BOULDER - Boulder County Commissioners got their first look at the 2026 proposed budget during a meeting on September 30, 2025. The plan calls for just under $667 million in spending next year and includes $17 million in...
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BOULDER - Boulder County Commissioners got their first look at the 2026 proposed budget during a meeting on September 30, 2025. The plan calls for just under $667 million in spending next year and includes $17 million in reductions.
One day before commissioners saw the draft budget, the County announced it would lay off 31 employees and leave 60 positions vacant. Due to federal and state funding cuts and declining sales tax, the county will need to cut $30 – 40 million in expenses over the next three years, according to commissioner Claire Levy.
“We don’t yet have detail on what the next two years will look like,” Levy said at the September 30 meeting. “Additional job reductions are likely.”
A press release announcing the layoffs said further cuts from housing and human services are expected.
Commissioners are scheduled to adopt the 2026 budget on Tuesday, December 9. A public hearing on the 2026 budget is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Tuesday, October 14.
Following the budget hearing, commissioners will discuss proposed rollbacks to planned minimum wage increases.
The County adopted a higher minimum wage in 2023, but under pressure from business owners, commissioners may decide to revert to the state-mandated minimum or the City of Boulder’s wage. Boulder adopted its own minimum wage ordinance in 2024.
In 2025, the Colorado minimum wage is $14.81 per hour. Boulder County’s—which includes unincorporated areas in Niwot, Hygiene, and Allenspark—is $16.57 per hour, while the City of Boulder’s is $15.57 per hour. Assuming a 40-hour work week, an extra dollar per hour equates to an additional $2,080 annually.
The County’s plan is for wages to increase annually until reaching $25 per hour in 2030, and yearly thereafter with inflation. The City of Boulder intends to raise wages to $18.17 by 2027.
After that, wages will increase with inflation and an analysis will be performed to determine impacts to the local economy.
Commissioners can choose to match Boulder’s plan, revert to the state minimum, or leave its wage schedule intact.
Attend the October 14 meeting in person at 1325 Pearl Street in Boulder, or online at https://boco.org/BOCC-Oct14PM.
The press release regarding layoffs may be found at https://bouldercounty.gov/news/boulder-county-works-to-address-budget-shortfall/.
