Boulder passes 2027 budget on first reading; county backs San Lazaro
Week of September 27, 2026 to October 3, 2026 · drafted by a language model from the week's meetings on
What happened
Boulder County Commissioners, September 29
The commissioners reviewed a letter of intent to support residents who want to buy the San Lazaro mobile home park. They agreed to the amount the residents requested. They prefer a grant through the Boulder County Housing Authority over a loan. The headline figure is $11.2 million or more.
Sitting as the housing authority board, they heard one public comment. A speaker said a resident’s housing voucher and lease were terminated after a disputed methamphetamine test. The speaker questioned whether pre-move-in testing was done and asked what help is available. Staff then updated the board on HUD vouchers, the Willoughby Corner project, vacancies and the 2027 budget.
In the afternoon work session, staff presented the emergency services sales tax grant program. Commissioners discussed larger multi-year and capital grants.
Boulder City Council, October 1
Council added an item on the Front Range Passenger Rail sales tax measure to the agenda. About 19 people spoke in open comment. Council chose not to call up the Naropa site review.
The main business was first reading of the 2027 budget, which totals $552.6 million. Council Members Matt Benjamin and Rob Kaplan proposed holding money for wildfire work. Straw polls found no majority for either hold, so the budget went forward unchanged. Wildfire funding will return after the October 22 study session.
Council also gave unanimous direction to draft a resolution supporting the Front Range Passenger Rail sales tax measure.
Open comment covered the CU South flood project and site closure, Israel and Gaza and city investments, Spruce Pool and the parks budget, Gunbarrel parks and safety, the Hogan-Pancost site, growth and density, local services, election integrity, and the budget. The Boulder Chamber supported law enforcement and Day Services Center funding and asked to restore the tax rebate program.
Boulder County Commissioners, October 1
The public meeting on the 2027 recommended budgets has not been transcribed yet. Its votes are listed below.
Votes
Boulder County Commissioners, September 29
- Letter of intent to residents of San Lazaro Mobile Home Community: passed 3-0.
Boulder City Council, October 1
- Add the Front Range Passenger Rail item to the agenda: passed 8-0 unofficial.
- Ordinance 8777, adopting the 2027 budget (first reading): passed 7-1 unofficial. Taishya Adams voted no.
- Ordinance 8778, setting 2026 property tax mill levies (first reading): passed 8-0 unofficial.
- Ordinance 8779, appropriating money for 2027 (first reading): passed 8-0 unofficial.
- Ordinance 8780, changing fees and taxes across several B.R.C. titles (first reading): passed 7-1 unofficial. Taishya Adams voted no.
Boulder County Commissioners, October 1
- Docket SU-25-0002, conditional approval: passed 3-0.
- Docket LU-25-0005, conditional approval: passed 2-1. Ashley Stolzmann voted no. Marta Loachamin and Claire Levy voted yes.
What is next
Wildfire funding returns to Council after the October 22 study session. The budget ordinances passed on first reading only.