Boulder’s 2026 election is taking shape. Four candidates are running for mayor, 11 are running for city council so far and voters will decide several consequential ballot measures.
As Boulder Reporting Lab plans its election coverage, we want to know what matters most to you.
Today, we’re launching a short reader survey to learn which election issues you care about most and what you want candidates to answer before you vote.
We’ll review your submissions and select at least one reader question for each of our election topics to ask every candidate for mayor and city council. If we select your question, we’ll let you know.
The deadline to submit questions is Aug. 26.
What’s at stake this year
This will be Boulder’s second election in which voters directly elect the mayor through ranked-choice voting.
Five city council seats are also on the ballot. Three incumbents are seeking reelection, leaving two seats without an incumbent running. Councilmember Taishya Adams is running for mayor rather than seeking another council term, while Mark Wallach resigned from the council earlier this year.
Voters will also weigh several significant ballot measures. Boulder’s ballot includes a vacancy tax on homes occupied 183 days or fewer a year and a Recreation and Safety Bond authorizing up to $400 million in debt, repaid through property taxes, for city facilities, recreation centers and other capital projects.
Another measure would guarantee full-time Boulder firefighters the right to bargain collectively.
On the county ballot, voters will decide whether to expand the Board of County Commissioners from three members to five. Boulder County commissioners are also placing a measure that would raise property taxes to reduce childcare costs, increase pay for early childhood educators and expand access to care.
Tell us what matters to you
We’ve identified several issues that will guide our coverage, including housing affordability, homelessness, city governance, public safety, climate resilience, business and downtown vibrancy, and taxes and spending.
The survey asks two things: Which issues matter most to you in this election? And what questions do you want the candidates to answer?
Take the survey below, send us the questions you want us to ask candidates, and help shape BRL’s 2026 election coverage.
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