Press
BizWest
May 1, 2025
"Pearl For You ending West Pearl closure ballot campaign"
An effort to allow Boulder voters to decide on closing a western portion of Pearl Street to cars came to an abrupt end Thursday. The decision to end the ballot initiative came on the heels of vocal pushback from Boulder business operators and economic leaders, who argued that closing West Pearl from Ninth to 11th, and half block of 10th Street to vehicular traffic would hurt sales.
Boulder Reporting Lab
May 1, 2025
"Downtown Boulder business owners: Reclosing West Pearl is a lose-lose proposition"
As business owners on West Pearl, we believe reclosing the street would hurt our livelihoods, limit access and go against the city’s own findings.
BizWest
April 27, 2025
"Businesses oppose West Pearl closure as supporters push for ‘win-win’"
Boulder business owners and advocates are pushing back on a petition effort that aims to turn a western stretch of Pearl Street into a pedestrian area, a move that proponents argue could ultimately benefit both businesses and their customers.
KUNC
April 18, 2025
"Campaign backed by Boulder businesses aims to stop West Pearl closure measure"
Business owners say the closure could deter customers and saddle the city with costly infrastructure changes at a time of economic uncertainty.
BizWest
April 18, 2025
"Editorial: Voters should reject petition to close Boulder's West Pearl"
We urge Boulder residents to reject the petition, and if it appears on the ballot, to reject the measure.
Press Release
April 11, 2025
"Don't Close West Pearl!"
Boulder business and community leaders launch campaign to oppose costly and harmful street closure petition
Boulder Daily Camera
March 4, 2025
“Please don’t pit our arts community against the business community by proposing “creative play spaces” that will consume parking spaces, thereby damaging restaurants and retailers. Instead, let’s work together!”
Marie-Juliette Bird
Boulder Daily Camera
February 27, 2025
“It is my considered judgment that this initiative should be withdrawn or defeated, and I sincerely hope that it will be. Our West Pearl restaurants and businesses deserve better.”
Mark Wallach, Boulder City Council member
Boulder Daily Camera
February 26, 2025
“Thriving downtown neighborhoods are a big reason our pedestrian mall is one of the few successful pedestrian malls in the country. Let’s keep it that way by leaving West Pearl open to both vehicles and pedestrians.”
Barbara Fahey
Boulder Daily Camera
February 15, 2025
“A vast majority of the local businesses are against this effort, so the economics and risk must be clear to business owners. The Downtown Boulder Partnership, representing the downtown business district, and the Boulder Chamber are also against this initiative. For that reason alone, I would not sign the petition.”
Jan Burton, former Boulder City Council member
Boulder Daily Camera
February 14, 2025
"I feel that this street closure proposal will decrease, not increase the customer base. Is Boulder in a position right now to not only spend money to build this, but to take a loss in sales tax revenues needed to fulfill our city budget needs? I think not."
Sara Mitton
Downtown Boulder Partnership
February 10, 2025
“Pearl is already for you; come downtown any day of the week and support our restaurants, retailers, nonprofits and your neighbors who work and play downtown. Hope to see you there.”
Bettina Swigger, CEO, Downtown Boulder Partnership