United States
Suzanne Jones
107,125 (2017)
Julia Richman
Improve internal government operations
Anticipate and manage future challenges
Improve service delivery
Improve resident outcomes
Simplify administrative procedures for firms and residents
Generate new sources of revenue
Dedicated funding
Focus on measurement
Dedicated innovation team
Leadership from Mayor
Culture of innovation in city
Engagement with partners
Support from outside city administration
Boulder is currently working to develop a coherent strategy for innovation to guide the city’s targeted investments, prioritize initiatives, and continue leading-edge operations. The city’s innovation work is guided by its vision to improve city effectiveness through data-driven decision-making, operational efficiency, building a culture of innovation, engaging community as resource, exceeding constituent expectations.
Note: The City Innovation Snapshot (PDF version) was produced in 2019 and some aggregate findings have been updated with the latest survey results below.
Along with 50% of cities surveyed, Boulder has an explicit innovation strategy. Similar to 20% of cities surveyed, Boulder approaches innovation capacity from a holistic/macro level.
Boulder does not prioritise policy sectors for its innovation work.
Boulder has a standalone department dedicated to innovation and technology. The innovation team consists of 6 staff. The Chief Innovation and Technology officer also leads the enterprise technology function with over 40 staff.
Taking risks or testing new ideas
Data-driven analytics/public data management
Engaging residents in new ways
Developing new solutions based on digital technologies
Organizational change within the municipality
Human-centered design
Rethinking your city’s approach to financing partnerships
Like 81% of cities surveyed, Boulder has dedicated funding to support innovation capacity.
Boulder also funds paying for services from a third party.
Boulder has developed partnerships to promote its innovation capacity within the city administration, other levels of government, public agencies, private firms, not-for-profit organizations, and residents/resident associations. It also has partnerships with academia/think tanks.