Chats and Walks with Council

In 2019 City Council committed continue trying new approaches to engage community members who do not typically participate in council matters and meetings.

Purpose of Chats and Walks:
To give community members who do not typically participate in more formal council settings a convenient, drop-in opportunity to engage with their elected officials. These engagement opportunities are designed to promote short, two-way conversations about issues that matter most to residents and others in the city. The idea originated from council members, who are often as frustrated as community members by the lack of time to have meaningful conversations during open comment or public hearings.

What to Expect:
There will be one to three council members at each session, with no formal agenda or presentation. Community members are welcome to come by anytime during sessions and stay for as long -- or as short -- as they wish.

If everyone participating wants to discuss one topic, the conversations can be more in-depth. If there are a variety of topics participants wish to discuss, it will be important to make space for those. If there is a large crowd, the city will ask community members to rotate through to allow for maximum participation. Council members could also decide to break into smaller groups if crowd size is an issue.

If a group wishes to utilize chats and walks as an opportunity to share a collective perspective, the city asks they designate one or two members to attend, with a promise to report back to the larger group.

The city is happy to provide an interpreter for anyone who wishes to attend and participate in a language other than English. In order to allow time to book this resource, please email Taylor Reimann no later than three days before the event.

Sunday, May 21 from 10-12 pm

Walk with Council on the Wildland-Urban Interface

• Engage with Boulder’s elected officials on a Walk with Council! Learn about the city’s wildfire mitigation projects and engage on other issues that matter to you most during a hike on Boulder’s Wildland-Urban Interface. Parking will be limited so we encourage carpooling or alternative transportation, and be sure to bring a water.
• When: Sunday, May 21 from 10 am – 12 pm, hike begins at 10:15
• Where: Meet at the Shanahan Trailhead in South Boulder, participants will hike the North/South Fork Shanahan Trails (1915 Lehigh St, Boulder, CO 80305)
• Councilmembers in attendance: Lauren Folkerts, Nicole Speer, Tara Winer

Saturday, June 10 from 12-2 pm

Walk with Council led by Explorando Senderos (SPANISH FIRST)

• This event centers Spanish speaking engagement and connects councilmembers and community during a hike at The Peoples' Crossing.
• When: Saturday, June 10 from 12-2 pm
• Where: Meet at The Peoples' Crossing (100 Pearl St, Boulder, CO 80302)
• Councilmembers in attendance: Mayor Aaron Brockett, Matt Benjamin, Tara Winer

Wednesday, July 26 from 5-7p

Chat with Council with Unidad Latina (SPANISH FIRST)

• This event centers engagement with local Spanish-speaking and/or Latino/a/x-identified community members.
• When: Wednesday, July 26 from 5-7 pm
• Where: Cilantro Mexican Restaurant (2850 Iris Ave H, Boulder, CO 80304)
• Councilmembers in attendance: Mayor Aaron Brockett, Nicole Speer

Sunday, September 10 from 1-3:30 pm

Chat with Council at What’s Up Boulder

• Chat with councilmembers staff at this family friendly community event on projects and services happening now and in the future. Partake in free entertainment, food, and excellent engagement opportunities.
• When: Sunday, September 10 from 1-3:30 pm
• Where: Foothills Community Park (800 Cherry Ave, Boulder, CO 80304)
• Councilmembers in attendance: Matt Benjamin, Junie Joseph