About Nicole
Mayor Pro Tem
Dr. Nicole Speer (she/her/ella) and her husband arrived in Boulder in 2005, after completing their Ph.D.s at Washington University in St. Louis. They live in the Tantra Park neighborhood with their two teen/tween children and their two young-at-heart rescue dogs.
Nicole is the Director of Operations at CU Boulder’s Institute for Cognitive Science (ICS) brain imaging research facility, where she supervises a diverse team of scientists, students, and technologists, manages a $1 million annual budget, and facilitates diversity and equity initiatives. She is an active member of First Congregational United Church of Christ, the NAACP Boulder County Branch, and her workers’ union, United Campus Workers Colorado. Nicole volunteers with local homelessness service connector Feet Forward, and was a member of the Bixby School Board of Trustees from 2016-2021.
During her time in Boulder, Nicole has been inspired by the many ways Boulder’s residents, workers, and city staff strive to make our city more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive. As a Boulder City Council Member, she is committed to partnering with our community to promote good ideas and creative vision, problem-solve to remove barriers, and proactively cultivate policy changes that will make housing more equitable and attainable, create a more racially just city, and ensure we do our part to fight climate change and create climate resilience.
As part of the city’s commitment to advancing racial equity, council member Speer has attended the Advancing Racial Equity: Role of Government Training. As a newly elected council member, she will be given the opportunity to participate in the Bias and Microaggressions Workshop in 2022.
2024 City Council Committee Assignments:
- Intergovernmental Organizations: Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG); Mile High Flood District (Gubernatorial appointment)
- Internal City Committees: Council Retreat Committee; Council Employee Evaluation Committee; Financial Strategy Committee
- Sister City Liaison: Mante, Mexico