Planning Board backs city—s 2026—2031 capital improvement program, urges targeted follow-up

The City of Boulder Planning Board voted unanimously Sept. 16 to recommend the city—s proposed 2026—2031 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) to the city manager and City Council, approving the staff-recommended list of projects and two candidate projects for a community and environmental assessment process (SEAP).

The planning board—s recommendation followed a staff presentation describing the CIP as the city—s six-year blueprint for major facilities and infrastructure. Charlotte Huskey, the city—s budget officer, told the board the 2026 capital budget is $113.3 million, and staff described the six-year CIP forecast as roughly $707.19 million.

The recommendation matters because the CIP identifies near-term funding and planning priorities for utilities, transportation, parks and city facilities. The plan presented this month places heavy emphasis on maintenance and enhancement of existing systems: staff said utilities and transportation together account for roughly 75% of planned 2026 spending, and that about 93% of the proposed spending is for capital maintenance and enhancement.

Staff emphasized that the CIP is intended to be flexible: the…