City Of Boulder 2019 Election Voter's Guide

BOULDER, CO — City of Boulder residents will decide who will be elected to their city council and which measures will become policy Nov. 5.

A total of 15 candidates are vying for six city council seats.

You may vote for up to six candidates. If you vote for six or fewer, your votes in this race will be counted, elections officials said. If you vote for more than six, your votes will not be counted.

Voting and registration

Drop-off your signed mail ballot envelope no later than 7 p.m. on Tuesday at a ballot drop box or Voter Service Center.

Eligible voters can register and vote on the same day at any Voter Service Center Tuesday.

• Look up your Voter Registration
• Registration Information
• Student Registration Guidelines
• Register to vote online (requires CO Driver’s License or State ID)

Bring a current and valid ID when registering and/or voting at a Voter Service Center (most common is a Colorado Driver’s License). See additional voter requirements and information.

• Ballot drop-off and voting locations

City of Boulder Council Candidate videos

Aaron Brockett - for re-election:

Andy Celani

Paul Cure

Brian Dolan

Benita Duran

Rachel Friend

Junie Joseph

Corina Julca

Nikki McCord

Mark McIntyre

Gala Wilhelmina Orba

Susan Peterson

Adam Swetlik

Mark Wallach

Bob Yates

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Three measures will also appear on the Nov. 5 ballot. Voters will decide whether they want a tax increase on tobacco vaping products, a middle-income housing program and a tax extension for Open Space and Long's Gardens.

Here are the questions as they will appear on the Nov. 5 ballot:

Tax on Tobacco Vaping Products

Shall City of Boulder taxes be increased two million five hundred thousand dollars (first full fiscal year increase) annually by imposing a sales and use tax of up to 40% of the retail sales price of all electronic smoking devices, including any refill, cartridge or component of such a product; the term “electronic smoking device” shall have the meaning as in Section 6-4.5-1 of the Boulder Revised Code; And in connection therewith, shall all of the revenues collected be used to fund:

• the administrative cost of the tax, and thereafter for:
• implementation and administration of a licensing program for all nicotine product retailers;
• health promotion;
• education programs regarding nicotine product use including enforcement;

With any remaining funds being available for general government services, including library, police, fire, parks, transportation and general government administration?

All effective January 1, 2020, and in connection therewith, shall the full proceeds of such taxes at such rates and any earnings thereon be collected, retained, and spent, as a voter-approved revenue change without limitation or condition, and without limiting the collection, retention, or spending of any other revenues or funds by the City of Boulder under Article X Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution or any other law?

YES/FOR ____ NO/AGAINST ____

Imposition of a Middle-income Housing Program

Shall City of Boulder debt be increased by an amount not to exceed $10,000,000, with a maximum repayment cost of not to exceed $15,000,000, without raising taxes, to provide for a housing assistance program that will include permanently affordable deed restrictions and make loans to middle-income households to purchase homes sold in boulder, such debt to be sold at such time and in such manner and contain such terms, not inconsistent herewith, as the City Council may determine and to pay all necessary or incidental costs related thereto by the issuance and payment of notes, bonds, lines of credit or other debt obligations as provided by the City Charter, which obligations shall be payable from the general fund and any other legally available funds of the city, all without in any other way affecting the city’s other taxes, revenues or expenditures under the constitution and laws of this state?
YES/FOR ____ NO/AGAINST ____

Sales and Use Tax Extension for Open Space and Long’s Gardens

Without raising additional taxes, shall the existing 0.15 cent city sales and use tax for transportation purposes, approved by the voters by Ordinance No. 7913, be extended beyond the current expiration date of De. 31, 2019 until Dec. 31, 2039; and beginning Jan. 1, 2020 until Dec. 31, 2039 designating the revenues collected to fund the maintenance, restoration, acquisition and preservation of open space land including the use of funds generated in the first year to purchase a conservation easement at Long’s Gardens located at 3240 Broadway as a voter approved revenue change?
YES/FOR ____ NO/AGAINST ____

Statewide ballot questions

Proposition CC

Question as it will appear on the ballot:
WITHOUT RAISING TAXES AND TO BETTER FUND PUBLIC SCHOOLS, HIGHER EDUCATION, AND ROADS, BRIDGES, AND TRANSIT, WITHIN A BALANCED BUDGET, MAY THE STATE KEEP AND SPEND ALL THE REVENUE IT ANNUALLY COLLECTS AFTER JUNE 30, 2019, BUT IS NOT CURRENTLY ALLOWED TO KEEP AND SPEND UNDER COLORADO LAW, WITH AN ANNUAL INDEPENDENT AUDIT TO SHOW HOW THE RETAINED REVENUES ARE SPENT?

Voters are being asked whether they will allow the state to keep revenue that's above the state's spending cap. That revenue would then be spent on education and transportation. If voters decide against the measure, the state will continue to give any money over its revenue limit back to taxpayers, as required by the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights.

Proposition DD

Question as it will appear on the ballot:
SHALL STATE TAXES BE INCREASED BY TWENTY-NINE MILLION DOLLARS ANNUALLY TO FUND STATE WATER PROJECTS AND COMMITMENTS AND TO PAY FOR THE REGULATION OF SPORTS BETTING THROUGH LICENSED CASINOS BY AUTHORIZING A TAX ON SPORTS BETTING OF TEN PERCENT OF NET SPORTS BETTING PROCEEDS, AND TO IMPOSE THE TAX ON PERSONS LICENSED TO CONDUCT SPORTS BETTING OPERATIONS?

Voters are being asked whether sports betting should be legalized and taxed in Colorado. If the measure passes, the taxes from sports betting would be used to fund water projects and 'water-related obligations,' officials said. The taxes would also fund the regulation of sports betting, a hold harmless fund and gambling addiction services.

Visit the City of Boulder for more information about the upcoming election.