ballot. B. The measure increases county property taxes by 2.579 mills. which is projected to generate approximately $30 million annually. C. Boulder County estimates that the county has a shortfall of approximately 1,723 licensed infant slots and 1,357 licensed toddler slots, contributing to an overall gap of approximately 2,599 licensed slots for children under five whose parents are in the workforce. D. The Early Childhood Council of Boulder County (ECCBC) State of Childcare Report found that the average annual cost of infant care in Boulder County is $21,684, and the average annual cost of toddler care is $21,216. E. The high cost of childcare falls hardest on low-income working families in Boulder County, who are least able to absorb childcare costs. F. The ECCBC report also found that the Boulder County childcare workforce experiences an average annual staff turnover rate of 30%, with more than half of that turnover occurring within an employee’s first three years, concentrated among infant and toddler teachers. G. The ECCBC report further found the average annual salaries for Boulder County early childhood educators remain low relative to the cost of living in the county, contributing to workforce instability and a shrinking supply of available childcare. H. If passed by voters, revenue will be used by Boulder County for the purposes of addressing the shortage and high cost of childcare and preschool for Boulder County families with young children through investments designed to improve affordability for families, expand access to licensed infant and toddler care, and strengthen the early childhood workforce to ensure stability and quality across the system.

A - Proposed Resolution 1388

I. The ECCBC report identified increased public funding and investment, including incentives for infant and toddler care expansion, financial assistance for families, and workforce retention support as key recommendations to strengthen the county’s childcare infrastructure. J. The city supports efforts to build a stronger, more sustainable early childhood system for Boulder County. K. Affordable, accessible childcare is essential infrastructure for the local economy, enabling parents to remain in the workforce, supporting local employers' ability to recruit and retain staff, and strengthening the tax and business base that sustains city services. L. The city’s 2026 Regional Policy Priorities highlight the need to find ways to maintain and increase funding to organizations to provide basic needs services. This includes access to affordable childcare for all residents and especially for low-income community members in the city and throughout the county. M. The city recognizes that a well-functioning childcare system depends on coordinated investment across the city, Boulder County, and regional partners such as the ECCBC. N. Under Section 13-2-4(h) of the Boulder Revised Code, the city council is permitted to pass a resolution or take an advocacy position on a ballot issue and may direct staff to report that action to the public in the entity’s usual manner. Without the expenditure of public funds, an elected official also may express a personal opinion on any ballot issue, including answering questions about the issue. NOW

THEREFORE,

BASED

THE

FINDINGS

MADE

THIS

RESOLUTION, ABOVE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BOULDER, COLORADO, THAT: The Boulder City Council hereby supports and urges a YES vote on the Boulder County Early Childhood Care and Education Mill Levy Increase and Voter-Approved Revenue Change ballot measure, which will appear on the November 3, 2026, Boulder County ballot. ADOPTED this 20th day of August 2026.

_________________________________ Aaron Brockett, Mayor Attest: __________________________________ Elesha Johnson, City Clerk

B - Proposed Resolution 1389

RESOLUTION 1389 A RESOLUTION INDICATING THE CITY OF BOULDER’S POSITION ON SELECT MEASURES THAT MAY APPEAR ON THIS NOVEMBER’S STATE BALLOT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BOULDER, COLORADO, HEREBY FINDS AND RECITES THAT: A.

The following eight measures may appear on this November’s state ballot: Initiative 85, Penalties for Fentanyl Crimes Initiative 95, Law Enforcement Reporting to Federal Authorities Initiative 109, Male & Female Participation in School Sports Initiative 110, Prohibit Certain Surgeries on Minors Initiative 175, Restore Our Roads Initiative 177, Right to Natural Gas Initiative 195, Graduated Income Tax Proposition NN, Public Education Funding; Revenue & Spending Limits

Under Section 13-2-4(h) of the Boulder Revised Code, the city council is permitted to pass a resolution or take an advocacy position on a ballot issue and may direct staff to report that action to the public in the entity’s usual manner. Without the expenditure of public funds, an elected official also may express a personal opinion on any ballot issue, including answering questions about the issue. NOW