Colorado's 2020 General Election: Boulder Ballot Measures

BOULDER, CO — The Nov. 3 election is just around the corner, and Boulder voters will determine the outcome of five city ballot measures.

Elections officials are encouraging Coloradans to make sure they are registered to vote and that their voter registration is up to date.

Boulder ballot measures:

No Evictions Without Representation - this question will ask voters to allow the city to increase taxes in an effort to combat the housing crisis caused by the pandemic. The majority of Boulder renters cannot afford legal aid, and many leave their homes without attempting to argue their cases, according to petitioners. No Eviction Without Representation is a ballot initiative that will guarantee free legal representation and rental assistance to people and families who are served a summons to eviction court.

Question:

Shall the City of Boulder’s taxes be increased annually by one million, nine hundred thousand ($1,900,000.00) (first full fiscal year increase) commencing on Jan. 1, 2021, and by whatever additional amounts are raised annually thereafter from an excise tax to be paid by landlords on dwelling units with rental licenses in the amount of $75 per year, with the tax rate increasing every year thereafter at a rate that does not exceed the Colorado consumer price index on each rental license for a dwelling unit that is issued by the city;
and in connection therewith, shall all of the revenues collected be used to fund:

• the administrative cost of the tax, and thereafter to
• establish, run and fully fund a program to provide legal representation to tenants who face the loss of housing in eviction and administrative proceedings;
• provide a tenant’s legal services and assistance coordinator to administer the program;
• create a tenants’ committee comprised of five members paid a $1,000 per year stipend; and
• provide rental assistance for persons that are vulnerable to eviction; and

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?

For the Measure _____ Against the Measure _____

Public Service Company Franchise - If voters approve this measure, the city would enter into a new, 20-year franchise with Xcel Energy and end the city’s efforts to create a local, city-run electric utility (municipalization or Local Power). Boulder residents would remain Xcel Energy customers. The franchise agreement is a part of a comprehensive settlement agreement with Xcel Energy.

Question:

Shall the City of Boulder grant a franchise to Public Service Company of Colorado to furnish, sell and distribute gas and electricity to the city and to all persons, businesses, and industries within the city and the right to make reasonable use of all streets and other public places and public easements as may be necessary as described in Ordinance 8410?

For the measure ____ Against the measure ____

Repurpose the Utility Occupation Tax - If this measure passes, the tax on electricity bills — which raises around $2 million per year and currently funds municipalization — would be repurposed and extended to allow funding for the city’s efforts to meet climate, racial equity and energy goals in partnership with Xcel Energy.

Question:

Without raising the tax rate shall the existing Utility Occupation Tax, which in 2021 and 2022 will be in the amount of $2,076,181, be extended from a current expiration date of December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2025 and be repurposed to pay all costs associated with the formation of a municipal electric utility and to be used to fund projects, pilots, initiatives and research that support the city's clean energy goals in the context of the city's racial equity goals and the community's commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement such as:

• Providing energy-related assistance to disadvantaged members of the community, including support for utility bill payments and access to renewable energy;
• Improving system reliability and modernizing, and supporting clean energy-related businesses, including, without limitation, new approaches in electrification of buildings and transportation, enhancement of resilience;
• Implementing a partnership agreement with Public Service Company of Colorado; and
• Increasing access to energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions

Only if a majority of registered electors approve a Franchise Agreement with Public Service Company of Colorado at the November 3, 2020 Election,
And shall the increased and extended portion of the tax be subject to the same terms and conditions as the original tax and all earnings thereon (regardless of amount) constitute a voter approved revenue change, and an exception to the revenue and spending limits of Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution?

For the measure ____ Against the measure ____

Direct Election of the Mayor - Boulder is the largest city in the state that doesn't directly elect its mayor — instead, the seat is selected by City Council members. This measure would allow voters to directly elect their mayor.

Question:

Shall Article II, Sections 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 14, and 15 of the Boulder City Charter be amended to provide for the direct election of the mayor by ranked choice (instant runoff) voting?

For the Measure _____ Against the Measure _____

Charter Amendment Related to the Boulder Arts Commission - This question asks voters if the Boulder Arts Commission should increase from five to seven members. The city has increased its arts funding over the past few years, creating a larger workload for members, who say they are overworked.

Question:

Shall new Sections 135 and 136 be added to the City Charter pursuant to Ordinance 8405 to increase the size of the Boulder Arts Commission to seven members, allow for continued service by existing Arts Commission members, provide for staggered terms for the new members and for filling of vacancies?

For the Measure _____ Against the Measure _____

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Here are some important dates for the Nov. 3 election:

Sept. 19 - Ballots sent overseas to military voters.

Oct. 9 - Ballots mailed to Colorado voters.

Oct. 19 - Polling centers and drop boxes open; counting begins for the election.

Oct. 26 - Last day to submit a voter registration application and still receive a ballot in the mail. Note: If the county clerk receives a voter registration application within the eight days before the election, the clerk must process the application and inform the applicant that they will not receive a mail ballot and will have to visit a voter service and polling center.

Nov. 3 - General Election day - polls will open at 7 a.m., and all ballots must be received by 7 p.m.

Nov. 12 - Last day for ballots cast by military and overseas electors to be received by the county clerk in order to be counted.

Coloradans have been voting by mail for years, but mail-in voting is new to many other states. More than 500,000 mail-in ballots went uncounted during the 2020 primary season nationwide, many of them because they were deemed incomplete or because they arrived too late.