All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
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Last week, Renee and Bill McDermid of the Hampton Inn in Gunbarrel needed help feeding firefighters working on the CalWood and Left Hand Canyon fires, as many area restaurants were closed for dining. That spurred a number of Niwot residents into action, and before long, firefighters from Oregon, Nebraska, and elsewhere were well fed and ready to battle the blazes. Niwot Community Association donated $500 to be used towards the purchase of food. The Niwot Cookie Moms also chipped in with home...
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...
Something sweet has found a new home in Niwot. Late this August, chocolate candy maker Little Secrets moved its offices from Boulder to a new location just behind 2nd Avenue. According to President and COO Jeremy Vandervoet, they plan to settle in. "We signed a three year lease and anticipate being in the area for the near, medium, and longer term," he said. Founded in 2015, the company has fairly large ambitions for doing something different in the chocolate world: re-making chocolate so...
On Sept. 17, as Niwot finally enjoyed the cooler temperatures of a late summer afternoon, the doors opened at The Wheel House bar and café at 101 2 nd Ave in Niwot. The new gathering spot is an extension of Wheel Works bicycle shop, founded three years ago across the street. "Business in our old location did really well, and we made the decision late last year to move across the street," Eric Bergeson, who co-owns the Wheel House with his wife Tammy, said. "We actually started the move in Februa...
Before the coronavirus pandemic, the commercial real estate market in Niwot and surrounding communities in Boulder County was robust. While some properties such as the former Colterra restaurant have remained visibly vacant, generally the commercial market here sees low vacancy rates and high demand. The Courier checked in this week with Jim Ditzel, co-owner and founder of Summit Commercial Brokers in Niwot, for an update on the local commercial market. Summit Commercial is a full service commer...
After a summer of cancelations, on Saturday, Sept. 12, Niwot saw its second weekend of outdoor events with its second sidewalk sale. Merchants in Cottonwood Square and 2nd Avenue put up tents and welcomed customers into their shops, though with limited capacity. The weather even cooperated. Following the Friday, Sept. 4, first Art Walk of the year, the Sidewalk Sale was a smashing success, with most merchants giving the event a thumbs up. Liz Gould of Little Bird said that people were buying...
For over 35 years, the Firehouse Art Center has been the leading contemporary art center in Longmont, featuring national and local artists with over a dozen exhibitions a year. Founded in 1986, the center has been a cornerstone of the Longmont Creative District where it was started by local artists to create a space for artists to create as well as exhibit their work. "Our mission is to bring arts and culture to our community through education, exhibits and cultural events," said Elaine...
In a year when many business headlines aren't positive, Bootstrap Brewing Company, founded in Niwot, recently made a significant staffing and financing announcement. Geoff Hess, former Regional Director of National Accounts at CANarchy Craft Brewery Collective, will join Bootstrap's staff as the director of sales. In addition, Dale Katechis, founder of Oskar Blues Brewery, will join Bootstrap as an advisor and investor. The amount of his investment hasn't been specified. The good news spilled...
The Rotary Club was founded over a century ago in Chicago, and since then, the organization has advanced to nearly every corner of the globe, including several local clubs in the Left Hand Valley and St. Vrain Valley areas. Rotary International is best known as a service organization, and their work on polio eradication is well documented, a hallmark of local Rotary clubs around the world, including those in the Left Hand Valley. A recent merger between two local clubs, the St. Vrain and the...
It is a truth that food brings people together-family gatherings, casual business meetings, and first dates often occur with some sort of dining experience. Even pop-culture recognizes the level of importance of restaurants. Famously, in When Harry Met Sally, Marie (played by Carrie Fisher) said, "Restaurants are to people in the 80s what theatres were to people in the 60s." Dining out has become more complicated lately, especially in light of COVID. In response, the Niwot Business Association...
August has seen local Niwot businesses getting creative with their offerings. From socially distanced movie screenings to live music to car shows, there are more than a few reasons why you might want to swing through downtown Niwot this month. Car Show Fridays at Cottonwood Square From 5 to 8 p.m. every Friday in August, Cottonwood Square will be hosting a socially distanced car show. People are invited to bring their hot rods, classics, sports cars, motorcycles, and even their antiques out to...
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),...
The market for personal protective equipment, or PPE, operates like the Wild West, as Niwot entrepreneur Dave Rechberger explains it. He leveraged his contacts in the medical business and got into the chaotic market early this year when there became a critical need for PPE for medical providers who couldn't get masks and other equipment due to major shortages, supply chain disruptions, fierce competition and unscrupulous actors working under the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic. The owner of...
We've all been at home a lot in recent months. And perhaps you have used some of this time to clean out your closet or go through your basement and clear out old home goods or extra appliances that have been collecting dust. But once you have collected your unwanted and no-longer-in-use items, the question is what should you do with them? Before you toss any of it in the trash, consider this; In 2017 the EPA, citing information from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Office of Textiles and...
From its shady locale in Cottonwood Square, the Niwot Tavern has been a popular local gathering spot for more than a decade-and-a-half, so when the 2020 coronavirus pandemic threw the lives of local residents into chaos, co-owners and longtime bartenders Tara Kpogoh-Narh and Stacy Szydlek quickly shifted their mission from helping local residents unwind to helping them get through a global health emergency. "It was the kids, when the schools shut down," Kpogoh-Narh said, explaining why she and...
There are, according to CoStar (a primary information exchange of commercial real estate data in our market) approximately 12,644,300 square feet of total commercial real estate (office, industrial warehouse, and retail) in the Niwot, SW Longmont, and Gunbarrel markets. Broken down by category, the square footages look like this: *Office 2,900,000 sf *Industrial 5,484,000 sf *Retail 4,260,300 sf Of these square footages, current vacancy rates average 12 percent for office space and approximately...
We at the Left Hand Valley Courier would like to express our sincere appreciation to the Boulder County Commissioners for the Small Business COVID-19 Relief Fund Grant we received last month. In April, the spread of the pandemic and subsequent "stay in place" regulations led us to the difficult decision to stop printing our weekly newspaper and move to an online only subscription model. This prevented the news from getting to many elderly and low-income readers who may not use a computer or mobile device or may not have reliable access to the...
Since 2008, the Mwebaza Foundation has been an integral part of our Niwot community. The nonprofit has expanded its partner schools to include Coyote Ridge, Coronado Hills, and Eagle Crest while also incorporating school clubs at Sunset Middle and Niwot High to allow students to continue their involvement with the foundation. Recently, the foundation's four Ugandan partner schools have suffered severely under COVID-19 restrictions, including extended lockdown measures and school closures. Many...
Electric bikes, or e-bikes as they are commonly known, have begun to make significant in-roads in the cycling industry. Eric Bergeson, owner of Niwot Wheel Works, said that in his three years running the local bike shop, he has seen e-bikes grow in popularity. E-bikes, which come equipped with a battery-powered electric motor, come in a variety of makes and models, ranging from road and mountain bikes to hybrid bikes. Per the Boulder-based national cycling advocacy group, PeopleForBikes, there...
My name is Ellise Stager and I am going to be a junior at Niwot High School in the fall. The Community Food Share is in need of food contribution as a result of the global pandemic, and in an effort to replenish the Community Food Share, I'm hosting a canned and non-perishable food drive in the Niwot community. The week of June 22-26, I will be collecting food from neighborhoods. If you would like for me to pick up the food from your home, kindly leave grocery bag(s) out by noon and visible from...
We moved to Niwot in February 2018 and have been so grateful for the community here, especially during this time of isolation and uncertainty. Our neighbors and the Niwot Market have been lifelines over the last 9 weeks, and when our dog got sick 3 weeks into the stay at home order, we called Left Hand Animal Hospital so we could stay close to home. Let me preface this by saying the our dog Cooper had been seen by veterinarians in New York, Rhode Island, Crested Butte, Gunnison, two in Boulder,...
The limited printed edition of the May 20, 2020 issue of the Left Hand Valley Courier is brought to you by our faithful advertisers and a grant which supports local journalism. A limited number of print copies are available from our advertisers, in Courier boxes and at the Niwot Market. We are grateful to our advertisers and those who have subscribed online-they make it possible for the Courier to bring you local news and important information during the COVID19 pandemic. The more subscribers...
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,...
In April, the Niwot Business Association had record attendance for its first ever Zoom meeting, due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Amongst the lively discussions, Josh Morin from We Love Trees asked how we could help businesses circulate gift cards. NBA Vice President Deborah Read Fowler suggested a central location in Niwot Market, and owner Bert Steele instantly agreed. There, the idea was born, and Fowler volunteered to lead the project and bring the idea to life. "This is a...
Niwot Market has long been a staple of the Niwot community. But in recent weeks, with grocery stores and grocery store employees deemed essential during the ongoing Coronavirus crisis, the market has perhaps played an even more critical role in the community's new normal. At its heart, Niwot Market is a family affair. And this can be seen in the way the Steele family has stepped up to protect their employees and support their community in recent weeks-from implementing curbside pickup to install...
Our local nonprofits do tremendous work in supporting the Boulder County community. However, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and market drop, they have taken a hit. Many have had to shift day-to-day operations and get creative with funding to ride out the current storm. Via Mobility, which provides free or reduced cost transportation for older adults, people with disabilities, and others living with mobility limitations, has noted a 50 to 70% ridership decrease across its four ride divisions, of...
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...
As the economic impacts of the coronavirus shutdowns continue to accumulate, more and more families are seeking supplemental food assistance from state and county agencies. To help fill the growing demand in Boulder County, Kilt Farm of Niwot will be distributing fresh, organic produce to more than 40 local families on a weekly basis starting in June. "My mission as a farmer is to improve my community through the food I grow and the neediest amongst us deserve to have access to the best food,"...
In light of social distancing, numerous businesses have limited operations or closed entirely. However, this means more than simply missing out on shopping and dining opportunities; for some, it also means unemployment. However, even if you still have a job, someone else's unemployment can still affect you. Maybe it's your favorite restaurant that gets closed, or the auto-shop had to lay off employees and you can't get your car serviced. It's important to have a financial plan in your pocket,...
To the Editor: First of all, many thanks to the Courier for 23 years of community reporting. We will miss the print edition, and urge everyone to subscribe to the online edition to keep this publication going! In response to the March 18th letter to the editor by Cornelia Sawle promoting Niwot “self rule:” (Cornelia is the owner of the Niwot Inn and a member of the NEISC - Niwot Exploratory Incorporation Study Committee.) While we appreciate the considerable effort that has gone into the Incorporation Study, we think it is time for the NEI...
He can't be here in person due to the coronavirus, but the star of the movie, "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy," is sending his blessing to Niwot residents as they add Ron to the name of the Burgundy Park neighborhood. "It's about time," said Will Ferrett, who played Ron Burgundy in the 2004 film. He recalled a line from the movie that explains why he thinks it is 16 years late. "I don't know how to put this, but I'm kind of a big deal. People know me. I'm very important. I have many...
Two pieces of blue-floral cotton, thread, elastic, experienced hands and a caring heart. That may be all that separates sickness from health and life from death for cancer patients and workers at a hospital in Maryland. "These are very, very sick patients. We don't want to spread anything to them," said Sandy Rozzelle, whose job is to get medicine for cancer patients. "We want them to be safe, as well as us too." Rozzelle wouldn't normally wear a protective mask for her job at Frederick Health...
An emergency coronavirus response measure that Colorado Governor Jared Polis rolled out this week has an unexpected loophole, and local businesses are rushing to be the first to corner a new market. The initial "stay at home" order by Denver's mayor Michael Hancock, which went into effect on March 24, at 5 p.m., caused a panic and rush to liquor and pot stores, which were initially set to be closed under the order. Governor Polis extended the order to the entire state on Thursday, March 26, at...
The statewide shutdown ordered by Governor Jared Polis on March 26th in order to stem the spread of COVID-19 exempted several businesses still considered "essential," allowing them to remain in operation, as long as they institute proper social distancing measures when conducting transactions. This includes grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurant pick-up and delivery, and many more. The retail and service firms listed below are still open for business as of press time, so be sure to check for...
On March 12, escalating efforts by state and school officials to stop the spread of COVID-19 touched off a "panic buying" spree at Niwot Market that left several shelves bare and sent some longtime customers away in frustration. But owners Bert and Alison Steele are seeing hopeful signs that the initial shock has abated and operations at the town's 18-year-old independent grocery store will soon be back to normal-or whatever passes for that these days. "The question I'm always getting is, are...
Niwot businesses are staying nimble as each day brings new developments in the fight against the coronavirus. A new page on the business community's website, Niwot.com/COVID-19, has the latest information on when shops and restaurants are open and what services they are providing. The idea is to support the local economy by keeping potential customers in the loop, according to the town's economic development director, Catherine McHale. "I think we all have to get a little bit clever about how...
Local businesses and residents are feeling the impacts of COVID-19. The Niwot Inn took a big hit when a group of international business travelers canceled their gathering for later this month. The group of CEOs come from Europe, India and across the U.S., booking the entire Inn a couple of times a year for three to four days, according to co-owner Carissa Brandes. “Thousands of dollars, it’s very tough,” said Brandes. “We’ve noticed this March has been one of the slowest months we’ve had...
The Wild Animal Sanctuary is in the business of giving mistreated animals a happily-ever-after, so when Dillan the geriatric bear came to their rehabilitation facility in January, it didn't take long for him to find a place that was not too hard, not too soft, but just right. That's thanks to long time Niwot boy scout Caden Weihe, who planned and fabricated several large animal hammocks for his Eagle Scout service project, and then delivered them to the Keenesburg-based rescue center just in...
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...
Ryan Harris, an offensive tackle for the Denver Broncos Superbowl 50 Champion, retired from professional football in 2017. Since then, he has become a radio and stage presence, and on Thursday, February 13th, he stood on the stage of the Niwot High School Auditorium, holding out a $100 bill. "Who wants a hundred dollar bill?" he asked. It was the tail end of a talk on personal financial literacy. Historically, this subject has been tackled piecemeal by standards embedded in disparate units. But...
The first meeting of the season for the newly revived Niwot Garden Club was held at Botanical Interests seed packet company. It was led by Judy Seaborn, one of the company's owners. "I kind of joke that I was bred to do this," she said. Seaborn grew up in Los Gatos, California, with a mother and two sets of grandparents who all gardened. When she was a child, her parents once tried to punish her with weeding; she was thrilled. In fact, as someone who preferred dirt to books, it was finally a...
Morse Coffin. William Dickens. Porter M. Hinman, William Gould. Marcus Emery. Abel Cushman. Neva. Niwot. Do you recognize any of these names? The names of people connected to the Sand Creek Massacre of November 1864 adorn our streets, historic properties, ditches, and history books. Porter T. Hinman platted the town of Niwot with Ambrose Murray in 1875. He was a friend of Chief Niwot and reportedly never forgave his sons--Porter M. Hinman and Platte Hinman--for participating in the notorious...
A proposed development on the former Colterra property at 210 Franklin St. in Niwot will include up to five residential units, plus a commercial "food/beverage" establishment in the historic Bader House, according to preliminary drawings unveiled by the new owners at a neighborhood meeting at the Left Hand Grange on Wednesday, Jan. 29. In a first-of-its kind engagement required by new land use regulations, Terry Palmos of Palmos Development Corporation [PDC] addressed an assemblage of nearly 50...
When you're spreading the love to friends and family this Valentine's Day, don't forget another valuable member of your everyday life: the local community. There are a number of simple but thoughtful ways to show your appreciation for the people and organizations that help make the Left Hand Valley such a unique place to live. Replenish the books at Niwot and Gunbarrel's Little Free Libraries The Little Free Library neighborhood book exchange program got its start just over a decade ago, when a...
Dear Editor, Many thanks to Carrie Wise, Pat Murphy and Bert Steele for sharing common sense insights into the impacts of incorporation. As Carrie so (wisely) put it: “I think Niwot is really good the way it is.” “Don’t mess with it if it’s not broken.” Bert Steele of Niwot Market said that the property tax increases proposed by incorporation “…are too high for many retail outlets, including his, which operates with a slender profit margin.” Higher property taxes piled on top of other forces driving up operating costs for small businesses...
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...
"We talk about turning the world into a garden. What if as we walked through neighborhoods and communities, everywhere you looked there were vegetables growing, fruits growing, mushroom logs, teenagers who knew their neighbors..." This is the vision outlined by Mara Rose, Co-Founder and CEO of Boundless Landscapes. And this innovative organization is in the process of making that vision a reality. Rose, Josh Tosteson, and Sep Kamvar co-founded Boundless Landscapes in 2019 to answer an important...
According to Susy Tallman, owner of Niwot's Juniper & Twine Floral and Gifts, "Flowers make people happy." Tallman, who retired from a nearly 40-year career in event planning and catering, heard about the Niwot Florist business being for sale, and eventually took over the business in August 2019, with the help of her daughter Nina, and changed the name. Since then, the mother-daughter duo and their staff have been working to establish Juniper & Twine's presence in the community. Tallman...
Earlier this month, members of the Niwot Nifties 4H Club created and delivered holiday gift bags for residents of the Eagle Place senior living community in Niwot. An annual tradition for the Nifties, each member contributes an item for all 12 of the bags, and club funds are used to add gift cards to Niwot Market. Back row, from left: Zach Shepherd, Harrison Falborn, Harrison Campbell - Beig; front row, from left: Francesca Fowler, Hazel Campbell- Beig, Beryl Campbell - Beig....
You’re likely to have spotted the recognizable shape of cannabis plants in fields throughout Boulder County and even gotten a whiff of the skunky scent more often this year. Since those spiky-leafed plants are in open fields, rest assured it’s not marijuana – it is hemp. By definition of the U.S. government, hemp has less than .3% THC, which is the psychoactive element of marijuana. With proper licensing, it’s perfectly legal to grow acres of hemp. But there’s a big learning curve for governmen...
