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2B: No Evictions Without Representation

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Boulder voters will consider five ballot measures on the Nov. 3, 2020, election, including this one. Use the form on this page to ask the city factual questions about this ballot measure. City staff will answer questions submitted through Oct. 16.


Ballot Language: No Eviction Without Representation

Shall the City of Boulder’s taxes be increased annually by one million, nine hundred thousand ($1,900,000.00) (first full fiscal year increase) commencing on Jan. 1, 2021, and by whatever additional amounts are raised annually thereafter from an excise tax to be paid by landlords on dwelling units with rental licenses in the amount of $75 per year, with the tax rate increasing every year thereafter at a rate that does not exceed the Colorado consumer price index on each rental license for a dwelling unit that is issued by the city;

and in connection therewith, shall all of the revenues collected be used to fund:

  • the administrative cost of the tax, and thereafter to
  • establish, run and fully fund a program to provide legal representation to tenants who face the loss of housing in eviction and administrative proceedings;
  • provide a tenant’s legal services and assistance coordinator to administer the program;
  • create a tenants’ committee comprised of five members paid a $1,000 per year stipend; and
  • provide rental assistance for persons that are vulnerable to eviction; and

    shall the full proceeds of such taxes at such rates and any earnings thereon be collected, retained, and spent, as a voter-approved revenue change without limitation or condition, and without limiting the collection, retention, or spending of any other revenues or funds by the City of Boulder under Article X Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution or any other law?

For the Measure _____ Against the Measure _____


Boulder voters will consider five ballot measures on the Nov. 3, 2020, election, including this one. Use the form on this page to ask the city factual questions about this ballot measure. City staff will answer questions submitted through Oct. 16.


Ballot Language: No Eviction Without Representation

Shall the City of Boulder’s taxes be increased annually by one million, nine hundred thousand ($1,900,000.00) (first full fiscal year increase) commencing on Jan. 1, 2021, and by whatever additional amounts are raised annually thereafter from an excise tax to be paid by landlords on dwelling units with rental licenses in the amount of $75 per year, with the tax rate increasing every year thereafter at a rate that does not exceed the Colorado consumer price index on each rental license for a dwelling unit that is issued by the city;

and in connection therewith, shall all of the revenues collected be used to fund:

  • the administrative cost of the tax, and thereafter to
  • establish, run and fully fund a program to provide legal representation to tenants who face the loss of housing in eviction and administrative proceedings;
  • provide a tenant’s legal services and assistance coordinator to administer the program;
  • create a tenants’ committee comprised of five members paid a $1,000 per year stipend; and
  • provide rental assistance for persons that are vulnerable to eviction; and

    shall the full proceeds of such taxes at such rates and any earnings thereon be collected, retained, and spent, as a voter-approved revenue change without limitation or condition, and without limiting the collection, retention, or spending of any other revenues or funds by the City of Boulder under Article X Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution or any other law?

For the Measure _____ Against the Measure _____

CLOSED: The city closed this Q&A on Oct. 16.

Under the Fair Campaign Practices Act, the city is limited to the information we can provide during election season. We will not provide opinion or analysis, but we can provide factual information in response to specific questions to help inform your decisions. City staff will answer questions submitted through Oct. 16.

  • Share Has an economic analysis been conducted to determine what percent of this tax is likely to be passed directly on to renters, resulting in higher rents in Boulder? on Facebook Share Has an economic analysis been conducted to determine what percent of this tax is likely to be passed directly on to renters, resulting in higher rents in Boulder? on Twitter Share Has an economic analysis been conducted to determine what percent of this tax is likely to be passed directly on to renters, resulting in higher rents in Boulder? on Linkedin Email Has an economic analysis been conducted to determine what percent of this tax is likely to be passed directly on to renters, resulting in higher rents in Boulder? link

    Has an economic analysis been conducted to determine what percent of this tax is likely to be passed directly on to renters, resulting in higher rents in Boulder?

    Brian asked about 4 years ago

    This was a citizen-initiated measure. The City of Boulder has not had the opportunity to do any analysis.

  • Share Does this measure include mobile home parks? on Facebook Share Does this measure include mobile home parks? on Twitter Share Does this measure include mobile home parks? on Linkedin Email Does this measure include mobile home parks? link

    Does this measure include mobile home parks?

    Vasna asked about 4 years ago

    The rental licensing program does not cover lot rentals. There are some units in Boulder Meadows that have rental licenses. That is, the park rents the units themselves and not just the land. Those would be covered.

  • Share Does the rental assistance negatively impact landlords? For example, if I had a tenant who needed and was receiving rental assistance, through the program, how would I as a Landlord feel confident that I was my monthly rent in its entirety and not a proportional amount? Would this program also assist in the payment of utilities if that was the tenant's responsibility? on Facebook Share Does the rental assistance negatively impact landlords? For example, if I had a tenant who needed and was receiving rental assistance, through the program, how would I as a Landlord feel confident that I was my monthly rent in its entirety and not a proportional amount? Would this program also assist in the payment of utilities if that was the tenant's responsibility? on Twitter Share Does the rental assistance negatively impact landlords? For example, if I had a tenant who needed and was receiving rental assistance, through the program, how would I as a Landlord feel confident that I was my monthly rent in its entirety and not a proportional amount? Would this program also assist in the payment of utilities if that was the tenant's responsibility? on Linkedin Email Does the rental assistance negatively impact landlords? For example, if I had a tenant who needed and was receiving rental assistance, through the program, how would I as a Landlord feel confident that I was my monthly rent in its entirety and not a proportional amount? Would this program also assist in the payment of utilities if that was the tenant's responsibility? link

    Does the rental assistance negatively impact landlords? For example, if I had a tenant who needed and was receiving rental assistance, through the program, how would I as a Landlord feel confident that I was my monthly rent in its entirety and not a proportional amount? Would this program also assist in the payment of utilities if that was the tenant's responsibility?

    Catherine asked about 4 years ago

    The measure does not define the program. It authorizes a program of rent support. Subsequent legislation or rules would provide additional detail.

  • Share As I read the measure, it states that a landlord with rental-licensed units would pay a fee every year, starting at $75 and increasing every year thereafter into this fund. Would this be $75 per unit, or $75 per rental license (given that a rental license can cover more than one unit)? on Facebook Share As I read the measure, it states that a landlord with rental-licensed units would pay a fee every year, starting at $75 and increasing every year thereafter into this fund. Would this be $75 per unit, or $75 per rental license (given that a rental license can cover more than one unit)? on Twitter Share As I read the measure, it states that a landlord with rental-licensed units would pay a fee every year, starting at $75 and increasing every year thereafter into this fund. Would this be $75 per unit, or $75 per rental license (given that a rental license can cover more than one unit)? on Linkedin Email As I read the measure, it states that a landlord with rental-licensed units would pay a fee every year, starting at $75 and increasing every year thereafter into this fund. Would this be $75 per unit, or $75 per rental license (given that a rental license can cover more than one unit)? link

    As I read the measure, it states that a landlord with rental-licensed units would pay a fee every year, starting at $75 and increasing every year thereafter into this fund. Would this be $75 per unit, or $75 per rental license (given that a rental license can cover more than one unit)?

    Emmorette asked about 4 years ago

    If passed, the tax will be levied on each dwelling unit that is required to get a rental license.

  • Share How did you arrive at the 1.9 million in revenue? How does this satisfy Tabor? If the $75 fee is adjusted for inflation than the overall amount colllected must also be adjusted for inflation? What happens if you don't use all the revenue collected in a calendar year?Specifically how is a dwelling unit defined in Boulder? For example is a landlord has a building with 4 apartments does this mean 4 rental licenses or one rental license for the entire building? on Facebook Share How did you arrive at the 1.9 million in revenue? How does this satisfy Tabor? If the $75 fee is adjusted for inflation than the overall amount colllected must also be adjusted for inflation? What happens if you don't use all the revenue collected in a calendar year?Specifically how is a dwelling unit defined in Boulder? For example is a landlord has a building with 4 apartments does this mean 4 rental licenses or one rental license for the entire building? on Twitter Share How did you arrive at the 1.9 million in revenue? How does this satisfy Tabor? If the $75 fee is adjusted for inflation than the overall amount colllected must also be adjusted for inflation? What happens if you don't use all the revenue collected in a calendar year?Specifically how is a dwelling unit defined in Boulder? For example is a landlord has a building with 4 apartments does this mean 4 rental licenses or one rental license for the entire building? on Linkedin Email How did you arrive at the 1.9 million in revenue? How does this satisfy Tabor? If the $75 fee is adjusted for inflation than the overall amount colllected must also be adjusted for inflation? What happens if you don't use all the revenue collected in a calendar year?Specifically how is a dwelling unit defined in Boulder? For example is a landlord has a building with 4 apartments does this mean 4 rental licenses or one rental license for the entire building? link

    How did you arrive at the 1.9 million in revenue? How does this satisfy Tabor? If the $75 fee is adjusted for inflation than the overall amount colllected must also be adjusted for inflation? What happens if you don't use all the revenue collected in a calendar year?Specifically how is a dwelling unit defined in Boulder? For example is a landlord has a building with 4 apartments does this mean 4 rental licenses or one rental license for the entire building?

    Catherine asked about 4 years ago

    How did you arrive at the 1.9 million in revenue?

    It is the amount of revenue that would be generated if the city were to charge the $75 tax to approximately 25,000 dwelling units that would require a rental license.  The city presently has approximately 23,000 dwelling units that have rental licenses. The additional dwelling units were added to accommodate additional growth in the community.

    How does this satisfy Tabor?

    The Taxpayer Bill of Rights requires that ballot titles for new taxes include an estimate of the revenue that will be collected in the first year of the tax.

    If the $75 fee is adjusted for inflation than the overall amount collected must also be adjusted for inflation?

    TABOR only requires the reporting of the amount collected in the first year.   

    What happens if you don't use all the revenue collected in a calendar year?

    The tax revenue would be carried over into the next budget year. The council could appropriate the revenue for the purposes set forth in the ballot question in subsequent years. 

    Specifically how is a dwelling unit defined in Boulder? For example is a landlord has a building with 4 apartments does this mean 4 rental licenses or one rental license for the entire building? 

    The rental licensing program uses the definition of “dwelling unit in the Land Use Code, Section 9-16-1, which in part, defines a dwelling unit as “. . . one room or rooms with internal connections for residential occupancy and including bathroom and kitchen facilities. Multiple dwelling units exist if there is more than one meter for any utility, address to the property, or kitchen . . .”

    If passed, the tax will be levied on each dwelling unit that is required to get a rental license. In the example above, each apartment that is required to get a rental license would pay a separate tax for the unit.  The tax on the example would be $300, which is $75 x 4 apartments. 

  • Share How many evictions occurred w/i the City of Boulder in 2018? 2019? 2020 to date? on Facebook Share How many evictions occurred w/i the City of Boulder in 2018? 2019? 2020 to date? on Twitter Share How many evictions occurred w/i the City of Boulder in 2018? 2019? 2020 to date? on Linkedin Email How many evictions occurred w/i the City of Boulder in 2018? 2019? 2020 to date? link

    How many evictions occurred w/i the City of Boulder in 2018? 2019? 2020 to date?

    Jeanine asked about 4 years ago

    Sorry, but these cases are filed in district court, not Boulder Municipal Court, so the City of Boulder has no data on the number of evictions.

  • Share Ordinance 8412 which put the issue on the ballot does not mention the $1.9 million cap. Why was this added? on Facebook Share Ordinance 8412 which put the issue on the ballot does not mention the $1.9 million cap. Why was this added? on Twitter Share Ordinance 8412 which put the issue on the ballot does not mention the $1.9 million cap. Why was this added? on Linkedin Email Ordinance 8412 which put the issue on the ballot does not mention the $1.9 million cap. Why was this added? link

    Ordinance 8412 which put the issue on the ballot does not mention the $1.9 million cap. Why was this added?

    Deborah asked about 4 years ago

    The $1.9 million figure was added by City Council on September 1, 2020. The committee of petitioners withdrew its original proposal that had a fee $75 dollars per year to fund this effort to change it to a tax. Under the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, Art. 10, Sec. 20, of the Colorado State Constitution, requires that any ballot measure that proposes to increase taxes, that the first full year of tax revenue collected be included in the ballot title. The $1.9 million amount is an estimate of revenues that will be generated by the new tax. Council decided that this was a reasonable estimate based on the number of rental licenses in the city.

Page last updated: 06 Oct 2020, 02:39 PM