The Wonky Details
Getting a measure on the ballot isn’t just about slogans and signatures — it’s about navigating the intricate machinery of state election law. This page offers more details on the nuts and bolts of our campaign to expand Boulder County's Commissioners from 3 to 5.
Initiative Overview
What role do the Boulder County Commissioners play in our local communities?
Boulder County Commissioners are responsible for shaping many of the policies and services that directly impact our daily lives. They oversee countywide human services, affordable housing initiatives, Open Space, develop and approve the budget that affects all county agencies including the Sheriff, DA, and Elections, and they are responsible for the allocation of certain state and federal funds. They also manage a roughly $700 million annual budget — larger than the budgets of the county’s two biggest cities, Boulder and Longmont, which are each about $500 million — highlighting the scale and significance of their fiscal responsibilities. Their leadership helps ensure that community priorities are reflected in how local resources are managed and invested across the county.
What is the difference between a County Commissioner and a City Council Member?
County Commissioners manage the county’s operations and budget, including in areas like Ward, Niwot, Nederland, unincorporated mountain towns, and unincorporated Gunbarrel outside the Boulder city limits (those with green street signs). They are like the county’s “CEOs,” overseeing departments such as the wildfire mitigation team, the sustainability department, county transportation, and other county-wide services. City Council members set priorities, pass local laws, and approve budgets. The council appoints a city manager to run day-to-day operations. In other words, the council acts like a “board of directors,” while the city manager is the “CEO.”
Why do we need more County Commissioners?
Boulder County serves around 330,000 people with a budget of roughly $700 million. For comparison, the City of Boulder has 9 council members plus a city manager to run a $500 million budget, serving 106,000 people. Five of the nine largest Front Range counties have expanded from 3 to 5 commissioners. Indeed, we haven’t increased the number of county commissioners since Boulder County was formed in 1861 and had only a few thousand residents. Boulder is the 9th largest county in Colorado — our population has simply outgrown three commissioners.
What are the goals of this ballot initiative?
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Broader Representation. By-district voting gives all communities a stronger voice. Currently, voters in larger cities can have an outsized influence.
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Balanced Decision-Making. With a three-member board, the third often becomes a decisive swing vote, constraining open discussion; a five-member board distributes influence more evenly and supports healthier, more informed deliberation.
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Increased Efficiency. Five commissioners can divide the workload, focusing more on specific issues and oversight.
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Improved Decision-Making. More voices mean more perspectives, thorough debate, and balanced decisions.
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More Candidates. Campaigning in smaller districts (~65,000 people) is easier than countywide (~330,000), encouraging more candidates to run. ​
District Versus At-Large Representation
What is the difference between district and at-large representation?
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District representation. Candidates run for a seat in their own district, and only residents of that district vote for them.
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At-large representation. Candidates run countywide, and all residents vote, regardless of where a candidate lives.
How are our county commissioners elected today?
Currently, commissioners live in specific districts but are elected by all voters in the county (a 3-district, at-large model)
What are our current districts?
With a total county population of around 330,000 residents, each district represents around 110,000 residents broken down as follows:
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District 1 — Parts of Boulder, Jamestown, Ward, Nederland, unincorporated areas
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District 2 — Longmont, Lyons, unincorporated
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District 3 — Lafayette, Erie, Louisville, Superior, Niwot, Gunbarrel, parts of Boulder, unincorporated areas
What are the two options being proposed in the ballot measure?
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Five district model: All five commissioners are elected by residents of their own district.
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Three district + two at-large model: Three commissioners are elected by district; two are elected countywide.
How would campaigning and residency work under each model?
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Five districts: All candidates must live in their district and campaign to ~65,000 residents.
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Three district + two at-large model. Three candidates campaign in their districts; two can live anywhere and campaign countywide to ~330,000 residents.
If the 5-district option wins, what will the new districts look like?
Under the state laws governing redistricting, if the ballot measure passes, the current county commissioners would be responsible for determining the new district maps, likely with community input. Big Tent BoCo would seek to participate in this process to ensure fair representation.
Ballot Measure Process
Why does this have to be on the ballot?
State law allows counties with over 70,000 residents to increase commissioners from 3 to 5, but voters must approve it.
How many signatures will be needed to petition onto the ballot?
For 2026, 8% of votes cast in Boulder County for the 2022 Secretary of State election are required — 13,064 signatures from registered voters.
What is the deadline for obtaining these signatures?
July 20, 2026
Could the County Commissioners elect to refer it to the ballot directly in order to avoid gathering signatures?
YES, and we sure hope that they decide to do so! But since we don't have assurances yet from 2/3 of the commissioners, we are gathering signatures to make sure that voters get a chance to weigh in on this important change.
If this measure passes, when would it be effective?
State law provides for a two-cycle phase-in from three commissioners to five, with the full five-member, by-district commission seated by 2030.
If the 5 district option is selected, what is the process for completing the redistricting?
Commissioners must complete redistricting by July 1, 2027. The law requires at least one public hearing and encourages advisory committees to involve the community.
Costs and Resources
What would be the incremental cost to the County if this measure passes?
The Boulder County Commissioners currently earn $151,000 per year. Adding benefits, the total cost of increasing from three county commissioners to five would be less than $400,000. In a Boulder County annual budget of $700 million, that incremental cost of a few hundred thousand dollars is miniscule. That's why so many counties in Colorado have moved to a five-commissioner system, ensuring better representation and better decision-making. They have decided that it's worth the investment. So should we.