Boulder’s $500 UBI Program Boosts Mental Health, Limits Job Gains
In the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Boulder, Colorado, has emerged as a testing ground for one of the most debated economic policies of our time: guaranteed basic income. For two years, the city distributed $500 monthly payments to 200 low-income households, no strings attached, in a pilot program funded by federal pandemic relief dollars. The initiative, known as Elevate Boulder, aimed to alleviate financial pressures and foster stability among participants earning below 60% of the area’s median income.
But as the program wrapped up, the findings painted a nuanced picture of success and limitations. According to a recent report detailed in Business Insider, recipients reported improved mental health and greater flexibility in managing daily expenses, yet broader economic metrics like employment rates showed little change…