Boulder County commissioners reaffirm support for mental health and open space taxes

The Board of County Commissioners on Aug. 28 unanimously supported proposed tax measures that, if approved, would funnel millions of dollars into mental health and addiction services and open space programs. A majority of commissioners previously supported each measure but decided this week to tweak the ballot language and reconsider their positions.

For the mental health tax, commissioners shortened the proposed expiration timeline to three years, down from five, and removed requirements for how revenue should be divided among services. The 0.15% countywide sales and use tax is projected to generate about $13.8 million in 2026, according to county officials. The money would fund prevention, crisis response, addiction treatment, recovery services and programs to help residents navigate resources.

Commissioner Claire Levy, who has spearheaded the measure, said she was disappointed by the changes but voted yes to move it forward. She said the revisions undermined the work county staff put into the Behavioral Health Roadmap, which guided the measure. 

“This is a significantly diminished measure and it’s going to take a tremendous amount of work again in three years, so I think it is regrettable,” Levy said.

Separately, commissioners reaffirmed their support for a 0.15% sales tax for open space programs. Several existing revenue sources are set to expire in coming years, creating a potential shortfall if new funding is not secured. Commissioners had earlier backed a 10-year extension but revised the ballot language Thursday to make the tax permanent.

Open space taxes have historically received strong support, but the extension drew some opposition from farmers who said it does too little for agriculture. They urged changes to direct more money toward farmworker housing, modern wash-and-pack facilities and irrigation upgrades.