2022 Boulder Voting Guide

This voting guide is largely based on information provided by former Boulder Mayor Suzanne Jones and former Boulder County Commissioner Elise Jones. You can find more information about the ballot from the following sources:

• Colorado Blue Book (official, non-partisan guide)

• Progressive Voting Guide (provided by Progress Now Colorado)

If you do not have a ton of time to do your own research for every single candidate and issue, this guide can help you get started.

• U.S. Senator for CO: Vote for Michael Bennet (D).  Known for his bipartisan efforts, Michael has served as Colorado’s U.S. Senator since 2009 and recently led on policies including the expanded Child Tax Credit, which kept nearly 4 million children out of poverty in 2021; a once-in-a-generation infrastructure bill to fund roads, bridges, public transportation, and the single largest investment in high speed internet in American history; and a ban on surprise bills following a medical emergency which went into effect in early 2022. Michael’s re-election is essential to the Democrat’s retaining control of the U.S. Senate and making progress on all of the issues we care about.

• U.S. Representative (2nd CD): Vote for Joe Neguse (D). Our congressman Joe is the real deal – an effective progressive champion, rising congressional star, and one of the most authentic, positive and articulate people you’ll ever meet. He is doing an exceptional job leading the charge on climate, championing public lands protection, and protecting our democracy, and is ranked as one of the most effective members of Congress. Our country needs more Joes!

• U.S. Representative (4th CD): Vote for Ike McCorkle (D). For those of you who live in the 4th CD, vote for long-shot Ike McCorkle who is making a second run to replace super conservative, anti-choice, anti-environmental incumbent Ken Buck. Ike is an 18-year Marine veteran and Purple Heart recipient, as well as the single dad of three children and a self-avowed “unapologetic environmentalist.” 

• Governor: Vote for Jared Polis (D). As our current Governor, Polis has championed providing full-day kindergarten and pre-school, tackling climate change, regulating the oil and gas industry, and reducing health care costs. Re-electing him is critical to continuing the progress that has made Colorado the Rocky Mountain model on so many progressive issues, from voting access to abortion rights to the environment. And Polis’ opponent’s choice of an election denier for a running mate sums up well the important distinctions between the candidates in this race.

• Secretary of State: Vote for Jena Griswold (D). In the face of death threats and conservative attack ads, Jena has been steadfast in protecting and expanding Colorado’s excellent voter rights and access while implementing secure elections here in our state. The egregious January 6th attacks on the U.S. Capitol and attempts to overthrow the results of the 2020 elections have starkly highlighted the importance of protecting our democratic institutions and the election leaders like Griswold who safeguard them.

• State Treasurer: Vote for Dave Young (D). While the State Treasurer is a little known statewide office, Dave Young has done a fine job in his first term ensuring that taxpayer dollars are effectively and transparently invested. A native Coloradan and Greeley resident, Dave Young is a former teacher and four-term state legislator and deserves your vote for re-election.

• Attorney General: Vote for Phil Weiser (D). In his first term, Phil Weiser has been an incredibly effective Attorney General defending access to health care, the integrity of our elections, and consumer protections; holding irresponsible businesses accountable, including air and water polluters as well as those responsible for the opioid epidemic; and working to improve the criminal justice system and protecting public safety. Phil is in a tough re-election battle as a down-ticket candidate in a difficult year for Democrats, and facing a relatively reasonable Republican opponent.

• State Board of Education - At Large: Vote for Kathy Plomer (D). As big fans of public schools, we’re supporting Kathy as a strong progressive advocate for Colorado kids. A public health professional who has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Colorado Association of School Boards and President of the Adams 12 Board of Education, Kathy prioritizes higher pay for teachers, budget transparency and community engagement – while her opponent is espousing worrisome conservation rhetoric about getting rid of “political or social distractions” in the classroom.

Since 2018, the Democrats have had a political trifecta in Colorado, meaning they hold the Governor’s seat (Jared Polis), a 19-16 seat majority in the State Senate, and a 41-24 seat majority in the State House. They used their majorities to pass landmark legislation last year on climate, oil and gas regulation, gun control, full-day kindergarten and other important issues -- and it would be great to hold these majorities so we can pass more progressive bills at the state level for the environment, women’s rights, education, health care, etc. So, vote Democrat! This is already a no-brainer in Boulder County, which boasts particularly great Democratic candidates worthy of your enthusiastic support:

• State Senate District 15 (Larimer County outside of Fort Collins, including Loveland, Estes Park, & Berthoud): Vote for Janice Marchman (D). As a trained systems engineer, current middle school math teacher, and former VP of the Thompson School Board, Janice would bring real, working-class representation to the legislature and a newcomer’s fresh eyes and energy to tackling economic issues facing working families and retirees, reducing healthcare costs, and reducing addressing air and water pollution. SD15 is one of the most competitive state senate races and could determine whether the Democrats retain control of the State Senate!

• State House District 10 (contains most of Boulder): Vote for Junie Joseph (D). Even at a young age, Junie has already amassed an inspiring resume as a social justice champion: working on social justice and human rights overseas and for the Obama administration, recently graduating from CU Law School and establishing her own family law practice, and currently serving her third year on the Boulder City Council (including as Mayor Pro Tem). As a Haitian immigrant and a renter in Boulder, Junie will be able to bring her lived experience to championing affordable housing, reproductive and human rights, and environmental and climate progress.

• State House District 11 (contains most of Longmont): Vote for Karen McCormick (D). Dr. Karen McCormick is a veterinarian, small business owner and mom, running for re-election with a solid track record as an effective advocate for families, health care, education, LGBTQ rights, reproductive rights, economic opportunity for all, and the future of our planet.

• State House District 12 (parts of Louisville, Lafayette, and Longmont): Vote for Tracey Bernett (D). Tracey is also running as an incumbent, and is a computer industry expert, entrepreneur, engineer and mom from Longmont – and a world class runner and veteran of 36 marathons (she has the 2nd fastest time in the world in her age class for the mile!). She championed bills to improve electric grid resiliency and update Colorado’s building codes to increase energy efficiency, led efforts to revitalize the Butterfly Pavilion and bolster homelessness prevention efforts during the Great Recession, among other progressive causes. 

• State House District 19 (Dacono, Erie, Frederick, Firestone, & East Longmont): Vote for Jennifer Parenti (D). Running for her first office in this newly created competitive house district, Jennifer is a Colorado-born single mother of two, a retired military officer who served in the Air Force and NATO, and more recently a voting rights advocate and community organizer with CO Common Cause. Her top issues are affordable housing, environmental stewardship (esp. dealing with oil & gas drilling impacts), and reproductive, LGBTQ and veterans rights. 

• State House District 49 (Boulder, Clear Creek, Gilpin & Larimer counties): Vote for Judy Amabile (D). A longtime Boulderite, businesswoman and community activist, Judy is running for re-election in the newly adjusted House District 49 with an impressive record after two years in the legislature of leading on all aspects of increasing access to mental health resources, as well as supporting affordable housing, healthcare, and climate action.

• RTD Board District O: Vote for Lynn Guissinger. A progressive transportation advocate, Lynn has served Boulder County and the region well in her first term on the RTD Board, pushing the agency to be more transit friendly and responsive to the NW corridor, as well as helping lead the charge to create the Zero Fares for Better Air initiative that made transit free during the month of August this year and next, as a way to build ridership and reduce ozone. She deserves re-election.

• Boulder County Commissioner: Vote for Ashley Stolzmann (D). Currently the Mayor of Louisville, where she has been a tireless advocate for local climate actions like green building codes and plastic bag fees, Ashley is a shoe-in to fill the open commissioner seat, where we can expect her to continue her focus on multimodal transportation, sustainability and disaster recovery and resilience. 

• All of the other Boulder County races are uncontested, so you have only one choice (a credit to the quality of these candidates, as well as the lack of an organized Republican Party in Boulder County). With the exception of Sheriff, all are incumbents, and have strong track records of effective service in Boulder County.

Retain all the judges since they have all met the performance expectations per Colorado Commissions on Judicial Performance and I haven't heard of arguments to remove any of them.

• Amendment D (constitutional) – 23rd Judicial District Judges: Vote Yes. Basically a housekeeping measure to ensure continuity of operations in the newly created 23rd Judicial District (split off from the overly busy 18th Judicial District) by enabling the Governor to move judges from the existing district to the new district on a one-time basis. No organized opposition.

• Amendment E (constitutional) – Extend Homestead Exemption to Gold Star Spouses: Vote Yes. Extends the existing homestead property tax exemption to the surviving spouses of military service members who died in the line of duty and veterans who died as a result of a service-related injury or disease. No organized opposition.

• Amendment F (constitutional) – Charitable Gaming Constitutional Amendment: Toss Up. Currently, a non-profit organization must operate in Colorado for five years before applying for a bingo-raffle license, and that bingo-raffle workers must be unpaid volunteers. This measure will reduce the number of years required from five to three, and authorize the state legislature to establish a different requirement beginning in 2025. In addition, this measure will allow bingo-raffle workers to be paid. Wages are capped at minimum wage through June 30, 2024, after which wages are not limited. A minor measure, it won’t have a major impact either way; it could help increase funding for nonprofit charities but would also make bingo-raffle games more like for-profit gambling.

• Proposition FF – Healthy Meals for All Public School Students: Vote Yes. This is a no-brainer measure that would provide free nutritious meals to all public school students, as well as provide school grants to purchase locally grown and raised food and increase wages for school cafeteria workers, paid for by limiting state income tax deductions for the wealthiest Coloradans (income of $300,000 or more). Current free or reduced-cost lunch programs are limited to kids whose parents make less income, creating a stigma for poorer students.   

• Proposition GG – Include Income Tax Effects in Initiative Ballot Language: Vote Yes. For citizen-initiated ballot initiatives affecting income taxes, this transparency measure requires a table to be included in the ballot title and fiscal summary showing how the initiative will change the income tax owed for average taxpayers in different income brackets, so voters know how they will be impacted. More transparency is a good thing.

• Proposition 121 – State Income Tax Reduction: Vote No. While paying lower taxes is always superficially tempting, it begs the question of what public services and functions will need to be cut to afford it. This Independence Institute-backed measure lowers the state individual and corporate income tax from 4.55% to 4.4%, providing a boon to wealthier folks while reducing state revenues for things like schools and transportation by $400 million.

• Proposition 122 – Access to Natural Psychedelic Substances: Lean Yes. This measure would, for adults 21 and older, legalize the growth and personal use of psychedelic mushrooms and plants and provide for regulated therapeutic access to natural psychedelic medicines in licensed facilities. While more research is needed and the measure’s penalties for underage use must be enforced to keep these substances away from kids, psychedelics have shown promise in treating depression, PTSD and other mental health maladies. Decriminalizing psilocybin and natural medicines is an important step in criminal justice reform.

• Proposition 123 – Dedicate Revenues to Fund Housing Projects: Vote Yes. This measure will help address our state’s growing affordability crisis by dedicating up to 0.1% of state income tax revenue for affordable housing and projects, without raising taxes. This revenue, estimated at $300 million annually, would be exempted from the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) revenue limits, thereby reducing the amount of TABOR refund checks in flush years. It allows the state legislature to reduce funding in lean years to balance the state budget. Colorado faces unprecedented housing and homelessness challenges and this multi-pronged approach will help. The measure has been endorsed by a broad range of interests, from the Habitat for Humanity and League of Women Voters, to Conservation Colorado and the NAACP.

• Proposition 124 – Increase Allowable Retail Liquor Licenses: Vote No. This measure is  one of three alcohol-related initiatives, all supported by large (mostly out-of-state) liquor stores and other corporate interests and opposed by Keeping Colorado Local, which represents small Colorado businesses. Prop 124 would allow liquor stores to apply to open more locations, ramping up immediately from three locations to eight, and eventually to no limits by 2037. The concern is that this will allow the large liquor store chains (who are bankrolling this) to outcompete small, locally-owned liquor stores that don’t have the resources to expand.

• Proposition 125 – Permit Sale of Wine in Grocery Stores: Vote No. This proposition would allow grocery and convenience stores that currently sell beer to also sell wine. We’re concerned that large grocery chains (which may even get bigger with Kroger and Albertsons-Safeway proposing to merge) will put local independent liquor stores out of business. Critics also note that Prop 125 would immediately double the number of places where alcohol can be sold with no review or public input, even in close proximity to schools or other liquor stores.

• Proposition 126 – Allow Third Party Alcohol Delivery: Lean No. This measure would allow 3rd parties like UberEats and DoorDash to deliver alcohol from stores, bars and restaurants to people’s homes (currently, these establishments can use their own employees for alcohol delivery), and permit bars and restaurants to sell to-go alcohol in perpetuity (it’s now allowed only to July 2025). While Prop 126 would make it more convenient to buy booze from the comfort of your couch, critics are concerned about the enforceability of safeguards to ensure alcohol isn’t sold to minors.

• Boulder County Issue 1A – Wildfire Mitigation Sales Tax: Vote Yes. This new 0.1% sales and use tax would raise roughly $11 million/year to reduce wildfire risk and improve response by funding forest and grassland management projects such as thinning and prescribed burns, community partnerships to create defensible space, and technical and financial assistance for homeowners. If the Marshall Fire taught us anything, it is that we need to prioritize additional efforts to protect homes and communities in the face of increased climate-driven wildfire risk–please support!

• Boulder County Issue 1B – Emergency Services Sales Tax: Vote Yes. This is another new 0.1% sales tax that would raise roughly $11 million in its first year and decrease to 0.05% in 2028 to support emergency services including funding new facilities and equipment, ambulance services for underserved mountain and rural areas, search and rescue operations, and wildland firefighting staffing. This tax has a long list of endorsers and no official opposition, in recognition of the rising costs of providing emergency response services (which have been chronically underfunded historically) and the increasing need for them as the number of backcountry visitors and visitation increases.

• Boulder County Issue 1C – Transportation Sales Tax Extension: Vote Yes. This measure would extend the existing 0.1% sales tax for another 15 years to fund roads and bridges (including new shoulders on roads), county transit infrastructure and services, regional bike paths and trails, and community mobility assistance programs (e.g., for the disabled and elderly). This existing tax has paid for almost all the multimodal improvements implemented by the county in the last two decades, allowing the county to provide the necessary match to receive millions in state and federal transportation funds – and should be extended.

• City of Boulder Ballot Issue 2A – Climate Tax: Vote Yes. This measure would repeal Boulder’s current climate and utility taxes, and combine and repurpose them into one new climate action tax based on electricity and natural gas use that would raise roughly $6.5 million/year though 2040 to help reach Boulder’s climate goals. We enthusiastically support this novel tax to provide much-needed local funding for a variety of direct climate actions including energy efficiency and renewables, building weatherization and electrification, zero waste and natural climate solutions.

• City of Boulder Ballot Issue  2B – Climate Debt Authorization: Vote Yes. This measure pairs with Climate Tax Issue 2A – if 2A passes, then Issue 2B would allow the City to bond off of the tax up to $75 million in debt in order to begin projects to be funded by the new tax earlier. Given the urgency of climate change, 2B is a no brainer to get bigger projects started sooner.

• City of Boulder Question Issue 2C – Repeal Charter Provisions Regarding Library: Vote Yes. If voters approve Issue 6C to form a Boulder Library District, this measure would make the related adjustments to the City Charter, including repeal of the Boulder Library Commission and the 0.333-mill property tax dedicated to the library that won’t be needed under a new library district structure and mill levy.

• City of Boulder Question Issue 2D – Amend Charter Direct Election of Mayor: Vote Yes. This is simply a clean-up measure to implement the voters’ approval of direct election of mayors last election (that will go into effect in 2023), which would clarify that candidates can only run for council or mayor (but not both) in the same election, allow council members running for mayor to keep their office if they lose and clarify how to fill the vacancy if they win, and providing a few more weeks after an election before newly expected council members take office.  

• City of Boulder Question Issue 2E – Even-Year Municipal Candidate Elections: Vote No. This measure would amend Boulder’s Home Rule Charter to change regular municipal elections to even-numbered years to align them with regular state (and presidential) elections, which proponents argue is warranted because voter turnout is much higher in even years. We agree that democracy works better when more people vote, and yet, we are also swayed by arguments, outlined at https://www.savelocalelections.com, that we should leave things as is so that odd years are focused on municipal services and governance rather than requiring municipal candidates and issues to compete with state and national candidates for attention, airtime and resources. This measure would also abandon Boulder Valley School Board races (currently required to be in odd years by state law) as well as state and local measures in odd-years, which means these important decisions would likely be made by even fewer voters. A better approach is to continue ramping up efforts to increase voter outreach and turnout in every election – especially to underserved populations – and engrain the practice and tradition of voting every November.

• City of Boulder Question Issue 2F – Repeal Annexation of CU South: Vote No. This measure would repeal the agreement between the City of Boulder and CU to annex the 308-acre “CU South” site into the city, which allows CU’s future development on the site to receive city services in exchange for CU giving Boulder the land it needs for the 100-year South Boulder Creek flood mitigation project (to protect some 2,300 residents and 260 structures downstream). If 2F passes, it would nullify this 2021 annexation agreement and require the city to begin negotiations with the university anew. While this compromise isn’t perfect, we nonetheless oppose this repeal effort because we desperately need to provide overdue flood protection to south Boulder residents that were so hard hit by the 2013 flood, and we don’t think the City can negotiate a better deal with CU, who holds the cards as the landowner. While there are valid debates over the sustainability of CU’s anticipated growth and how to mitigate anticipated traffic impacts of proposed CU South development, the annexation agreement also has important public benefits beyond providing flood protection and housing for CU professors and students, including permanent protection of open space lands and restoration of wetland ecosystems. We also note that flood protection options are constrained by our city’s extensive development in the South Boulder Creek floodplain over the decades, but several city councils have spent years researching different water retention options, including upstream diversions, without finding a better flood protection infrastructure alignment. For more info, see opponents’ website at https://nomeansnomoredelay.org and proponents’ at https://www.repealcusouth.org.

• Boulder Valley School District RE-2 Issue 5A - $350 million Bond Capital Construction & Maintenance: Vote Yes. This is a $350 million bond issue to pay for a new elementary school in Erie and a new building for New Vista High School in Boulder, as well as building maintenance and expanded career and technical education offerings. While recognizing that the property tax cost to homeowners would be about $118 a year for a home valued at $600,000, we believe it’s important to invest in maintaining and improving our public school system.

• Boulder Public Library District Ballot Issue 6C: Vote Yes. Libraries are important community institutions, providing critical literacy services, public-accessible technology and cultural events, yet ours is underfunded and buffeted by volatile sales tax funding and budget cuts that have yet to be restored to pre-pandemic levels. Issue 6C would provide a stable and increased funding source for the Boulder Library System by creating a library district for Boulder and surrounding communities and funding it with a 3.5 mil property tax that will allow restoring and extending hours and programs at existing libraries, as well as opening a new branch library in Gunbarrel. The district would be governed by a Board of Trustees appointed by the Boulder City Council and Boulder County Commissioners, maintaining local control over our libraries. While we acknowledge concerns about having so many revenue raising measures on this year’s ballot and the healthy debate about singling out libraries for funding over other important community needs, we believe the time is ripe to invest in Boulder’s Library System and note that library districts are the most common and stable form of library governance in the state (there are 56 library districts in Colorado, including in Fort Collins, Greeley, Colorado Springs, and Pueblo).