Boulder Planning Board recommends $827 million capital program through 2032

Boulder’s Planning Board unanimously recommended a $827 million, six-year Capital Improvement Program covering 228 projects through 2032. The recommendation now moves to the City Council, which is scheduled to hold a first reading and public hearing Oct. 1 and consider possible adoption Oct. 15.

The program includes about $135 million in new 2027 appropriations for 131 projects, according to the city’s recommended budget materials. The $135 million is the program’s 2027 slice; the $827 million figure covers planned capital spending across six years.

Utilities, transportation and mobility, and facilities and fleet account for 89% of the program. Major projects include South Boulder Creek flood mitigation, sewer rehabilitation, treated-water transmission, renovations at the East Boulder Community Center, Boulder Creek Park Phase 2, and replacements for Fire Stations 2 and 4.

At its Sept. 15 meeting, the board recommended the program to the city manager and City Council, including projects staff identified for a community and environmental assessment process. The meeting video records the board’s action.

The board unanimously removed the Violet Avenue Bridge replacement from staff’s recommended assessment list. Staff had also recommended the Barker Dam Stability Project. Separate proposals to seek more community engagement for North Boulder Park and add Fire Station 2 to the assessment list failed.

The board also recommended that the City Council study potential safety issues and solutions involving the city’s glider runway before the planned 2030 runway rehabilitation. The study would examine simultaneous-operation safety data, Federal Aviation Administration guidance, city costs and benefits, and community input. It would not cancel or remove the rehabilitation project from the capital program.

The capital program is part of the city staff-recommended $552.6 million 2027 budget, which includes $417.24 million in operating spending and $135.36 million in capital projects. The proposed budget would address a projected $6.3 million General Fund shortfall through service reductions, position eliminations and higher utility rates.

Those proposed changes include ending the police photo-radar van program, reducing service at two pools, eliminating child watch at the East Boulder Community Center and reducing custodial service in municipal buildings from five days a week to three. The budget would eliminate 24.1 full-time-equivalent positions across 10 departments and hold 8.5 vacant positions through 2027, while adding or realigning other positions.

Recommended utility rates would increase 5% for water, 7% for wastewater and 7% for stormwater and flood management. The budget also includes an estimated $3.03 million from a Transportation Maintenance Fee beginning in 2027 for bridge maintenance, pavement management, sidewalk repairs and street markings. The budget remains subject to City Council action.