Boulder staff outline 2026 workplan priorities: bike security, wildfire resilience, power resiliency

City staff reported back to the council Feb. 5 on follow‑up items from the council retreat and described project charters for five priority areas the council selected.

Matt Chazanski and staff said the priorities they will scope and begin this year include: a coordinated, data‑driven bicycle security and theft‑reduction effort emphasizing improved short‑ and long‑term bike parking and education partnerships; a wildfire resilience program focusing on a home‑hardening implementation hub and an assessment of existing wildfire programs; an exploration of local authority to modify the tip credit under recent state law; a power resiliency project to clarify Xcel Energy’s planned actions and local options (including resilience hubs); and updates to the sister‑city program processes.

Staff noted budget constraints that limit capital deployment in 2026 for some items (for example, bike parking roll‑out) but described near‑term actions including partnerships, education, targeted policing and planning. For wildfire resilience staff emphasized prioritization and a practical, implementation‑focused approach rather than an academic deep dive across all possible interventions.

Councilmembers asked for clarity on sequencing, resource allocation and whether Title IX (zoning code) reform should be scoped as part of these priorities when timing allows. Staff said project teams will finalize charters, identify leads and return with dashboards and updates as work progresses.