Study Session Memo

City of Boulder City Council Study Session Summary Meeting Date: April 2, 2026

Agenda Title Consideration of a motion to accept the March 12, 2026 Study Session Summary regarding the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Formation Analysis and Initial Recommendations

Staff Contact •

Reegan Brown, Economic Development Strategy Manager, CMO

Draft Motion Language Staff requests council consideration of this matter and action in the form of the following motion: Motion to accept the March 12, 2026 Study Session Summary regarding DDA Formation Analysis and Initial Recommendations.

Presentation Summary Staff presented an overview of the potential formation of a DDA for Boulder’s central business area, including the purpose of the tool, governance considerations, and preliminary revenue projections. The presentation also discussed how tax increment financing (TIF) could support long-term investments in downtown infrastructure, public spaces, and economic vitality. Staff reviewed the proposed funding strategy, including potential interactions with existing General Improvement Districts (GIDs) and how parking revenues could help support borrowing capacity to fund larger capital investments earlier. Staff noted that additional work would be needed to refine the Plan

of Development, fiscal safeguards, and coordination with other taxing entities. See the Study Session Memo for additional details.

Questions for Council and Direction Received Council was asked to provide feedback on the following questions: 1. Does council have any questions regarding the governance structure and how the DDA would be implemented? 2. Does council support continued refinement of a coordinated funding strategy that includes a voter-approved mill levy paired with both property and sales tax TIF, subject to intergovernmental agreements with the city? 3. Does council support continued evaluation of a structural model in which the DDA would ultimately own and operate some or all GID assets, while also analyzing alternative approaches related to GID impacts, including modification of a mill levy and asset ownership? Councilmembers generally expressed strong support for continued refinement of the DDA formation analysis and responded affirmatively to Questions 2 and 3. Council encouraged staff to continue refining the proposed funding strategy, governance structure, and analysis of potential impacts to the existing GIDs. Council also requested additional information on best practices from other communities with DDAs and asked staff to continue evaluating governance options, including both standalone and municipally managed models. In discussing GID-related considerations, council expressed interest in further evaluating an option in which the city retains ownership of parking assets. Council also noted the importance of considering potential climate impacts as the concept is further developed.

Next Steps for City Council If council chooses to move this initiative forward, the next step would be consideration of an ordinance to place potential DDA formation questions on the ballot, including questions related to establishing the DDA, enabling TIF, and potential modifications to existing GID mill levies. Staff anticipates bringing the ordinance to council for consideration in late spring or early summer, which would include proposed DDA boundaries and draft ballot language. If approved by council, the measure would proceed to the November election, where only qualified electors within the proposed DDA boundaries would vote on the formation and associated revenue measures. If the measure is approved, subsequent steps would include certification of the election results, appointment of the initial DDA board, establishment of governance documents, and initiation of implementation consistent with the Plan of Development and approved funding mechanisms.

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 Accessibiliy | City of Boulder or contact accessibility@bouldercolorado.gov.