Originally published by the Daily Camera, July 26, 2026.
For decades, Boulder has enjoyed a reputation most communities would envy. We are known for innovation, entrepreneurship, and attracting brilliant people who turn ideas into companies, discoveries into industries and research into solutions that change the world.
But there is an uncomfortable question Boulder should be asking itself: What happens when every city wants to be Boulder?
Across the country, communities are investing heavily to attract the same talent, companies, research funding and entrepreneurs that have fueled Boulder’s success. Cities that once competed primarily on cost are now competing on innovation. Regions that once looked to Boulder as a model are building their own versions of the ecosystem that made this community successful…