Guest Opinion

The Fallacy of Today’s Boulder Progressivism

Among the many problems Boulder faces today is the cynical co-opting of the word ‘progressive’ by a group calling themselves the ‘Boulder Progressives’. This group has decided it and it alone will be the arbiter of what a ‘true progressive’ actually is. This piece is referencing that group.

Some Boulder progressives would have you believe that by accommodating in-commuters in more dense and tall housing, we will attack climate change by reducing vehicle miles traveled to, from and within Boulder. Nothing could be further from the truth.

This pro-growth progressive view is simplistic and ignores basic economic principles. The theory is that the more housing you build in Boulder, the cheaper it will get and the less people will drive to Boulder because we will be able to accommodate the in-commuters.That would be true if Boulder were part of a large metropolitan area that has more or less similar housing choices as in the Denver metro area. A condo or apartment in Lakewood is pretty similar to one in Littleton.

But Boulder is different. We have the Flatirons. We have miles of trails and bike paths. We have the closest access to the Continental Divide and national forests of any city in the state. We have the cultural and educational offerings of the University and other institutions. We have a healthy scientific and technical economy. The Boulder magic is real. And it’s nothing like Lakewood. I know - I lived in Lakewood for more than 20 years. 

So, while building lots more apartments and condos in the metro area will lower housing costs in Denver metro to some degree, the demand to live in Boulder will never be fully met. There’s essentially an unlimited supply of people nationwide who will pay whatever it takes to live in Boulder. We are after all Boulder - famous enough that the Associated Press years ago dropped Colorado from our name. So now we’re known across the country as Boulder. And the Flatirons are the backdrop for nationwide broadcasts every home CU football game, ensuring an even wider audience for Boulder’s wonders. There’s plenty of people who want to move here and have more than enough means to do so. 

The pro-growth progressive view would have us believe that the only solution to the price of housing and climate change is to “build baby build”. But this superficial analysis will lead us down the path of changing what brought many of us in the first place. A height limit of 3 stories preserves views for all, not just those who can afford a penthouse on a tall building. A “blue line” across the foothills stops random development that destroys views of the natural landscape to our west. Open space gives easy access for all to unparalleled recreation opportunities drawing athletes from across the globe. 

But the pro-growth progressive view would change all that by maximizizing residential housing development with minimal guardrails. Council members of this view have just passed a City ordinance allowing multi-unit development on most single family lots with no requirement for low income subsidy, off street parking or owner occupancy in one of the units. They’re considering developing a huge area of natural, undeveloped land north of 28th Street near Jay Road (Area III in the Comprehensive Plan) which will require large tax increases to fund infrastructure such as roads, lighting, water and sewer.