City of Boulder Business Bulletin

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

The Business Bulletin provides timely updates on city initiatives, funding opportunities, infrastructure projects and other news that matters to Boulder’s business community. Our goal is to support a strong, resilient local economy by keeping businesses informed, engaged and connected.

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 exploring the creation of a Downtown Development Authority (DDA) - a special district that could generate long-term funding for public space improvements, business services and community programs in Boulder’s central business areas.

Join us for upcoming information sessions today (Jan. 22) and tomorrow (Jan. 23), with a virtual option on Jan. 26. These sessions will cover how DDAs work in Colorado, outline the formation process, and highlight potential focus areas. You’ll also have a chance to share your input through an interactive activity.

Who Should Attend: The preliminary DDA study area includes Downtown Boulder, Alpine-Balsam, University Hill and the Broadway corridor connecting these areas. Business owners, property owners and residents in the study area are encouraged to participate.

In-Person Sessions (held at Room N101 at Penfield Tate II, 1777 Broadway, Boulder, CO):

Virtual Session (Zoom):

Please RSVP.

Join the City of Boulder, the Boulder Chamber and local partners today for a free Employee Ownership Lunch & Learn for business owners, leaders and HR professionals. Learn about the benefits of employee ownership, explore models like ESOPs and cooperatives, and hear from Boulder area business leaders and advisors about real world transitions and state level resources. The session includes short presentations, Q&A and networking over lunch.

Discover how employee ownership can boost engagement, support succession planning and strengthen long term business resilience.

Date: Today (Jan. 22) from 12 to 2 p.m.

Location: Boulder Chamber, 2440 Pearl Street

The City of Boulder is seeking engaged community members to serve on its boards and commissions. These advisory groups help shape city policy and inform City Council decisions. Meetings are offered in a hybrid format, and members receive an EcoPass for unlimited RTD bus and train rides.

This year, the city is recruiting new members for both the Boulder Urban Renewal Authority (BURA) and the University Hill Commercial Area Management Commission (UHCAMC).

BURA supports targeted investment and revitalization efforts that strengthen Boulder’s economy. The authority reviews urban renewal studies, plans and projects; advises on the use of renewal tools; and provides input to the City Manager on redevelopment matters. BURA is expanding to 10 appointed commissioners, with City Council approval, plus three representatives from local taxing authorities. Most appointments are for five-year terms, with several new seats offering shorter initial terms of one to four years.

UHCAMC consists of five members appointed by City Council to five-year terms, including a mix of residents, property owners and citizens-at-large. The commission makes recommendations to City Council and city departments on issues such as parking and land acquisition or development for parking needs within the University Hill district.

Other opportunities include the Arts Commission, Boulder Junction Access District - Parking Commission, Boulder Junction Access District - Travel Demand Management Commission, Cannabis Licensing and Advisory Board, and the Downtown Management Commission.

Applications are open through Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. Visit the city’s Boards and Commissions webpage for eligibility requirements, open positions and application details.

What: Xcel Power Outage Business Debrief and Future Actions

When: Monday, Jan. 26 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.

Where: Boulder Chamber, 2440 Pearl St. Boulder CO

The Boulder Chamber and the Downtown Boulder Partnership (DBP) are hosting a meeting for Xcel Energy to offer a debrief for the business community on the December Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events.

Xcel Energy representatives will go over details of the severe weather, damage in the area and outline lessons learned. They also will preview infrastructure investments that will help support power reliability in the city. City of Boulder representatives also will join this debrief and analysis.

This event is open to current members of the Boulder Chamber and Downtown Boulder Partnership only and they ask you to please RSVP to confirm your registration.

The City of Boulder is also hosting a virtual information session, Powering Boulder 101, on Thursday, Jan. 29 from 6 to 7:30 p.m., to discuss the recent Xcel Energy Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) event and its impacts across the community. This session is open to the community with online registration required. 

The Boulder Chamber, along with Downtown Boulder Partnership, the Latino Chamber, Visit Boulder, the Boulder SBDC and the City of Boulder, issued a business impact survey following the Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events. View the report on the business impact survey.

Retailers planning to offer complimentary alcoholic beverages to customers are reminded that in order to legally serve alcohol at their businesses, they must apply for the Liquor Retail Establishment Permit. Unlike a traditional liquor license, this permit streamlines the process by removing requirements such as a public hearing, petitioning and neighborhood boundary setting. Businesses should apply at least 30 days before they plan to serve alcohol.

Designed specifically for retail environments back in 2019, the permit requires less documentation than a full liquor license. The permit is valid for one calendar year and allows retailers to serve complimentary alcohol to customers for up to 24 days per year.

For more information about the Liquor Retail Establishment Permit, please visit the city website or contact Kristen Teague at teaguek@bouldercolorado.gov.

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