City of Boulder Business Bulletin

Welcome to the City of Boulder Business Bulletin
Supporting businesses with timely updates, resources and opportunities

The Business Bulletin helps keep Boulder’s business community informed with updates on city programs, funding opportunities, infrastructure projects and other initiatives that may affect local businesses. It’s designed to help businesses stay connected, informed and prepared for what’s ahead.

Visit our newsletter archive to explore past editions and stay up to date on what’s happening across the city.

The City of Boulder is continuing to gather community feedback as City Council considers whether to adjust the city’s tip offset.

The tip offset is the amount an employer may subtract from a tipped worker's hourly wage because that worker also earns tips. In Boulder, it applies only to food and beverage establishments, and by law, tipped workers must still earn at least the full local minimum wage. The offset is currently set at $3.02 — the statewide amount — and will not change unless Council acts. The city is seeking input on a range of options — from no change to a moderate or more significant increase.

This is an important opportunity for eating and drinking establishments and the workers they employ to have a direct voice in the process. Business owners and their employees are especially encouraged to share their perspectives, as their input will help Council better understand the real-world impacts of any potential change.

Visit the project webpage to learn more, complete the questionnaire and explore the tip offset calculator, which helps tipped workers and business owners estimate how potential changes could affect them. The questionnaire is open through June 2, 2026, and responses may be submitted anonymously.

Boulder businesses in semiconductor and related industries, including quantum computing, may qualify for state and federal tax incentives through the city’s CHIPS Zone designation. These incentives are designed to help eligible businesses reduce costs, support expansion and accelerate growth.

This week, quantum company IonQ opened a new facility in Boulder. Their decision to expand in Boulder reflects the city's continued investment in the infrastructure, partnerships and innovation ecosystem that support emerging industries like quantum technology.

Programs like the Boulder CHIPS Zone, along with world-class research institutions, a highly-skilled workforce, collaborative environment, and outstanding quality of life make the city an ideal place for innovative companies to grow and thrive. IonQ’s expansion is one example of how those efforts continue to position Boulder as a hub for advanced technology and innovation.

The City of Boulder has released the Community, Culture, Resilience and Safety (CCRS) Tax Grant Program Capital Project Funding Request for Applications (RFA), for non-profit organization capital projects that benefit City of Boulder community members.

The city anticipates awarding between $2 and $3 million through a competitive process to projects aligned with Ballot Measure 2A, passed by voters in November 2025, which extends the Community, Culture, Resilience and Safety Tax in perpetuity.

Grant awards will support non-profit organizations in completing capital projects to ensure their long-term physical presence in and near the City of Boulder.

Applications are due by 5 p.m. on June 12, 2026, and must be submitted electronically using the Foundant Grant Management System. No paper or late applications will be accepted.

Climate‑ready landscapes play an essential role in keeping Boulder healthy, vibrant and prepared for the future. Every step, whether it’s choosing drought‑tolerant plants, rethinking a lawn, capturing rainwater or adding shade, helps strengthen our community’s ability to adapt. By showcasing your project or idea, you’re helping Boulder learn from one another and build a more resilient, climate‑ready city together.

We are celebrating the landscapes that are helping our community adapt to a changing climate. Whether you're a community member, organization or property owner, submit your project or idea and help spotlight the power of climate‑ready design in Boulder.

All projects that meet the basic criteria will be featured in the city's digital showcase, and the first 200 qualifying submissions will receive a $50 gift card as a thank you for participating.

The City of Boulder will begin major improvements at the 11th & Spruce Garage, including structural repairs, storefront replacements, concrete and traffic coating updates, elevator and stairwell improvements, upgraded lighting and fresh paint. As one of downtown Boulder’s oldest and most heavily used parking facilities, the garage requires significant repairs to maintain safety, reliability and long-term functionality.

While the full closure will create temporary impacts, completing the work proactively allows construction to move more efficiently, improves safety for the public and crews, and helps prevent larger disruptions in the future.

Please note important project dates: 

 For regular garage maintenance updates, visit the city's construction impacts page.

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) serving Boulder County has several upcoming workshops designed to support the local business community:

See more information about upcoming workshops and register.

In addition to workshops, the Colorado Small Business Development Center (SBDC) recently released a Business Recovery and Resiliency Guide. Designed as a comprehensive roadmap to help small businesses navigate the unexpected, minimize downtime and emerge stronger, this no-cost guide provides the tools you need to secure your future.

May is World Trade Month, and World Trade Center Denver, in partnership with the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, has launched the Colorado Tariff Navigation Program to help businesses navigate rapidly changing global trade policies. The program offers Boulder-area companies access to expert-led webinars and subsidized one-on-one consulting to better understand tariff impacts, reduce costs and strengthen supply chains.

Eligible businesses can receive up to $1,000 in support to assess tariff exposure, improve compliance and develop practical strategies to stay competitive in international markets. Designed for importers, exporters and manufacturers, the program helps companies move from uncertainty to confident decision-making.

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