The Commissioners’ Policy Team works to advance and support key public policy and intergovernmental relations goals for the County Commissioners, engaging with local, regional, and state governmental entities, including the Colorado General Assembly.
This page contains Boulder County’s 2026 Legislative and Budget Principles and Priorities.
2026 Legislative Principles
Boulder County’s state legislative and budget priorities adhere to the following Legislative Principles, which guide the development of the positions the county takes on state legislation:
- Racial Equity
- Climate Action And Environmental Justice
- Financial and Organizational Stewardship
- Democracy
2026 Legislative Priorities
The following are Boulder County’s priorities for the 2026 state legislative session. We ask for our delegation members’ support for these bills that are important to Boulder County and our shared constituents:
Racial Equity, Equity, and Human Rights
- Background Checks
- Native American Rights
- Rights for LGBTQ+ Individuals
- Language Access
Aging and Veteran Services
- Secure a high quality of life for Colorado’s older adults and veterans
Behavioral Health and Health and Well-Being
- Expanded Access to Services
- Health Insurance Affordability
Community Health
Community Justice
- Pretrial Practices
- Criminal Justice Reform
- Competency System Reforms
Democracy
- Protect Constitutional and Civil Rights
Economy, Employment, and Income Stability
- Public Workforce System
- Regional Minimum Wage Authority
- Self-Sufficiency
Energy, Environment, and Sustainability
- On-Bill Repayment
- Energy And Public Utilities Commission
- Air Quality And Ozone Reduction
- Environmental Justice And Just Transition
- Buildings Emissions & Electrification
Environmental Health
- Protect and enhance the health of the public and the environment.
Financial And Organizational Stewardship
- Operational Efficiencies In Service Delivery
- Improve State-Administered Technology Systems
- Unlawful Conduct On Public Property
- Vacancies In County Elected Offices
Housing
- Funding For Affordable And Workforce Housing
- Home Ownership
- Mobile Home Taxation Reform
Human Services And Early Childhood
Land Use
- Improve the built environment and quality of life for Coloradans by promoting well-planned communities and addressing local environmental, transportation, and resource challenges through policy approaches that recognize the importance of local control.
Natural Disaster, Resiliency, and Recovery
- Climate Change Preparedness
Public Lands And Natural Resources
- Promote land conservation and preservation and outdoor opportunities for Coloradans.
Taxation and Finance
- County Excise Tax Authority
Transportation
- Collaborative Planning
- Clean Transportation
- Safety
- Vehicle Feebates
2026 State Budget Principles
Boulder County recognizes the importance of a state government that is fiscally responsible. and offers the following strategies that it asks the administration and General Assembly to consider in pursuit of this goal:
- Include adequate funding for staffing and administrative costs associated with services that will be implemented at the county level.
- Include adequate funding for any legislation that is expected to be implemented at the local level.
- Increase fees for fee-funded programs, as needed and where appropriate.
- Expand the revenue-raising authorities of county governments.
- Reform the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) and other constitutional and statutory barriers that artificially limit Colorado’s revenue capacity.
2026 State Budget Priorities
In the development of the FY 2025-2026 state budget, Boulder County asks for the support of the General Assembly in maintaining or increasing appropriation levels for the following important areas:
Behavioral Health, Health, And Well-Being
Community Justice
- Access To Services
- Preventing Youth Involvement In The Juvenile Justice System
- Competency Waitlist And State Mental Health Hospital Funding
Economy, Employment, and Income Stability
Human Services
Boulder County supports state funding for safety net services that assist Coloradans with addressing economic and other barriers to securing food, housing, health care, and employment:
- TANF and CCCAP
- Medicaid and SNAP
- Child Welfare
- Child Welfare Funding
