The City of Boulder and the Boulder Police Officers Association (BPOA) have landed on common ground with a new contract for police officers and sergeants. Covering around 180 employees, the agreement boasts a 4.75% general salary increase. Negotiations concluded with consensus on non-economic provisions in June, which will be part of the finalized 2026 contract, the City of Boulder reported yesterday.
According to City Manager Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde, the city values its relationship with the union leadership. She underscored the significance of the collaborative negotiation process, noting the contract as a mutual nod to public safety and community policing. “We understand the challenges our employees face with inflation and other economic stressors,” Rivera-Vandermyde added, as per the City of Boulder. BPOA President Officer Bryan Plyter also weighed in, expressing contentment over the preserved healthcare language and the commitment to pursue fair compensation despite the awarded salary increase being less than an independent arbitrator’s suggestion.
The salary increment is a midpoint between Boulder’s final offer of 4% and the BPOA’s push for 6%, reflecting the economic strains on both employees and the city’s finances. The latter faces a projected $7.5 million shortfall in the General Fund for the coming year. This implicates financial judiciousness across the board, affecting approximately 2,200 city employees and numerous strategic priorities…