All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
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The Niwot Tavern has embarked on its fifth annual winter coat and gear drive, carrying forward a cherished holiday tradition that helps keep community members warm during Colorado's harsh winter months. The local establishment, a cornerstone of the Niwot community, will be collecting donations through Christmas Eve, with plans to distribute the items on Christmas Day. The initiative welcomes contributions of new or gently used winter essentials, including coats, gloves, scarves, and other cold-w...
The heart of Niwot is once again aglow with festive spirit as the beloved Holiday Market returns for its annual celebration. The cherished tradition, taking place on two consecutive Saturdays, Dec. 7 and 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., transforms the historic business district into a winter wonderland. This year's Holiday Market, organized by the Niwot Business Association and supported by the Niwot Local Improvement District, spans both Second Avenue and Cottonwood Square, creating an enchanting...
The Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) has announced its 2024 All-State boys soccer selections for Class 4A, with Niwot High School's Jay Scharfe earning Second Team honors after a stellar senior year. Scharfe, who demonstrated versatility at both left and right back positions, capped off an impressive high school career with three goals and six assists in his final season. His career statistics include seven goals and eight assists across 48 games, showcasing his consistent con...
In a fitting conclusion to a remarkable season, Niwot High School's gymnastics program has captured numerous honors in the 2024 CHSAA All-State selections, following the Cougars' triumphant Class 4A team championship victory. Sophomore sensation Genevieve Saunders, who led the Cougars to their first state title since 2018, was named Gymnast of the Year. Saunders' outstanding performance at the state championships, including a season-high 9.700 on beam and a second-place 9.500 on floor, helped...
Boulder County officials are holding a public hearing next week to discuss proposed changes to development regulations that could significantly impact future home construction in unincorporated areas of the county. The Community Planning & Permitting Department will host an open house on Tuesday, Dec. 10, from 5 to 7 p.m. to discuss updates to the Site Plan Review (SPR) regulations, a process used to evaluate development impacts on neighborhoods, ecosystems, and agricultural lands. The proposed changes come in response to concerns from the...
The charm of small-town America was on full display Saturday morning, Nov. 30, as Niwot's annual holiday parade wound its way through the heart of this Boulder County community, delighting spectators with a festive blend of local organizations, classic cars, and holiday cheer. Under a beautiful blue November sky, the Scouts Pack 161 proudly led the procession, setting the tone for what would prove to be a memorable celebration of community spirit. The parade showcased the diverse tapestry of...
The Left Hand Valley Courier, a cornerstone of local journalism in Boulder County for 27 years, has completed its transition to non-profit status. Building on its legacy of serving the Niwot and Gunbarrel communities, the publication's new 501(c)(3) designation strengthens its commitment to community-focused journalism. This organizational shift positions the Courier to enhance its coverage of local news while ensuring its long-term sustainability through tax-deductible donations and grant...
In a decisive 6-1 vote following a nearly six-hour hearing on Wednesday, Nov. 20, the Boulder County Planning Commission supported the staff recommendation by the Boulder County Community Permitting & Planning Division and rejected a proposed Transferable Development Rights/Planned Unit Development (TDR/PUD) submitted by the owners of the 39.5 acre parcel located at the corner of 63rd Street and Niwot Road. The commission's near-unanimous decision to deny the application reflects the...
In a stunning display of technological prowess, the Innovation Center of St. Vrain Valley Schools illuminated the night sky on Thursday, Nov. 21 with a mesmerizing drone show featuring 300 synchronized aerial performers. Under the guidance of Drone Performance Team Coordinator Danny Hernandez, students demonstrated their mastery of this cutting-edge technology. Hernandez, now in his second year at the Innovation Center, brings 28 years of experience with the St. Vrain Valley School District...
Three pioneering figures in St. Vrain Valley School District's Innovation Center cybersecurity education program have been awarded the prestigious Superintendent's Excellence in Education Award. Beth Cerrone, Kaylee Crouthamel, and Sienna Arellano were recognized for their outstanding contributions to cybersecurity education and community outreach. The Superintendent's Excellence in Education Award recognizes exceptional contributions to the St. Vrain Valley School District. The recognition...
A request for a Sketch Plan Review of a proposed Transferable Development Rights Planned Unit Development (TDR/PUD) in Boulder County has been sparking controversy among local officials and residents for over a year. In July of 2023, Ifrain and Shannon Rodriguez, the owners of a 39.5-acre property located on the southwest corner of 63rd Street and Niwot Road, submitted an application to Boulder County Land Use Department to construct nine new residential homes (for a total of 10 homes,...
In a significant show of community support, the Rotary Club of Niwot demonstrated its commitment to diverse community causes through grants totaling $16,550 across thirteen organizations. The club, which began its journey in 2008, has grown into a vibrant community of approximately 40 members united by their commitment to service and fellowship. According to Deborah Fowler, who joined the organization in 2009, the twice-yearly grant program reflects the club's dedication to making a meaningful...
Democrats maintained their strong presence in Boulder County as voters made decisions on numerous races and ballot measures in the Nov. 5, 2024, election. From federal representation to local water district measures, residents weighed in on a wide array of candidates and issues. Federal and State Representation Democrat Joe Neguse secured another term as the U.S. Representative for the 2nd Congressional District. At the state level, Kathy Gebhardt won the race for State Board of Education...
The Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) has announced its 2024 All-State Softball Teams, recognizing the state's top performers across all classifications. Among the standouts, Niwot High School's senior pitcher Kianna Butler earned First Team All-State honors in Class 4A, cementing her legacy as one of the program's most accomplished players. Butler, who led the Cougars' pitching staff throughout the season, was one of seven seniors selected to the Class 4A First Team, which...
In a nail-biting playoff battle on a frigid Wednesday night, No. 5 Silver Creek High School ended No. 12 Niwot High School's boys soccer season with a 1-0 overtime victory in the Class 4A state tournament. The Raptors' Parker Brown netted the game-winning goal in extra time, securing Silver Creek's second-ever quarterfinal appearance. The closely contested match, played on Silver Creek's home turf, remained scoreless through regulation time as both teams engaged in a defensive showcase. The...
In an era when American politics often divide communities, one local school has found an innovative-and furry-way to teach students about democracy. Boulder Country Day School (BCD) is engaging its students in the electoral process through a guinea pig presidential election. The candidates are two classroom pets named Sneffels and Belford, whose campaigns have captured the imagination of the entire school community while delivering powerful lessons about civic engagement and democratic values....
In a commanding performance that showcased both offensive firepower and defensive prowess, the Niwot High School boys soccer team secured their spot in the second round of the Class 4A Boys Soccer State Tournament with a 2-0 victory over Wheat Ridge High School. The Cougars wasted no time establishing their dominance, striking early in the game when midfielder Leo Broteland won a crucial tackle in the middle of the field. With precise vision, Broteland threaded a pass through the Wheat Ridge...
Facing significant enrollment challenges, Heatherwood Elementary School has unveiled an ambitious plan to transform its educational offerings through a new Environmental STEAM program set to launch in the 2025-2026 school year. The school, which was designed to accommodate 500 students, is currently operating at just 40% capacity, a decline that began during the COVID pandemic. Current projections suggest enrollment could drop to approximately 200 students by 2028. When a school's enrollment...
The Niwot High School softball team's impressive postseason journey came to an end Friday at the Aurora Sports Complex, as the Cougars fell to fifth-ranked Holy Family High School, 8-3, in the 4A State Championship Round of 16. The loss marked the conclusion of a successful season for the Cougars, who finished with a strong 16-10 overall record and 7-4 in league play. Fresh off two victories in the Tournament of 32 Teams in Pueblo, Niwot faced a familiar opponent in Holy Family, which had...
The Niwot High School boys soccer team experienced both triumph and disappointment this week, securing a convincing 4-0 victory over Frederick High School before falling to Skyline High School in a surprising 4-3 upset. In Tuesday's away match at Frederick, Niwot showcased its offensive prowess with a balanced scoring attack. Naveen Bopearachchigedon, Colin Mundt, Jay Scharfe, and Mohi Bauer each found the back of the net as the Cougars secured their second consecutive win, improving their...
In a day of intense competition at the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) Class 4A boys tennis individual state championships on Oct. 17, Niwot High School's varsity tennis program demonstrated both promise and perseverance across multiple divisions. Senior Sebastian Moy, Niwot's No. 1 singles player, opened strong with a convincing 6-2, 6-3 victory over Lewis-Palmer High School's Thatcher Crisler in the first round. However, Moy's tournament run was cut short in the quarterfina...
The Niwot High School softball varsity team has secured its spot in the state Tournament of 16 after an impressive showing at the Colorado High School Activities Association Class 4A Regionals in Pueblo, Colorado, Oct. 18 and 19. The team demonstrated resilience and skill, finishing with a 2-1 record in the round of 32. In their opening game against the Palisade High School Bulldogs, the Cougars emerged victorious with a tight 2-1 win. Standout pitcher Kianna Butler dominated from the circle,...
Lindy Bartruff is a face that is familiar to many in the Niwot Community. She has been teaching dance lessons at the Left Hand Grange for four years. Her classes are popular as she teaches all levels of dance including line dancing, social dancing, tap and jazz. Bartruff 's journey to Niwot is a tale of passion, perseverance, and the pursuit of artistic expression. Born and raised in Montana to artistically inclined parents - her father a renowned UCC minister and counselor, her mother a...
The Niwot High School softball team has been turning heads this season with an impressive performance on and off their home field. With a solid overall record of 14-8 for the 2024 regular season and a commendable 7-4 standing in the competitive 5A/4A/3A Granite Peaks league, the Cougars have proven themselves a force to be reckoned with. The team's performance has been particularly stellar on the home turf, with the Cougars boasting a 6-2 record. Their away game resilience is evident in their 7-...
The autumn sun cast long shadows across the tennis courts as the Class 4A Regional Tennis Tournament unfolded at Niwot High School. The air crackled with anticipation as players from various schools gathered, their rackets ready and dreams of state glory in their hearts. Niwot's boys tennis team, a perennial powerhouse, entered the tournament with high hopes. Leading the charge was Sebastian Moy, the school's formidable No. 1 singles player. Moy's journey began with a first-round bye, a...
The first round of the Colorado High School Activities Association Boys Tennis Dual Team State Championships began on Oct. 2, with all 16 teams in both 4A and 5A classifications playing their first-round matches. Winning teams advanced to the quarterfinal round, Oct. 9-12. Of the top 16 teams that advanced to the state tournament, Niwot, the eighth seed, played Vail Christian High School, the ninth seed. Each team had to win four of seven lines to advance to the quarterfinals, with Niwot falling 1-6 in a challenging first round. The team’s p...
Niwot's varsity softball team experienced a rollercoaster of emotions and results last week, demonstrating both the challenges and triumphs that come with the sport. The week began with a difficult matchup against Broomfield High School, resulting in a lopsided 15-0 loss. The loss marks the first game of the season that the Cougars were not able to put a run on the board. The Cougars, who average 7.2 runs per game this season, bounced back with a dominant 10-0 mercy rule victory over Silver...
With a record number of participants this season, the Niwot Youth Sports (NYS) NFL flag football season has reached the halfway mark. In an exciting break from regular season play, NYS flag football teams recently faced off against the Gridiron league in a thrilling mid-season tournament. The event showcased the young athletes' skills and competitive spirit before they return to their regular season play. One of the tournament's most memorable matchups came in the Varsity division (3rd and 4th...
The City of Boulder strives to provide customers with safe, high-quality drinking water. In order to continue to do this, older waterlines that are reaching the end of their useful life must be replaced. As part of the 63rd Street Waterline Replacement Project, the City of Boulder will be replacing two aging waterlines along 63rd Street between CO 119 (Diagonal Highway) and Jay Road, a project that is funded by the city's utilities fund. The project will replace two aging waterlines and...
After losing at home in extra innings to Frederick High School, the Niwot varsity softball team headed west to Grand Junction for a four-game, non-league tournament last weekend. In game one on Friday, Sept. 27, the Cougars shut out Grand Junction High School by a score of 5-0, extending their road winning streak to four. Kianna Butler led off with a double to center field, followed by a single from Payton Stokes. An error by the Grand Junction catcher brought in the first run of the game for Ni...
In a thrilling display of teamwork and skill, Niwot High School's No. 4 doubles team, Tyler Chivukula and Ollie Jones, emerged victorious in the Granite Peaks League Tennis Tournament held Sept. 27 at Niwot High School. The pair started strong, defeating Erie High School with a score of 6-1, 6-2. Building on their momentum, the duo faced a tougher challenge against the Monarch High School duo, where they ultimately prevailed 6-4, 7-6, in a closely contested match. In the final showdown, Jones an...
Dr. Jessie Slepicka grew up on a chicken and sheep farm in Niwot, Colorado, and his experiences growing up ultimately led to a doctoral degree and a position as a professor in the Sociology and Criminology Department at the University of Montana. His parents, Jerry and Marsha Slepicka, moved to Niwot in 1990, where they built their log home on 79th Street. The Slepicka family was active in Niwot Nifties (the oldest 4-H club in Boulder County), school clubs, athletics, and honor society, where Je...
The Niwot High School softball team added two more wins to its record last week, with a 7-0 shutout win at home over Monarch High School, and a 10-0 shutout win at Horizon High School, extending their winning streak to eight games. The varsity record now stands at 10-3, with the Cougars moving up to 12th place in the state 4A rankings. Kianna Butler, who is second in the state in strikeouts in Class 4A, has been a dominating force on the mound for the Cougars this season. Butler, who is backed b...
Most high school educators do not have a doctorate degree, and yet Niwot High School currently has six staff members who hold doctorate degrees. Eric Rauschkolb, Niwot High School Principal, finds that having six doctorate holders on staff at the school is inspiring to students and other staff members. "It shows their dedication to their craft, their work ethic, and their commitment to life-long learning," he said. Each of these six professionals earned their doctorate in an area of study that...
The Niwot High School boys soccer team beat Prairie View High School 2-0 at home on Wednesday bumping their record to 4-1. The Cougars and their solid defense once again left their opponent scoreless, posting shutouts in the last three games. Seniors Gavin Engtrakul and Jay Scharfe each scored a goal in the second half, bringing their combined season total to four goals. After a scoreless first half, Engtrakul set up Scharfe for the first goal of the game, and junior Quinn Brady set up...
The Niwot High School varsity softball team extended its winning streak with an 11-1 win over Fairview High School on Tuesday, Sept. 10 at home, followed by a 15-3 win at Longmont High School, and a 3-0 win over The Academy High School at home on Saturday. The Cougars scored six runs in the first inning against Fairview, beginning with a solo home run to right field by pitcher Kianna Butler. RBIs from Anna Halverson, Simone Paterno, Saleen Amaya, and Butler added to the lead, resulting in a...
The Niwot High School boys soccer team earned their second win in a row on Wednesday, Sept. 4, at an away game against Littleton High School, earning a 3-0 shutout. This three-goal margin is a new team best for the Cougars who have played four games so far this season. Seniors Jay Scharfe and Santiago Nahas both scored in the first half of the game, their first goals of the season. Senior Mohi Bauer also scored his first goal of the season in the last few minutes of the game off an assist from...
Following a tough 4-1 loss to Holy Family High School at home last week, the Niwot High School Cougar varsity softball team came out strong over the weekend in the Berthoud Invitational tournament, scoring 49 runs and winning three out of four games. The Cougars lost a close game one to the Fort Collins High School Lambkins by a score of 6-3. Junior Payton Johnson and freshman Payton Stokes each drove in one run for the Cougars, with senior Kianna Butler scoring the third and final run on an...
In July of 2023, Ifrain and Shannon Rodriguez, the owners of a 39.5-acre property at 6184 Niwot Road, located on the southwest corner of 63rd Street and Niwot Road, submitted an application to Boulder County to construct nine new residential homes (for a total of 10 homes, including their own). This application was submitted using a Boulder County land use process involving Transferable Development Rights (TDRs), and is known as the Rodriguez TDR-PUD, docket number SD-23-0003. TDRs are a land de...
In 2013-2014, the Northwest Area Mobility Study (NAMS) identified several highways that were prime for transit expansion or enhancements, one being the CO 119 corridor between Longmont and Boulder, also known as the Diagonal Highway. According to highway safety records, CO 119 is the highest crash corridor for motorists and the second highest for bicyclists in Boulder County. By 2040, the stretch of the Diagonal Highway between Boulder and Longmont is expected to see an increase in vehicle...
Phase 2 of the North 95th Street Reconstruction and Flood Resiliency Improvements Project began on Monday, Aug. 26. Expect closures in both directions 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 95th Street between Lookout Road and Valmont Road. The construction zone will prohibit motor vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians from entering. Residents living along 95th Street will need to access their homes from Lookout Road if living north of Boulder Creek, and from Valmont Road if living south of Boulder...
Niwot Youth Sports (NYS) is a non-profit organization providing recreational and competitive sports experiences for children ages four to 18 in the Niwot, Gunbarrel and South Longmont area, and fall brings back the NYS flag football program. The NYS NFL Flag Football League is a premier youth flag football league for boys and girls that includes games against other NFL flag football teams in the Boulder County area. Flag football is a non-contact sport where players wear flags and defenders are...
