What does a YES vote on Boulder County Ballot Issue 1A mean?

Boulder County would levy 2.579 mills, raising $30,000,000 in 2027 (about $115 a year on a $725,000 home), to lower child care and preschool costs, raise pay for child care and preschool staff, and expand capacity to reduce waitlists.

What does a NO vote on Boulder County Ballot Issue 1A mean?

Boulder County would not levy the 2.579-mill tax for child care and preschool.

How many votes does Boulder County Ballot Issue 1A need to pass?

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Should I vote yes or no on Boulder County Ballot Issue 1A?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.

The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.

Boulder County Ballot Issue 1A — Early Childhood Care And Education Mill Levy Increase And Voter-Approved Revenue Change

Last updated Sat, Nov 7, 4:33 PM ET

Ballot measure · November 3, 2026

What it does: SHALL BOULDER COUNTY TAXES BE INCREASED $30,000,000 ANNUALLY (IN TAX COLLECTION YEAR 2027), AND BY SUCH ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS RAISED ANNUALLY THEREAFTER, BY A MILL LEVY IMPOSED AT A RATE OF 2.579 MILLS (EQUATING TO APPROXIMATELY $115 PER YEAR ON A $725,000 HOME BASED ON CURRENT RATES OF ASSESSMENT) FOR THE PURPOSE OF ADDRESSING THE SHORTAGE AND HIGH COST OF CHILD CARE AND PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS FOR BOULDER COUNTY FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN, INCLUDING: · LOWERING THE HIGH COST OF CHILD CARE AND PRESCHOOL FOR BOULDER COUNTY FAMILIES; · INCREASING THE COMPENSATION OF CHILD CARE AND PRESCHOOL TEACHERS AND STAFF TO RETAIN AND ATTRACT HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATORS; AND · ADDRESSING THE SHORTAGE OF CARE BY EXPANDING CAPACITY FOR MORE CHILDREN AND REDUCING WAITLISTS; AND SHALL THE REVENUES AND EARNINGS ON THE INVESTMENT OF THE PROCEEDS OF SUCH TAX CONSTITUTE A VOTER-APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE UNDER ARTICLE X SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION AND AN EXCEPTION TO THE LIMITATIONS SET FORTH IN SECTION 29-1-301 OF THE COLORADO REVISED STATUTES, ALL AS MORE PARTICULARLY SET FORTH IN BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' RESOLUTION NO. 2026-048?
A YES vote means: Boulder County would levy 2.579 mills, raising $30,000,000 in 2027 (about $115 a year on a $725,000 home), to lower child care and preschool costs, raise pay for child care and preschool staff, and expand capacity to reduce waitlists.
A NO vote means: Boulder County would not levy the 2.579-mill tax for child care and preschool.
What it would cost: 2.579 mills: $258 a year for every $100,000 of taxable value (a mill is $1 per $1,000). Taxable value is after exemptions such as homestead; your tax bill or property appraiser shows yours. It would continue a tax already in place rather than add a new one.
Needed to pass: A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.
Left–right lean: A YES vote leans strongly left; a NO vote leans the other way (AI-estimated from the official ballot summary, 74% confidence).

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Background

According to Resolution No. 2026-048, a community task force convened since December 2024 with the support of the Early Childhood Council of Boulder County developed the framework for this measure.

The resolution states that families face annual child care costs exceeding $23,000 per child, that the county has a shortfall of about 2,599 licensed slots for children under five whose parents work, and that estimated annual turnover among teachers and providers in the county is 20–30%.

It states the 2.579-mill levy would raise about $30 million a year, about $110–$120 per household, and is proposed to remain in place in perpetuity.

The Board of County Commissioners adopted the resolution by a 3–0 vote after a public hearing on July 23, 2026, and amended and certified the ballot title in Resolution No. 2026-053 on August 18, 2026.

Put on the ballot by Boulder County Board of County Commissioners, 3–0, July 23, 2026 (Resolution No. 2026-048); ballot title certified August 18, 2026 (Resolution No. 2026-053).

From official source 1, official source 2, official source 3.

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Quick answers

What does a YES vote on Boulder County Ballot Issue 1A mean?: Boulder County would levy 2.579 mills, raising $30,000,000 in 2027 (about $115 a year on a $725,000 home), to lower child care and preschool costs, raise pay for child care and preschool staff, and expand capacity to reduce waitlists.
What does a NO vote on Boulder County Ballot Issue 1A mean?: Boulder County would not levy the 2.579-mill tax for child care and preschool.
How many votes does Boulder County Ballot Issue 1A need to pass?: A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.
Should I vote yes or no on Boulder County Ballot Issue 1A?: SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.
When is the vote?: The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.

Not sure how to decide? Read our nonpartisan guide to the Boulder County ballot.

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