Boulder voters have approved three sales tax measures to fund capital projects, mental health services and open space acquisitions and management, according to election night results.
A strong majority of city voters supported Ballot Question 2A, which makes permanent a 0.3% sales and use tax known as the Community, Culture, Resilience & Safety (CCRS) tax. The tax funds capital construction, renovation and maintenance projects, as well as arts, parks and trails.
The measure had received 70% approval from city voters as of midnight on election night. (See the full, live election results.)
Voters also approved a companion measure authorizing the city to take on up to $262 million in debt for capital projects. The combined funding will help address a $380 million backlog in maintenance and repair needs.
In Boulder County, voters also approved two additional sales taxes.
One, Ballot Issue 1B, creates a 0.15% countywide sales and use tax for three years to fund mental health and addiction services. The tax is projected to raise about $13.8 million in 2026. Part of the revenue would pay for existing mental health navigation services and a non-police crisis response team. The programs are currently funded by federal pandemic aid set to expire next year. More broadly, the money could support prevention, crisis response, addiction treatment, recovery programs and efforts to help residents navigate behavioral health resources.
The measure had received about 63% support as of 11 p.m. on election night.
Voters also approved making permanent a 0.15% countywide sales tax for open space. The tax was set to expire at the end of 2030.
Revenue will pay for land acquisition, trail construction, habitat restoration, park maintenance and agricultural leases on county open space. Altogether, county open space taxes provide roughly $47 million annually to help manage more than 100,000 acres.
The open space measure had received about 73% support as of midnight on election night.
The total sales tax rate in the City of Boulder tops 9%, or nearly $1 on a $10 purchase.