Boulder Chamber Endorses City CCRS Tax, County Mental-Health Funding

Originally published by BizWest, September 26, 2025.

The Boulder Chamber is offering its official endorsement of both the Community, Culture, Resilience and Safety (CCRS) Sales and Use Tax and Boulder County’s Issue 1B — Mental and Behavioral Health Sales and Use Tax.

The CCRS is a “0.3% dedicated sales and use tax intended for citywide capital infrastructure needs,” according to the city, which could include “maintenance and modernization of the transportation system, renovation and retrofitting of certain facilities to increase resilience and reduce carbon emissions, maintenance and replacement of capital infrastructure that supports first responders, maintenance and modernization of facilities needed to provide residents the amenities and opportunities to recreate and maintain healthy and active lifestyle, and modernization and consolidation of the city’s data infrastructure and outreach tools for more transparent, faster, accessible, and user-friendly resident and visitor service.”

Boulder Chamber CEO John Tayer said in a statement: “It isn’t sexy, but sound infrastructure is the foundation for thriving businesses and a strong economy. At a time when budgets are particularly tight, we need to focus on funding what is most critical. The Boulder Chamber is convinced the CCRS tax extension is the most strategic investment we can make in our future resilience.”

But the chamber’s endorsement comes with some caveats: Specifically “that the City of Boulder commit to a robust citizen engagement process to advise on the best and highest use of CCRS tax revenue,” the chamber said in a news release.

“Additionally, the Boulder Chamber urges that the allocation of designated cultural and nonprofit funds reflect a thoughtful mix of support:

• Innovative short-term artistic endeavors.
• Social service initiatives.
• Strategic long-term investments with transformative community impact.”

The Boulder Chamber has also endorsed Boulder County Ballot Issue 1B, which, according to the county, would “impose for three years an additional sales and use tax of 0.15% for the purposes of addressing unmet needs of youth, adults, families, unhoused individuals, and older adults in Boulder County with or at risk of mental health and substance use disorders by providing mental health crisis services; suicide prevention and intervention; mental health and substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery; treatment services for unhoused individuals; and assistance finding appropriate services through community-based organizations, governmental entities, and other options; and a voter-approved revenue change.”

In its news release, the chamber wrote: “Recognizing that behavioral health is essential for workforce stability, productivity, and community safety, the Boulder Chamber applauds the county’s intent to invest in treatment access, crisis services, housing supports, and prevention strategies.”

Tayer said in the release that “(w)e know untreated mental and behavioral health challenges cost businesses and workers dearly – from absenteeism to lost productivity. Issue 1B is a proactive measure that will support our workforce, strengthen families, and improve public safety while ensuring that those experiencing homelessness have access to the care they need. In the face of dramatic anticipated cuts in federal support for these types of services, additional local funding support is critical.”