Boulder Parks outlines 2026 budget priorities as citywide 'Fund Our Future' process begins

Jackson Knight, business services manager for Boulder Parks and Recreation, presented the department’s 2026 budget development timeline and preliminary fund financials for three funds: the 0.25¢ sales tax fund, the permanent parks and recreation fund and the Recreation Activity Fund (RAF).

The board was told the department will submit a consolidated list of unfunded and underfunded capital and operating needs as part of the city’s Fund Our Future process. "Citywide, every department is being asked to submit what's unfunded on both the capital side as well as operating budget," Jackson Knight said, describing the effort as a cross‑department request for priorities.

Why it matters: the department projects pressure in out years on the RAF and expects Fund Our Future deliberations — and potentially ballot measures — to determine whether the city can address large capital needs across parks, recreation and other public‑realm projects.

Key budget points - Three funds reviewed: the 0.25¢ sales tax fund (includes capital carryover and projects), the permanent parks and recreation fund (property‑tax based and currently dedicated to land acquisition or permanent improvements) and the Recreation Activity Fund (enterprise operations such as rec centers, golf and the reservoir). - RAF pressure: Knight said the RAF will require continued close management; staff forecast negative balances in later out years without additional revenue, and the department is proposing a mix of fee adjustments, targeted revenue growth initiatives and one‑time pilots to improve sustainability. - Fees and policy: staff reminded the board the department’s fee policy (approved 2023) sets cost‑recovery targets by program area. Staff proposed targeted fee work in 2026 on memberships, golf market pricing, court fees and other areas where market comparisons indicate room to raise revenue. "We really would like to look at fees here. Leaning into the '22 department plan, can we generate additional revenue at the golf course that then subsidizes recreation elsewhere?" Stacy Hopkins said. - Permanent parks fund proposal: staff described a council‑level proposal under discussion to broaden the permanent parks fund’s eligible uses and increase the mill levy from 0.9 mills to a larger amount (staff said the change would expand the fund and allow it to support a broader set of public‑realm projects). Staff noted there is no guarantee council will act and that a broader fund would be subject to council and voter decisions. - Enhancements and requests: proposed 2026 items include ongoing maintenance and a revolving repair account for new facilities, conversions of fixed‑term positions to ongoing FTEs, expanded marketing and targeted recreation pilots (personal training, sponsorship development, gymnastics and expanded aquatics staffing tied to actual usage).

Plan B if Fund Our Future fails Staff repeatedly said that if additional, sustained funding is not secured, the department would need to prioritize and reduce service levels. "If Fund Our Future does not pass, we really we are doing everything we can… we will be reducing services," Allie Rhodes said, noting prior fee increases and reliance on transfers to sustain community benefit programming.

Next steps Staff will submit a finalized list of underfunded and unfunded needs as requested by the city’s budget team. The department will return to the board next month with dollar amounts for proposed enhancements and a proposed fee update schedule; the executive budget submittal and council study sessions are the next phases of the city process.

Ending: The board asked staff for scenario analysis on fee increases (projected revenue, likely attrition) and for more detailed numbers on the Fund Our Future request; staff said a department‑level total for unfunded needs will be available next month.