Boulder City Council · Document
Attachment B - Table of Proposed Substantive Policy Position Changes
Regular Meeting, December 4, 2025 · item 4E: Consideration of a motion to approve the 2026 Policy Statement on Regional, State and Federal Issues · 6 pages
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Summary of Substantive Recommended Changes for 2026 Policy Statement Policy Principles Number
Position in Short
Proposed Change
Rationale
N/A
Support for City Programs
Add language to state that the city opposes actions that decrease funding and support for city programs and priorities.
Response to state budget shortfall.
State Policy Priorities Number
Position in Short
Proposed Change
Rationale
2 (formerly)
Assault Weapons
4 (formerly)
Vulnerable Road User Fee
Strike language around banning assault weapons from State Priorities section (but maintain the language in the Public Health and Safety section of the document). Strike language around Vulnerable Road User Fee.
3 (new)
Protect Essential State Funding
With the passage of SB25-003, consider striking or modifying language related to state legislation. Language around the prevention of gun violence remains in (new) 49. State budget challenges make it unlikely that this bill will be brought forth this year. Language addressing City’s Vision Zero Action Plan remains in (new) 67. Severe state budget shortfalls make it necessary to work to protect funding sources critical to the city and community. Language ensuring support for funding for community member's basic needs, Pre K- 12 education funding and Medicaid added, as
Add language to identify state funding critical to community and city operations and projects.
recommended by the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee. 4 (new)
Artificial Intelligence
Add language regarding state artificial intelligence policies.
Review of SB24-205 will be considered next legislative session. Need to ensure policies allow for practical implementation of AI programs. Language strengthened as recommended by the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee.
Federal Policy Priorities Number
Position in Short
Proposed Change
Rationale
2
NW Area Mobility Study
Update to add CO7 Corridor to list of projects.
Updated to add CO-7 as it is likely the next priority NAMS corridor we will be seeking federal funding to improve.
3 (new)
Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill
Add language to support the passage of the Surface transportation Reauthorization Bill.
4 (new)
Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Funds
Add language.
5 (new)
Federally Funded Labs in Boulder
Add language.
Specific language around the type of projects to be funded, direct funding language, and Front Range Passenger Rail. Due to CDS spending, SRFs have been reduced in the past several years, reducing the amount of low-interest loans available for local investments in water infrastructure. Recommended by the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee. Add language to support and continue funding for federally funded labs, a major employer and economic driver in the city.
Climate Change and Community Resilience Number
Position in Short
Proposed Change
Rationale
1A
Harden Infrastructure Against Climate Change
Request from Climate Initiatives staff.
1C (new)
Economic Resilience
Addition of language related to wildfire hardening and investing in distributed energy resources and microgrids. Addition of economic resilience language to wildfire policy.
1I (new)
Food and Supply Security
Addition of language addressing food supply security.
Request from Climate Initiatives staff.
3A (new)
Polluter Accountability
Addition of language detailing polluter accountability.
Request from Climate Initiatives staff.
3B (new)
Local Control
Addition of local control language.
Request from Climate Initiatives staff.
3C (formerly)
Streetlights
Strike language in 3C related to streetlight acquisition.
Request from Climate Initiatives staff. We have successfully purchased streetlights.
4G
Clean Energy Standard
Change in language to align with state clean energy targets.
Request from Climate Initiatives staff.
Proposed Change
Rationale
Request from Climate Initiatives staff.
Economic Vitality Number
Position in Short
18 (formerly)
Minimum Wage Reform
Strike policy position 18.
State-level minimum wage policies addressed with the passage of HB251208.
Housing and Land Use Number
Position in Short
Proposed Change
Rationale
20 (formerly)
Construction Defects
Strike policy position 20.
With the passage of HB25-1272, consider deleting.
Human Services/Human Rights Number
Position in Short
Proposed Change
Rationale
23 (new)
Human Rights
Add language supporting policies in alignment with the city’s human rights ordinance.
27A (formerly)
Constitutional Right to Abortion
Strike language related to establishing state constitutional right to abortion.
Request from Intergovernmental Affairs Committee to include language that opposes restrictions for funding based on gender. Additional language added by staff to align with city’s Human Rights Ordinance. This was voted into law via the passage of Amendment 79 in 2024.
28B (as reordered)
Simplified Visa System
28M (as reordered)
Immigrant Rights
Add language to include legal status for survivors of crime or domestic violence visas (such as under VAWA). Add language to include additional vehicles for policy, in addition to Federal law.
Request from the Office of Equity and Belonging.
Request from the Office of Equity and Belonging and the City Attorney’s Office.
Regional Environmental Quality, Natural Resources and Parks Number
Position in Short
Proposed Change
Rationale
52F (new)
Ecosystem Plans
Add language re: protections for rare species in addition to endangered.
Request from Carl before he left. There may be legislation in 2026 to provide protections for endangered species.
Telecommunications Number
Position in Short
Proposed Change
Rationale
58 (as reordered)
Regulation of Cellular Wireless Facilities and Broadband Networks
Add language specifying the city is opposed to additional state/federal oversight of telecom siting.
Language addresses state bills passed in 2025 and proposed Federal FCC actions.
Transportation Number
Position in Short
Proposed Change
Rationale
60 (as reordered)
Infrastructure Funding
Add language to specify safeguarding current transportation funding.
Request from Transportation & Mobility staff.
62 (as reordered)
NW Rail
Add “Joint Service” Language.
SB24-184 created the Joint Service Executive Committee. Add language to reference.
63 (as reordered)
Paratransit Services
Strike language related to requirements for paratransit services.
Removed because this was enacted in HB25-1007.
66A (formerly)
CDOT Support for Multimodal and Vision Zero
Strike language related to mode choice targets for CDOT, MPOs, and transit providers.
Removed because this was enacted in SB25-030.
66 (as reordered)
Automated Vehicles
Add language.
Updated policy with more specific goals.
67 (as reordered)
Vision Zero Action Plan
Add language.
Updated to reflect Colorado Strategic Highway Safety Plan & added language to address e-bikes and micromobility.
Number
Position in Short
Proposed Change
Rationale
71A (as reordered)
Water Quality
Add language around economic feasibility.
70E (formerly)
Backflow Prevention
Strike language related to requirements for backflow prevention inspectors.
As the state adopts regulations, the issue of financial capacity has been surfacing more and more in the context of wastewater treatment and storm water management. Removed because this was enacted in HB25-1077.
Water