City of Boulder Releases Evaluation Report for Guaranteed Income Pilot Project

The City of Boulder has released the Elevate Boulder Final Evaluation report which highlights participant survey responses from the first 20 months of Boulder’s guaranteed income pilot project.

"It is very challenging for people with low income to make ends meet in Boulder, much less get ahead financially,” said Elizabeth Crowe, deputy director of the city’s Housing and Human Services department. “With Elevate Boulder’s unrestricted, unconditional financial assistance, participants experienced less hunger, were better able to pay rent and stay housed, had improved mental and physical health, and experienced new opportunities.”

Launched in January 2024, Elevate Boulder is providing 200 low-income Boulder households $500 per month in direct cash assistance for two years, no strings attached. Through this pilot project, the city and partners hope to help community members afford basic needs like food and housing, experience better health and wellbeing, and become more financially stable.

The report, available on the city’s website, summarizes Elevate Boulder participant feedback collected in the first 20 months of the pilot. Key findings include:

• All respondents agreed to some extent that Elevate Boulder made it easier to pay for their basic needs, with most strongly endorsing the positive impact of the direct cash assistance.

• Participants were better able to keep up with rents and mortgages, as well as utility expenses.

• Participants experienced a significant decrease in psychological distress and improved mental health. A large majority, nearly 70% percent, reported that their general health was better at the end of Elevate Boulder, compared to when they enrolled.

• Nearly one-third (29%) of respondents sought additional education or training during the program and most credited Elevate Boulder with making that possible.

• 94% of survey respondents said they feel more confident about meeting their long-term financial goals.

• 96% of participants felt empowered by their participation in Elevate Boulder and felt they were treated with respect and dignity.

“Elevate Boulder reminds us that people can be trusted to know how best to care for themselves and their families,” said Crowe.

The evaluation surveys included open-ended questions for participants to share more about how the project has impacted their lives. Testimonies include:

• “Having extra money each month has allowed me to catch up on bills and provide food for my three kids.”

• “The security of the Elevate payment has enabled me to say ‘no’ to jobs that don’t pay enough to be worth my time to focus on getting extra jobs that pay better and that are more fulfilling. This has enabled me to work less and earn a bit more, while freeing some time up for me to spend with my family or engage in a bit of self-care.”

• “I can’t say enough about how profoundly grateful we are to be a part of Elevate Boulder. Stress is so debilitating and to feel less stressed has been by far the greatest gift of all.”

The city allocated $3 million in one-time American Rescue Plan Act funds for the project, along with funds from the Community Foundation Boulder County and private donors to the Elevate Boulder Fund. Moving forward, the city encourages public/private partnership and funding to help continue the program past its pilot phase to serve another participant cohort.

If you have questions about Elevate Boulder, please email Elizabeth Crowe at crowee@bouldercolorado.gov.