Heads Up June 28, 2023
Please excuse this departure from our usual Friday cadence for this kind of information, but we have a few updates that would be helpful to share sooner rather than later.
Fourth of July Drone Show and Community Event
As you may have heard, the city is proudly partnering with WK Real Estate and CU-Boulder to host a whole new experience for Boulder’s 2023 4th of July celebration, and we want to make sure that council members know they are invited!
You are welcome to join Aaron Brockett, who was asked by sponsors to represent the city in his role as mayor, at Folsom Field on Tuesday, July 4, for Boulder's first night sky drone show. City staff is working to get any interested council member passes to be on the field. Please let Communication Manager Shannon Aulabaugh know by email by at aulabaughs@bouldercolorado.gov by 10 a.m. Monday, July 3, if you plan to attend and would like a pass.
Gates open at 7:00 p.m. and the drone show will begin around 9:35 p.m. when it is dark. There will be live music by School of Rock, Funkiphino and The Custom Shop-Band. A variety of food and beverages will be available for purchase from food trucks and CU concession.
This drone show is a fun alternative to traditional fireworks shows that occurred prior to COVID-19. A decision was made in bringing this tradition back post-pandemic to try a new format, recognizing increasing concerns related to climate change and fire danger. The city is particularly grateful for the continued sponsorship from WK Real Estate, which is covering much of cost of this community event.
For more information about the event, please contact Shannon or Justin Greenstein, with special events in the Community Vitality department, at greensteinj@bouldercolorado.gov.
Survey in the field on potential sales tax ballot items
The city currently has a contracted survey “in the field” to gauge voter sentiment around the possible sales tax ballot items that you have been discussing. As is sometimes the case with these efforts, we have received a few community inquiries about whether this survey is legitimate.
Here is some information that we encourage you to share with anyone who asks you:
The city has hired a national firm, Probolsky Research, to conduct an accurate and statistically valid voter survey on potential tax related measures. The intent of the survey is to better understand the concerns and opinions of voters on possible ballot items, and the results will be used to inform policy decisions and any educational efforts related to future ballot items.
Polling began yesterday, June 27, and will last a few weeks. The researchers intend to solicit input from voters across a variety of demographics such as age, gender, ethnicity/race and throughout the city.
The survey firm created some guidance and a set of FAQs that helps to answer more technical questions. I am attaching this here in case it is helpful to you. Feel free to share this information or refer community members who have detailed questions or concerns to Chief Financial Officer Kara Skinner at skinnerk@bouldercolorado.gov.
The Communications and Engagement team is working on some social media posts and a note on the city’s website to let community members know that this is an official, sanctioned survey and to encourage individuals to share their feedback.
Regards,
Nuria