Changing Boulder’s Solar Rewards: What Is Fair? Luncheon on May 17

Boulder Tomorrow — Sun, 06 May 2012 15:45:13 +0000

Xcel Energy has asked the Colorado Public Utilities Commission to approve changes to how Boulder would receive incentives for solar, wind and other efficiency-related programs. The City of Boulder has responded that any changes that treat Boulder as different from Xcel’s other customers would not be fair. Boulder’s continued research into municipalizing the electric utility has prompted this step by Xcel as the company analyzes the long-term costs if Boulder does move ahead with this option.

Come hear from David Eves, CEO of Public Service Co. of Colorado (Xcel Energy) and Jane Brautigam, Boulder City Manager as they discuss the rationale behind their positions regarding potential changes to the way Boulder could recieve various rebates and incentives for alternative energy efforts.

Confirmed: Moderator Chris Wood, Publisher of the Boulder County Business Report. Register Today!

Boulder Is Listening To Business: Boulder Tomorrow’s April 24 Luncheon Re-Cap

Boulder Tomorrow — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:54:54 +0000

By Chris Wood, Publisher of the Boulder County Business Report – Boulder’s city government is known to take its lumps. The old mantra of the city as anti-business still holds for many people — although, from my perspective, it’s way overblown and somewhat of a holdover from years gone by.

Business people do have some legitimate concerns, including the cost of alternative-energy mandates for commercial buildings, how municipalization of the city’s utility system would affect their costs, and other issues.

But Boulder also has done some noteworthy things in recent years to improve the climate of business within the city, and it’s important to note the good work that is occurring. Some of that became apparent at a recent event that I moderated for Boulder Tomorrow, a local business organization. Read more>>>

Boulder’s Primary Employer Outlook: Luncheon Panel April 24

Boulder Tomorrow — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 05:57:45 +0000

What is on the horizon for Boulder’s primary employers and growing entrepreneurial companies? City officials have heard a common theme from businesses looking t stay in Boulder as they expand: that the availability of functional, let alone desirable office space for their needs is lacking. Yet Boulder’s long-term economic sustainability relies on keeping such companies here – or does it?

At Boulder Tomorrow’s April 24 lunch meeting come hear from City of Boulder Economic Vitality Coordinator Liz Hanson, Boulder Economic Council Director Clif Harald and representatives from the commercial property community including Jeff Wingert, President of WW Reynolds and others. See more details and register here.

2012 Boulder City Council Goals: Luncheon on January 26

Boulder Tomorrow — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 06:36:45 +0000

Boulder Mayor Matt Appelbaum

Please join us for a special update at our next member luncheon (open to all) when we hear from Boulder Mayor Matt Appelbaum and Councilwoman K.C. Becker about the City Council’s 2012 goals.

This will be only days after the Council’s official goal-setting retreat. You’ll have the chance to ask questions and hear details about the policies and projects that will shape much of the activity affecting Boulder’s economy this year.

2012 Colorado Economic Forecast: “Slow and Steady”

Boulder Tomorrow — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 22:28:00 +0000

Economist Richard Wobbekind of the University of Colorado Boulder’s Leeds School of Business: “We’ll continue to add jobs in a wide array of sectors, but not at the dramatic rate that is necessary to significantly lower the unemployment rate.”

One-third of Colorado companies surveyed plan on hiring more employees this quarter and Wobbekind expects the GDP to increase 2.5 percent. Watch a video of Dr. Wobbekind giving an overview of the report and more details here>>>.

Municipalization Measures Pass – Barely

Boulder Tomorrow — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 00:13:17 +0000

Both Issues 2B and 2C – a new tax and permission to create a city-run electric utility, respectively – passed on November 1st. By slim margins 51% of the voters approved what will become a legal battle with Xcel to determine the value of the infrastructure Boulder must purchase. After years of that expensive effort a future City Council will determine the timing and feasibility of when to actually take over and assume the responsibility of providing safe, reliable and affordable energy.

Can the city truly make this happen? We are asking for the creation of a special oversight committee to closely follow the expenditures made with the new tax revenue on the path towards municipalization.

Forged Xcel Document Revealed; Boulder Tomorrow Supposed Beneficiary

Boulder Tomorrow — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 05:49:19 +0000

We’ve seen the pro-municipalization crowd stoop to a new low. As the Boulder Weekly reports this bogus document includes a proposal to fund various opposition efforts including those by Boulder Tomorrow.

Boulder County Business Report: No on Municipalization

Boulder Tomorrow — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 06:06:03 +0000

The analysis of Boulder Ballot Issues 2C and 2B continues to draw opposition as business leaders review the scope of the authority and accountability – or lack thereof – of the measures. The BCBR nailed it with their grasp of how voters must be consulted when the city council decides to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on a massive purchase for energy, which 2C and 2B does NOT require.

Boulder Chamber Issues Candidate Endorsements

Boulder Tomorrow — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 05:57:15 +0000

For the first time in its 100+ year history the Boulder Chamber of Commerce has endorsed Boulder City Council candidates. This is a bold move that shows the business community and people wanting Boulder’s economy to thrive who are the most likely civic leaders to do so.

The Chamber endorsed Dan King, George Karakehian, Ken Wilson and Fenno Hoffman. Bravo! Read more here.