Elevate Boulder is the City of Boulder’s guaranteed income pilot project that will provide 200 low-income Boulder households with $500 per month for two years. This assistance is unconditional and unrestricted; that means it can be used how participants choose, and they won’t have to do anything in return. The city is allocating $3 million from its American Rescue Plan Act funds for the project.
Elevate Boulder is not accepting applications at this time.
To evaluate the Elevate Boulder pilot project, the city contracted with the Omni Institute Center for Social Investment to conduct participant surveys and focus groups. Surveys were administered at the point of enrollment and at the 8- and 20-month milestones. Focus groups took place at the 10-month milestone. Collectively, data indicates that participants experienced significant benefits in affording basic needs, food and housing security, mental health and overall wellness. 94% of participants feel better able to meet their long-term financial goals.
With support from the Community Foundation Boulder County, the city and a team of professional storytellers worked with Elevate Boulder participants to help them tell their stories and share the impact of the project in their own words and images.
The City of Boulder is partnering with Boulder Public Library to host a multimedia exhibition where community members can experience the power of guaranteed income as described by Elevate Boulder participants in their own words.
When: Feb. 5 through March 30, 2026
Where: Main Library, Arapahoe Ramp
These stories – in photography, video, audio and written works – lift up participant experiences about what it’s like to live in Boulder with low income and showcase the transformative power of direct cash assistance.
Learn more on the Boulder Public Library website.
If you’d like to learn more about how dollars and dignity can transform lives, and what our community can do to support it, please join us for one of two Civic Soup events!
Join us in the Mt. Sanitas Room at the Boulder Main Library on:
Community members can enjoy warm soup and a lively discussion about the Elevate Boulder guaranteed income program with activities for the whole family.
Visit the Elevate Boulder Participant Information page for project information and updates.
Community members, businesses and organizations can donate to the Elevate Boulder Fund, in partnership with the Community Foundation Boulder County. Funds raised will help ensure that:
Contributions to the Elevate Boulder Fund will also help city staff determine the potential for ongoing, collective community support to extend the project after the pilot phase is complete.
Nine community members served on a Community Task Force to provide input and guidance on issues such as project outcomes; eligibility criteria; the amount, frequency and duration of cash assistance; customer service; and evaluation. All members have experience living with low-income in Boulder and/or work with low-income community members and identify with a population that is underrepresented or underserved or experiencing systemic disparities.
The City of Boulder is committed to digital accessibility. Some content may not be fully accessible due to technical limitations or issues. For alternate formats or accommodations, please visit Accessibility | City of Boulder or contact accessibility@bouldercolorado.gov.
