Boulder City Council · Document
Attachment A - Probolsky Research - City of Boulder - 2026 Voter Survey - Executive Summary Results Presentation
Special Meeting, June 25, 2026 · item 4A: Long-Term Financial Strategy Update: 2026 Potential Ballot Items Poll Results and Fund Our Future Engagement Results Staff Time: 25 Min Coun… · 27 pages
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City of Boulder 2026 Voter Poll Results Presentation June 2026
Opinion Research on Elections and Public Policy
PROBOLSKY RESEARCH 110 16th Street Suite 1400-235 Denver, CO 80202
800-492-9556
City of Boulder – 2026 Voter Poll Survey Methodology* Survey Details Mode
Phone (landline and mobile) Online (email and text to web)
Language
English and Spanish
Length
17 minutes
Target Respondents
City of Boulder Likely November 2026 Voters
Survey Fielding
June 2 - 9, 2026
Margin of Error
+/-5%
Survey Participants
400
Probolsky Research is a Latina- and woman-owned market and opinion research firm with corporate, election, government, and nonprofit clients.
Sample The sample was developed from the voter files originally compiled by the Boulder County Elections Division. We matched the demographics of City of Boulder likely voters.
Data Collection Explained Interviews were conducted with live U.S.-based interviewers by phone (33%) and online survey methods (67%). Phone participants were interviewed through landline (26%) and mobile (74%) calls. Online participants were invited by email (40%) and text message (60%) to access the survey by computer, tablet, or smart phone. Respondents in all modes chose their preferred language, English (99%) and Spanish (1%).
Security measures precluded individuals from completing the survey more than once.
*Due to rounding, totals shown on charts may not add up to 100%
1
Recreation centers and parks are the top infrastructure funding priorities Question 2:
Thinking about the infrastructure you would like the City to increase funding for, please select up to three.
Recreation centers renovations and replacements
47.5%
Parks, playgrounds, and tree canopy refurbishment
30.5%
Open space trail and trailhead maintenance and improvements
27.3%
Public restrooms improvements and maintenance
23.0%
Snow and ice maintenance response
17.3%
Renovations and replacements of Age Well Centers for older adults
14.5%
Fire and police stations renovation and replacement
13.3%
City operations buildings for fleet, transportation, and utility maintenance
13.3%
I do not want to increase City funding for any infrastructure
14.0%
Other Unsure
21.0% 2.5%
2
38% do not want to reduce City funding for any infrastructure Question 3: Thinking about the infrastructure you would like the city to reduce funding for, please select up to three. [ELIMINATE OPTIONS SELECTED IN Q3] Fire and police stations renovation and replacement
20.3%
City operations buildings for fleet, transportation, and utility maintenance
19.5%
Renovations and replacements of Age Well Centers for older adults Open space trail and trailhead maintenance and improvements Public restrooms improvements and maintenance
14.5% 11.0% 9.8%
Snow and ice maintenance response
7.5%
Recreation centers renovations and replacements
7.3%
Parks, playgrounds, and tree canopy refurbishment
4.3%
I do not want to reduce City funding for any infrastructure Other Unsure
37.8% 12.0% 9.8%
3
82% agree that delaying necessary facility and infrastructure maintenance only increases future cost Now we have some statements about the City of Boulder. For each one, please indicate whether you agree or disagree. Question 4: Agree or disagree: Delaying necessary facility and infrastructure maintenance only increases the cost to taxpayers in the long-term because costs keep rising and deferred maintenance can result in costly emergency repairs.
81.8%
16.8% 1.5% Agree
Disagree
Unsure
4
48% agree that the City needs additional financial resources to meet community expectations Now we have some statements about the City of Boulder. For each one, please indicate whether you agree or disagree. Question 5:
Agree or disagree: The City needs additional financial resources to meet community expectations for programs, services, and facilities like recreation centers.
48.0% 41.3%
10.8%
Agree
Disagree
Unsure
5
Initial vote: 50% would vote no on the $200 million Recreation and Safety Bond Now let’s look at a possible bond measure. Please indicate if you would vote yes, or vote no. Question 6: [Recreation and Safety Bond] Shall the City of Boulder debt be increased up to $200,000,000, with a maximum repayment cost up to $325,000,000, to finance capital infrastructure projects to improve the efficiency, delivery, and sustainability of key city services for a healthy, socially thriving, and interconnected community, such as: • Replacing the South Boulder Recreation Center, including aquatics amenities, to provide greater access for community members of all ages; • Renovating the North Boulder Recreation Center, including aquatics amenities and improvements needed to co-locate West Age Well Senior Center, to improve access to recreation and healthy aging services; • Renovating city operational facilities, including fire stations, the public safety building, and other municipal buildings to enhance, integrate, and sustain key city public services. And in connection therewith, shall ad valorem property taxes be increased without limitation as to the rate, but not exceeding $16.5 million annually, to generate an amount sufficient to repay the corresponding general obligation bond debt; and shall the proceeds of such debt, refunding debt, and reserves and the revenues from such taxes and any investment income earned from such proceeds and revenues be collected and spent without limitation or condition as a voter-approved revenue change and an exception to the limits that would otherwise apply under Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado constitution or any other law? If the election were held today, how would you vote? [SPLIT SAMPLE A]
50.0% 42.5%
7.5%
Vote yes
Vote no
Unsure
6
Initial vote: 45% would vote yes on the $400 million Recreation and Safety Bond Now let’s look at a possible bond measure. Please indicate if you would vote yes, or vote no. Question 7: [Recreation and Safety Bond] Shall the City of Boulder debt be increased up to $400,000,000, with a maximum repayment cost of up to $650,000,000, to finance capital infrastructure projects to improve the efficiency, delivery, and sustainability of key city services for a healthy, socially thriving, and interconnected community, such as: • Replacing the South Boulder Recreation Center, including aquatics amenities, to provide greater access for community members of all ages; • Renovating the North Boulder Recreation Center, including aquatics amenities and improvements needed to co-locate West Age Well Senior Center, to improve access to recreation and healthy aging services; • Repairing and renovating fire stations to sustain emergency and wildfire response capabilities; • Constructing a new public safety building for police and 911 services; • Renovating the Penfield Tate II Municipal Building; • Renovating portions of the Municipal Service Center to support infrastructure services, such as snow removal, utility maintenance, and city street operations. And in connection therewith, shall ad valorem property taxes be increased without limitation as to the rate, but not exceeding $32,500,000 annually, to generate an amount sufficient to repay the corresponding general obligation bond debt; and shall the proceeds of such debt, refunding debt, and reserves and the revenues from such taxes and any investment income earned from such proceeds and revenues be collected and spent without limitation or condition as a voter-approved revenue change and an exception to the limits that would otherwise apply under Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado constitution or any other law? If the election were held today, how would you vote? [SPLIT SAMPLE B] 45.0%
42.5%
12.5%
Vote yes
Vote no
Unsure
7
40% are more likely to vote no on the $200 million bond knowing that it could raise property taxes by about $212 Now we have some statements about the possible City of Boulder bond measure. Question 10: If the City used the full amount of the $200,000,000 debt capacity at one time, the bond could increase your property tax by 3.352 mills. This would result in a home valued at $1 million to pay $212 in additional property tax a year. Does knowing this make you more likely to vote yes or more likely to vote no on the bond measure? [SPLIT SAMPLE A] Initially vote yes 5.9% 11.8%
More likely to vote yes 43.5%
Makes no difference to me More likely to vote no
5.0% 28.0%
Unsure
38.8% More likely to vote yes Makes no difference to me
39.5%
More likely to vote no
Initially said unsure
Unsure 13.3% 27.5%
More likely to vote yes 46.7%
26.7%
Makes no difference to me More likely to vote no Unsure
13.3%
8
47% are more likely to vote yes knowing that the bond measure could fund recreation centers Now we have some statements about the possible City of Boulder bond measure. Question 12: The bond could fund recreation centers that give residents of all ages the opportunity to exercise and have meaningful social interactions – both help to make Boulder a healthier place to live. Does knowing this make you more likely to vote yes or more likely to vote no on the bond measure?
Initially vote no 5.9% 15.1% More likely to vote yes Makes no difference to me
32.4%
6.0%
More likely to vote no
16.3% More likely to vote yes 46.8%
46.5%
Unsure
Makes no difference to me More likely to vote no Unsure
Initially said unsure
31.0% 22.5%
More likely to vote yes Makes no difference to me
2.5% 55.0% 20.0%
More likely to vote no
Unsure
9
37% are more likely to vote yes after learning the bond could support senior services and healthy aging facilities Now we have some statements about the possible City of Boulder bond measure. Question 13: Boulder has an increasingly aging population. The bond funds could support co-locating West Age Well Senior Center with the North Boulder Recreation Center to improve access to recreation and healthy aging services. Does knowing this make you more likely to vote yes or more likely to vote no on the bond measure?
Initially vote no 7.6%
19.5% More likely to vote yes
7.0%
Makes no difference to me
32.4%
More likely to vote no
21.0%
37.3%
Unsure
More likely to vote yes
40.5%
Makes no difference to me More likely to vote no Unsure
34.8%
Initially said unsure 20.0% More likely to vote yes 10.0%
45.0%
Makes no difference to me More likely to vote no Unsure
25.0%
10
54% are more likely to vote yes knowing that it could help with the replacement and renovations of fire stations Now we have some statements about the possible City of Boulder bond measure. Question 14: The bond funds could help with the replacement and renovation of fire stations to help sustain fire emergency services and wildfire response service levels. Does knowing this make you more likely to vote yes or more likely to vote no on the bond measure?
Initially vote no 10.3%
6.8%
24.3%
Makes no difference to me
29.7%
17.0%
More likely to vote no Unsure
More likely to vote yes
35.7%
Makes no difference to me 53.8%
More likely to vote yes
More likely to vote no Unsure
Initially said unsure
22.5% 10.0% 7.5%
More likely to vote yes Makes no difference to me
12.5%
More likely to vote no 70.0%
Unsure
11
55% are more likely to vote yes knowing that it is necessary to maintain core City infrastructure and services Now we have some statements about the possible City of Boulder bond measure. Question 15: Without the Recreation and Safety Bond, the City will not be able to take care of essential city infrastructure, like recreation centers, fire stations, civic buildings and the public safety building. Does knowing this make you more likely to vote yes or more likely to vote no on the bond measure?
Initially vote no 7.6%
6.5%
21.6%
Makes no difference to me
33.0%
More likely to vote no
16.8%
Unsure
More likely to vote yes
37.8%
Makes no difference to me 55.0% 21.8%
More likely to vote yes
More likely to vote no Unsure
Initially said unsure 15.0% More likely to vote yes
5.0%
Makes no difference to me
10.0%
More likely to vote no 70.0%
Unsure
12
Message Effectiveness Messages
[Percent More Likely to Vote Yes]
Without the Recreation and Safety Bond, the City will not be able to take care of essential city infrastructure, like recreation centers, fire stations, civic buildings and the public safety building.
55.0%
The bond funds could help with the replacement and renovation of fire stations to help sustain fire emergency services and wildfire response service levels.
53.8%
The bond could fund recreation centers that give residents of all ages the opportunity to exercise and have meaningful social interactions – both help to make Boulder a healthier place to live.
46.8%
Boulder has an increasingly aging population. The bond funds could support co-locating West Age Well Senior Center with the North Boulder Recreation Center to improve access to recreation and healthy aging services.
37.3%
If the City used the full amount of the $400,000,000 debt capacity at one time, the bond could increase the property tax by 6.352 mills. This would result in a home valued at $1 million to pay $402 in additional property tax a year.
29.5%
If the City used the full amount of the $200,000,000 debt capacity at one time, the bond could increase your property tax by 3.352 mills. This would result in a home valued at $1 million to pay $212 in additional property tax a year.
28.0%
13
Informed vote: opinion is divided on $200 million bond Now let’s return to the proposed bond measure. Knowing what you know now how would you vote? Question 16: [Recreation and Safety Bond] Shall the City of Boulder debt be increased up to $200,000,000, with a maximum repayment cost up to $325,000,000, to finance capital infrastructure projects to improve the efficiency, delivery, and sustainability of key city services for a healthy, socially thriving, and interconnected community, such as: • Replacing the South Boulder Recreation Center, including aquatics amenities, to provide greater access for community members of all ages; • Renovating the North Boulder Recreation Center, including aquatics amenities and improvements needed to co-locate West Age Well Senior Center, to improve access to recreation and healthy aging services; • Renovating city operational facilities, including fire stations, the public safety building, and other municipal buildings to enhance, integrate, and sustain key city public services. And in connection therewith, shall ad valorem property taxes be increased without limitation as to the rate, but not exceeding $16.5 million annually, to generate an amount sufficient to repay the corresponding general obligation bond debt; and shall the proceeds of such debt, refunding debt, and reserves and the revenues from such taxes and any investment income earned from such proceeds and revenues be collected and spent without limitation or condition as a voter-approved revenue change and an exception to the limits that would otherwise apply under Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado constitution or any other law? If the election were held today, how would you vote? [SPLIT SAMPLE A]
50.0%
46.5%
45.0%
42.5%
initial
Informed
Vote yes
initial
Informed
Vote no
7.5%
8.5%
initial
Informed
Unsure
14
Informed vote: opinion is nearly evenly split on $400 million bond Now let’s return to the proposed bond measure. Knowing what you know now how would you vote? Question 17: [Recreation and Safety Bond] Shall the City of Boulder debt be increased up to $400,000,000, with a maximum repayment cost of up to $650,000,000, to finance capital infrastructure projects to improve the efficiency, delivery, and sustainability of key city services for a healthy, socially thriving, and interconnected community, such as: • Replacing the South Boulder Recreation Center, including aquatics amenities, to provide greater access for community members of all ages; • Renovating the North Boulder Recreation Center, including aquatics amenities and improvements needed to co-locate West Age Well Senior Center, to improve access to recreation and healthy aging services; • Repairing and renovating fire stations to sustain emergency and wildfire response capabilities; • Constructing a new public safety building for police and 911 services; • Renovating the Penfield Tate II Municipal Building; • Renovating portions of the Municipal Service Center to support infrastructure services, such as snow removal, utility maintenance, and city street operations. And in connection therewith, shall ad valorem property taxes be increased without limitation as to the rate, but not exceeding $32,500,000 annually, to generate an amount sufficient to repay the corresponding general obligation bond debt; and shall the proceeds of such debt, refunding debt, and reserves and the revenues from such taxes and any investment income earned from such proceeds and revenues be collected and spent without limitation or condition as a voter-approved revenue change and an exception to the limits that would otherwise apply under Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado constitution or any other law? If the election were held today, how would you vote? [SPLIT SAMPLE B] 45.0%
45.0%
initial
Informed
Vote yes
44.0%
42.5%
initial
Informed
Vote no
12.5%
11.0%
initial
Informed
Unsure
15
Opinion is divided on the Permanent Parks & Recreation property tax increase with opposition slightly ahead of those who would vote yes Now let’s look at a potential property tax measure… Question 18: [Permanent Park and Recreation – Tax Increase] Shall the City of Boulder taxes be increased by approximately $7,500,000 annually by increasing the authorized levy for the Permanent Park and Recreation Fund, to be known as the Community Recreation & Safety Fund, from 0.900 mills to 2.252 mills? And shall the fund’s existing and future use be expanded to support general city operations, such as: • Acquisition, improvements, maintenance, and operation of infrastructure facilities, including parks, open space, public safety facilities, and civic buildings; • Recreation services and operations; • Public safety services, including fire, police, ambulance services, and emergency vehicles. And, in connection therewith, shall the Boulder Home Rule Charter be amended to increase the mill levy, expand purposes of the fund, and rename the fund to "Community Recreation & Safety Fund,” and shall the revenues from such taxes and any related earnings be collected, retained, and spent as a voter-approved revenue change without limitation and an exception to the revenue and spending limits of Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution? If the election were held today, how would you vote?
41.5%
44.3%
14.3%
Vote yes
Vote no
Unsure
16
44% are more likely to vote yes knowing that it would increase property tax by $86 per year Question 21: The Community Recreation & Safety Fund would increase the property tax by 1.352 mills. This would result in a home valued at $1 million to pay $86 in additional property tax a year. Does knowing this make you more likely to vote yes or more likely to vote no on the tax measure?
Initially vote no 2.8%
20.3% More likely to vote yes Makes no difference to me
5.8% 19.8%
57.1% More likely to vote yes
29.0%
43.8%
More likely to vote no
Unsure
Makes no difference to me More likely to vote no Unsure
21.5%
Initially said unsure
29.8%
More likely to vote yes 43.9%
Makes no difference to me More likely to vote no
7.0%
Unsure 19.3%
17
64% support the Residential Vacancy Excise Tax on unoccupied homes for more than 183 days per year Now let’s look at one more potential local tax measure… Question 22: [Residential Vacancy Excise Tax] Shall the City of Boulder taxes be increased by $6,000,000 in the first full fiscal year annually commencing January 1, 2028, and by such amounts raised annually thereafter, by imposing a $4,000 annual tax on vacant homes that are occupied for fewer than 183 days per year, with such amount never falling below $4,000, but increasing annually in accordance with the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood consumer price index, up to, but not above, $7,000, with the revenue from such tax to be used for the purpose of providing city services, including police and fire protection; parks and recreation; transportation and maintenance; and other general services important to the quality of life in the City; and shall the revenues from such taxes and earnings be collected, retained, and spent as a voter-approved revenue change without limitation and an exception to the revenue and spending limits of Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado constitution? If the election were held today, how would you vote?
64.0%
29.5%
6.5% Vote yes
Vote no
Unsure
18
70% are more likely to vote yes knowing the tax applies only to second and third homes in Boulder Question 23: The Residential Vacancy Excise Tax would only be paid for by people who have a second or third home in Boulder and just come to visit or those that keep their home totally empty for long periods of time. Does knowing this make you more likely to vote yes or more likely to vote no on the Residential Vacancy Excise Tax?
Initially vote no 4.2%
4.3%
20.3% More likely to vote yes Makes no difference to me
44.9%
13.8%
More likely to vote no
More likely to vote yes
30.5%
Unsure
Makes no difference to me
12.5%
More likely to vote no 69.5%
Unsure
Initially said unsure
38.5%
42.3%
More likely to vote yes Makes no difference to me Unsure
19.2%
19
44% support the City borrowing up to $60 million to fund City infrastructure and facility improvements Now let’s look at one last potential ballot measure… Question 24: [General Fund Debt] Shall City of Boulder debt be increased up to $60,000,000 (principal amount) with a maximum repayment cost of up to $95,000,000 (such amount being the total principal and interest payable over the maximum life of the debt), without raising the current tax rate, to be payable from general fund revenue; And the proceeds of such debt and earnings thereon being used to fund city capital improvement projects, including, but not limited to, City-owned facilities, recreation centers, agewell centers, and/or public safety facilities; With such debt to be sold at such time and in such manner and to contain such terms, not inconsistent herewith, as the city council may determine, and in connection therewith, shall any earnings from the investment of the proceeds of such debt constitute a voter approved revenue change and an exception to the revenue and spending limits of Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution? If the election were held today, how would you vote?
44.0% 32.8% 23.3%
Vote yes
Vote no
Unsure
20
The Recreation & Safety Bond is preferred over the General Fund Debt increase Question 25: The General Fund Debt increase would only raise the debt capacity of the City about $60 million, which could help in maintaining capital infrastructure like recreation centers, but would be insufficient to renovate or replace the City’s capital infrastructure. Additionally, if the City were to take out debt on the general fund, it would likely result in a reduction of services that the City could provide. Knowing this, would you be more likely to vote for the General Fund Debt increase or the Recreation & Safety Bond?
Recreation and Safety Bond
General Fund Debt
Neither
Unsure
34.3%
13.3%
24.0%
28.5%
21
55% would vote for the Residential Vacancy Excise Tax on the November ballot Question 26:
Out of the following potential measures on the November ballot, which would you for sure vote for? Select all that apply.
Residential Vacancy Excise Tax
55.0%
Community Recreation & Safety Fund
32.8%
Recreation and Safety Bond
31.3%
General Fund Debt
None of them
Unsure
16.0%
20.3%
14.5%
22
76% believe that the growing gap between costs and income is real The cost of providing City services - things like fire, police, parks, and recreation - has been rising faster than the revenue the City brings in. It’s only about a 1% difference between expenditures and revenue, by 2030 the gap will be $90 million a year and growing. Question 27:
Regardless of whether you support or oppose renewing or increasing taxes, do you believe that this growing gap between costs and income is real?
76.3%
23.8%
Yes, it sounds logical
No, it doesn't sound logical
23
Demographics
24
Respondent demographics by gender, age group, education, party preference, ethnicity, vote propensity, zip code, survey language and survey mode Gender Male
Age Group 47.8%
Female
52.3%
College
18-29
9.5%
30-39
12.5%
Non-college
40-49
14.5%
Prefer not to answer
50-64
Latino/Hispanic
4.0%
Middle Eastern/North African
0.5%
White/Caucasian
22.0%
Democrat Republican
55.3% 4.3%
Non Affiliated
0.8%
Other
39.0% 1.5%
36.0%
Vote Propensity 8 out of 8 87.8%
Party Preference 77.3%
27.5%
65+
Ethnicity
Education
37.3%
Zip Code 80304
32.3%
7 out of 8
16.0%
80305
23.0%
17.0%
80303
19.8%
Black/African American
1.0%
6 out of 8
Asian/Pacific Islander
3.5%
5 out of 8
11.8%
American Indian or Alaska Native
0.8%
Two or more of these
1.0%
4 out of 8
8.5%
Other
0.3%
3 out of 8
5.3%
Prefer not to answer
1.3%
2 out of 8
4.3%
80302
12.8%
80301
11.8%
80310
0.3%
80306
0.3%
Survey Language English Spanish
98.8% 1.3%
Survey Mode Phone Online
33.0% 67.0%
25
Questions? Adam Probolsky, President O: 949-855-6400 | M: 949-697-6726 E: adam@probolskyresearch.com
Joshua Emeneger, Principal Researcher E: josh@probolskyresearch.com
Opinion Research on Elections and Public Policy
PROBOLSKY RESEARCH 110 16th Street Suite 1400-235 Denver, CO 80202
800-492-9556