Our History

The Boulder Police Officers' Association (BPOA), formerly known as the Boulder Police Benefit Association (B.P.B.A.), was originally formed in 1940 as strictly a fraternal organization, which evolved to collective bargaining in April of 1971 for negotiations.

In 2003, the organization's name was changed to the Boulder Police Officers' Association (BPOA) to coincide with more contemporary police labor organizations.

Beginning in early 2026, the BPOA affiliated with the world's largest organization of sworn law enforcement, the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), making us Boulder Police Officers' Association FOP Lodge 78.

Lodge 78 currently represents approximately 200 commissioned law enforcement officers in the City of Boulder. Colorado FOP has over 9,800 members, and the National FOP has over 380,000 members.

About Us
Historical black-and-white photo of a long line of Boulder police patrol cars with roof lights driving in procession down a rural road.
Historical black-and-white photo of two Boulder police officers posing with their patrol car in the snow beneath the Flatirons.
Historical black-and-white photo of a Boulder police officer using a radio beside his patrol car with the Flatirons behind him.
Historical black-and-white photo of a Boulder police officer studying a map displayed on an early computer monitor.
Historical black-and-white photo of a person rappelling down the side of a building as uniformed officers watch from the rooftop.