Open Boulder Endorsed Council Members
DIVERSE council members ALIGN WITH OUR VISION FOR GOVERNANCE & OPEN SPACE
With goals of electing leaders who bring greater transparency and inclusiveness to local government, make fact-based decisions, and understand that environmentalism and enjoyment of our public lands go hand in hand, Open Boulder achieved tremendous success for the 2019 elections.
In an unprecedented year with six seats on the Boulder City Council up for grabs, Open Boulder, along with other civic nonprofits, realized the importance and joined together to endorse and promote a slate of candidates. The Coalition, the fledgling association of Open Boulder, Better Boulder, South Boulder Creek Action Group and the Boulder Progressives, scored a major victory when four endorsed candidates were elected November 5th. Not only were four elected, but they also were the top four vote-getters, assuring each 4-year terms.
Thank you for your efforts as volunteers, donors, voters and engaged members of our incredible community.
“Open Boulder connects citizens of all ages to our government and nature. Our progressive vision includes access to open space, responsible stewardship, and an open and inclusive Boulder. These Council members really represent the best hope of Boulder becoming a more welcoming, inclusive and healthy community,” states the Board of Directors in a press release.
Congratulations New and Incumbent Council Members!
Aaron Brockett
Aaron Brockett has established himself as a voice of reason and compassion based on his voting record on Boulder issues. Elected to a four-year term on Boulder City Council in 2015, he has consistently advocated for families and younger people, renters and the housing insecure, and improving transportation connections for bicycles and pedestrians.
During his time on council Aaron has served on the Denver Regional Council of Governments, the Dairy Arts Center for the Arts Board, the Boulder Valley comprehensive plan process committee, Open Space master plan process committee, the Urban Drainage and Flood Control District, and served one year as Mayor Pro Tem. Aaron and his family have lived in Boulder for 16 years. He received a B.A from Swarthmore College and co-founded and owns with his wife a small business for 19 years.
Junie Joseph
Having done her homework on Boulder issues, Junie Joseph will bring a fresh perspective to Council. She believes that housing plays a major role in the forms of inequality seen and experienced in Boulder and advocates for greater housing opportunities. Junie’s goals also include improved transit options, championing social justice, better programming for the homeless, government efficiency, open space management and protecting the environment.
With an established record advocating for human rights in Colorado and internationally, Joseph has served with the United Nations, and locally on Boulder County’s Health and Human Services Citizen Panel Review and Community Corrections Board. She has degrees in political science, anthropology, and applied human rights, and is currently studying law at CU Boulder.
Bob Yates
For Bob Yates, transparency is the essence of good governance and, as a current member of Council, his regular updates on “how I voted and what I was thinking” sets the bar high. He loves his community service work on Council and has been a strong advocate for sensible Open Space access, increasing housing opportunities, and supporting the arts and nonprofits in Boulder.
Bob, who retired from a successful career at age 50, has dedicated all his time to community service—as chair of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, co-chair of a capital investment strategy group, member of the boards of the Dairy Arts Center and the Colorado Chautauqua Association, committee chair for the Conference on World Affairs, and as a kindergarten reader for the YWCA’s Reading to End Racism program.
Rachel Friend
Addressing the flood mitigation crisis in South Boulder is the major focus of Rachel Friend, a seasoned attorney and social activist. She sees everything through the lens of imminent climate crisis and advocates decisive action in all areas to address key challenges and that those actions be based on accurate and relevant data. Impact to our Open Space is certain and Rachel believes that, as good stewards of the land, Boulder needs to continue to care for Open Space while ensuring adequate acreage is accessible for recreation.
Rachel practices law, teaches in the Criminal Justice field at Front Range Community College and provides pro bono legal representation to asylum seekers detained in Aurora, CO. As a local activist, Rachel has served as the local lead for Boulder Moms Demand Action to prevent gun violence, as Deputy Director of Digital Outreach for Colorado Resistance, and as Events Development Coordinator for Blue Rising.
Open Boulder is 501c4 as defined by the IRS.