Spotlight On Ryan Schuchard, Boulder City Council Member
Ryan Schuchard is a dedicated climate advocate and local leader who brings a passion for sustainability to his work as a council member for the City of Boulder.
Ryan Schuchard (pronounced shoe-hard) is a dedicated climate advocate and local leader who brings a passion for sustainability to his work. In 2022, Ryan was elected to the Boulder City Council. His campaign, managed by me, Hannah Davis, was fueled by a vision for a more equitable, climate-resilient city, and his leadership continues to focus on actionable policies that address climate challenges.
This interview was conducted by Hannah Davis on November 19th, 2024, and was edited for length and clarity.
What is your background and when did you get interested in policy?
Ryan Schuchard: I've been a professional climate advocate for quite some time and have always been interested in big systems. My career started with Business for Social Responsibility, working with large companies. One of the things I discovered quickly is that public policy is where the biggest opportunities for structural change are. It was clear during my first year there, in 2007, that one of the most important climate responsibilities of business is to advance public policy consistent with the transformations we need to make.
Later, I developed an interest in transportation and land use because they are so important to climate action and improving people’s lives. One pivotal moment for me was during my time as Policy Director for CALSTART, where I worked extensively in Sacramento on electrifying vehicles of all kinds, reducing car dependence, and providing better transportation options. I remember attending a meeting with the California Air Resources Board. They discussed how to reduce vehicle miles traveled—a major issue—and ultimately concluded that cities hold the power to address this challenge. This realization, coming from what is often seen as one of the world's most powerful climate regulators, was a lightbulb moment for me.
That meeting set me on a path of exploring how cities and local governments have incredible tools to address climate action. It ultimately drew me into the world of local government, climate action, and sustainable transportation.
Why did you decide to run for City Council?
Ryan Schuchard: There were a few key factors that came together for me. First, I was serving on Boulder’s Transportation Advisory Board. Initially, I thought I could make an impact by encouraging candidates to focus on certain priorities, like writing op-eds or helping set the agenda. But the closer I got to that process, the more I realized the most effective way for me to have influence was to run myself.
Second, I was encouraged directly by a sitting council member at the time, Nicole Speer. She told me, “You need to do this.” At first, I said no, but she was persistent. That kind of push can make all the difference for someone who doesn’t immediately see themselves in that role.
Third, I saw Boulder as a leader in climate action—or at least as a city that other municipalities look to for guidance. The idea of joining the team to help Boulder stay at the forefront of climate leadership was really exciting to me.
And finally, it came down to finding a team to do this with. Hannah, meeting you and realizing we could pull together a strong, supportive group made the whole idea not just possible but energizing. I couldn’t have done it without that kind of community and collaboration.
How can local cities impact climate initiatives?
Ryan Schuchard: At a high level, I think one of the most exciting opportunities is investing in initiatives that improve people’s well-being while also advancing climate action. For example, focusing on transportation and housing—two areas that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has identified as crucial—can create outcomes that are beneficial no matter what. These investments are about making life better, more affordable, and safer while also tackling climate issues.
Local governments play a unique and powerful role here. In the policy world, structural changes often depend on elected officials to create or approve those changes. What I’ve learned is that elected officials focus on what’s salient to their constituents—issues that people care about enough to vote on or show up to meetings to talk about. That’s where I think we have untapped potential to put more energy behind climate initiatives and make initiatives directly relevant to making people’s everyday lives better.
For example, most people deeply care about the cost of living, and one of the biggest things working against them is car dependence. Most people feel like they don’t have an option other than to have a car for each adult in the household, and the average new car costs around $47,000, while the median income is about $60,000, and most people don’t feel they have other options. Cities have the power to change this monopoly system, which isn’t working, by addressing transportation and land use together, which is deeply intertwined with housing. By creating more affordable, accessible, and energy-efficient alternatives, cities can reduce car dependence, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and improve quality of life.
To sum up, local governments work at the intersection of transportation, housing, and land use—all levers for meaningful climate action. It’s about tying well-being to climate strategies, making changes that resonate with people, and ensuring our investments don’t lock us into outdated systems for decades to come.
You were elected as a climate candidate, endorsed by national organizations like Climate Cabinet and Run on Climate. What have you and your colleagues accomplished on the climate front in your first year, and what’s on your radar for the next couple of years?
Ryan Schuchard: At a high level, the city council set a priority during our retreat to update the Climate Action Plan. This is a big step, as it ensures council accountability for climate initiatives. The process is still taking shape, and we’re rolling up our sleeves to shape what will go into the plan.
Another milestone is that the city adopted its first-ever strategic plan, which integrates a real focus on climate action, including key components like prioritizing meaningful greenhouse gas reductions and initiatives like 15-minute neighborhoods. While this work is led by the city manager, it’s happening with council’s support and is a strong foundation for long-term action.
In terms of specific policies, we’ve initiated zoning reform—specifically, a family-friendly zoning effort to create more transit-oriented and accessible neighborhoods. There’s also a robust portfolio of work to make our streets safer, calmer, and more accessible to cyclists and others outside of cars throughout the city as well as advocacy for increased transit funding at the state level.
We’ve made progress in building electrification by adopting an updated building energy code that effectively makes all new construction electric. This was a significant achievement, and from what I understand, it’s been noted nationally.
Resilience is another focus, as highlighted in the latest IPCC report. We’ve begun a new initiative to address wildfire resilience and are considering how to integrate resilience comprehensively as we update the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan. This is about addressing the frontlines of climate harm in a modern and impactful way.
Is there anything else on the horizon for the next couple of years of your term?
Ryan Schuchard: Yes, there are a couple of key opportunities we’re focusing on. One is continuing to champion 15-minute neighborhoods—where people can access essential services like groceries and schools within a short walk or bike ride. This concept emphasizes building proximity first, then creating seamless mobility options, rather than designing around vehicles. Basically, it’s about planning for the needs of people rather than vehicles for vehicles’ sake.
Another area is improving how climate initiatives are integrated across city departments. Cities have a lot of control over infrastructure, but it’s hard to break away from legacy systems and implement meaningful change. We need to focus on making climate action a core part of how the entire city operates, with more ownership across different departments.
I’m optimistic that through these efforts, Boulder can lead nationally in areas like integrated climate action and accessible urban planning. There’s a lot of work to be done, but the pieces are coming together.
What can individuals in any city do to care about climate and impact city-level climate initiatives? How would you want constituents to show up?
Ryan Schuchard: This is such an exciting question because it touches on a shift in how we think about individual versus collective action. For too long, the idea of a “carbon footprint,” pushed by the fossil fuel industry, has made people think that solving the climate crisis is solely about their personal choices. That’s not the case. The real power lies in structural change, and that comes from advocacy and engagement.
Here’s what individuals can do:
Educate Yourself on the Science
Start with the 2023 IPCC Synthesis Report or other reliable resources to understand the current state of climate science. This helps you develop an informed perspective on the changes you want to see in your community.
Engage in Local Advocacy
Your city council plays a significant role in shaping the future of the community. Yet, most residents aren’t aware of their local representatives or how decisions are made. By tuning into city council meetings and advocating for science-based solutions, individuals can have a substantial impact.
Show Up and Speak Out
Attend or watch City Council meetings. Consistent and respectful participation makes a big impression on council members. Be personable and frame your advocacy as a way to help the community stay aligned with climate science. In Boulder, about 80% of the people who show up are repeat customers, so the process is not representative, and the city council and staff would love to hear from you.
Push Back on Misconceptions
One key area where science and public perception diverge is housing. Many believe that increasing density in towns conflicts with climate goals, but the opposite is true. When people are excluded from living in town, they drive in, increasing greenhouse gas emissions. Allowing more people to live closer to where they work and play reduces emissions and brings other benefits like improved equity and quality of life.
Advocacy doesn’t mean you need to be at every meeting, but being a consistent voice—someone who is clearly invested in making the community better—has a lasting impact. This kind of engagement helps create the structural change we need for meaningful climate action.
On a more personal note, what’s something climate- or sustainability-related outside of your work that you’re passionate about?
Ryan Schuchard: When my wife and I decided to move to Boulder, we were drawn to the idea of living in a place where we could spend most of our time locally—being able to experience what we enjoy as close to home as possible. I feel incredibly fortunate that we can do that here.
One of the things I love is riding a bike around town and having easy access to the nearby mountains. It’s a way to stay connected to the community and the environment.
Our kids—first and third graders—have really embraced this way of life too. They now object if we try to get in the car, saying it stinks or it’s too hot, and they’d much rather bike everywhere, even in bad weather. It’s become a big part of how we live, focusing on people-centered choices and building community.
Ryan hosts weekly office hours which you can find on his website. For anyone interested in running or supporting elections—whether in Boulder or elsewhere—he’s happy to share advice or insights. Elections are where a lot of power lies if you want to make real policy changes at the local level.
Email Ryan at schuchardr@bouldercolorado.gov. He is also at @ryanwithboulder on BlueSky, Mastodon, and Facebook.
Other ways to get involved in your local government to impact climate action
Attend and speak at City Council Meetings
Join a local board or commission
Run for council
Join a team that helps elect a climate-forward candidate
Join a coalition or nonprofit organization that advocates for climate action
Connect with council, staff, boards on the issues you care about
Reach out to Hannah Davis if you’d like to learn more about opportunities in Boulder.