Boulder County Adopts $745 Million Budget for 2026 — Follow-Up Report

Boulder County Adopts $745 Million Budget for 2026 — Follow-Up Report

The Board of County Commissioners has adopted the 2026 Boulder County budget totaling $745 million. Key investments include $42 million for affordable housing initiatives, $28 million for transportation infrastructure, and $15 million for wildfire mitigation and climate resilience programs.

Eligible participants include Boulder County residents with household incomes at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI). For a family of four, this is approximately $91,000 per year. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Transportation access remains a key concern. Boulder County’s Via mobility program provides door-to-door transit service for residents in Louisville and surrounding communities who cannot access fixed-route bus service. RTD routes B, J, and BOLT serve major corridors.

Community Impact

The Board of County Commissioners will review progress on this initiative at their June 9 business meeting. Agenda items and supporting documents are posted on the Boulder County website 72 hours before each meeting.

The Heil Valley Ranch open space property encompasses 1,506 acres and features 13 miles of multi-use trails. Seasonal wildlife closures may apply from December 15 through July 15 to protect nesting raptors and elk calving areas.

Background

The program is modeled after similar successful initiatives in Larimer County and Jefferson County. Boulder County’s version includes additional provisions for wildfire mitigation, affordable housing, and environmental sustainability.

Affordable housing remains the top priority identified in the 2025 Community Survey. Boulder County’s Worthy Cause program has funded 1,062 affordable housing units since its inception, with 115 additional units in the development pipeline.