New Group Advocates Expansion to 5 County Commissioners; Looking Back at 2025, and Ahead to 2026

January 18, 2026

This month we take a look back at 2025 and a look ahead to 2026. (Plus--of course--there is a new issue on the radar!)

Important Dates Ahead 

• January 22 (Thursday):  Residents are invited to join the Boulder County Commissioners for a Town Hall on Thursday, Jan. 22, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., in Lyons. The meeting will occur at the Lyons Fire Protection District, 251 Broadway Street, Lyons. The Commissioners will give a short presentation on the Partners for a Clean Environment (PACE) project, and then open it up to questions on that or any other Boulder County issues. No registration is required. There will be a sign-up sheet for those who wish to speak.

  
  

2025 in the Rearview Mirror

There were several successes and/or issues resolved during the past year.

Community engagement was strong in all of these issues, and the outcomes reflected the community's input in most of them.

Overall, it felt like progress.  

The big headlines from the past year (see past newsletters posted on our website for a refresher):

• Longmont Elects New City Council that Leans Favorably Toward Conservation Easements and the Kanemoto Issue (November)

• Commissioners Vote to Scale Back Their Schedule of Minimum Wage Increases (November)

• Distel-Tull Land Swap Deal to Develop County Composting Facility Unanimously Voted Down by Longmont City Council (October)

• Subdivision at 63rd Street and Niwot Road is Denied (July)

• Gunbarrel Hill Becomes Boulder Open Space (instead of a private tennis facility) (May)

• New "Site Plan Review" Rules for Home Modifications Approved Despite Strong Community Opposition (April)

• Weld County Draco Fracking Proposal Goes Forward Despite Strong Opposition From Boulder County/Erie Residents (March)

• Residents Beat Back County's Bid to Dissolve the Gunbarrel Public Improvement District (January)

  
  

Issues Continuing into 2026

• Multiple Annexation/Development Proposals in Lafayette Are Drawing Vigorous Community Opposition (Hwy 287 & Arapahoe, Baseline & 119th, 8600 Baseline)

• Assessment as "Commercial" Threatens Boulder County Equestrian Properties' Continued Operation

• Longmont Quail Road Annexation and Development Is Still on the Table

• Community Group's Legal Appeal Is Still Pending Regarding the County's Decision to Conditionally Terminate the Kanemoto Conservation Easement

  
  

NEW on the Radar

New group advocates expansion of the Boulder County Board of Commissioners from 3 to 5 members (and the group includes one current Commissioner!)

We are really encouraged by this development-- what a great way to kick off the New Year! The County has grown but the number of Commissioners has not.  The group, Big Tent BoCo, points out that this hampers decisionmaking, and makes it very unlikely that the decisions of the Commissioners reflect the various constituencies within Boulder County. Most counties our size have expanded their board of commissioners to the state's maximum, which is five. Read about this and consider signing on in support:

• News coverage, The Daily Camera (paywall)

• News coverage, The Mountain Ear

• Big Tent BoCo website and community petition

Thanks!

Thanks for being with us. We are grateful for you and we wish all of you a very Happy New Year!