Heads Up June 17, 2022

Poll demonstrates strong support for proposed climate tax

Earlier this week, the city released results from its recent statistically valid survey about the proposed climate tax that City Council may place on the November ballot. Broadly, the results indicate that the community is deeply concerned about the climate crisis and is largely supportive of the city’s tax proposal.

Key findings include:

• More than three-in-four respondents (78%) say they would vote yes on the city’s proposed climate tax at a rate of $5 million per year.
  • 71% of respondents said they would vote yes on the climate tax at a rate of $8 million per year.
• Respondents are concerned about climate change and global warming. More than half of voters (58%) are “extremely worried,” while another 20% say they are “very worried.”
• A plurality of respondents (36%) ranked “addressing the impacts of climate change” as the most important issue facing the city.

There were 1,180 responses to the survey from City of Boulder registered voters ages 18 and older. The survey was conducted online and via telephone May 19 through June 2 by polling firm Magellan Strategies. The poll has a margin of error of +/-2.83%. Access a summary of the results online.

Recognizing that there are gaps in even statistically valid surveys, the city is employing several other methods to collect feedback on the ballot measure and climate projects this summer.

A separate survey for local businesses will be released later this month. The city will also conduct several focus groups designed to gather input from community groups, focused communities and businesses throughout the summer. Focused communities include those most impacted by climate change, residents of public and manufactured housing, older adults, and University of Colorado and Naropa students.

The city is also planning several opportunities to communicate with the community about its climate work. Starting this month, the city will host a series of virtual Climate Conversations to share information on the city’s efforts to redesign systems at the root of climate change. The first session will focus on renewable and resilient energy systems and will take place on June 29 at 5:30 p.m.

For more information, please contact Interim Director of Climate Initiatives, Jonathan Koehn by email koehnj@bouldercolorado.gov or at 303-441-1915.

Regards,
Chris