Boulder Chamber announces endorsements for ballot issues

Amy Bounds, Daily Camera, Boulder, Colo.
·2 min read

Nov. 1—The Boulder Chamber on Tuesday announced endorsements on its ballot scorecard for three Boulder County ballot measures ahead of the November general election.

The organization is endorsing the ballot measures for wildfire mitigation, emergency services and extending the transportation tax, according to a press release. The chamber called the measures "well defined, cost-efficient and accountable."

The chamber also supports the Boulder Valley School District's $350 million capital construction bond issue, which includes money for a new building for New Vista High School, a new elementary school in Erie and an expansion of career and technical education offerings.

At the state level, the chamber is only endorsing the affordable housing measure, Proposition 123. The measure would divert nearly $300 million annually in existing income tax revenue to an affordable housing fund.

Two Boulder ballot measures didn't win the chamber's endorsements.

The organization isn't supporting the CU South referendum, which, if passed, would reverse an annexation agreement between the city and the University of Colorado Boulder approved last fall, rendering the annexation agreement null and requiring the city to begin negotiations with the university again.

The measure would delay the agreement's flood control, open space protection and housing benefits, according to the chamber.

The Boulder Public Library district ballot issue wasn't supported because of "cost impact and governance accountability concerns."

The chamber is neutral on Boulder's climate tax renewal because of concerns about the

disproportionate tax increase to businesses.

The organization did not take a position on candidates.

According to the news release, the endorsements are the result of months of input from businesses of all sizes and industry sectors. The measures also were analyzed by the chamber's Community Affairs Council and board "with an eye toward addressing the issues that are most pressing for our local businesses."

The Boulder Chamber also hosted a ballot scorecard preview event in October, where ballot issue proponents shared their perspective with the organization's membership. A video of the event is available at boulderchamber.com/advocacy/election-resources/.