Early, unofficial results indicate voters oppose a ballot measure that aims to relax Boulder's occupancy limits.

According to the first round of results, posted at 7 p.m., 58% of those who voted opposed the Bedrooms Are For People initiative, while 41% supported it.

Specifically, the Bedrooms Are For People ballot measure asks if voters want to expand housing access to allow all housing units to be occupied by a number of people equal to the number of legal bedrooms, plus one additional person per home, provided relevant health and safety codes are met.

Currently, in most areas of Boulder, no more than three unrelated people are allowed to live together.

Proponents of the measure have been working to get it on the ballot since 2020, when city officials provided incorrect information about filing and signature requirements that prevented the measure from making last year's ballot. Campaign organizers sued the city, but a 20th Judicial District Court judge later ruled against the campaign.

They view the measure as one that would legalize what many already are doing due to expensive housing costs in Boulder.

Opponents, on the other hand, worry the ballot measure could lead to higher housing prices if investors purchase and replace single-family homes into dormitories. This, in turn, would impact noise and traffic, opponents said.

Further, they have expressed concerns about the language of the ballot measure and have questions about whether City Council could easily make changes to the language if it's successful.

Boulder's charter requires two-thirds of the City Council to approve changes, and it states that changes cannot "alter or modify" the basic intent of the measure.

The campaign organizers have said they're open to working with the Council to make any changes, particularly if complications arise after the measure takes effect, but opponents argue it might not be that simple.

Fewer than 6,000 votes had been counted in the initial batch of results.