The Boulder City Council on July 24 approved new rules for open comment aimed at helping meetings run more smoothly and stay on schedule, following more than a year of disruptions related to the war in Gaza. The council passed the ordinance as an emergency measure, meaning it takes effect immediately. The next in-person open comment session is scheduled for Aug. 7.
Since late 2023, residents have used open comment to protest Israel’s war in Gaza and urge councilmembers to support a ceasefire resolution. At times, comments have included hate speech directed at Jewish councilmembers. In response, councilmembers have sought to balance First Amendment protections with efforts to maintain order, including limiting the size of signs and suspending speakers from in-person council meetings for disruptive behavior. But after the deadly Molotov cocktail attack on Pearl Street targeting those gathered for a Run for Their Lives event in support of hostages held in Gaza, the issue returned to the forefront.
The new rules include starting meetings at 5:30 p.m. (instead of 6 p.m.), capping open comment at 45 minutes and prioritizing speakers who have not spoken at previous meetings. Councilmembers want to make meetings more predictable as recent disruptions have delayed meetings and prompted recesses. (Read more about the changes here.)
The measure passed 8-1. Councilmember Taishya Adams was the lone vote against the changes. She said she supported most of the revisions, but opposed moving the meeting start time to 5:30 p.m., which she said would make it harder for working people to attend council meetings.
Open comment will now be broadcast in audio only, not video. Some attendees have used the lectern to display posters, flags or graphic images highlighting the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Additionally, the presiding officer is now expected to call out hate speech and councilmembers may each take up to 30 seconds at the end of open comment to respond.
Hello!
I’m not able to find the info as to whether citizens are now limited to 8 minutes of commentary to council per year. Was that part of the rule changes? Thanks for any info.