All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
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Dr. Don Haddad, the highly respected and impactful superintendent of the St. Vrain Valley School District (SVVSD), is embarking on a well-deserved retirement. He says he will not be completely stepping away, suggesting his invaluable experience and passion for education will continue to enrich the SVVSD as an emeritus superintendent. Emeritus status is an honorary title awarded to individuals, typically faculty or staff, who have retired from a specific position or organization, recognizing...
Niwot's fifth Around the World Celebration is coming up on Saturday, April 26, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Second Avenue and in Cottonwood Square in Niwot. The event is sponsored by the Niwot Business Association (NBA) and funded in part by the Niwot Local Improvement District (LID). The event invites businesses and the public to celebrate many countries and cultures through food, drinks, decor, and music throughout town. Around the World started in 2020 during the COVID epidemic as a way...
On Saturday, April 19, Niwot's annual pancake breakfast and Easter egg hunt will be held at Niwot High School. The entire community is invited to celebrate the season. Bert's Pancake Breakfast, named in honor of the late Bert Steele of Niwot Market, begins at 7:30 a.m. and serves a hearty breakfast until 10:30 a.m. The price for the breakfast is $10 for adults and $5 for children five and older. Kids age four and younger are free. Proceeds go to the Niwot Community Connection, Live music and a...
Members of the Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee (LID) met on April 1 at the Niwot Inn and unanimously approved five funding requests. The committee also unanimously approved a LID resolution urging the Boulder County Commissioners to implement a moratorium on the remaining unincorporated county wage increases. Among other business matters, the LID discussed the status of the Niwot Master Plan, the vice chair vacancy, a possible policy to extend the time to make decisions...
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...
For his enduring leadership and volunteerism for the Niwot community and advocacy for Niwot's businesses, Tony Santelli is the Left Hand Valley Courier's April Left Hand Laurel. As a former co-owner of the Niwot Tavern, a past president of the Niwot Business Association (NBA), and a current member of the community's minimum wage task force as well as the Niwot Future League (NFL), Santelli's leadership and dynamism is apparent when he discusses his love for the Niwot community. Niwot is the...
This is a monthly feature summarizing the activities of the Boulder County Commissioners. The Niwot Business Association will be sending you a request for your signature on a letter addressed to the Commissioners. This letter urges the Commissioners to amend the minimum wage ordinance to match the $14.81 rate of neighboring municipalities. Currently, Niwot's minimum wage is $16.57 per hour, and scheduled to rise to $25 per hour by 2030. Data from the Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory...
As April ushers in the beautiful renewal of spring, Niwot Hall hosts a month of invigorating cultural events, lectures, dance, music, and opportunities to connect where all are welcome. Dance Classes with Lindy Bartruff Tuesdays, April 1, 8, 15, 22, & 29 Beginning at 3:00 p.m. Participate in fun and fitness while dancing under the instruction of director-choreographer Lindy Bartruff. 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Aerobic Dance Do you love to dance and yearn for an easy, energizing outlet? Ignite your...
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...
This is the inaugural installment of a monthly feature recapping the activities of the Boulder County Commissioners. Boulder County Commissioners background information: The Boulder County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) consists of three members: Claire Levy, Marta Loachamin, and Ashley Stolzmann. Each commissioner is elected at-large to a four-year term. They represent the entire county, which has a population of 330,758 according to the U.S. 2020 census. The BOCC is responsible for a...
Jim Ditzel is the new Niwot Business Association (NBA) president and is ready to continue the great work of Eric Bergeson, former NBA president and NBA board member. Ditzel said Bergeson and the board "did a great job, especially through Covid and the chaos that created. They provided support to the businesses, helping everyone." Ditzel is originally from the small town of Tipton, Iowa, and graduated from the University of Iowa. In 1983, he relocated to Boulder County to pursue a master's...
March is going to be a very energized and exciting time at the Hall. The month brings loads of art, music, literature, informational talks, dancing, all topped off by a huge celebration of Niwot's 150th birthday on March 30. Would you like to step into a gorgeous wedding scene? Don't miss the Micro-Wedding Open House. There's something for everyone at the Hall this month. Ollin Farms Food & Community Health Discussion - Who's Your Farmacist? Wednesday, March 5, 6:00 p.m. Ollin Farms is excited...
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 Niwot's Sesquicentennial approaches on March 30, 2025, the ad hoc committee charged with coordinating a year-long celebration is hard at work on everything from lectures, to birthday parties, to puzzles, to time capsules. The committee, first suggested by the Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee and Kathy Koehler of the Niwot Historical Society, is comprised of members representing Niwot's many non-profit organizations, including the Niwot Business Association, the Niwot...
In what was the last official meeting for Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee (LID) members Eric Bergeson and Jeff Knight, the LID approved three funding requests. Bergeson's term as the Niwot Business Association (NBA) representative expires at the end of February, and the county commissioners have already appointed newly elected NBA president Jim Ditzel as his replacement. Bergeson, who has served on the LID for five years, said, "It's been a privilege. I won't be a stranger."...
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...
For her longstanding contributions and volunteer efforts in the Niwot Community, Anne Postle is the Courier's February Left Hand Laurel. "Niwot becomes your whole world when you move here," said Postle. "You have everything here - work, friends, shopping, dining, activities, and events. When I first moved to Niwot in 2012, I thought I would always be going back to Boulder for dinner, but I found I rarely go back because everything I want and need is right here." Postle, a senior partner at Osmos...
Dustin Wolf, son of Eddie Running Wolf, has been restoring his father's tree carvings, known as Spear Lodge Man, Cheyenne Holy Man, and Eagle Catcher, with assistance from Jeff Wolcott. Spear Lodge Man is now complete, and Wolf and Wolcott want to share the process and the progress with the community at an open house Feb. 15 at 1:00 p.m to 4:00 p.m. at Wolcott's residence at 9700 Niwot Road. The willow tree trunks carved by Eddie Running Wolf stood for years along Niwot Road, just west of 79th...
Whining about winter will be put on hold in favor of the wondrous world of wine at Let's Wine About Winter 2025 this Saturday Feb. 8, in the Niwot Business District. Starting at 1:00 p.m., businesses throughout downtown Niwot and Cottonwood Square will celebrate the Eighth Annual Let's Wine About Winter event, sponsored by the Niwot Cultural Arts Association (NCAA), with funding from the Niwot Local Improvement District. Anne Postle and Kristin Alger are coordinating the event again this year....
In a significant transition for one of Niwot's cornerstone businesses, Porchfront Homes announced new ownership effective Jan 1, 2025, as long-time project managers Brett Steury and Ben Beveridge took the reins from retiring owners Tim and Mary Coonce. The change in leadership marks the beginning of a new era for the well-established construction company while maintaining its deep roots in the community. Steury and Beveridge, who have each dedicated nearly two decades to Porchfront Homes, are...
As many residents of Niwot know, Dustin Wolf, son of Eddie Running Wolf, has been restoring his father's tree carvings, known as Spear Lodge Man, Cheyenne Holy Man, and Eagle Catcher, with assistance from Jeff Wolcott. Once restored, the tree carvings will be reinstalled in Niwot in an outdoor setting that protects them from the sun, wind, rain, ice, and snow in a location yet to be determined. One possible location, per the Niwot Master Plan commissioned by the Niwot Local Improvement District,...
So far in 2025, the Boulder County Commissioners have been silent regarding whether to pause minimum wage increases, despite requests from the Niwot Business Association (NBA), the Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee, and community members. Gloria Handyside, Communications Director for the Boulder County Commissioners, stated in an email that there were no new developments regarding the commissioners' position on the minimum wage law. This response remains consistent with the...
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...
The Left Hand Valley Courier is known for its coverage of athletes and arts students at Niwot High School. The Courier also honors an array of students who pursue activities such as community service, robotics, academics, and topics that fall under the S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) umbrella. Niwot High School senior Katherine Cui has been complimented in many ways by Niwot High School staff and students, but the one thing that every person emphasizes is Cui's...
The Boulder County Commissioners appointed Jim Ditzel as the Niwot Business Association representative on the Niwot Local Improvement District (LID) Advisory Committee on Jan. 14. Ditzel, a long-time member of the Niwot Business Association (NBA), will replace NBA President Eric Bergeson, whose term ends in February. His application was approved unanimously by the board, and Ditzel's first LID meeting will be in March. Ditzel said he applied to the LID Advisory Committee partly because it is a...
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...
The Niwot Community Association (NCA) held its first monthly meeting of 2025 on Jan. 8. With 2024 officially at an end, board members took the opportunity to reflect on their objectives, finances, and accomplishments from the past year as they look ahead to 2025. The NCA 2024 objectives included continuation of events, creating a new informational pamphlet, monitoring trails and open space, working with Wildfire Partners for wildfire mitigation, and creating a social media presence. It was reported that all objectives had been met. Treasurer Te...
The Niwot Annual Health & Wellness Fair at Niwot Hall on Jan. 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. offers a wide range of wellness products and services, with local vendors showcasing everything from fitness gear to organic wellness products. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore a variety of health services providers, including naturopaths, bodyworkers, nutritionists, acupuncturists, and more. The fair includes a day of hands-on learning, fitness classes, and personal wellness consultations aimed at promoting a healthier lifestyle. Organized by...
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...
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), in conjunction with community organizations, is working to establish a Niwot Public Improvement District (PID). This District would be based on the Niwot Community Service Area (NCSA) map adopted by the County Commissioners in January 1995, and would provide funding for subdivision road repairs, infrastructure for the Master Plan, and ongoing infrastructure maintenance. In 1995, Boulder County was faced with increasing budget demands, and looking for...
The Niwot Community Association (NCA), in collaboration with the Niwot Local Improvement District (LID), conducted parallel surveys Dec. 2 - 16 to gather community input on the proposed underpass from the new Niwot Transit Center & Park-n-Ride in the median of CO 119 to downtown Niwot. The proposed underpass to Niwot is part of the CO 119 Safety, Mobility, and Bikeway Project. Initial design of the bikeway showed access to Niwot at the Niwot Road intersection with CO 119, at grade. The Niwot...
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...
Holiday Markets and Time with Santa Saturday, Dec. 14, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Sponsored by the Niwot Business Association and Women's International Niwot Club, this year's Holiday Market event promises to be more elaborate than ever before. In addition to Father Christmas' presence, there will be fabulous festive gifts available from a multitude of artists and vendors, along with delectable baked goods to enhance your holiday table. Bring the kids to spend time with Santa and Mrs. Claus from...
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...
Niwot organizations are poised to begin celebrating Niwot’s first 150 years as a Boulder County community. Sparked by the Niwot Historical Society’s plan to publish a recap of Niwot’s 150-year history with historical photos and descriptions, other organizations in Niwot have formed a committee to celebrate the sesquicentennial anniversary of the recording of the town plat of Niwot by Ambrose Murray and Porter Hinman on March 30, 1875. The first meeting of the organizing committee, chaired by Niwot resident Laura Skaggs, was held Dec. 2, 2024....
Whimsical wonder was whistling around town this past Friday during Niwot's annual Enchanted Evening. As one of Niwot's most cherished traditions, residents came down to Left Hand Corner at the intersection of Second Avenue and Niwot Road to spread cheer and ring in the holiday season. Thanks to the organization and support of several Niwot businesses and the efforts by Linda Klueber and Deb Fowler, who organized this year's event, a large crowd gathered in anticipation of Santa's arrival and...
Landscaping improvements along the Niwot Road entryway from the Diagonal Highway began on Tuesday, Nov. 26. The Niwot Business Association and the Niwot Community Association working together planned the project, applied for Boulder County right-of-way upgrading approval, and secured Niwot Local Improvement District funding in order to clean up the unkempt area along the north side of Niwot Road from the Diagonal to Franklin Street. The project includes removal of weeds and debris, laying...
The First Friday Art Walk is back on Friday, Dec. 6 at 5:00 p.m. just in time for the holidays. The First Friday Art Walks provide an opportunity to enjoy local artistry throughout Niwot while shopping for holiday gifts. Osmosis Art and Architecture and the Niwot Cultural Arts Association (NCAA), with funding by the Niwot Local Improvement District (LID), have been making these events possible for the past twelve years. This is the first First Friday Art walk since September as the monthly...
The holiday season is fast approaching, and with it comes the much-anticipated Niwot Holiday Market. The cherished tradition will take place over two Saturdays, Dec. 7 and Dec 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the heart of the Niwot business district. Centered along Second Avenue and Cottonwood Square, the market is a festive celebration of the season, featuring live music, unique shopping, delicious treats, and activities for the whole family. Sponsored by the Niwot Business Association with...
Dear Boulder County Board of Commissioners, We, the Niwot Business Association Board of Directors, are following up on a letter submitted to the Boulder County Board of Commissioners late in September of this year. Now that the major municipalities in Boulder County have concluded their current deliberations concerning adjusting their minimum wage beyond what is required by the State of Colorado, we respectfully repeat our request that The Boulder County Board of Commissioners take steps to place us on equal footing with our neighboring...
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...
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’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...
On a sunny Sunday afternoon, Nov. 10, over 100 Niwot residents gathered in Cottonwood Square for a ceremony honoring veterans and the sacrifices they have made for our country. The event marked the culmination of the Veterans Banner Project, sponsored by the Niwot Community Association (NCA) and Niwot Business Association (NBA). For the past month, banners have been displayed around downtown Niwot on Second Avenue and in Cottonwood Square, each honoring a veteran nominated by a community...
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...
Just in time for the holidays, it's official, Niwot Hall is the new name of the Grange building. The community will be flowing in and out of the Hall to socialize, learn, shop, listen to music, and dance. Professional Holiday Portraits Nov. 23, 24, 25, and Dec. 10 Professional photographer Noah Katz of NJK Photography will be taking holiday portraits in the beautifully decorated setting of Niwot Hall. Each session is $135 and includes 15 minutes with the photographer and one fully edited image...
