County Budget

Every year, Boulder County develops a budget that balances the services our community relies on with the revenues available to provide those services. This year, the Office of Financial Management is asking departments to identify approximately $13.2 million in ongoing budget reductions as part of the FY2027 budget process.

The county continues to face structural budget challenges. Simply put, the cost of providing services, including personnel, inflation, and operating expenses is growing faster than our ongoing revenues.

This is about sustainability, not a financial crisis. While Boulder County remains financially stable today, the county must make proactive decisions now to ensure it remains financially sustainable in the future. Taking action early allows the county to make thoughtful, strategic decisions rather than reacting to future financial pressures.

Boulder County remains in a strong financial position. However, good financial stewardship means addressing long-term trends before they become larger problems.

By making gradual, ongoing adjustments today, we can:

• Preserve essential public services.
• Maintain financial stability.
• Protect the County’s long-term fiscal health.
• Continue investing in the priorities that matter most to our community.

This year’s budget process is guided by Priority-Based Budgeting (PBB). Rather than applying across-the-board cuts, departments are evaluating:

• Which services provide the greatest value.
• Which programs are legally required.
• Which services align with Board priorities.
• Opportunities to improve efficiency before reducing services.

The goal is to make decisions strategically, not simply reduce budgets equally across all departments.

The FY2027 budget process is about positioning Boulder County for long-term success. By making strategic decisions today, the county can continue delivering excellent public services while ensuring the county remains financially strong for years to come.

Why are we making reductions?

• Costs are growing faster than ongoing revenues.
• We are addressing long-term financial sustainability.
• Acting now avoids larger reductions later.

How are decisions being made?

• Priority-Based Budgeting
• Data-driven analysis
• Focus on efficiency before service reductions

Our Goal

• Preserve essential services.
• Protect taxpayers.
• Invest in Boulder County’s future.

Note: All events relate to Boulder County proper unless otherwise noted.

Public Hearing: Proposed Boulder County 2026 Quarter 2 Budget Amendment Requests

• View the video for the June 25 2026 Quarter 2 Budget Amendment Requests.
• View the June 25 Quarter 2 Amendments documentation.

Public Hearing: relating to the 2026-2028 Budget for the Mental and Behavioral Health (MBH) Sales and Use Tax

• View the video for the Thursday, June 18 Hearing on the MBH Sales and Use Tax.
• View the proposed Budget Amendment memo for the MBH Sales and Use Tax.
• View the presentation document for the MBH Budget Amendment meeting.

Public Hearing: Quarter 1 amendment requests for the Eldorado Springs Public Improvement District (PID)

• View the video of the Tuesday, May 19 proposed Quarter 1 Budget Amendments hearing for the Eldorado PID.
• View the proposed Quarter 1 Budget Amendment documentation for the Eldorado PID.

Public Hearing: 2026 Quarter 1 amendments

• View the video of the April 9 proposed Quarter 1 Budget Amendments hearing.
• View the proposed Quarter 1 Amendments documentation.

Public Meeting: 2026 Budget Adoption

• View the video of the Dec. 9 Budget Adoption Public Meeting.
  • Visit Boulder County Adopts $745 Million Budget for 2026 for a summary of the 2026 adopted budget.
  • View the adoption presentation document.

2026 Budget Work Session presentation

• View the video of the Nov. 6 Public Meeting for the 2026 Budget Worksession presentation.
  • View the worksession presentation document.

Public Hearing on 2026 Boulder County Recommended Budget

• View the video of the Oct. 14 Public Hearing on the 2026 Recommended Budget.

Elected Official and Department Heads 2026 Budget presentations session 1:

• View the video of Session 1 on Tuesday, Oct. 7.
  • View the presentation from Human Services for General Fund expenditure increases.
  • View the presentation on Information Technology project requests..
  • View the presentation on transportation infrastructure project requests from Community Planning & Permitting and Public Works..
  • View the presentation by the Public Works Department on requests for county facilities and infrastructure, fleet replacements and additions, the Recycling Center, and road maintenance.

Elected Official and Department Heads 2026 Budget presentations session 2:

• View the video of Session 2 on Thursday, Oct. 9.
  • View the presentation Sheriff’s Office funding requests.
  • View the presentation of funding requests by the Parks & Open Space department.
  • View the Housing Department Affordable and Attainable Housing Tax capital allocation presentation.
  • View the Public Health 2026 Budget presentation.

Recommended 2026 Budget

• View the video of the Sept. 30 Recommended 2026 Budget Presentation Public Meeting.
  • View the 2026 Boulder County Budget Decision Package on OpenGov.
  • View the Boulder County 2026 Recommended Budget presentation.

Starting in 2025, all Budget Amendments are being approved by the Board of County Commissioners on a quarterly basis.

Public Hearing: Proposed 2025 Off-Cycle Budget Amendment Requests

• View the video of the Dec. 9 Public Hearing for proposed 2025 off-cycle budget amendment requests.
  • View the Human Resource Department’s off-cycle request documentation.

Public Hearings: Quarterly 2025 Budget Amendment Requests

• Q4: View the video for the Tuesday Feb. 3, 2026 Public Hearing on Proposed 2025 Quarter 4 Budget Amendment Requests.
• Q3: View the video for the Thursday Sept. 25, 2025 Public Hearing on Proposed 2025 Quarter 3 Budget Amendment Requests.