About The Bubble:
Rooted in the vibrant spirit of Boulder, Colorado—often celebrated as one of the happiest cities in the United States—the Boulder Bubble is more than a local homage; it’s a global push for optimism. What began as a celebration of Boulder’s unique blend of sustainability, creativity, and community has evolved into a values-driven movement grounded in hope, prosperity, and good for all, regardless of race, ethnicity, ideology, or gender.
Boulder is a city of open space and open minds—14,000 acres of thoughtfully designed urban area surrounded by over 350,000 acres of protected wilderness. It’s a place where nature meets progress, and where people live with purpose. From environmental innovation to artistic expression, Boulder inspires a lifestyle rooted in resilience, well-being, and bold thinking.
The Boulder Bubble embraces this legacy and expands it. In response to the challenges of climate change, societal division, and global uncertainty, we exist as a force for unity and creativity. We reject fear and hate as tools of influence—and instead champion stories, innovations, and voices that uplift and connect. That legacy fuels the Boulder Bubble. In a world often overwhelmed by division and driven by fear, we believe optimism is not just a feeling—it’s a strategy. And today, through the powerful emergence of artificial intelligence and human-centered technology, the reasons to believe in a better future have never been more tangible.
In the words of those who know it best, Boulder is “14 square miles surrounded by reality”—a place where those who leave always long to return. That same magnetic optimism fuels our journey as a global brand—a bubble not of isolation, but of inspiration.
About Richard Polk
Founding Member, Boulder Bubble
Richard Polk is a driving force behind the Boulder Bubble, embodying the spirit of optimism, sustainability, and community action. As the longtime leader of Boulder’s Pedestrian Shops, Richard spent over five decades proving that business success and social responsibility can go hand in hand—championing renewable energy, supporting local communities, and promoting sustainable living.
Beyond business, Richard served on Boulder’s City Council, where he introduced the Solar Rebate Ordinance to expand access to clean energy. As Chair of The Dairy Arts Center for 18 years, he helped revitalize one of Boulder’s cultural landmarks. His leadership has earned him numerous accolades, including the Pacesetter Award, Boulder County Business Hall of Fame induction, and the Local Business Hero Award.
As curator of the Decarbonization Innovation & Arts Network, Richard now focuses on leveraging emerging technologies, like AI, to accelerate solutions for a sustainable future. He believes that optimism, creativity, and collaboration are the keys to real progress—and that the tools for transformation are more powerful today than ever before.
Above all, Richard credits the journey to the people around him—family, colleagues, and the Boulder community—reflecting the Boulder Bubble‘s enduring belief that hope, innovation, and collective action can shape a better world.