Fred Smith is running for Boulder mayor after four previous campaigns for city council, using the moniker “The Grateful Fred.”
In 2013, Smith told the Daily Camera that he worked occasionally as a laborer and received disability assistance related to mental illness. He served as a patient representative on the Mental Health Partners board from 2004 to 2012. He also said he worked with Bridge House, which provides homelessness services, and belongs to Boulder’s Odd Fellows chapter, a social and charitable organization.
Smith proposes a 10% city income tax on household income above $184,500, which he estimates would generate $185 million annually. Because TABOR prohibits Colorado municipalities from imposing income taxes, Smith proposes pursuing a statewide ballot measure to authorize such taxes. He proposes using the revenue for public facilities, childcare, affordable housing and mental health care.
A longtime proposal of Smith’s is lowering the legal drinking age to 18. He moved to Boulder in the 1980s.
Occupation: Laborer