I am more enlightened about Boulder than ever.
I recently sent emails to a cross-section of Boulderites from a wide range of professions and civic involvements as well as students and retirees, asking what they like and dislike about this gem of a city at the foot of the Flatirons.
Their thoughtful responses showed a broad interest in public affairs, city government, education, Boulder’s current growth and so much more.
It will come as no surprise to learn that at a time of deep political differences, conservatives picked away at liberals, saying they’re tired of their holier-than-thou approach to issues, and liberals picked away at conservatives.
“People can be judgmental, i.e. you are not progressive enough, you are not doing enough to minimize our carbon footprint, your house is too big, you have too many cars, you have too many outside lights on, you make too much money,” one person wrote, playing the role of a progressive criticizing a conservative.
“You are not compassionate, do not care about the environment, and do not have a brain.”
“There are too many progressives who profess to be ‘tolerant’ of everything, yet are totally (disdainful) of conservatives and dismiss their views and anything they believe in.”
I’m not taking sides here. I’m pointing out that multiple conservatives sent similar responses. Liberals behaved a little better, with not as many sending in criticisms of conservatives. But they’ve obviously ticked off the conservatives who may have been lectured one too many times by progressives who, in turn, should consider taking a deep breath before unloading on those to the right.
I learned a lot from this survey and wish to share some of the responses.
What respondents like about Boulder:
“Jaw-dropping natural beauty — the Flatirons, Chautauqua, hiking trails, year-round beautiful weather (mostly).”
“Engaged people who are committed to keeping Boulder special by honestly addressing our challenges and working to live our values.”
“A great running-yoga-biking-climbing community.”
“Environmental qualities such as open space, recycling and clean energy.”
“Willingness to take stands on state and federal issues.”
“Efrain’s — great Mexican food. Dark Horse Sourdough Burger. Quality education. Walking on campus and attending events. Great public libraries.”
“I love the greenways and trails. I love all the secret places, including a very well-hidden waterfall.”
“The energy, creativity and challenges of CU students and faculty, the proximity to the mountains and the tranquility of Open Space and Mountain Parks, the Farmers Market, and the pedestrian/bike paths and trails as a viable alternative to auto transportation.”
“I like the Blue line that kept development from overtaking the foothills. … I enjoy the diversity of opportunities within the community, athletic, musical, theatrical and cultural.”
“Carnegie Library; world-famous Long (Iris) Gardens.”
“Access to nature trails, ski resorts, lakes.”
“Walks and bike rides around Boulder, especially the Longmont to Boulder Trail. Breakfast at The Parkway. Cheddar-shallot scones at Spruce Confections. The folks in and around San Juan del Centro.”
“Responsive City Council. Acceptance (mostly) of the bicycle community. The (somewhat) successful efforts to preserve the environment, and open spaces.”
“Historic preservation of our most precious buildings. Well-maintained public infrastructure. World-class schools, parks, recreation centers, libraries, museums, public safety and transportation systems.”
“A hot multicultural restaurant scene.”
“A small-town feel. I can’t go anywhere without running into at least one person I know!”
“Having so many accomplished people in the community — scientists, engineers, doctors, writers, artists, business owners. The integrity of local elected officials”
“I love that it’s OK (even a point of local pride) to be sweaty in town. You’re basically announcing, ‘Hey, I just had a great workout.’”
“The city plans to cut emissions 70% by 2030.”
“Colorado Music Festival. The farmers market. The integrity of local officials. Strong nonprofit sector. Amazing scientific community.”
“Quality of education in the Boulder Valley School District.”
What respondents dislike about Boulder:
“How hypocritical the city is about regulations. They arbitrarily decide what areas and who can have long-term and short-term rentals.”
“The lack of diversity. We are at risk of becoming a mono-culture of older, wealthy white citizens as a consequence of policies that make it difficult for those of modest income to access our community and the need to create a more welcoming environment for all cultures and ethnicities.”
“Overly woke and liberal people.”
“Too many Teslas. Not enough smiling faces in a great small town.”
“The smell of pot. … The Nextdoor website is just awful; it reveals a lot of hard feelings in our community.”
“Google is taking over our city.”
“I wish we could be better with solutions for homelessness, mental health challenges and substance abuse that truly help the people in need.”
“Bicycle and scooter riders who don’t think traffic laws apply to them. Drivers who don’t use turn signals. Lack of reasonable housing options for young families. Decline of The Hill retail and how dirty and unattractive it is. Self-absorbed liberals who need to spout off on the ‘only way’ to think.”
“The continued density of construction of new buildings that begins to make some areas feel like the canyons of New York City.”
“Housing challenges — especially for our teachers and front-line workers — even our kids can’t afford to live here.”
“I intensely dislike and personally resent the thousands of hours of my time it’s taken to force the city, inch by inch, to implement the online petitioning for ball initiatives that voters put in the City Charter in 2018 by a vote of 71% to 29%.”
“Traffic speeds and congestion, homeless encampments clogging the bike paths and parks, shortage of affordable housing, excessive growth of CU Boulder, unresponsive local elected officials, lack of diversity in the population.”
“Stores refusing to accept cash.”
“Liberal political bias (one-party town with slanted views on too many issues. We often have a ‘monologue’ not a ‘dialogue’ on issues as a result of only one party elected officials. Business-unfriendly attitude (restrictions and excessive sales taxes).”
“I dislike the administration of CU, which still invests tax and tuition money in fossil fuels, hires John Eastman and fires Dr. Detlev Helmig and holds Boulder hostage by refusing to allow flood mitigation.”
“CU is not a Power-Five football program — it needs to be in a less competitive conference — focus on the basketball program.”
“The media feeding frenzy surrounding the murder of JonBenet Ramsey. The invasion of twits who build mega-mansions. City officials make it maddeningly difficult to do business.”
“We need more transparency from CU about their long-range enrollment numbers”.
“Dense traffic, insufficient infrastructure, poor urban planning.”
“The humorless, sanctimonious tone of so much of our public discourse.”
“I am really disgusted with my own liberal/progressive hypocrisy as well as that of the majority of people like myself.”
“The effort to engage in healthy and civil discussions about issues is sorely lacking, while instead there appears to be an effort to silence, shame and cancel anyone who disagrees with you.”
“The ubiquitous police radar speed traps on Foothills Parkway, with its ridiculously low 45 mph speed limit.”
“Liberal political bias (one-party town with slanted views on too many issues).”
“The site plan and building review process is expensive, time-consuming, arbitrary and capricious.”
“Some of the liberal attitudes just don’t mesh with reality. Housing is an example.”
One respondent couldn’t resist sharing this joke: “A guy from Boulder gets hurt and goes to the ER. The doctor says, ‘Sir, we need to give you a local anesthetic.’ The guy replies, ‘Don’t you have anything imported?’”
The last word goes to this respondent: “I like Boulder because like ourselves, it is forever growing, changing, maturing and trying to be flexible in forever changing times. I like that there are little towns within a city.”
As for me, please don’t shoot the messenger.
Jim Martin has been a Boulder resident for over 61 years and can be reached at jimmartinesq@gmail.com.
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October 02, 2022 at 07:02PM
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Opinion: Jim Martin: A survey of Boulderites offers fresh insights into our beloved city - Boulder Daily Camera
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