Economic Vitality Progress: Times They Are A-Changin’

Come gather 'round people

Wherever you roam And admit that the waters

Around you have grown

And accept it that soon

You'll be drenched to the bone

If your time to you is worth savin'

Then you better start swimmin'

Or you'll sink like a stone

For the times they are a-changin'

Bob Dylan - The Times They Are A-Changin'

As the voice for the full diversity of business interests across the Boulder region and the group that carries the responsibility for monitoring and advancing our economic health, there have been periods in Boulder’s history when it was a lonely enterprise. Economic interests took a back seat to concerns about too much “growth,” too many tourists, or any number of other social and environmental crusades.

The Boulder Chamber gamely offered a counter-narrative that carefully balanced the other competing interests. However, except during a brief period in the wake of the Great Recession, there was progressively less attention from city hall – and periodic disdain – for the needs of our businesses and for the welfare of economy. Well, as the song goes, “[T]he times they are a-changin’” . . . and not a moment too soon.

The initial signs that our appeals were beginning to resonate found their way into our annual Boulder Chamber Candidate Report Card back 2023. For the first time ever, all City Council candidates agreeing with the statement, “Do you believe it’s important to sustain a strong economy, which could include the potential for increasing job growth in Boulder.” This was a welcome foundation for the next phase of progress: Action.

Nothing happens overnight, but at least one night last week you could almost feel the tectonic shift in direction toward action on the stated goal of addressing our economic vitality needs. Last Thursday evening, City staff shared some of the key actions they are taking in support of the refreshed Economic Sustainability Strategy. There has been so little controversy about the staff recommendations that you are excused from noticing the significant shift in direction for our city that the proposed actions represent.

First among the policy developments was the authorization for City staff to begin developing a protocol for economic development incentives. As we said in our letter to City Council:

“We strongly support the expansion of Boulder’s economic development incentive program. In today’s competitive landscape, Boulder must have flexible financial tools to attract and retain businesses that align with our community vision. A broader incentive framework, considering all fee and tax levers, positions Boulder to compete regionally and nationally for economic opportunities that benefit all residents. The Boulder Chamber looks forward to partnering on both program design and outreach.”

It was a refreshing salve to the painful memory of City Council indifference, bordering on contemptuousness, in debate over past business and economic concerns to write this.

Yet another positive sign of progress on the economic vitality policy front are the actions City Council is authorizing in its review of current business districts. We need more tools in our toolbox that help secure the infrastructure investment and operations funding that make redevelopment opportunities feasible, even enticing, for creative urban design professionals and investors that are open to putting their resources at risk on an exciting new vision for our community.

Again, as noted in our letter to City Council prior to last week’s meeting:

“We are pleased to see the City of Boulder advancing the exploration of a Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and modernizing the Boulder Urban Renewal Authority (BURA), alongside broader analysis of Metro and General Improvement District tools. These mechanisms are essential for unlocking catalytic investments that are critical to Boulder’s future economic vibrancy . . . [T]hese tools can directly address high commercial vacancy rates while ensuring long-term infrastructure, placemaking, and operational support.”

Of course, there’s additional urgency in the need for this character of action in advancing our community’s economic vitality goals. Cuts in federal laboratory and University of Colorado research funding, the impact of tariff increases and other challenges to the foundation of Boulder’s economic strength. Yes, we need to address homelessness, criminal behavior, office vacancy, housing affordability, traffic congestion, development review and permitting hurdles, discouragingly high impact fee rates and the like. The Boulder Chamber and our community partners are pushing on those fronts, too.

Fortunately, as the times change and we enjoy a more attentive and collaborative City Council, I have more confidence than before that we will see progress on all these fronts. Yes, Mr. Dylan was writing about a different time and different flood waters, but the analogy to today’s rising tide of troubled economic waters is apt and I’m glad to see our City Council heeding the warning. Let’s continue to build on the progress we’re making and “start swimmin’” together!

Originally published by BizWest, July 29, 2025.