All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
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Calling all photographers, intentional or accidental! The Left Hand Valley Courier’s Photo of the Week feature is open to any area resident who personally photographs Niwot-Gunbarrel area sights, including people (with permission, of course), buildings, animals, birds, plants, flowers, events, or anything else. Naturally, there are a few rules to follow: • The photograph must be submitted in jpg format via email to [email protected]@lhvc.com in high resolution. • Please include a caption describing the photo, your name, email addre...
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...
The Niwot Community Association (NCA) received notice from Wildfire Partners, a group partnering with the Boulder County Planning & Permitting Department dedicated to wildfire mitigation, that the NCA's annual "Clean-Up Day" was one of the larger chipping events in Boulder County in 2024. Zack Bertges, Chipping Coordinator with Wildfire Partners, notified John Barto of the NCA that an appreciation event was being held for those with successful chipping events in 2024. Barto has been leading the...
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 Niwot Community Association’s board of directors held its monthly meeting on Nov. 13 at the newly named Niwot Hall. The agenda consisted of a financial report update from the NCA Treasurer, Terry Larsen, the President’s report from David Limbach, and area reports from the area representatives. The directors then addressed the 2024 goals, which were to monitor land use, incorporate a wildfire protection plan, and create and engage on social media platforms. The NCA also hosted Jim Dor...
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...
Calling all photographers, intentional or accidental! The Left Hand Valley Courier’s Photo of the Week feature is open to any area resident who personally photographs Niwot-Gunbarrel area sights, including people (with permission, of course), buildings, animals, birds, plants, flowers, events, or anything else. Naturally, there are a few rules to follow: • The photograph must be submitted in jpg format via email to [email protected] in high resolution. • Please include a caption describing the photo, your name, email address and phone numbe...
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...
The Left Hand Valley Courier (Courier), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is dealing with the same issues that the journalism industry, particularly local journalism, is grappling with across the country. This article is the third in a series of reports on the current journalism business climate, the history and contributions of the Courier, why local journalism remains an important asset in community-building, and ways in which its business model can be strengthened. The Left Hand Valley...
Mary Coonce is a cherished figure in Niwot widely known for her role as co-owner of Porchfront Homes, which has been involved in many community projects, and her own extensive community involvement. For her volunteer efforts in the community, Coonce is the November Left Hand Laurel recipient. Coonce's dedication to Niwot includes service as the Niwot Business Association (NBA) treasurer for seven of the 11 years she has been a member. She also serves as the treasurer for the Local Improvement...
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...
A big change is coming to an historic building in downtown Niwot. What has been known as "The Grange" for nearly 80 years will now be known as "Niwot Hall." It's not the first time the building has been renamed. Originally, the building at 195 Second Ave. was known as Nelson Hall, named after John Nelson, who built it and ran a mercantile business at the location. It is believed to be the first commercial building in Niwot and was home to several different businesses and meeting rooms. Left...
Niwot experienced its first snow of the season this past week, which means winter is quickly approaching. With winter on its way, many Coloradans look forward to skiing, snowshoeing, reading books by a cozy fire, or even traveling to Cancun, Mexico to escape to a warmer climate. However, for many Niwot residents, local annual winter festivities are always a highlight of this approaching season. Enchanted Evening kicks off the winter festivities on Nov. 29 from 5:45 - 9:00 p.m. on Second Avenue...
The first in a three-part series on artificial intelligence (AI) and local school systems. In March 2024, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) was held up as a trailblazer for its embrace of artificial intelligence (AI) when it unveiled a custom-designed chatbot called Ed for the students. The intent was for Ed to be a personalized assistant who would personalize academic plans. LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho called the tool a “game changer” that would “accelerate learn...
Calling all photographers, intentional or accidental! The Left Hand Valley Courier’s Photo of the Week feature is open to any area resident who personally photographs Niwot-Gunbarrel area sights, including people (with permission, of course), buildings, animals, birds, plants, flowers, events, or anything else. Naturally, there are a few rules to follow: • The photograph must be submitted in jpg format via email to [email protected] in high resolution. • Please include a caption describing the photo, your name, email address and phone numbe...
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...
On Oct. 14, the Left Hand Valley Courier emailed Gloria Handyside, Communications Director for the Boulder County Commissioners, inquiring whether the Commissioners planned to amend Boulder County's minimum wage ordinance, in light of the recent breakdown of the Consortium of Cities (COC) regional approach to establishing a county-wide minimum wage. The ordinance sets the minimum wage in unincorporated Boulder County at a higher rate than incorporated areas in the county. Handyside responded on...
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...
Calling all photographers, intentional or accidental! The Left Hand Valley Courier’s Photo of the Week feature is open to any area resident who personally photographs Niwot-Gunbarrel area sights, including people (with permission, of course), buildings, animals, birds, plants, flowers, events, or anything else. Naturally, there are a few rules to follow: • The photograph must be submitted in jpg format via email to [email protected] in high resolution. • Please include a caption describing the photo, your name, email address and phone numbe...
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...
The Great Pumpkin Party kicked off its 27th year in Niwot with an immense crowd on Saturday, Oct. 26, with hundreds of trick-or-treaters in costume roaming the Niwot business district from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Local businesses, with owners and staff dressed in costumes themselves, gave out candy to the trick-or-treaters. The Left Hand Grange provided children's movies for youngsters who needed a short break from trick-or-treating. The Niwot High School Key Club created another very popular...
On Oct. 28, the Left Hand Valley Courier was notified that the IRS recognizes the Courier as a Section 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization, allowing the Courier to seek tax deductible donations and grants to support local journalism. Watch the Courier for details....
When Curt and Marianne Bruner decided to downsize after 31 years in Niwot, they bought a lot at 364 Franklin Street in Niwot's Old Town area next to Left Hand Animal Hospital. The previous home at that location had fallen into disrepair and had been scraped by a developer after the death of the owner. The Bruners engaged Niwot architect Anne Postle of Osmosis Architecture to design a one-story home of approximately 2,275 square feet at ground level with a height of just under 29 feet, an...
Niwot Cookie Momsters, Thanks so much for thinking of the STOCKDALE team while we are deployed! The wardroom enthusiastically dug into the homebaked goods - our culinary specialists do a great job, but there is something a cookie baked in a kitchen back stateside. You generated a lot of smiles and about 10 minutes after the attached picture was taken that tray was empty! I also got a kick out of the Left Hand Valley Courier - it is really nice to be reminded who we're out here doing this for....
The third annual Niwot High School Fall Fest spilled from the front entrance of the school into the parking lot on Friday, Oct. 25. The NHS Student Council organized the event, which attracted many ghosts, goblins, and superheroes from throughout the community. High school clubs and organizations, as well as the Niwot High Boosters, manned themed booths and trunks with plenty of activities for all ages. Costumes, candy and activities ensured high energy. Children of every age participated in a...
The Left Hand Valley Courier, a nonprofit organization, is dealing with the same issues that the journalism industry, particularly local journalism, is grappling with across the country. This article is the second in a series of reports on the current journalism business climate, the history and contributions of the Courier, why local journalism remains an important asset in community-building, and ways in which its business model can be strengthened. The Left Hand Valley Courier (Courier)...
The City of Boulder, a Consortium of Cities (COC) member, recently voted to increase its minimum wage, as shown in the table below. The increase is less than unincorporated Boulder County's minimum wage ordinance. In contrast, the remaining COC members, including the cities of Longmont, Louisville, Lafayette, and the town of Erie, have either chosen not to pursue this matter, placed it on hold until 2025, or are still in deliberations. In the summer of 2023, the five members of the COC-an...
Calling all photographers, intentional or accidental! The Left Hand Valley Courier’s Photo of the Week feature is open to any area resident who personally photographs Niwot-Gunbarrel area sights, including people (with permission, of course), buildings, animals, birds, plants, flowers, events, or anything else. Naturally, there are a few rules to follow: • The photograph must be submitted in jpg format via email to [email protected] in high resolution. • Please include a caption describing the photo, your name, email address and phone numbe...
Calling all photographers, intentional or accidental! The Left Hand Valley Courier’s Photo of the Week feature is open to any area resident who personally photographs Niwot-Gunbarrel area sights, including people (with permission, of course), buildings, animals, birds, plants, flowers, events, or anything else. Naturally, there are a few rules to follow: • The photograph must be submitted in jpg format via email to [email protected]@lhvc.com in high resolution. • Please include a caption describing the photo, your name, email addre...
Susan Odiseos has been an active volunteer in the Niwot community since she moved here in December 2018, including organizing food drives, participating with the Niwot Patriotic Cookie Moms, working at Rock & Rails, and being an active member of the Niwot Community Connection (NCC). Odiseos has had a lifetime of community involvement that has changed lives. Odiseos originally lived in Connecticut, and assisted several charity and volunteer organizations there before she moved to Santa Fe around...
Music at the Grange Sunday, Nov. 10 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. This special afternoon of tunes features up to 11 talented local artists performing their renditions of familiar songs with some original pieces sprinkled in. Performers are by invitation only and the community is welcome to listen and enjoy free of charge. Complimentary refreshments are always provided. Niwot Community Connection Thursday, Nov. 14 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. In addition to covering community news and discussing upcoming... Full story
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 Left Hand Valley Courier (Courier), a nonprofit organization, is dealing with the same issues that the journalism industry, particularly local journalism, is grappling with across the country. This article is the first in a series of reports on the current journalism business climate, the history and contributions of the Courier, why local journalism remains an important asset in community-building, and ways in which its business model can be strengthened. There was a time when cities and co...
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...
Niwot Historical Society's Now & Then Lecture Series' latest speaker was Gunbarrel resident Tom Myer, an activist and expert on Native American culture. Before an audience of 40 people at the Left Hand Grange on Oct. 10, Myer introduced his lecture called "What is a Powwow?" accompanied by "hand talk," a form of Plains Indian sign language. Myer's information-packed and enthusiastic presentation wove together the tragic history of how American Indians have been treated as a way to elucidate why...
Calling all photographers, intentional or accidental! The Left Hand Valley Courier’s Photo of the Week feature is open to any area resident who personally photographs Niwot-Gunbarrel area sights, including people (with permission, of course), buildings, animals, birds, plants, flowers, events, or anything else. Naturally, there are a few rules to follow: • The photograph must be submitted in jpg format via email to [email protected]@lhvc.com in high resolution. • Please include a caption describing the photo, your name, email addre...
Calling all photographers, intentional or accidental! The Left Hand Valley Courier’s Photo of the Week feature is open to any area resident who personally photographs Niwot-Gunbarrel area sights, including people (with permission, of course), buildings, animals, birds, plants, flowers, events, or anything else. Naturally, there are a few rules to follow: • The photograph must be submitted in jpg format via email to [email protected]@lhvc.com in high resolution. • Please include a caption describing the photo, your name, email addre...
In the summer of 2023, five members of the Boulder County Consortium of Cities (COC)—an organization that fosters interaction and communication among local governments in Boulder County and now includes non-voting representatives from Niwot—directed the Regional Minimum Wage working group of the COC to study Boulder County’s regional economy, engage the community regarding a potential minimum wage increase, and work with ECOnorthwest, a consultant hired by the COC to prepare an economic analy...
Calling all photographers, intentional or accidental! The Left Hand Valley Courier’s Photo of the Week feature is open to any area resident who personally photographs Niwot-Gunbarrel area sights, including people (with permission, of course), buildings, animals, birds, plants, flowers, events, or anything else. Naturally, there are a few rules to follow: • The photograph must be submitted in jpg format via email to [email protected]@lhvc.com in high resolution. • Please include a caption describing the photo, your name, email addre...
The Niwot Cultural Arts Association (NCAA) received a $25,000 grant from the Boulder County Parks and Open Space Foundation last week to support the restoration and installation of three iconic tree carvings by the late artist Eddie Running Wolf. The grant was applied for at the suggestion of Brent Wheeler, Boulder County's liaison for the project. "Brent had mentioned the grant opportunity when we met with County Commissioner Marta Loachamin and Walt Pourier of the Lakota tribe, who was a good...
This is Part 2 in a two-part series regarding public school enrollment in Boulder Valley. Part 1 focused on the Boulder Valley School District. Part 2 focuses on the St. Vrain Valley School District. In its Sept.18, 2024 issue, the Left Hand Valley Courier covered declining enrollment throughout the Boulder Valley School District (BVSD), and how BVSD is helping manage the decline. Nearby, the St. Vrain Valley School District (SVVSD) seems to be facing less decline than BVSD though, with an estimated 0.41% decrease having occurred in the past ye...
Calling all photographers, intentional or accidental! The Left Hand Valley Courier’s Photo of the Week feature is open to any area resident who personally photographs Niwot-Gunbarrel area sights, including people (with permission, of course), buildings, animals, birds, plants, flowers, events, or anything else. Naturally, there are a few rules to follow: • The photograph must be submitted in jpg format via email to [email protected]@lhvc.com in high resolution. • Please include a caption describing the photo, your name, email addre...
Anybody who has been to a Rock & Rails concert is well aware of the hard work that goes into making sure as much waste as possible is recycled or composted, and the park is kept neat and tidy. And with a goal of zero waste, the Rock & Rails organizing committee, administered by the Niwot Cultural Arts Association (NCAA) and the Niwot Business Association (NBA), is utilizing help behind the scenes to make this goal a reality in every aspect of the event. As the Rock & Rails zero waste...
Ok. Remember when we used to read Time, Newsweek, TV Guide, People, and Rolling Stone? I am talking about magazines and newspapers made from paper. The kind you hold in your hands. My parents had the LA Times, the Sunday New York Times and the Wall Street Journal delivered to our front door. Reading the newspaper was a welcome ritual. They collected every issue of National Geographic. That magazine's stunning photos singlehandedly opened the world to small town America. We learned about African...
Community Dance Classes Wednesdays, Sept. 18 and 25 and Oct. 2, 16 and 23 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Community dance classes at the Grange are all the rage. Under the direction of instructor-choreographer Lindy Bartruff, there are several opportunities for the community to feel completely joyful while learning new dance steps and being active. Class level and content are matched to the participants of each class. 5:00 p.m. - 5:50 p.m. Tap Dance Classes will focus on technique and routines which are...
It would be an understatement to say that Natalie Fitches is an outstanding student. Fitches, a 2024 Niwot High School graduate, has been recognized for several accomplishments during her tenure at NHS. She was recognized as Arts Student of the Week by the Left Hand Valley Courier in September 2023 and she has been named as the Student of the Year by the NHS marching and symphonic band programs. This August, Fitches received recognition for all that she does, not just at NHS, but in her...
According to a recent report issued by the Colorado Department of Education in October of 2023, there were 1,800 fewer students enrolled in Colorado Public Schools than in 2022. School districts across the state have been facing declining enrollment issues, with some, like Denver Public Schools, expecting upwards of an 8% decline in students in the next five years. Boulder Valley School District (BVSD) is projected to lose 1,700 students over the next 5 years based on reports from 2022-2023. In response, it has created a Long Range Advisory...
Calling all photographers, intentional or accidental! The Left Hand Valley Courier’s Photo of the Week feature is open to any area resident who personally photographs Niwot-Gunbarrel area sights, including people (with permission, of course), buildings, animals, birds, plants, flowers, events, or anything else. Naturally, there are a few rules to follow: • The photograph must be submitted in jpg format via email to [email protected]@lhvc.com in high resolution. • Please include a caption describing the photo, your name, email addre...
