Boulder proposes $552.6 million 2027 budget with cuts to close projected $6.3 million gap
One-time funding would keep Spruce Pool open through 2027 and support Day Services Center operations, but the city has not identified ongoing funding for either service.
Boulder’s proposed $552.6 million 2027 budget would reduce some services and staffing to close a projected $6.3 million General Fund shortfall, while adding money for infrastructure, wildfire resilience and affordable housing, according to the city manager’s budget recommendation.
The proposal allocates $417.2 million to operations and $135.4 million to capital. The operating budget would rise 2.35% from the 2026 approved budget; staff say the reductions would balance the plan after the projected General Fund gap.
The plan includes more than $11 million for wildfire resilience and response, $28 million in additional municipal infrastructure funding and a $5.3 million increase for affordable housing programs. Its six-year capital plan includes $56.5 million for South Boulder Creek flood mitigation and $63.5 million for East Boulder Community Center renovations. Those are multiyear plan amounts, not spending limited to 2027.
Proposed service reductions include eliminating the photo-enforcement van program, an ongoing cost reduction of $1.2 million; cutting Scott Carpenter Pool’s shoulder-season hours and some indoor open-swim and leisure-pool hours; and eliminating child watch at East Boulder Community Center. The plan would also reduce custodial service from five days a week to three. Across the city, it would eliminate 24.1 full-time-equivalent positions and keep 8.5 positions vacant through 2027, a net reduction of 15.6 positions from the 2026 approved staffing level.
One-time funding would keep Spruce Pool open through 2027, but the city has not identified ongoing funds after that year. The Day Services Center would receive $778,000 in one-time funding for shelter operations, drawn from 2026 departmental savings; staff have not identified ongoing funding for the service.
The City Council is scheduled to hold a public hearing and consider first readings of four budget-related ordinances on Oct. 1: the budget, 2027 appropriations, 2026 property-tax levies, and changes to fees and taxes, the meeting agenda says. Staff have asked council members to identify an offset, such as reduced spending or additional revenue, for any proposed amendment. A second public hearing and budget adoption are planned for Oct. 15, along with consideration of seven special-district budget, levy and appropriation resolutions.