Boulder County employees have voted to unionize, forming what they say is the largest group to do so since Colorado’s SB22-230 granted collective bargaining rights to county workers in 2022, employees announced Jan. 16. In a vote of 442 to 221, the 1,419 eligible workers chose to join the Boulder County Employees Union – Communications Workers of America (BCEU-CWA).
The union election was prompted by a filing in April 2024, when a group of county employees cited job security, high turnover and work-life balance as key concerns. Boulder County employs more than 2,000 workers.
“This has been years in the making,” said Brianna Barber, a county employee and union leader, in a news release. “We’re excited to begin bargaining with county leadership to improve working conditions and support the vital services we provide to our community.”
The union said it will now begin negotiating with county leadership on issues including wages, benefits and working conditions.
“This victory shows the power of workers coming together,” said Donaven Smith, another union leader, in the release.
The vote comes as Boulder County has faced budget constraints and rising demands for public services.