All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
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A steady stream of Niwotians, past and present, visited Niwot Hall on Sunday, March 30, 2025, for an open house celebrating Niwot's Sesquicentennial. The town plat was recorded with Boulder County 150 years earlier, on March 30, 1875. Niwot resident Laura Skaggs, who chaired the organizing committee, was more than pleased with the turnout. Young and old were mesmerized by the slide show which paired photos of buildings past with current photos of the same property. Pete Wernick on banjo, his...
He was a lawyer in a different life. She worked in the food safety industry. That was before February 24, 2022, in Ukraine. Today, he works for a large retail outlet in Longmont. She is also employed. They live in a garden-level apartment in Niwot's Old Town area. Their surviving extended family members also live in the United States. They live in fear of being deported, with nowhere to go. Though they entered the U.S. legally as refugees, the uncertainty of their status resulting from the...
Katie Wallace, who has long been active in local Democratic politics, was selected to fill the vacant Senate District 17 seat previously held by Senator Sonya Jaquez Lewis, who resigned amid reports of improper treatment of and use of her staff. Wallace was selected over seven other candidates who were considered for the appointment, which was made by the Boulder County Democratic Party vacancy committee, which consists of approximately 100 members. She will serve until 2026, when she will be up...
Skyler Messinger reported to spring training in Arizona this year with the Colorado Rockies minor league organization in his first full season after undergoing Tommy John surgery over a year ago. At the start of spring training, Messinger was listed on the Class A Spokane roster, which is where he finished last season in limited action. But Messinger was also invited to participate in the Arizona Fall League as one of the Rockies' top prospects, and he did not disappoint, earning AFL All-Star...
Fred Mosqueda, the Arapaho Language and Culture Program Outreach Specialist Coordinator for the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma, returned to Niwot Hall Monday, March 17, and brought his friend, Chester Whiteman of the Cheyenne Tribe who holds a similar role, to address a standing room only crowd of mostly Niwot residents. Mosqueda was the featured speaker in 2024 for the Niwot Historical Society, and was warmly received again. Phillip Yates of the Niwot Cultural Arts Association, which...
Niwot Baseball traveled to Queen Creek, Arizona, over spring break, heading south for the first time in several years to the Valley of the Sun for a tournament at Casteel High School March 20-21. The Cougars opened against Forest Grove High School, Oregon, coming away with a 13-6 victory in five innings due to a time limit. Niwot scored in every inning, as the offense came alive. At the same time, the Cougars made four errors in the field, and a few more that did not show up in the box score....
The Niwot High School baseball team dominated The Academy at home March 12, posting a 12-2 victory in six innings, then traveled to Lewis-Palmer the next day, where they suffered a hard-fought 10-9 loss, their first of the season. Senior Kaige Kennedy and junior Henry Noblin led the Cougar offense against The Academy, garnering three hits each. Kennedy had a single, double and homerun, while Noblin added two singles and a double. Senior Haden Shaw added two hits, including a triple, Ten Cougars...
Niwot's Native Art Show on Sunday, March 16 at Niwot Hall saw a steady stream of visitors, many of whom purchased art and crafts from the emerging Native artists. Tom Myer of Gunbarrel, who helped coordinate the event with Phillip Yates of the Niwot Cultural Arts Association, had his art on display and sold out of some prints. "We had over $4,500 worth of arts and crafts sold by Native artists today at the art market," Myer said. Art included paintings, prints, pencil drawings, cards, jewelry...
Mike Keffeler The Boulder County Commissioners appointed Niwot resident Mike Keffeler to the Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee (LID) on March 11. Keffeler will become the Niwot Community Association (NCA) representative on the LID, taking over for Jeff Knight, who resigned due to a family move to Texas. Keffeler, who grew up in Niwot, has resided in the Morton Heights subdivision in Niwot for many years with his wife Kristin and 3 daughters.. He serves on the NCA board of...
The March 4, 2025 meeting of the Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee (LID) began with Jim Ditzel, newly elected president of the Niwot Business Association, taking the place of long-time LID advisory committee member and former NBA president Eric Bergeson. LID Treasurer Mary Coonce reported that year-end sales tax revenues for 2024 were down 8.8% from 2023 at just under $250,000. The biggest losses came from the "Wholesale" (down 50%) and "Other" (down 24%) categories, in...
Second in a series of articles highlighting Niwot's 150-year history. Although a plat for the Town of Niwot was recorded March 30, 1875, the recorded history of the inhabitants of the area now known as Niwot began with Native American tribal communities, described in Part 1 of this series. Next came the early settlers, mostly white, who came to Colorado first as trappers, and later in much greater numbers as gold miners, many of whom eventually settled in and around Niwot. Descendants of some...
The Niwot Cemetery, located at 7251 Nimbus Road across the road from the Left Hand Water District offices, was created in the late 1800s when early pioneer Jerome Gould deeded the approximately 2-acre site to "the inhabitants of the Town of Niwot and the vicinity thereof" for use as a cemetery. The Niwot Cemetery Association (Association) was formed and bylaws were adopted on January 4, 1884, and the Association has managed the cemetery ever since. Now, over 140 years later, the cemetery has...
The year-end numbers are in, and they show a continuing downward trend in sales tax revenues collected by the Niwot Local Improvement District (LID) for 2024. Revenues for 2024 totalled $249,677, down 8.8% from 2023 sales tax collections. The calendar year 2022 marked the high point for revenues collected by the LID at $292,231. But in 2023, LID revenues dropped to $273,747, a decline of $18,484, or 6.3%, from 2022, and the 2024 year-end figures showed an even greater decline. LID members were...
As Niwot's Sesquicentennial approaches on March 30, 2025, the ad hoc committee charged with coordinating a year-long celebration is hard at work on everything from lectures, to birthday parties, to puzzles, to time capsules. The committee, first suggested by the Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee and Kathy Koehler of the Niwot Historical Society, is comprised of members representing Niwot's many non-profit organizations, including the Niwot Business Association, the Niwot...
In what was the last official meeting for Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee (LID) members Eric Bergeson and Jeff Knight, the LID approved three funding requests. Bergeson's term as the Niwot Business Association (NBA) representative expires at the end of February, and the county commissioners have already appointed newly elected NBA president Jim Ditzel as his replacement. Bergeson, who has served on the LID for five years, said, "It's been a privilege. I won't be a stranger."...
First in a series of articles highlighting Niwot's 150-year history. The unincorporated community of Niwot was first platted in the Boulder County real estate records on March 30, 1875, almost 150 years ago. Now home to 4,306 individuals in the contiguous subdivisions, according to 2020 U.S. Census reports, the community was founded when Ambrose Murray and Porter M. Hinman filed a plat, laying out the lots, blocks, streets and alleys of what is now known as "Old Town" Niwot. But Niwot's history...
The Boulder County Commissioners reappointed Niwot resident Bruce Larsen to the Niwot Design Review Board on Jan. 23. Board members serve three-year terms, and may not serve more than three 3-year terms. Larsen, who serves as a community member, has served as the chair of the board in the past. Rachel Gart, a real estate agent, was appointed as the Historic Preservation Advisory Board (HPAB) Representative on the Design Review Board. Jason Emery, a surveyor who formerly resided in Niwot, was...
Niwot resident Gil Gilmore saw a need in the community, and took action. Now 13 years of age, the homeschooled eighth-grader was only nine years old in 2020 when he noticed "there was a lot of hate towards law enforcement," he said. "We didn't think that was okay" he said, speaking of himself and his mother, Susan Gilmore, He acknowledged that there were incidents which garnered much negative national publicity toward police officers, but he felt it was unfair to lump all law enforcement...
Jeff Knight, the Niwot Community Association's representative on the Niwot Local Improvement District (LID) Advisory Committee, submitted his resignation from the committee via email Jan. 24, due to a move out of state at the end of February. Knight also serves on the NCA's board of directors as the Area 1 representative, and has been an NCA representative on Niwot's Sesquicentennial Committee. He indicated that he plans a move to Texas, saying, "Family support is the central issue mandating...
Niwot business leaders have formed a task force to address growing concerns about the rising minimum wage in unincorporated Boulder County. The group consists of business leaders, with representatives from the Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee, the Niwot Business Association, and Left Hand Grange No. 9, as well as area farmers. At a Jan. 23 meeting at The Wheel House in Niwot, committee members discussed how the minimum wage ordinance enacted by the Boulder County...
In just a few short weeks, including the holiday season rush, Niwot's Sesquicentennial Committee is quickly making plans to celebrate the platting of Niwot 150 years ago. Under the leadership of Laura Skaggs, the committee is working to "put a ribbon on every event in Niwot," said Skaggs. To that end, Angie Miltersen of Few of a Kind Vintage and Mercantile quickly designed a banner that can be used by every organization in Niwot to promote its events throughout the year. The banner has already...
Students at Niwot High School were suddenly summoned to the main gym at 9:13 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 8, but no one, save for school administrators and a few invited guests, knew what the occasion was. Pep band members received a cryptic message from Band Director Wade Hendricks the day before – "Emergency Pep Band during Cougar CORE!...[G]et your instrument quickly and head [to] the gym as soon as humanly possible." Drumline Instructor Scott Barto followed with a message the next morning at 9...
The Niwot Local Improvement District (LID) opened 2025 by approving several funding requests, including one for new street banners celebrating Niwot's first 150 years. LID members Scott Firle, Eric Bergeson, Mary Coonce, Carla Hunter, Heidi Storz, Cornelia Sawle, and Keith Waters were present, along with Boulder County liaison Mark Ruzzin. Jim Ditzel also attended the LID meeting. Ditzel, who is running unopposed for the position of president of the Niwot Business Association, was the only...
After six years in Niwot's Cottonwood Square, Fly Away Home is now closed. Owner Kathy Trauner announced to her loyal customers that Fly Away Home, a home decor boutique, would close on Dec. 24. The shop was a favorite of local shoppers, along with out of town visitors, for its unique home decorating items. Trauner carried a wide variety of goods, such as baby outfits with clever sayings, including a baby girl onesie that says, "I'm not allowed to date. Ever." The store also featured art and...
It was quite a year for the Niwot High School boys cross country team. Winning a state title in Class 5A, Niwot's first experience in the highest state classification, with a dominant team effort began the run of honors for Coach Kelly Christensen's runners. That was followed by a second-place team finish at the Nike Cross Regionals in Arizona, which also qualified the team to run at the Nike Cross Nationals. The Cougars surprised quite a few people at the Nike Cross Nationals in Portland,...
David Bote, son of longtime Niwot High School baseball coach Bob Bote, signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers Dec. 14, with an invitation to major league spring training camp. Other than the Dodgers' starting infield, the only other utility infielder on the major league roster is 35-year old Miguel Rojas. Bote, who grew up in Longmont and played for Niwot Youth Sports teams, signed with the Chicago Cubs out of Neosho County Community College in Kansas in 2012 as an 18th...
The Niwot High School wrestling program is preparing to host the annual Invitational meet on Saturday, Jan. 4, the first under new head coach Michael DeCamillis. For years, the meet was organized by longtime NHS coach Gary Daum, and then later by his successor, Bobby Matthews, who stepped down after last season to concentrate on softball and baseball coaching. DeCamillis wrestled and played football at Broomfield High School before continuing his football career as a center at Chadron State...
Following a review of survey results and responses at a community meeting in Niwot Dec. 2, the Boulder County Commissioners on Dec. 16 instructed county staff to obtain cost estimates for the Option 4 design of an underpass into Niwot from the bikeway under construction in the median of CO 119, also known as the Diagonal Highway. Mark Ruzzin, Boulder County liaison to the LID, wrote in an email, “At the Monday meeting, the commissioners directed Community Planning & Permitting staff to ask the county’s engineering firm (Muller) for an est...
I love people who read newspapers. They are the ones who show up for community meetings, pay attention to what’s going on, hold public officials accountable, and participate in processes that bring meaningful and positive change to their communities. Their input and opinions deserve our respect. Those who don’t are at the mercy of those who do. Fortunately, the ones who do tend to be involved in their community, and their vision is guided by what they consider best for the community. Those who don’t tend to complain that “no one asked me.” Th...
The Niwot Community Association (NCA) has made significant progress in its long time effort to bring more directional signage to the LoBo Trail. Vicky Dorvee, NCA Director assigned to Trails and Open Space, completed an inventory of existing wayfinding signs along the Longmont to Boulder bike and pedestrian trail, better known as the LoBo Trail, last fall. The LoBo Trail extends from Longmont to Boulder, with a few gaps in the Gunbarrel area, and provides a popular off-road trail between the...
St. Vrain Valley School District (SVVSD) superintendent Don Haddad and several staff members met with approximately 15 Niwot residents, primarily from the Morton Heights subdivision, to present the district's plans for completing a stadium for use by football, soccer, track and other activities at Niwot High School (NHS). The district added lights to the existing football field a few years ago, and also installed artificial turf to replace the sod field, with the goal of creating a full stadium...
Niwot High School boys basketball opened the second season of coach Walker Bounds’ career by winning their first game against Montbello, 54-35, on Dec. 4. Bounds, a Niwot alum, took his team to the Niwot Holiday Parade on Saturday, Nov. 30, in an effort to garner community support. On Friday, Dec. 6, the Cougars travelled to Northglenn High School, suffering a 60-56 loss in a hard-fought contest. They followed with a 57-53 win over Thornton High School on Saturday, Dec. 7. Statistics for the opening week’s games were not available at press tim...
The Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee (LID) met at the Niwot Inn on Nov. 12 to consider funding requests and other issues related to Niwot's business district. Landscape Project Improvement in the appearance of the west entrance to Niwot on Niwot Road has long been a topic of discussion. Several Eagle Scout projects over the years have improved the appearance for a time, especially on the north side, including installation of a "Welcome to Niwot" stone sign completed last...
How did the Left Hand Valley Courier get here? The Left Hand Valley Courier was founded in November 1996, by seven residents of Niwot and Gunbarrel, who each contributed $50 toward start-up costs. With little journalism experience, the founders sought to fill a growing lack of coverage of happenings in Niwot and Gunbarrel by the daily newspapers in Boulder and Longmont. It took four months to create the first Courier issue, which was published on April 1, 1997, by Karen Copperberg, Ron Goodman,...
The Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee (LID) has scheduled a community meeting for Monday, Dec. 2, at 7 p.m. at The Wheel House in Niwot as the final step in getting feedback on the draft Master Plan for Niwot. The Master Plan is a working document commissioned by the LID to guide future development and community projects in Niwot, created by Dave Lee and Chad Fletemeyer of Fletemeyer Lee & Associates (FLA), a Niwot architectural firm. Throughout the past year, meetings have...
A water main break at Walker Drive and Marathon Road in Morton Heights on Wednesday, Nov. 13, cut off water to approximately 15 homes in the Morton Heights subdivision in Niwot. Left Hand Water District discovered the break around 6 p.m. Wednesday night, according to resident John Thornbury. Homes between Niwot Road and Comanche Road were affected, but Niwot Elementary School, which is connected to a Morton Road water main, did not suffer a loss of service. "Our water was restored about noon on...
The plat of Niwot was recorded on March 30, 1875 by Ambrose Murray and Porter Hinman laying out the streets, alleys and lots of what is now known as Old Town Niwot. March 30, 2025, will mark 150 years since the founding of the community, and the Niwot Local Improvement District (LID) has asked community organizations to begin planning a year-long celebration of the community's first 150 years. Sparked by a discussion in October of plans by the Niwot Historical Society to publish a book...
For the past two years, the Left Hand Valley Courier found a way to survive, barely, by borrowing money to pay the bills, with several key staff members deferring any compensation for 10-hour-plus work weeks. In an era of news deserts in Colorado and across the nation—areas without any local newspapers—newspapers must adapt, or die. Like other small businesses struggling to survive, the Courier owners decided to create a non-profit educational corporation, and donated the newspaper to the non-profit. The transfer took effect January 1, 202...
Nine months came and went. The Left Hand Valley Courier became a non-profit corporation in late 2023, and filed an application with the IRS to be recognized as a Section 501(c)(3) charitable education organization, on January 31, 2024, and waited. Finally, after months of waiting, on Oct. 29, 2024 the IRS approval letter, dated Oct. 11, 2024, arrived, granting the Left Hand Valley Courier the ability to seek tax deductible donations and grants from organizations devoted to preserving local journalism. The IRS determination letter allows the...
Entering last weekend, the Niwot High School girls volleyball team had a 16-3 record, and was cruising through the Granite Peaks 5A/4A League in first place, with a record of 12-1. As is the custom for Coach Tony Engel, the Cougars participated in the Cheyenne Mountain Tournament, held at the Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs. The event is annually the top tournament in the state, held just before playoffs begin, and the Cougars won at least one match in every set, but came away with...
Social media was buzzing with reports of an attempted burglary in a Niwot subdivision adjacent to open space near Highway 52 on Halloween night. According to reports, five men attempting to enter a home on the second floor from nearby open space were caught on a security camera. The would-be thieves were shown in a video lifting one member of the group to the second floor balcony, but the homeowners reportedly turned on the lights at that point, and the group quickly ran. The Boulder County...
In the early morning hours, shortly after midnight on Tuesday, Nov. 5, the siren at the former Niwot Volunteer Fire Department building next to the Left Hand Grange building in Niwot, went off, waking residents of Old Town and beyond. Worried neighbors who called law enforcement were informed that it was not an emergency, and that the siren had simply malfunctioned. Before members of Left Hand Grange No. 9 could respond to the scene, the Boulder County Sheriff's Department responded and pried...
The Great Pumpkin Party began Oct. 26 with an impressive vocal performance by Niwot Elementary School students in the Left Hand Corner parking lot, a fitting prelude to the presentation of the Curtis Lizakowski Golden Hammer Award for outstanding volunteerism to longtime Niwot resident Neal Anderson. Niwot resident and realtor Pat Murphy, who helped create the award many years ago, made the presentation to Anderson, explaining that the award honors often unsung volunteers who make things happen...
Inkberry Books in Niwot's Cottonwood Square shopping center hosted local author Peggy Cline Friday, Oct. 25, who read excerpts from her recently published book, "Trout Farming in the People's Republic of Boulder." Cline and her late husband Steve had a trout farm on the edge of Boulder, off of Valmont Road near 55th Street on the edge of Boulder. The book is a tribute to Steve Cline and the memorable moments they created in the foothills of Boulder. That wasn't the only trout farm the Cline...
It shouldn’t take a research paper to figure out that the reason the cost of living is driving workers and young families out of Boulder County is one thing. It’s not the cost of food, or clothing, or utilities, or other essentials of living that makes it unaffordable to live here. It is the cost of housing. Yet the governing bodies in Boulder County have taken only token steps to address the shortage of affordable, attainable and workforce housing their own policies have created. It’s much too little, and too late. A recent study concl...
REVENUE Revenues from the 1% sales tax in the Niwot Local Improvement District is down 8.8% compared to a year ago through July, but the percentage of decrease actually dropped a full percentage point, from 9.8%, since June. LID Treasurer Mary Coonce reported that retail sales are down 7.4%, while accommodations and food are up 6.7% year-to-date compared to 2023. The largest percentage decrease is in a category of "Other and Wholesale," which is down 35% year-to-date. Four funding requests were...
