2026 Board & Commission Appointments

Boulder City Council Meeting

March 5, 2026

The March 5 City Council meeting opened with extensive public comment focused largely on two issues: the future of the South Boulder Recreation Center and concerns about the city’s contract with Flock automated license plate reader cameras. Residents spoke passionately about maintaining neighborhood recreation facilities and about privacy concerns related to surveillance technology.

City staff confirmed that a study session on recreation center funding and long-term facilities planning is scheduled for April 9, which will include discussion of the South Boulder Rec Center and broader financial strategies for city facilities.

Council members also discussed how decisions regarding the Flock camera contract fall under the authority of the City Manager, while City Council retains authority to set policy related to privacy and surveillance technology.
Aside from public comment and routine business, the meeting included one official public hearing related to the annual appointment of members to the city’s boards and commissions.

The Record:

Public Hearing: 2026 Board & Commission Appointments

Date of Vote: March 5, 2026
Vote: Unanimous
Classification: Procedural

What Happened

City Council held its annual public hearing to approve appointments to Boulder’s boards and commissions, volunteer bodies that advise the city on issues such as arts funding, housing, water policy, planning, and urban renewal.

During the meeting, council members nominated applicants for each open seat and voted on the nominees. Candidates must receive a majority of council votes to secure an appointment. Once all seats were filled, council took a final vote to approve the full slate of appointments.

The motion to approve the 2026 appointments passed unanimously.
Council also noted that this year saw a particularly strong pool of applicants, reflecting continued civic participation from Boulder residents.

Why This Matters

Boulder’s boards and commissions are made up of volunteer residents who review policies, projects, and programs before they reach City Council. These groups provide subject-matter expertise, community perspective, and detailed analysis on issues such as housing, transportation, water, parks, historic preservation, and economic development.

Because many policy discussions begin at the board level, the individuals appointed to serve on these bodies help shape the recommendations and ideas that ultimately influence City Council decisions.

2026 Board & Commission Appointments

Arts Commission
Montserrat Palacios
Kate Cimino

Beverage Licensing Authority
Leah Roberts

Board of Zoning Adjustment
Craig Hammond

Boulder Junction Access District
Sage Dalton

Boulder Urban Renewal Authority (BURA)
Catherine Bean
Michael Leccese
Bwembya Chikolwa
Bill Shrum
Anja Richmond
Stephanie Chen
Chester Harvey
Chris Maughan
Carla Graubard
Tara Winer

Design Advisory Board
Lee Johnson

Downtown Management Commission
Don Poe
Carol Brewer

Environmental Advisory Board
Monica Crosby
Daniel Howard

Housing Advisory Board
Shira Feinberg
Brendan Selby
David Garabed

Housing Authority
Ann Cooper
Michael Block

Human Relations Commission
Alejandra Nieland Zavala

Landmarks Board
Alex Weinheimer

Open Space Board of Trustees
Morgan Lommele

Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
Eliza Blood
Channing Benson

Planning Board
Max Lord

Transportation Advisory Board
Mike Mills

Water Resources Advisory Board
Marcia Greenblatt

(Appointments take effect April 1, 2026.)

Jenny’s Take

Board and commission appointments may not attract the same attention as major policy votes, but they play an important role in how Boulder’s local government works. These volunteer boards are often where policy discussions begin. They review proposals, debate trade-offs, and make recommendations before issues ever reach the City Council.
Because of that, the people who serve on these boards can have a meaningful influence on how issues are framed and what options ultimately come before council.

Boulder is fortunate to have many residents willing to volunteer their time and expertise in these roles. When boards function well, they bring thoughtful analysis and community perspective into the decision-making process, helping ensure that council has the information needed to make informed choices for the community.