Like fish swimming in water, we swim in politics, consciously or not. Politics is all about the way we conduct ourselves at the local level, not something we just do every four years at the national level. Since we live in a participatory democracy, we should either participate or stop complaining about how bad things are. 

No one needs a reminder as to how fortunate we are to live in Boulder, nestled at the base of the great Rocky Mountains. We owe much of this good fortune to our forefathers who had the vision, and the political foresight, to land the University of Colorado, Chautauqua, over thirty national labs like NCAR, NIST, and NOAA, along with the will to establish the Greenbelt, the Blueline, the Pearl Street Mall, and more.

Judging by my 53 years living here, Boulder has never faced more opportunities than we do today. How and the extent to which we take advantage of these opportunities will depend on who we elect to lead us through these exciting and turbulent times, determining whether Boulder has peaked or its best days lie ahead.

Given the two major hotels now under construction on the Hill, one such compelling future Boulder landmark would be the development of a world-renowned Cultural & Performing Arts Center. Boulder had the foresight to preserve a 27.5-acre land parcel in the heart of our downtown, and started planning for it as early as 1908 with the hiring of Fredrick Law Olmstead. 

Over a century later the stars seem to be aligned for Boulder to put another notch in its design and development belt. Bob Yates who has had a stellar career as a corporate transaction lawyer and has served eight years on City Council is running for Mayor because he cares about the future of Boulder. Unlike most politicians who are content with hearing themselves talk, Bob actually gets things done.

Enter, then, Jan Burton to lead the Herculean effort to collect ~4000 signatures for a November ballot initiative for a dedicated arts fund. It’s as if a legacy vision has finally come into focus.  

Bob and Jan share a common desire to further enhance our fair city by delivering on Boulder’s potential. Let us commit to actively supporting them in order to realize a common Boulder vision for the major role arts can play in our community.

While, as of yet, there is no certainty in the passage of the November tax measure, nor is there a consensus on the type or location of the proposed facility, the forces are aligning for the realization of this decades-long dream. Please do not take this opportunity for granted. Now is the time to leverage Jan’s political talents, Bob’s leadership qualities, and the efforts of organizations like Create Boulder and Progress Boulder to help get the right candidates elected, and help us get this major project over the finish line.

Please get engaged by helping Jan Burton pass the November tax initiative, and help elect Bob Yates as our next Mayor.

— Sina.