Survey finds most Boulder residents satisfied with quality of life

BOULDER — A recent survey commissioned by the City of Boulder, Downtown Boulder Partnership and Visit Boulder found that 83% of locals consider their quality of life to be “good” or “excellent.”

Nearly the same percentage “report visiting downtown at least monthly, a rate that has remained steady since 2019,” according to a Visit Boulder news release summarizing the 2026 Boulder Resident Survey report. “Residents cited dining, meeting friends, walkability, atmosphere and special events as major drivers for visiting downtown.”

The survey was conducted by RRC Associates, a marketing research and consulting firm led by former DBP CEO Sean Maher. It included responses from 919 city residents and 274 residents of neighboring communities including Longmont, Louisville, Lafayette, Erie and Broomfield.

Access to quality public spaces and outdoor recreation were among the things respondents’ praised most frequently, while affordability, parking, homelessness and commercial vacancies were common complaints. 

“Downtown Boulder remains deeply valued as both a community gathering place and an economic driver,” Maher said in the release. “The survey reinforces that people continue to love coming downtown for its atmosphere, local businesses, outdoor experience and events, while also highlighting areas where we must continue working together to improve affordability, accessibility, cleanliness and perceptions of safety.”

The full Boulder Resident Survey report is available at BoulderDowntown.com/2026Survey.  

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