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Boulder Planning Board chair declines to recuse despite conduct complaint
Summary
Chair Laura Kaplan disclosed a pending code-of-conduct complaint tied to her activism on the municipal airport and said she would not recuse herself from deliberations related to airport language in the comprehensive-plan update.
Laura Kaplan, chair of the City of Boulder Planning Board, opened the July 21 meeting by disclosing a code-of-conduct complaint that asked her to recuse herself from matters tied to the Boulder Municipal Airport. Kaplan told the board she had considered recusal but “decided not to recuse myself,” saying the complaint alleges no financial conflict and that she would continue to perform her duties impartially.
Her disclosure prompted immediate reactions from fellow board members who broadly supported her decision to continue. Member Mark said he “support[ed] your decision to continue as chair, while under investigation,” and others thanked Kaplan for explaining her thinking to the record. The chair noted the choice was made with care and to avoid a precedent that could allow weaponizing complaints to disqualify members during deliberations.
Kaplan’s disclosure was recorded in the public hearing minutes; she emphasized again that neither she nor a family member stands to gain financially from decisions related to the airport. The board proceeded with the BVCP public hearing with Kaplan presiding; members and staff discussed process safeguards and the ability to address any perceived conflicts through record and transparency rather than automatic recusal.
