Colorado guaranteed-income pilot ends in December, fueling national debate

A two-year pilot in Boulder, Colorado, called Elevate Boulder, will end in December, closing a program that paid 200 low-income residents $500 a month with no strings attached. The project was funded with $3 million in federal COVID-19 relief money and was intended to test guaranteed income as a way to help families cover basic needs and build financial resilience.

Over the past two years, supporters say the extra cash changed lives. CBS News cited personal stories from participants who said the money allowed them to avoid choosing between groceries and other essentials. One woman told CBS she could walk into a grocery store and buy what she needed without agonizing over what to put back; another mother used the funds for braces for her child and for unexpected veterinary bills; and Andy Masterpiece said the money helped him pursue his dream of becoming a musician. "The extra money allowed me to finally pursue my dream and made me feel seen by my community," he explained.

Elizabeth Crow, deputy director of Housing and Human Services who helps run Elevate Boulder, said the program has shown how high the cost of living can be in Colorado. She noted gains such as participants opening retirement accounts for the first time, but she cautioned that some needs still outpace the aid, including health insurance and childcare.

The city and program organizers acknowledge challenges and field questions about sustainability. The final report is due later this year; Elevate Boulder says it hopes to bring the project back in 2027 if community donations are sufficient to fund it. Crow said the effort highlighted both the possibilities and limits of guaranteed income.

Critics, including economists and some labor advocates, warn guaranteed-income pilots could dampen incentives to work or reduce the impetus to increase hours. Proponents say the aim is to reduce poverty and stabilize families in a high-cost state, especially during times of economic volatility.

This Boulder effort fits a broader national pattern. Several Democratic-led cities have launched similar pilots or programs to test guaranteed income. In Los Angeles, a separate Mobility Wallet Pilot offered a $150 monthly travel stipend to 1,000 residents between May 2023 and April 2024 to cover transportation costs. UCLA researchers later found that while the program reduced travel barriers, it did not eliminate financial stress, which some participants said persisted after the first round ended. The programs in New York, Chicago and San Francisco were also cited as examples of cities experimenting with guaranteed income concepts.