Boulder Council Approves Urgent Transportation Fee, $6.2M Expected

UPDATE: In a decisive move, the Boulder City Council voted 6-3 on July 13, 2023, to implement a new transportation management fee aimed at funding essential infrastructure projects. This fee is projected to generate approximately $6.2 million annually, addressing long-standing maintenance needs in the city.

The council’s vote represents a significant shift in Boulder’s approach to funding transportation, as previous attempts to introduce this fee in the late 2000s and 2019 fell short. Councilmembers Ryan Schuchard, Matt Benjamin, Tina Marquis, Nicole Speer, Mayor Pro Tem Lauren Folkerts, and Mayor Aaron Brockett supported the measure. Conversely, Councilmembers Mark Wallach, Taishya Adams, and Tara Winer opposed it, voicing concerns about its impact on local businesses and residents still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The fee will apply to most privately owned properties, with non-residential owners facing charges between $11 and $160 per 1,000 square feet annually, depending on land use. For residential properties, the fee is set at $54 for single-family homes and $42 for multi-family residences. Notably, the Boulder Valley School District and the University of Colorado Boulder will be exempt from this fee, although they may negotiate contributions with the city.

Boulder’s infrastructure desperately needs funding, with estimated $6.4 million in annual maintenance costs, including $4.2 million for pavement and street safety. The urgency of this measure reflects the city’s growing infrastructure demands, which are expected to escalate if not addressed promptly.

During the council meeting, there was evident division, highlighted by a failed motion to postpone the ordinance until next year. This motion, which narrowly missed passing 5-4, was intended to allow more time for community outreach regarding the fee’s impact. Councilmember Benjamin expressed support for additional engagement, emphasizing the need for feedback from the business community and residents.

Councilmember Wallach criticized the outreach process, stating,

“To say to them, ‘Come to a public hearing, we’re going to discuss how you get your bills’ is not really what they had in mind.”

He raised concerns about the potential burden on residents, particularly those in affordable housing, as the fee may influence rental prices.

Councilmember Adams echoed these sentiments, highlighting the risk that landlords might increase lease prices in anticipation of the new fee. She remarked,

“I need us to think about the people… I have just some general concerns about the timing of it.”

The Boulder Chamber of Commerce has also voiced resistance to the new fee. Senior Director Jonathan Singer acknowledged the council’s consideration of business concerns, stating,

“We are urging the City to work more collaboratively on future funding approaches that balance infrastructure needs with serious economic realities local employers face.”

With the ordinance’s final reading imminent, stakeholders are closely monitoring developments. The collection of the fee is expected to commence in mid-2026, allowing the city to initiate crucial infrastructure improvements. As Boulder’s council navigates these urgent matters, the impact on both businesses and residents will be a focal point of discussion moving forward.

Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as Boulder takes significant steps toward improving its transportation infrastructure.