Holiday Closure
All City of Boulder administrative facilities, public libraries and Age Well Centers will be closed Monday, May 29, for the Memorial Day holiday. Some facilities and services will be open.
The City of Boulder’s brand conveys our purpose, how we serve the community and how we support the city’s mission, vision and values. This information is intended to help staff better serve the public through clear, consistent and compelling written and visual communication.
Communications from the city organization or city staff that is intended to promote, inform or engage should align with the City of Boulder Brand Standards.
Communication staff may provide guidance to support successful brand-appropriate communications. Outside vendors should follow the official City of Boulder Brand Guidelines.
The City of Boulder audience includes all people who live, work, play and visit in Boulder. As an organization that serves the public, we do our best to consider the needs of everyone.
Local government audience members generally aren’t as familiar with the internal organization and processes. To help avoid confusion, we emphasize a One Boulder approach when describing programs and projects. Use the City of Boulder as the subject as often as possible. If you need to be specific, use a complete department name, rather than referring to specific city workgroups (e.g. City of Boulder Communication and Engagement Department).
Some of our audience groups include:
A brand voice is how we evoke our unique personality as an organization. The City of Boulder brand voice is inspired by the city’s vision, values and objectives: We are creative, helpful, welcoming, accessible and knowledgeable.
Several guiding principles define our brand voice and support quality public service. We strive to follow these principles to help support a consistent citywide brand voice.
Basic and pertinent information is available through multiple channels and in multiple languages. All Communications:
Our communication is easier for people to understand when we write in a simple, clear and consistent style. Here is how we strive to write:
Use Adelle Sans whenever possible for typography. Since this is an Adobe font, it is not always available. As alternatives, Assistant or Arial can be used as necessary.
There is one official city logo with different treatment options. The black city logo is preferred but the following treatment options are acceptable.
Color is our second most important brand element. Pairing our logo with a consistent color palette is the single best way to develop brand awareness for the City of Boulder.
The primary blue palette should always be incorporated into city designs. The secondary palettes are to help bring them to life. View details, including HEX codes, for the complete city color palette.
Use this palette with all communications to help support brand recognition.
This is our hallmark color. The muted, earthy blue symbolizes reliability, professionalism and trust as a city organization and community. The earthy tone reflects our love of the natural places we call home. Use at least some Boulder Blue in all external communications.
HEX |
RGB |
CMYK |
406F8C | 64, 111,140 | 80, 50, 31, 7 |
Arapaho Glacier is the largest glacier in Colorado and helps provide water for Boulder. The city's Climate Initiatives department is working to address the climate emergency, which would help protect the world's glaciers.
HEX |
RGB |
CMYK |
E2EDF2 | 226, 237, 242 | 10, 2, 3, 0 |
The Betasso Water Treatment Plant, located in the foothills west of Boulder, treats water from North Boulder Creek and Barker Reservoir, which is fed by Middle Boulder Creek.
HEX |
RGB |
CMYK |
8CB8CA | 140, 184, 202 | 45, 16, 15, 0 |
Here in Boulder, winter is both a time of play and of restoration. Winter Night is reminiscent of the sky on quiet nights when moonlight bounces off fresh snow.
HEX |
RGB |
CMYK |
13252D | 19, 37, 45 | 86, 68, 58, 66 |
This classic palette is helpful for every design. Use white and Sidewalk Silver to create an open feel and black to create dramatic contrast that draws the attention.
Color |
HEX |
RGB |
CMYK |
Black | 000000 | 0, 0, 0 | 75, 68, 67, 100, |
Sidewalk Silver | F4F4F4 | 244, 244, 244 | 3, 2, 2, 0 |
White | FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 |