This page is part of BCN's now-historical Election 1995 web site. BCN does not endorse candidates for election, and since it is so easy to put up a web page these days, BCN no longer provides web pages for candidates.

Setting Limits to Growth: Boulder has nearly reached its carrying capacity. Traffic and air pollution are becoming intolerable. Nearly half of Boulder jobs are filled by in-commuters. We must begin reducing our commercial/industrial growth rate to match the current 1% per year residential rate and learn how to live within the natural limits of our environment. Reducing the negative impacts from new development must be one of our highest priorities.

Preserving Our Neighborhoods: Neighborhoods need a strong voice in determining their own future and ensuring that development and transportation are planned to meet local needs. I support parking permit programs, neighborhood-specific zoning and neighborhood representation in development and annexation review.

Supporting Open Space and Parks Ballot Issues: The County Open Space bond authorization allows existing tax revenues to be used now to purchase land while it is still available. The City Parks and Rec funding issue will help us buy needed park land.

Implementing Regional Planning: Cooperative planning among Boulder County cities is essential to solve traffic problems. Business and government need to work together to distribute new non-residential development throughout the county; that way each city can achieve a better balance of jobs, housing and tax base. Inter-governmental agreements to protect rural areas and prevent sprawl should be expanded and strengthened.

Improving Air Quality and Reducing Traffic: Creative, flexible innovations are needed to reduce auto use. Jitneys (private vehicles used as taxis or mini-buses) would reduce rush hour traffic and the cost of commuting at the same time. I continue to be a strong advocate of pedestrian/bike paths and bike lanes. Parking fees and other pricing mechanisms to replace transportation sales taxes should be considered, so that bike riders and other alternate mode users can save when not driving.

Ensuring Affordable Housing: By limiting non-residential growth, fewer workers need housing in Boulder, which reduces pressure on housing prices. New development projects should contain significant permanently-affordable housing. I support strengthening our existing low-income housing programs.

Assisting Local Businesses: We need to maintain our entrepreneurial spirit as we transition to a sustainable economy in a city with fixed boundaries. I will work to simplify and speed up the regulatory process and to support quality infrastructure (including fiber optics) as essential to our economic health.

Improving Fiscal Policy: City budgets should include adequate funds for refurbishment and long-term replacement of city facilities. Transit strategies must be tested before significant funds are committed. The Crossroads area needs to be carefully managed to maintain our sales tax base as other cities become more self-sufficient. "Growth pays its own way" should be School District policy and implemented by all cities and the County.

Caring For The Individual: I support Boulder's efforts to secure a tolerant and accepting community, and to protect all citizens' constitutional rights. We must find cost-effective means to expand both senior programs and teen recreational and community involvement opportunities.

Opening Government/Improving Citizen Participation: Boulder's city government needs to function openly, honestly, efficiently, and responsively, so that citizens experience a government that works for, and not against, them. Citizens should have greater say in long-term land use and growth decisions that affect us all.

BACKGROUND

Steve is 53 and has lived in Boulder since 1966. He served two four year terms on the Boulder City Council beginning in 1986. Before that, he worked as a legislative aide to State Senator Tom Glass and was a primary force in the creation of the Colorado Office of Consumer Counsel, representing home owners and small businesses in public utility rate disputes. Governor Dick Lamm nominated him to the Public Utilities Commission in 1983.

A rock climber, hiker, bicyclist and skier, Steve appreciates Boulder's unique outdoor environment. From his business and investment activities, he understands the importance of Boulder's economic vitality. As an energy policy analyst, he knows the importance of ecologically and fiscally sound planning and management.

Steve earned an M.S. in Engineering and Infrastructure Planning at Stanford, a M.A. in Mathematics at C.U. and a B.A. in Mathematics at Harvard.

Steve is a member of PLAN-Boulder and the Sierra Club, has been an Eco-Cycle block leader, and has served on the board of the Denver Regional Council of Governments.

He received PLAN-Boulder's 1994 Annual Award for his efforts to assure Boulder's long term quality of life and environmental protection.

To the Citizens of Boulder:

I have decided to run for City Council again after a two year break and ask for your support. In my eight years on Council, I worked toward long term solutions to problems. For example:

• "Growth should pay its own way" has become Boulder's policy.
  
• Most of the undeveloped areas of Boulder Valley have been designated as Rural Preserve, and not for urban development.
  
• The Raw Water Master Plan has made our water supply more reliable and preserved minimum stream flows.

While on Council, I tried to look for better alternatives to existing policies and procedures, to support environmentalists, neighbors, business people and city staff in working together, and to listen to all points of view before making a decision.

In the two years that I have been off Council, I have expanded my work in land use planning and the environment.

• Helped start 1000 Friends of Colorado, an organization focused on state-wide land use planning.
  
• Participated in Governor Romer's "Smart Growth" project; served on Denver metro area and state-wide committees addressing land use and fiscal policy.
  
• Co-authored Boulder's "Slow Growth!" initiative, on the ballot for this November.
  
• Worked with citizens and elected officials in other parts of Colorado on growth related issues.

I would appreciate your vote on Tuesday, November 7th.

Photograph: Dee B. Crouch