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...
An ad hoc committee of community leaders will host an open house anniversary party for Niwot's sesquicentennial on Sunday, March 30 from 12 noon to 3 p.m. at Niwot Hall. The event will commemorate Niwot's founding as noted by the handwritten date of March 30, 1875, on a town plat recorded with Boulder County 150 years ago. Activities will include a photo booth, a then-and-now slideshow, and live music by Pete and Joan Wernick, with guest fiddler Justin Hoffenberg. According to event organizers,...
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...
Niwot's premier summer concert series, Rock & Rails, will be here before long, and the organizing committee is hard at work. The season starts Thursday, June 5, and runs through Aug. 28, with 13 concerts. Opening acts start at 5 p.m. with the headliners taking the stage at 6:30 p.m. every Thursday night all summer long. The event, which won the Governor's Award for Best Downtown Event in its 2006 inaugural season, is managed by the Niwot Cultural Arts Association and the Niwot Business...
As the Niwot High School girls varsity tennis team prepares for a new season, Team Captain Magnolia Valentine is focused on leading with an emphasis on community, support, and growth. With tennis in her life since she was five, Valentine, a senior, brings years of experience and a passion for the game to her role. But as captain, her primary focus is on fostering a strong, supportive team dynamic. "One of the most important aspects of leadership for this team is building a strong community,...
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...
Niwot's first First Friday Art Walk of 2025 will occur on March 7, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Old Town Niwot and in Cottonwood Square. "It's easier to hold the events when it's warmer and lighter outside, although we still had a great turnout in December before the holidays, so we are excited for the year coming up," said Coordinator Anne Postle. Postle estimates the First Friday Art Walks have been occurring since 2010. The events are sponsored by the Niwot Cultural Arts Association and hosted...
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...
Niwot Cultural Arts Association's Let's Wine About Winter event celebrated its eighth successful year this past Saturday, Feb. 8, from 1 - 5 p.m. in Cottonwood Square and old town Niwot's business district. The event invited locals and visitors to explore the unique shops and restaurants of Cottonwood Square and Second Avenue while they enjoyed tasting a variety of wine, beer, and other culinary offerings. Everyone was able to gather, share good conversation, and enjoy the welcoming atmosphere...
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."...
Changes are on the horizon for the Niwot Business Association (NBA) as several key officers prepare to step down, making way for new leadership in the spring of 2025. The term of current NBA President Eric Bergeson of The Wheel House will end and Bergeson has decided to step down from his leadership role. Jim Ditzel of Summit Commercial Real Estate will be the new president, having been elected after running unopposed for the position. Ditzel, a longtime NBA member, has already begun...
The Niwot boys varsity basketball team suffered two losses this week against highly-ranked Legacy High School and the Cougars' cross-town rival, Silver Creek High School. The game against Legacy on Tuesday, Feb. 4 ended with the Cougars on the short end of a 76-44 score, while Friday's Senior Night battle was close until the final minutes, with Silver Creek coming out on top, 56-42, leaving the Cougars eager for a win as the season winds down. Rohit Das led the Cougars in scoring against Legacy...
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...
When The Wheel House real estate was sold in 2024, locals questioned the future of Niwot's popular gathering spot, renowned for its eclectic crowd and vibrant atmosphere. On some evenings a small band might be playing in a corner while guests cheered their favorite sports teams competing on the screen across the room at the bar, with patrons enjoying food from La Musette food truck. On Thursday evenings in the summer, amped up locals and visitors stop by after Rock & Rails concerts in Whistle...
The Left Hand Valley Courier, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, launched a fundraising campaign in November 2024 with the goal of raising $250,000 to pay reporters and vendors, print the newspaper weekly, upgrade our printing quality and support our educational mission. Your generosity has been overwhelming. To date, we have raised $44,958.00 to date because of the outpouring of local support from you, our loyal readers. We are in the process of applying for grants to supplement our local fundraising efforts. Several of you have also pledged...
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...
More than 200 wrestlers competing across 14 weight classes from 20 schools across Colorado converged on Niwot High School Saturday, Jan. 4 for the Niwot Invitational wrestling tournament. The tournament, which has become a significant mid-season test for Colorado prep wrestlers, featured weight classes ranging from 106 to 285 pounds. Niwot fielded competitors in ten of the fourteen weight classes, showing the program's growing depth under new Head Coach Michael DeCamillis. The host Cougars made...
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,...
With the new year, many of us resolve to change something in our lives. Small changes can make a difference. Whether it is to eliminate a behavior or add a behavior or perhaps treat yourself to a new experience, there are many good reasons to start the year with a “clean slate” and resolve to make 2025 a better year. The Left Hand Valley Courier staff shares some of their New Year’s resolutions below. Now that you have gotten to know us better, maybe their resolutions might inspire you to make your own. Scott Barto - • Get back into the hab...
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...
The Niwot Local Improvement District (LID) held a community meeting Monday, Dec. 2, at The Wheel House in Niwot, with approximately 60 people in attendance, including Boulder County Commissioner Claire Levy. Niwot Business Association President Eric Bergeson welcomed the crowd, then turned the presentation over to Dave Lee and Chad Fletemeyer of Fletemeyer & Lee Associates, a Niwot architectural firm hired by the LID to create a long-term vision to guide future development in Niwot, especially...
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,...
