Boulder Voters Reject $400 Million Building Debt

Ballot Issue 2K failed on Tuesday, leaving the city to fund urgent repairs of aging public buildings through its capital improvement plan instead.

Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in City Hall

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a weathered sandstone block with a cracked face on a plinth against a pale foothill sky. — Boulder voters rejected Ballot Issue 2K on Tuesday, which would have let the city borrow up to $400 million to repair fire stations, recreation centers, and municipal buildings. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Would you support your city borrowing large sums to repair public buildings?

Boulder voters defeated Ballot Issue 2K, which would have allowed the city to take out up to $400 million in debt for repairs or replacement of several aging public buildings. The tally showed 23,905 votes against and 19,571 in favor.

Why it matters

The outcome leaves Boulder without a single large financing source for failing fire stations, recreation centers and municipal buildings, forcing officials to rely on smaller, phased spending. Residents will also feel the result in future budget decisions about how quickly those facilities can be repaired.

Voters rejected the measure by roughly 55% to 45%, against a proposal that could have cost up to $650 million to repay. The city has since earmarked about $10 million across six years, roughly $1.6 million per year, while officials say $10 million to $30 million in urgent needs remain unfunded.

The players

Aaron Brockett

Aaron Brockett is the mayor of Boulder, who was reelected Tuesday and was the only mayoral candidate to support Ballot Issue 2K.

The details

Ballot Issue 2K targeted repairs or replacement of two fire stations, the Public Safety Building, the Penfield Tate II Municipal Building, the Municipal Services Center, the South Boulder Recreation Center, the North Boulder Recreation Center and the West Age Well Center. Mayor Aaron Brockett, reelected Tuesday, was the only mayoral candidate to support the measure, and some opponents objected to the lack of thorough public engagement on it.

October: City said it zeroed in on a building for police headquarters.
Early June: A firm polled likely Boulder voters, finding about 45% supportive and 44% not supportive.
Tuesday, November 4, 2026: Ballot Issue 2K was defeated and Brockett was reelected.
2027 budget: Existing funds are identified for temporary building replacements.
Next six years: About $10 million is earmarked for capital improvement plan spending.

Political Context

Voters approved Ballot Question 2M, which raises the city's debt cap, even as they rejected 2K, which would have used that capacity for a $400 million project. The split result shows Boulder voters separating general borrowing authority from a specific, large-scale building plan.

Boulder homeowners would have faced about $400 more in added annual property tax on a $1 million home had 2K passed. With the measure defeated, residents will not see that increase, but repairs to fire stations and recreation centers will depend on smaller, slower spending.

The takeaway

Voters separated general borrowing capacity from a specific building plan, so future city proposals will likely need clearer public engagement to win approval. Residents watching Boulder's facilities should track how the capital improvement plan allocates its roughly $10 million over six years.