It’s the equinox, and that means I’m reflecting on balance. Here in Downtown Boulder, we see a delicate balance, a microcosm of society every day. People gather in our shared spaces for festivals, for fellowship, for free speech events, and for moments of mourning. Businesses open and businesses close. And it’s also a place where policy is decided: policies discussed over coffees, lunches, cocktails, and in our elected officials’ chambers. Sometimes those conversations are balanced, and sometimes they feel exhausting.
In addition to the celebrations and the joy we witness daily, we also see people who are struggling. As an affluent community, it can feel jarring to see people who are suffering and unwell, dealing with mental health and substance abuse issues, exhibiting antisocial behaviors. At times, the situation can feel hopeless for our business community, our visitors and for our first responders. It’s common knowledge that there simply aren’t enough resources to provide people the help they need — at the state, county and local levels.
But over the last two months, along with Downtown Boulder Partnership’s Public Policy committee and our board, I’ve spent considerable time reviewing the county’s effort to put forth a ballot measure to raise funds for mental and behavioral health. The ballot initiative was initially put forth for a period of 15 years, which was then adjusted to five years, and then shortened to three years. It’s going to the ballot in November, and I encourage voters to support this issue.
The funds raised won’t be enough to solve all of society’s problems (a sales tax couldn’t possibly do that!), but it will shore up services that were supported by expiring ARPA funds, and the hope is that over the three years this sales tax is in effect, the commissioners and county staff will establish specific funding priorities for those in the greatest need of care, especially individuals whose acute behavioral health challenges manifest most visibly in the public realm. These issues, when left untreated, can create serious impacts on businesses, visitors, residents and overall public safety. I salute our Downtown Ambassador team, who work in partnership with local first responders and nonprofit practitioners in the public right of way, all of whom see these impacts daily.
And speaking of the public realm, the city of Boulder is putting forth a ballot initiative to extend the CCRS sales and use tax and increase debt capacity. With an estimated $380 million in maintenance and repair backlog, this is a necessary effort and will help ensure the successful long-term financial strategy for the city. Please support this as well.
These days, it’s easy to mistrust the government, but the debates and thought put into these ballot measures remind us that self-government is not a passive act. Perhaps the equinox is a useful teacher here. As the days shorten, I wonder what we want to carry into the darker season. Cynicism or commitment? The equinox shows us that balance is possible, but only for a moment, and only if we are paying attention. For Boulder, balance means holding space for both long-time residents and newcomers, for small businesses and tech startups, for growth — and for preservation. It means remembering that even as politics feel impossibly polarized, our local choices (school board members, council representatives, ballot measures) shape the daily light and shadow of our community life.
Bettina Swigger, CEO of Downtown Boulder Partnership, is deeply interested in public space and the intersection of creativity, commerce and community.
This article was originally published in the Daily Camera on Sunday, September 21, 2025.
Tagged: Downtown Boulder CEO Update