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Signing the Kyoto Protocol
The mayors of Boulder, Denver and Aspen join the mayors of 143 other American cities signing the Kyoto Protocol. The United Nations treaty aims to reduce carbon emissions to 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012. -
Boulder finds out about municipaliztion
A squabble between the city of Boulder and Xcel Energy over renewable energy results in Xcel giving the Boulder City Council the necessary information for the city to conduct municipalization feasibility studies. -
Boulder considers its future
A day after the city of Denver reaches a 20-year franchise renewal agreement with with Xcel, Boulder begins to consider its own energy future. City officials admit publicly that municipilization is a viable possibility. -
Passage of CAP
The City of Boulder pairs with Xcel Energy to pass the Climate Action Plan Tax (CAP). The tax, which was the first of its kind in the country, collects an estimated $1.8 million a year from Boulder residents to help mitigate climate change. -
Boulder allows contract to expire
Dissatisfied with the lack of renewable energy progress, The Boulder City Council votes 6-2 to allow the city’s energy contract with Xcel to expire effective January 1. -
The “greenest city in the world”
In a last ditch effort to retain the City of Boulder as a customer, Xcel dangles a plan before the Boulder City Council that promises to make them the “greenest city in the world.” The plan, which involved building the city its own wind farm, guaranteed 70 percent renewable energy by 2013 and 90 percent by 2020. -
Ballot language approved
Shortly before midnight, the Boulder City Council unanimously approves the first reading of the ballot language for the Nov. 1 election asking voters to approve ending the city's longtime relationship with Xcel Energy in favor of forming a municipal utility. Ballot measures 2b and 2c are born. -
Ballot measures passed
The city of Boulder narrowly passes ballot initiatives 2B and 2C. 2B passes by 212 votes, while 2C passes by 1,027 votes.