Findings shared during May 14 Downtown Boulder Town Hall highlight downtown’s continued role as a vibrant community destination and economic driver, with strong support for local events, tourism and the downtown experience
Boulder, CO [May 19, 2026] - The Downtown Boulder Partnership, Visit Boulder and the City of Boulder shared the results of the 2026 Boulder Resident Survey during a Town Hall meeting with the downtown business community on May 14, revealing strong overall sentiment toward downtown Boulder, local events and tourism, alongside candid feedback on community challenges and opportunities.
Conducted by RRC Associates, the survey gathered 1,193 responses from residents across Boulder County, including 919 respondents from the City of Boulder and 274 from neighboring communities including Longmont, Louisville, Lafayette, Erie and Broomfield. The survey explored perceptions related to quality of life, tourism, downtown Boulder, events and community priorities.
The survey found that 83% of Boulder residents rate quality of life in Boulder as “good” or “excellent,” with public spaces, outdoor recreation and public safety ranking among the community’s highest priorities. At the same time, residents identified housing affordability, traffic and increasing density as top concerns impacting life in Boulder.
Downtown Boulder continues to play a central role in the community’s daily life and identity. More than 80% of Boulder residents report visiting downtown at least monthly, a rate that has remained steady since 2019. Residents cited dining, meeting friends, walkability, atmosphere and special events as major drivers for visiting downtown. The survey also found that downtown Boulder is seeing increased visitation overall, with approximately half of city residents reporting they are visiting downtown more frequently than they were a year ago.
“Downtown Boulder remains deeply valued as both a community gathering place and an economic driver,” said Sean Maher, RRC Associate’s CEO. “The survey reinforces that people continue to love coming downtown for its atmosphere, local businesses, outdoor experience and events, while also highlighting areas where we must continue working together to improve affordability, accessibility, cleanliness and perceptions of safety.”
Residents also expressed strong support for tourism and community events. The majority of respondents agreed that tourism benefits Boulder’s local economy, businesses and cultural amenities, while most residents disagreed that visitors are a major cause of congestion or overcrowding. When asked about Boulder’s top attractions for visitors, residents most frequently identified Pearl Street Mall, Chautauqua Park, hiking trails and local restaurants.
Special events and festivals also received high marks from residents. Boulder County Farmers Market, BOLDERBoulder and Pearl Street concerts and events all earned ratings above 4.0 on a 5-point scale. Most residents said the current number of large events in Boulder is “about right,” while an increasing percentage indicated they would like to see even more events in the future. The survey additionally explored sentiment surrounding the Sundance Film Festival’s future arrival in Boulder. Approximately one-quarter of Boulder residents said they are likely to attend, while interest among broader county residents was even higher.
The survey also highlighted areas where residents believe continued solutions, progress and innovation are needed, including affordability, parking, homelessness, perceptions of safety, cleanliness and commercial vacancies. At the same time, many respondents emphasized downtown Boulder’s unique sense of place and community character, highlighting its atmosphere, public spaces, seasonal decorations, local traditions and community events as qualities that continue to make downtown a valued part of Boulder.
“The Town Hall conversation reinforced that while challenges exist, there is also strong optimism and appreciation for downtown Boulder,” said Tami Door, Downtown Boulder Partnership’s Interim CEO. “The feedback gathered through this survey will help guide future conversations, partnerships and investments as we continue working to support a vibrant, welcoming and resilient downtown for everyone. The Downtown Boulder Partnership, Visit Boulder, the City of Boulder and community partners remain committed to collaborating on the issues and opportunities identified through this feedback.”
The full 2026 Boulder Resident Survey presentation is available on the Downtown Boulder website at BoulderDowntown.com/2026Survey.
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For more information:
Press: Terri Takata-Smith, VP of Marketing and Communications
303-449-3774 ext. 4 | terri@downtownboulder.org
About Downtown Boulder Business Improvement District
The Downtown Boulder Business Improvement District (BID) is a quasi-municipal corporation and political subdivision of the State of Colorado formed in 1999 and encompassing a 49-block taxing district approved by property owners to cultivate a cleaner, safer and more vibrant downtown community. The tax revenue is used by the BID to provide maintenance services that supplement those provided by the City of Boulder and to provide a comprehensive consumer marketing program. Maintenance services for the BID include but are not limited to trash removal and graffiti removal. The marketing and promotion of the district to both consumers and investor markets includes advertising, branding, banners, brochures, printed collateral materials, newsletters, public relations, social media, online efforts and market research. The BID funds economic vitality efforts including market research, tenant recruitment for both retail and office and support services for small businesses and educates the public on the value of shopping local to support small businesses and community.