All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
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Boulder County's newest commissioners Claire Levy and Marta Loachamin got a crash course in the history of the Niwot Local Improvement District when the BOCC met with members of the LID advisory committee on Feb. 25. They also got an earful about some missteps by their predecessors, as well as some still-lingering conflicts that arose from the NRCD building moratorium from two years ago. But the meeting ended with an optimistic tone, and an agreement from both boards to work more cooperatively...
Thirty years ago Niwot's 2nd Avenue was a mess whenever it rained or snowed. No curb and gutter, no streetlights, and nowhere for moisture to drain. As an unincorporated community, the downtown business district had no tax revenue or funding mechanism for basic infrastructure projects. In the early 1990s a small group of local commercial property owners approached Boulder County officials seeking a solution. Anne Dyni, who with her husband Jack owned the former blacksmith building (now occupied...
The weather outside was frightful, but businesses along Niwot's 2nd Avenue and in Cottonwood Square went out of their way to make this Valentine's Day delightful for visitors, with special treats and decor. That included Old Oak Cofee House, which made Valentine's-themed cookie bags for patrons. Sweetening the pot was the NBA's Love Niwot Walk, a month-long passport shopping event that rewards shoppers with a complimentary love-themed gift. See additional photos here....
Most Niwot residents know that the Niwot Business Association (NBA) offers business support and networking, and also hosts Rock & Rails with the Niwot Cultural Arts Association on summer Thursday nights, as well as sponsoring other community events such as the Great Pumpkin Party, Enchanted Evening and the Holiday Parade. Fewer residents know the NBA is responsible for things that are easy to take for granted. Tasks such as changing street light bulbs, paying the electric bill for the lights,...
The Niwot Business Association unveiled its 2021 budget at Februaryâs monthly meeting of the Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Board, prompting a discussion of the districtâs 2021 finances. The board also approved a handful of funding requests, discussed topics for its upcoming meeting with the Board of County Commissioners, and got an update on recruitment for upcoming vacancies from county liaison Mark Ruzzin. Treasurerâs Report Up first was the February treasurerâs report from Bruce R...
It has been six months since the death of Arapaho artist Eddie Running Wolf due to the coronavirus, but his memory and his art live on in Niwot. A Saturday gathering, masked and socially distant, paid tribute to the work of Wolf and continuing efforts to preserve his iconic tree sculptures on Niwot Road with a blessing ceremony led by Thornton resident Walt Pourier of the Oglala Lakota Nation, and attended by the artist's wife Melissa, his sons Calvin and Dustin and his mother. "So I called...
At its first monthly meeting of the new year, the Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Board approved funding for a slew of routine maintenance expenses, as well as new events devised by the Niwot Business Association to help keep traffic circulating through local businesses. The members also discussed their upcoming annual meeting with the Board of County Commissioners, scheduled for Feb. 4. Treasurer's Report LID Vice Chair Jim Eastman delivered the January Treasurer's report in lieu of t...
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment recently announced that businesses and communities can now apply for a COVID certification program that allows certain areas of the community to open up to a less-restrictive level. The 5 Star Certification Program is voluntary, and it is up to each county to determine whether or not to implement it. According to the program's site, it is "set up at the county level through an administrative committee... It encourages businesses to impleme...
At the final monthly meeting of 2020, the Niwot Local Improvement District's Advisory Committee met virtually to consider two funding requests related to marketing and economic development in 2021. Treasurer's Report But before the fun could get underway, the board heard from LID Treasurer Bruce Rabeler with an update on the district's finances through the end of November. To date, the board has approved $254,303.08 in funding requests in 2020, including $101,512 for the public parking lot....
Boulder County is seeking applications for three openings on the Niwot Local Improvement District (LID) Advisory Committee, a nine-member independent board that "prioritizes expenditures of the LID sales tax revenue," and makes recommendations to the county commissioners, who serve as the board of directors for the district. The Niwot LID was formed in 1992 and was authorized to collect a half-percent sales tax to pay for street, drainage and other improvements in Old Town, beginning in 1993. In...
As Thanksgiving approaches, there's no shortage of advice on how to make the best turkey, what new sides to serve along with beloved family recipes, and what wines or cocktails to have. While information is available from a lot of sources, culinary talent from the Niwot Tavern and newly opened Niwot Wheel Works have their own suggestions. Read their thoughts as you plan your holiday meal. Suggestions for Thanksgiving meals Head chef Juan Reyes and Chef Hugo Ordiz have been in the kitchen at...
The retail incubator launched by the Niwot Business Association last month got a boost from the Niwot Local Improvement District's Advisory Committee when they agreed to recommend funding a portion of its marketing and promotional expenses at their virtual monthly meeting on Nov. 10. By a vote of 8-1, the board granted a modified funding request of $4,554 that will cover advertising and printing costs, as well as costs associated with hiring an "ambassador" to assist shoppers during business...
Small towns like Niwot are an endangered species throughout the US. For a small town to survive or even thrive, is heroic. What makes Niwot different? Our Voice, which speaks to us weekly, is a large factor behind Niwot's success. Our Voice reminds us that Niwotians' are really a special breed. Our Voice reminds us that unlike other towns, we volunteer and govern ourselves. Our Voice helps us celebrate our volunteer leadership associations with fancy nomenclature that make things happen, like the NBA, NCA, NFL, NCAA, LID, and not so fancy,...
It's shaping up to be a busy, but socially distanced winter around Niwot, as the LID advisory committee members considered funding requests for upcoming holiday themed events at their virtual monthly meeting on Oct. 6. Treasurer's Report First, however, they heard from LID treasurer Bruce Rabeler, who led off with a concerning notice from the Boulder County finance office regarding the district's 2020 earnings. According to county analyst David Thayer, the state of Colorado believes the LID's hi...
Have you recently stepped outside to the smell of a campfire? Or been surprised to find your car covered in white ash? Or been shocked by the size of the setting orange sun? It's not the apocalypse, although the orange light does seem a bit eerie. It's simply the end of a hot, dry summer in Colorado. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, as the summer of 2020 comes to a close, the entire state of Colorado is currently experiencing drought conditions. For the first time since 2013, 100% of the...
Though most traditional fall events had to be shelved in 2020, autumnal-themed fun is still on the agenda in Niwot, courtesy of two brand new offerings from the Niwot Business Association. "In COVID times, more than ever, we need to think of different ways to get Niwot residents and those from neighboring communities to frequent the businesses downtown," longtime realtor and NBA vice-president Deborah Read Fowler said. "We are having regular meetings to brainstorm and launch new events to get us...
At their virtual meeting on Sept. 1, the Niwot LID advisory committee members got a preview of what could prove to be a very busy fall around town, with funding requests for a slew of upcoming events as well as plans to preserve the Native American tree sculptures carved by the late artist Eddie Running Wolf. Treasurer's Report LID Treasurer Bruce Rabeler went first with an update on the district's finances, though there was nothing new to report on the revenue side, as the Colorado Department...
A proposal to bring more parking to downtown Niwot cleared its last major hurdle on Aug. 6 when the Boulder Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to conditionally approve a parking facility on the western edge of downtown. Now the project's sponsors are preparing for construction and coming to terms with the realization that their long-held vision is finally becoming a reality. "Well, it's been a long battle, but yes, I did think we would get it done," Niwot Cultural Arts Association...
After taking a short summer break in July, the Niwot LID advisory committee was back in action on Aug. 4 with a full agenda. Treasurer's Report LID Treasurer Bruce Rabeler opened the meeting with a financial update, starting with the latest revenue reports from the Colorado Department of Revenue. For now, revenue collections are holding steady in Niwot, despite ongoing restrictions on large events and indoor dining. The Niwot LID earned a combined $29,968 in April ($15,560) and May ($14,408),...
Plans for a multimodal parking facility adjacent to downtown Niwot got the preliminary go-ahead from the Boulder County Planning Commission at a remote public hearing held on June 17. With a unanimous vote, the nine-member board approved a proposal from the Niwot Business Association and the County of Boulder to develop a lot with 14 spaces on vacant land between the BNSF railroad tracks and Murray Street, provided several conditions are met. âThe applicants were very accepting of the conditions...
Last week, the Boulder County Board of County Commissioners announced that it has awarded funding to 11 businesses in Niwot through the Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Relief Grant Program, a $200,000 fund that launched in May to provide "immediate financial support" to those businesses negatively impacted by the pandemic in unincorporated parts of the county. In all, the county awarded grants totaling $192,500 to 34 businesses. "We were interested in really supporting small businesses...
The annual July 4 parade in Niwot will not take place this year. Members of the Niwot Community Association Board of Directors agreed at their June 3 meeting that proceeding with the parade "is just not feasible" in this era of the COVID-19 pandemic health restrictions. The NCA sponsors and organizes the annual parade. "The committee has agreed that we are not able to hold the parade safely this year," said NCA events coordinator Kim Hawksworth. "We just don't think the risks can be reasonably...
On Tuesday, June 2, the Niwot LID advisory committee gathered via videoconference for its monthly meeting. Treasurer's Report Treasurer Bruce Rabeler presented an update of the district's finances, starting with the revenue report from March. The Niwot LID earned $12,639 for the month, which is down substantially from the same period in 2019 ($16,406), but higher than expected thanks to robust sales in the Retail and Arts, Entertainment & Recreation sectors. Unsurprisingly, the...
Last week, the Boulder County Board of County Commissioners launched the Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Relief Grant Program to provide "immediate financial support" to small businesses in unincorporated parts of the county, including Niwot, Jamestown, and Ward. Companies with fewer than 50 employees that have experienced substantial financial hardship due to the coronavirus pandemic are encouraged to apply. "The county has been very active in the emergency response for the pandemic...but...
On Tuesday, May 5, the Niwot LID advisory committee gathered via videoconference for its first monthly meeting since March. Unsurprisingly, the coronavirus pandemic and its ongoing economic impact on Niwot drove the discussion. Summer Events Noting a paucity of funding requests on the board's official May agenda, chair Laura Skaggs opened the meeting by asking LID members Bruce Warren and Eric Bergeson (presidents of the Niwot Cultural Arts Association and Niwot Business Association,...
The coronavirus pandemic and resulting lockdowns have taken a steep toll on Niwot businesses, and the path to recovery is still uncertain. But Eric Bergeson and the Niwot Business Association are working to get their members started on that path and hopefully back to a thriving downtown commercial district. "The NBA Executive Committee has been trying to respond to this and provide whatever assistance we can," said Bergeson, who was elected to his first term as NBA president in February. "We're...
Sales tax revenue for the Niwot LID set new records in 2019, and the record-setting month and year were attributed to online sales rather than increased marijuana sales. Bruce Rabeler, treasurer of the Niwot Local Improvement District (LID) reported that December sales tax revenue came in at $26,357. âThat shatters the record for one month,â Rabeler said, noting that it exceeded the previous high of $19,102 set in July 2019, and was $8,000 over any previous December. The annual sales tax revenue for 2019 totaled $209,465. â[This] is the first...
A big part of Niwot's charm lies in its unique retail and dining options, which consistently deliver an experience unlike any other in Boulder County. An oasis amidst the large neighboring cities of Boulder and Longmont, Niwot provides a tranquil haven for visitors who want to slow down and enjoy some retail or gourmet therapy at a relaxed pace. To help spread the word about the town's special offerings, and just in time for spring, the Niwot Business Association has launched the Shop Niwot...
Dear Editor, The âNiwot Incorporation Committeeâ has presented the results of an investigation into the feasibility of incorporating the town of Niwot on their website at niwotstudy.com. In reviewing the information presented on that website, it is clear that the only issues that might form a basis for consideration in an incorporation attempt are those identified in the âOptions for Niwotâ item on the web page. Those issues are: 1) âSolve the roads problemâ and 2) âImprove business vitality.â Of the two âIssues that need to be addressed,â th...
The Niwot LID advisory committee held its monthly meeting on Feb. 4 Treasurerâs Report Bruce Rabeler led off with a report on current LID finances. The district collected $16,854 in sales tax revenue in November 2019, bringing the total for that year to $183,108, an 8.4 percent increase over the same period in 2018. The rise was most notable in the retail sector, which jumped 44%, to $8,070. On the expense side, the LID has approved $65,024.61 in funding requests so far in 2020, leaving just under $84,288.39 of its $149,313 budget. Rabeler e...
Tony Santelli's titles over his lifetime have been progressively more impressive and a couple of characteristics have consistently defined Santelli's legacy in both his professional and volunteer careers â his strong leadership skills and his wonderful way with people. Those traits were highly prized during his 12 years as president of the Niwot Business Association. The first in his family to go to college, Santelli earned an electrical engineering degree. The majority of his work life was w...
Carrie Wise of Wise Buy Antiques is not prone to angry outbursts, but a recent push to bring a municipal government to Niwot has provoked more than one. Now she is joining with other local business owners to get the word out about the potential pitfalls of incorporation and head off a move that she said will irreparably change the unique character of the town. "I think Niwot's really good the way it is," Wise said. "Don't mess with it if it's not broken. I can't help it if the people on the...
It's been nine months since the moratorium on development concluded for downtown Niwot and as yet, no new projects have been born, and new land use codes have not been put to the test. When the Boulder County Commissioners (BOCC) approved updated land use codes in April 2019, the nettlesome issue of access to the mostly unused alley between the residential side of the alley facing 3rd Avenue and the commercial area facing 2nd Avenue had yet to be laid to rest. BOCC approved more prescriptive...
Citing concerns over the appointment of new members of the Niwot Design Review Committee, member Anne Postle resigned from the Niwot LID Advisory Committee at its monthly meeting on Jan. 7. Reading from a letter she planned to send to the Boulder County Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 8, Postle said, "For me, with the NDRC process, this trust has again been compromised to the point that I cannot continue to serve as the NBA representative on the LID. I hope my resignation will be a wake-up...
An application submitted by the Niwot Business Association to build a 14-space multimodal parking facility with a potential expansion up to 50 spaces at the intersection of 3rd Avenue and Murray Street has been put on hold by the Boulder County Land Use department, pending more information about the potential effects on local traffic. According to a Jan. 3 message to NBA representative Bruce Warren from staff planner Molly Marcucilli, the county transportation department requested a hold of the...
Though many local businesses have reported lower earnings in 2019, year-to-date sales tax collections in the Niwot Local Improvement District are outpacing 2018 by nearly seven percent. To help explain the apparent contradiction and other district tax conundrums, the advisory committee invited LuAnn Pyatt of the Colorado Department of Revenue and Dave Thayer of Boulder County Financial Services to their monthly meeting on Nov. 5 for a discussion of how sales taxes are collected and distributed....
The Niwot Business Association (NBA) received word in June that a Boulder County Economic Vitality Grant it had applied for on behalf of Niwot's Left Hand Valley Grange had been approved. The grant is part of Boulder County's overall distribution of grant funds to one economic development organization in each municipality including Erie, Longmont, and Nederland. The fund was formerly called the Economic Development Grant. Boulder County's Economic Development website page reads, "In support of...
Niwot LID advisory committee held its monthly meeting on Sept. 4. Treasurerâs Report Treasurer Bruce Rabeler presented the LIDâs latest revenue report from Boulder County, which showed that the district has collected $92,571 in revenues through June 2019, up 3% from the same period in 2018 ($89,844). However, the growth was concentrated in just a few sectors, most notably retail, where revenues were up nearly 7% (to $36,131 from $33,842). Revenues were down for the Accommodation/Food Ser...
The ultimate disposition of the NRCD Block 5 alley inched closer to resolution last week with a public meeting hosted by Boulder County land use and transportation staff to discuss the results of a recent traffic study in the area and the proposed design guidelines for any future improvements. Though some 2nd Avenue property owners expressed frustration with the potential restrictions and the countyâs ongoing process, consensus emerged on at least one major outstanding issueâthe driving surface...
The NRCD development moratorium and its repercussions dominated the discussion between the Niwot LID Advisory Committee and the Boulder County Commissioners at their annual joint meeting Aug. 6, but there were tentative signs that relations between the two boards might be on the mend. In concluding remarks, Commissioner Deb Gardner expressed remorse for the âacrimoniousâ process and pledged to work for improvements going forward. âWe have some definite questions to bring to the land use depar...
Thirty years ago, Anne Postle was new to her career and a transplant to Colorado. Moving from Tempe, Ariz., after finishing her education at Arizona State University and becoming a licensed architect, she journeyed to Boulder to work for a large firm. She got her feet under her and after five years was ready to start her own firm. âSometimes I look back and think, âHow on earth did I ever think I could run a gallery or open my own firm?ââ Postle said. âI honestly donât know. I think that someti...
This article is the third in a series, which explores various subdivision paving issues in unincorporated Boulder County. Of HOAs and PIDs Jeff Maxwell, the new director of Boulder County Transportation, is well aware of road conditions and the ensuing issues involving subdivisions in the unincorporated county. He was very clear about what county transportation can and cannot do. Whether working with HOAs or creating a PID (Public Improvement District), county transportation can only act as...
On June 18, the Boulder County Commissioners considered a petition from the owners of the property where Left Hand Animal Hospital is now located, 304 Franklin Street in Niwot, to be annexed to the Niwot Local Improvement District. Mark Ruzzin, a member of the county commissionersâ staff, presented the petition to the commissioners, noting that the business was formerly located on 2nd Avenue, an area included in the district, but had recently moved to a location that is outside the district. The hospitalâs new location is less than a block fro...
The Niwot Local Improvement District advisory committee held its monthly meeting on June 4. Treasurer Bruce Rabeler presented the LIDâs latest revenue report from Boulder County, which showed that the district earned $16,406 in March, the highest total this year and the highest total for March in at least the past five years. Noting a similar total from February 2018 that is still in dispute, Rabeler speculated that this might be another case of a mistaken or misdirected deposit by the State o...
It was a busy month for the Niwot LID advisory committee, with a host of summer events on the funding docket, and some new business regarding liability. Things got rolling with Bruce Rabeler and the monthly treasurerâs report. On the revenue side, the county reported that LID businesses collected $25,585 in revenue during the first two months of 2019, down from 2017 ($27,290), but up from 2018, though the latter total is still not finalized due to what appears to be an erroneous credit that t...
The Boulder County Commissioners (BOCC), whose job includes the governance of Niwot, abdicated that role to a Land Use Department whose âarrogance of powerâ as Niwot resident and community volunteer Laura Skaggs put it, is out of control. The April 23 hearing on changes to the Niwot Rural Community District (NRCD) regulations once again demonstrated a blatant disregard of previous direction from the BOCC to Land Use and Transportation departments, most especially with regard to opening the alley behind 2nd Avenue to immediate use by commercial...
At the March 12 meeting regarding the building moratorium in downtown Niwot, Boulder County Commissioners were clear that alley access by all parties between the residential area on 3rd Avenue and the commercial area on 2nd Avenue was essential. One of their directives was for land use staff to develop a solution for alley use. Unfortunately for commercial property owners, the first meeting addressing a solution on the matter didnât satisfy them. The upshot of the April 3 alley meeting with B...
The Niwot LID advisory board got a preview of the warm-weather months ahead at their monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 2. Treasurer Bruce Rabeler was first up with his budget report through the end of March 2019. To date, the LID has approved $38,401.11 in funding requests, or about 30 percent of its annual $132,854 budget. With nearly $30,000 in pending requests for April, total expenditures for the year are set to exceed 50 percent of the budget with eight months still to go in 2019. Rabeler...
Stalled plans to build a public parking lot west of old town Niwot could be getting a jump-start after Boulder County Commissioner Deb Gardner strongly suggested revisiting a county policy that has prevented the lotâs developers from moving ahead with construction. During a March 12 Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) public hearing on proposed updates to the Niwot Rural Community District (NRCD) land use code, Gardner questioned a provision in the 2011 Niwot Transportation and Connectivity P...
At what was potentially the final public meeting regarding the Niwot Rural Community District (NRCD) code update process on March 12, when Boulder County Commissioners (BOCC) could have approved land use staffâs proposed code updates for development in downtown Niwot, Commissioners Elise Jones, Matt Jones, and Deb Gardner instead chose to send the team back to the drawing board on several issues, thereby extending the six month moratorium on development by another month. While commercial entitie...
