Boulder County Commissioners Watch

This is a monthly feature summarizing the activities of the Boulder County Commissioners.

The Niwot Business Association will be sending you a request for your signature on a letter addressed to the Commissioners. This letter urges the Commissioners to amend the minimum wage ordinance to match the $14.81 rate of neighboring municipalities. Currently, Niwot's minimum wage is $16.57 per hour, and scheduled to rise to $25 per hour by 2030.

Data from the Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee (LID) indicates a significant economic downturn. Recent economic data from the LID shows 2024 revenues totaled $249,677-an 8.8% decline from 2023 sales tax collections. Some of the decline has been attributed to the higher minimum wage Niwot businesses must pay.

Boulder County Commissioners' background information:

The Boulder County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) consists of Claire Levy, Marta Loachamin, and Ashley Stolzmann. Each commissioner is elected at-large to a four-year term. They represent the entire county, which has a population of 330,758 according to the U.S. 2020 census, but each comes from a different district.

The BOCC is responsible for a myriad of matters, including approving expenditures, contracts, and grant agreements; establishing county policies related to land use; deciding on county employee compensation and facilities; and setting budgets for all elected offices.

Due to "home rule" status, the commissioners' direct regulatory power is limited within incorporated cities and towns. Home rule refers to the authority of a local government, such as a city or town, to govern its affairs with a degree of autonomy from the county and state.

Incorporated Boulder County houses 92.5% (305,967) of the county's residents. While all county residents vote for commissioners, the commissioners' primary local control is exercised over the approximately 7.5% (approximately 24,791 people) of the population residing in unincorporated areas, including Niwot.

Recap of March 27 commissioner's meeting of particular interest to Niwot and Gunbarrel communities

The Boulder County Public Works Department would like to accept a grant award from the State of Colorado for the Fleet Zero-Emissions Resource Opportunity Grant to install DC Fast Chargers at 5600 Flatiron Parkway, Boulder, Colorado 80301 and 5201 St. Vrain Road, Longmont, Colorado 80503.

The Boulder County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) is applying for the Victims of Crime Act grant through the Colorado Department of Public Safety, Division of Criminal Justice. This grant funds services provided to victims in Boulder County. These services may include trauma-informed crisis intervention, information and education on victim rights, community resources, training for BCSO advocates, and funding of advocate positions. BCSO has requested funds for $158,463 for the 2026 grant term.

The Boulder County Sheriff's Office will also submit its application for the Justice Assistance grant through the Colorado Division of Criminal Justice. This grant will help fund the abuse prevention education program provided by Blue Sky Bridge. Blue Sky Bridge, the only child advocacy center serving Boulder County, conducts forensic interviews for reported child abuse cases and handles urgent crisis calls.

Upcoming Agenda Items for March 31 through April 11 of interest to Niwot and Gunbarrel communities

Tuesday, April 1:A limited impact special review application will be reviewed regarding the Starlings CO LLC Equestrian Center and Agricultural Worker Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Community Planning & Permitting Department Docket LU-24-0017/SPR-24-0081. The application is to build an equestrian center with more than 25,000 square feet of floor area, an agricultural worker accessory dwelling unit, and non-foundational earthwork exceeding 500 cubic yards, and site plan review for a new 5,352-square-foot residence where the presumed compatible size is 5,934 square feet at 8130 North 73rd Street.

Tuesday, April 1: The Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee (NLIDAC) will meet at the Niwot Inn & Spa, 342 Second Avenue at 7:00 p.m.. Email Mark Ruzzin for information about this meeting at mruzzin@bouldercounty.gov. This meeting is scheduled for the first Tuesday of each month.

Wednesday, April 2: The commissioners and Office of the County Administrator will discuss the US 36/North Foothills Bikeway design award recommendation and the Countywide Strategic Transit Plan update at 10:00 am.

Wednesday, April 2: The Consortium of Cities will meet at 6:00 p.m. at the County Courthouse, 1325 Pearl Street, Boulder, 3rd Floor. The topics of discussion will focus on sustainability, exploring issues such as waste management, recycling, and composting. Visit the Consortium of Cities website or email Nick Robles at nrobles@bouldercounty.gov for more information.

Thursday, April 3: A public comment session is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. at which several residents of Niwot have signed up to request that the Boulder County Commissioners amend the current minimum wage ordinance to ensure that the minimum wage in unincorporated Boulder County matches that of incorporated Boulder County. Currently, Niwot pays $16.57 per hour, while adjacent cities and towns pay $14.81 per hour, according to the State of Colorado's minimum wage schedule.

The link for the In-Person Public Comment Sign-Up Form is here or email commissioners@bouldercounty.gov.