All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
Sorted by date Results 1054 - 1103 of 3926
On the same day the Courier’s coverage of the Boulder County Sheriff’s Department request to store long rifles at Niwot and Lyons High Schools came off the press, the St. Vrain Valley School Board held a study session that included further discussion of the issue. On Oct. 19, the board’s study session included a renewed request by the Boulder County Sheriff to store long guns at the two schools due to the time it would take to respond to an incident at the district’s two most rural high schools. The matter was first presented several years a...
A small grass fire broke out Oct. 20 north of Boulder in the Lakeridge Trail area at about Nelson Road and Highway 36. At approximately 2 p.m., fire crews and the Boulder County Sheriff’s Department were dispatched to the area. Fire crews requested air assistance due to the dry, hot weather and the proximity of the fire to homes in the area, including the Lake of the Pikes neighborhood. The 19-acre fire was on private land and has been contained. An Evacuation Warning was issued for the area. Mountain Ridge Drive, Lakeridge Trail, and H...
Across 3. costume 8. parade 10. blaze 14. trunk 15. striker 16. donkey 18. hurdles 19. Avery 21. intersection 24. wildfires 25. feed 27. Wicked 29. bikeway Down 1. house 2. mariachi 3. Cumberland 4. autumn 5. party 6. cross 7. heart 9. dance 11. median 12. online 13. health 17. Key 20. vote 22. Rams 23. ojpe 24. Walker 26. library 28. dog...
The October monthly town hall meeting of the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) was held at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Gunbarrel the evening of Thursday, Oct. 13. All three Commissioners were present and around 15 citizens from the Gunbarrel area were in attendance. The Commissioners started the meeting with some brief remarks, then opened the floor for questions. All of the commissioners are currently working on the annual budget process and on the ballot issues in the upcoming election. In addition, each commissioner has an...
Tim Waters, a Longmont city councilman, hosts a podcast called "The Backstory." On Oct. 9, Waters took his show on the road to the auditorium at the Longmont Museum, where a crowd of 50, including Niwot historian and former Courier columnist Anne Dyni, attended in person, in addition to an online audience. The topic was the future of journalism in the age of social media, and Waters assembled an impressive panel of journalists, including Dana Coffield, co-founder of the Colorado Sun, Melissa...
The Niwot United Methodist Church in Gunbarrel is hosting its second annual Trunk or Treat event open to the community on Sunday, Oct. 30, from 1 to 3 p.m. in the church parking lot. "Last year was a big success," Pastor Emily Kintzel said. "Everybody loved visiting the spookily decorated trunks and getting treats. The church enjoys welcoming the community to this fun event." Janet Gates of Niwot, one of the organizers, said, "Bring your kiddos for fun and treats." The Halloween-themed event...
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...
This month's Left Hand Laurel is Derek Curd, a mentor for students at Up-A-Creek Robotics. Curd, a hardware engineer, relocated from the Bay area 18 years ago with his family. Curd is adored by his students on the St. Vrain Valley School District robotics team which, this past April, became the first Colorado team to win the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition World Championship. Violet Oliver, a Niwot High School junior and member of the...
After 25 years as a kindergarten teacher in Boulder, Mindy Upton changed industries and moved to Niwot. She just opened up a craft space called Blue Sky Craft Studio on Niwot Road and it's already drawing attention. "This space came up and it was just perfect," said Upton. "I've always loved Niwot and felt so at home here." She describes the transition from kindergarten to studio as "epic." She has had to downsize from two classrooms and a barn to one studio, but she has brought the most...
Tracey Bernett (Democrat): Background: Bernett received an engineering degree from Cornell University and a Harvard MBA. She helped lead the effort to revitalize the Butterfly Pavilion, and also led the OUR Center's homelessness prevention efforts during the Great Recession, helping more than 16,000 area families get back on their feet. Schools/Mental Health: "I believe you need to have a partnership with the local law enforcement and with the school, and recognize that every school has...
Since the birth of our nation, voting still remains a privilege. The Constitution itself denied voting rights for women and enslaved people. Jim Crow laws suppressed the vote in Black communities, and language barriers were exploited among immigrants. Constitutional amendments were passed to expand the right to vote, and legislation during the civil rights movement removed some barriers to voting. Even today, ballot drop boxes and polling places are located hundreds of miles away from Native American Reservations, and recent legislation in...
When grocery and convenience stores started stocking full strength and craft beers in 2019, it wasn't clear how Colorado's beer market would respond. The numbers were initially reported to be up by 20% and a new monthly record was set at 9.8 million gallons sold in January of 2019. That was a 1.6 million gallon increase from the previous year. (Ben Markus, CPR News, May 14, 2019) If Proposition 125 passes this November, Colorado's grocery and convenience stores will be allowed to add wine to...
The Colorado Press Association announced the winners of the 2021 journalism awards, which included two Left Hand Valley Courier writers. Mary Wolbach Lopert, senior editor, columnist and co-founder of the Courier, received a first place award in Best Humorous Column Writing for "It's a Laughing Matter." Lopert wrote the column periodically throughout her 25-year career with the Courier, often drawing upon her personal experiences with friends and members of her family. Lopert retired from the...
Many Niwot residents and long-time customers of 1914 House gathered on Oct. 5 for the Grand Finale fundraiser event for the Niwot Small Town Big Heart - Marshall Fire Fund. The event put the fund over the goal of raising $100,000 for victims of the Marshall Fire. The event was sponsored by 1914 House, the Slifer Smith and Frampton Niwot office, Seven Wealth, and DRF Real Estate. Guests enjoyed a welcome cocktail, great food, live music by Tim Stiles, and an opportunity to participate in an...
A preliminary report issued by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on October 8 sheds new light on the mid-air collision Sept. 17 of two airplanes near Niwot. Investigator in Charge Michael Folkerts wrote, “On September 17, 2022, about 0853 mountain daylight time, a Cessna … and a Sonex Aircraft Xenos, … were destroyed when they were involved in a mid-air collision.” The flight instructor and student pilot aboard the Cessna, identified by the Boulder County Coroner as Daniel Wilmoth, 22 and Samuel Fisher, 23, respectively, and the...
Last week’s book review, Hidden Buddha: Lama Rinzen in the Hungry Ghost Realm, was officially released Tuesday. To celebrate, author Jim Ringel, Inkberry Books and Una Vida Meditation & Movement are hosting a joint celebration at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22. This is the second in the Lama Rinzen Mystery series, and the first book, 49 Buddhas, won awards for Best Visionary Fiction, Best Religious Fiction and Best Cross Genre Fiction. What sets the series apart, says Ringel, is that his mysteries often lead to more questions and the solutions a...
Niwot Business Association President Eric Bergeson of The Wheel House led a discussion among NBA members regarding what projects should be a priority for the NBA in the coming year. Bergeson noted that the NBA was working with the Niwot Cultural Arts Association and Cottonwood Park West Homeowners Association to expand and enhance the sculpture park along Niwot Road. He noted that the Niwot Future League had met with Jim Fudge, president of the HOA, about a possible opportunity to return the...
Proposition 124 - Increase Allowable Liquor Store Locations Citizens Proposition 124 would allow retail liquor stores to apply to state and local governments to open additional locations on a phased-in schedule, with no limit on the number of permissible locations after 2037. A “yes” vote on Proposition 124 allows retail liquor stores to apply for and, if approved, increase the number of locations over time, with no limit on the number of locations after 2037. A “no” vote on Proposition 124 retains current law that limits retail liquor stores...
The tragic death of Niwot resident and Lefty's Pizza owner, Craig "Lefty" Harris, was a rare fatality at the intersection of Niwot Road and Highway 119. Accident data from the Colorado Department of Transportation shows one other fatality since 2005. "Our safety performance metrics using 2018 - 2020 crash data show that the total frequency of crashes is consistent with similar intersection types at similar traffic volumes," Communications Manager Jared Fiel said. "However, the frequency of...
If there is an “active harmer” at Niwot High School, Boulder County Sheriff’s Department wants to have long guns (rifles) stored on the school grounds for a quicker response. “Most of the time when you talk about an active harmer incident of magnitude it’s over quickly,” said Boulder County Sgt. Bill Crist, himself a Niwot High graduate, during a study session with SVVSD board members on Aug. 17. “Situations like Columbine, Sandy Hook, the Texas incident, these things are over within a matter of minutes.” The guns would be locked up in a...
Revenues for Niwot's Local Improvement District (LID), which collects a 1% sales tax within the Niwot business district, continue to grow, with the July 2022 report showing a 48% increase in revenue over the same period in 2021. Collections for July totaled $26,346.68, compared to $17,780.17 for the same period a year ago, when the pandemic was still raging. Year-to-date revenues for 2022 are up by 21.48% over 2021, when a total of $269,286.08 was collected by the end of the year. At that rate,...
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...
Lefty’s pizza just down the street Craig was always there to greet A quaint and happy kind of place He awaited his customers with grace At any moment's notice he would cook up a slice Cheese, pepperoni, sausage, and a little spice A sweet little patio provided a relaxing retreat Time to chat and enjoy an Italian treat Pizza and shakes were the specialties of this man We all stand up and give him a hand He served our community with care Wearing his Hawaiian shirt with a flare Cherished times around the table A sense of community he made able M...
Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate (SSF), an independent brokerage firm headquartered in Avon, Colorado, with 34 offices located throughout Denver, the Vail Valley, Summit County and the Roaring Fork, has expanded its reach to the Boulder Valley with the acquisition of Colorado Landmark Realtors. Joel Ripmaster, who founded Colorado Landmark in 1977, will become a strategic advisor to the SSF Board of Directors, and his daughter, Orly Ripmaster, a Niwot resident, will become SSF’s new Front R...
Sales tax in Boulder County has included 0.1% for multimodal transportation for more than 20 years. That tax is scheduled to expire on June 30, 2024. The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) placed issue 1C on the ballot to allow voters to decide if this tax should be extended without an expiration date. One service for which these funds are used is transit services, such as on-demand transit between Boulder, Lyons, Gold Hill and Fort Collins. The funds are also used to build regional trails and commuter bikeways; to make roads safer and...
Slupik Mini Farm sits on the corner of Niwot Road and Redwing Place and offers a wide array of flowers, herbs, vegetables and artwork to the community. Slupik Mini Farm, founded in 2020, is the inspiration of Stacey and Dan Slupik and is very much a family business. Stacey Slupik sat down with the Left Hand Courier's Dana Jones to talk about the farm. What is one quote (and who said it) that is close to your heart with regard to Slupik Mini Farm? I don't know who first said it, and there are a...
James E. Kittelberger of Longmont died October 2, 2022, at age 92. Jim and his wife, Pat, opened Gunbarrel Travel Agency in 1979. He was also a member of the Gunbarrel/Niwot Kiwanis Club for many years, where he served as President. A Celebration of Jim’s life will be held at a later date....
Upcoming Events at the Grange Niwot Community Connection Beginning Oct. 13, the Niwot Community Connection (NCC) will meet at the Grange on the second Thursday of each month. Meetings will be held from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. The organization's mission is "to provide a forum for individuals over 50 years of age in the Niwot area to help build a sense of community and promote opportunities for connection and learning." In addition to updates about the variety of activity groups the NCC offers, the Oct...
Thanks so much to Inkberry Books for this great recommendation from Jim Ringel. This is the second installment of the Lama Rinzen mystery series and Hidden Buddha: Lama Rinzen in the Hungry Ghost Realm is quite the adventure. We start with Lama Rinzen just being reborn into a new life and a new body, this time, that of a woman who's also a locum tenens physician and on her way to the mysterious and isolated town of Alameda. It's very much one of those small towns that may not be unwelcoming to...
The Niwot Community Association (NCA) held its monthly board meeting Oct. 5 in the Mountain View Fire Rescue Niwot Station conference room. The board welcomed two new members. Vicky Dorvee will join the board as the director for Trails and Open Space. Dorvee is often seen on the trails around Niwot, with her husband Jim Dorvee, as they walk their dogs. Jeff Server is the new Area 4 representative. Area 4 is bounded by Niwot Road on the north, State Highway 52 on the south, 79th Street on the west and 95th Street on the east. Server and his...
A motor vehicle accident at the intersection of the Diagonal Highway and Niwot Road claimed the life of long-time Niwot resident and businessman Craig "Lefty" Harris. According to the Colorado State Patrol (CSP), the accident occurred at approximately 7:22 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 29 when an RTD bus collided with a Honda Odyssey van driven by Harris in the Longmont-bound lane of the Diagonal. Harris was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the CSP. The bus driver, a 76-year-old woman, was...
People who looked forward to Friday evenings on the makeshift dance floor in Cottonwood Square will be looking for something else to do until next June. "The final Dancing Under the Stars (DUTS) event for 2022 saw record numbers," Catherine McHale said, referring to the Sept. 23 closing night. McHale is the organizer of DUTS and the director and owner of Power & Purpose Marketing. She is also Niwot's Economic Development Director and is focused on improving economic development and marketing...
After a three year hiatus due to the COVID pandemic, downtown Niwot hosted a packed and fast crowd of runners, joggers and walkers for the 15th annual Niwot Trot 5K on Sunday, Oct. 2. The starting horn blared at 9 a.m. sharp and a sea of elementary school children sprinted down Murray Street from the starting line just in front of the Niwot Post office. The course is a flat and fast 3.1 miles, which winds runners down Murray, then curving around east on Neva Road before sending them north on to...
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 Springhill Subdivision in Niwot held their neighborhood get-together at Fritz Family Brewing on Saturday, Sept. 17. The neighborhood was happy to reconnect after a summer of vacations and the weather was perfect at about 79 degrees. Lunch was catered by Niwot Market, and beer and soft drinks were flowing at Fritz. Bartender Adam kept everyone’s beer mug filled with their 15 rotating beers, including ales, IPA’s, and Kolsch’s. Niwot Market delivered scrumptious fixings like pulled pork and chicken in addition to crowd favorites like pigs...
When you buy a business, you expect a reasonable number of "hiccups." But owners, Tara Shaheen and Stacy Szydlek, who were part of Niwot Tavern restaurant staff, got more than they bargained for. "We bought the restaurant in January of 2020," said Shaheen. "In February, there was a fire in the kitchen and in March, well you know, everything shut down." But despite some tough going, the restaurant has not only survived, but thrived. Szydlek said that the former owners, Tony Santelli and Bob Russe...
Upcoming Events at the Grange Open Stage community music If you enjoy folk, country, bluegrass, jazz, pop, and light rock, the Left Hand Grange's Open Stage is the place for you. Be an audience member or perform for the community. Feel free to use the musical instrument of your choice (your voice, harmonica, guitar, or banjo, for instance) and present your original music or a cover of someone else's. All are welcome. Sound equipment, microphones, and a piano are provided. Open Stage will be...
Niwot Historical Society President Kathy Koehler presented the second lecture in the current season of the "Niwot Now & Then" series at the Left Hand Grange on Oct. 2. The presentation, "The History & Story of the Haystack Mountain Golf Course," was created by Koehler through a massive effort to gather interviews, photographs, drone video, documents and artifacts related to the well-known local golf course, which closed last year. Asked why she did this work, Koehler responded in a way...
Local journalism has been hit hard by consolidation, social media, and the pandemic. Longmont city councilman Tim Waters is moderating a two-part series on the past, present, and future of journalism, reporting and accountability. The first presentation, entitled "The Big Picture," will take place at the Longmont Museum on Sunday, Oct. 9, at 3 p.m., featuring Left Hand Valley Courier reporter Maria Karagianis, a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist for the Boston Globe before she retired and moved...
Despite rain, hail and some chilly temperatures, Fritz Family Brewers' First Annual Fritztoberfest went off without a hitch on Saturday, Oct. 1. The event, which ran from 12 noon to 10:00 p.m., featured a stein-holding competition, an El Herradero food truck and a traditional German "oompah" band, Denver's Thirsty Five. Over one hundred people attended and sampled Fritz's numerous German-themed brews including Fritztoberfest Marzen Bier, brewed specially for the event....
The Niwot Community Association is seeking 8-12 volunteers to help with the restoration of the underpass mural on Niwot Road where the LoBo trail crosses near Centrebridge. On Saturday, Oct. 8, the NCA is organizing a restoration project to repair and restore the mural which was created several years ago. The work will begin at 10 a.m. and is expected to wrap up by 12 noon. The project includes peeling away paint that is separating from the walls, applying primer to the affected areas, and...
For most people, a 10k would constitute a long run. But Niwot resident Pete Brandes has a different definition of "long." On Sept. 17th, Brandes, 30, completed the Run Rabbit Run 100-mile ultra-marathon in Steamboat Springs with a total time of 27 hours and 37 minutes. Brandes took 26th place out of a field of 315 dedicated runners. He logged 185,000 steps during the event. The course had 20,391 feet of total ascent and 20,391 feet of descent. Brandes said he started seriously thinking about an...
The Niwot Trot 5k run/walk is back for its 15th year following a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This family-friendly race annually draws over 500 participants, both from Niwot Elementary School families and the community-at-large. The race is a unique celebration of Niwot's community investment in being healthy and active across all generations. The 5km (3.1mile) race starts and finishes at Whistle Stop Park in downtown Niwot and will be held this year at 9:00 a.m. Sunday, Oct....
