All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
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Repairs on the Cottontail Trail in Gunbarrel could begin this week, causing a temporary closure to two sections of the trail. The trail is part of the LOBO Trail. Impacted sections are between Lookout Road and Highway 52. Starting as early as Wednesday, a half-mile section of the trail south of Highway 52 to the Boulder White Rock Ditch will be closed from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. while work is being done. Resurfacing is expected to take four weeks. The section of the trail that is directly south of...
Meet Benny - Benny is a super cute lab/pit mix. Benny is such a character with his playful personality and loving heart. He is a staff favorite over at Bowhaus where he is part of the Bowhaus 2A Newhaus foster program. He loves other pups and people alike. Benny has lots of loving energy that he'd like to take to his forever home. Benny is fostered through Boulder's own Farfel's Farm. To meet Benny or any of our other foster dogs, please contact Farfel's Farm at (303)443-7711 or go to...
Plans to build a compost plant on Rainbow Open Space took a step back last week as Boulder County Commissioners expressed concerns with the location and asked for more creative solutions to deal with organic waste. "If we do a site, for me, not on Open Space lands, that's not what Open Space lands are for, no biosolids from wastewater treatment plants, we should be imaginative and maybe use a smaller scale and include the public," said Commissioner Matt Jones. Commissioners Claire Levy and...
What a relief...Left Hand Valley Grange Park will soon have a proper replacement for the portable toilet that has been on sentry duty for a very long time. The new restrooms will be open to the public including park visitors and any passersby, such as those traveling the Longmont to Boulder (LoBo) trail. The original plans were for the installation of a prefabricated building equipped with plumbing and electricity but, what's presently in the works is a standard two-stall restroom.The toilets...
You're in the midst of Thomas Studholme's artwork when you shop and stroll in Niwot. Studholme's paintings are found throughout the Niwot Market and likely, Studholme himself is at the market, so mask aside, he's got a very recognizable face. For the last four years, he's painted holiday scenes on the windows of local businesses and won several awards as a result. We asked this Familiar Face some questions to get to know the man behind the art. Left Hand Valley Courier (LHVC) - How did life...
New events headed to Niwot this spring and summer, as the Local Improvement District advisory committee approved a full slate of funding requests at its monthly meeting on March 2. The LID members also welcomed a new face to the monthly Zoom call, as Heidi Storz officially began her five-year term as a residential representative. Treasurer's Report The LID's December 2020 revenue report has been released by the state of Colorado, and it raises a couple of "interesting" points, treasurer Bruce Ra...
Members of the Niwot Community Association Board are cautiously exploring whether the group will be able to host some of its signature activities in 2021. "Will we see the same Covid-19 restrictions this summer after vaccines are more widely distributed? It's too early to know," said NCA Vice-President Tom Sesnic. He and area 5 representative John Barto co-chair the Niwot annual cleanup day usually held in May. That event was cancelled last spring due to Covid-19 restrictions set by Boulder Coun...
The plat of Niwot was filed in the Boulder County records on March 30, 1875 by Porter Hinman and Ambrose Murray, laying out streets, alleys and lots on both sides of the railroad tracks, but Niwot was never officially incorporated as a town under state law. As a result, Niwot does not have a mayor or city council, and is governed by the Boulder County Commissioners. All of the buildings west of the railroad tracks are long gone, moved or demolished when the Diagonal Highway was built beginning...
The City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) recently announcedseveral planned prescribed fire projects in the coming weeks. These prescribed fires, also known as controlled burns, are intended to help improve open space agricultural properties and irrigation ditches and waterways utilized by farmers and ranchers in the area. The burns are used to remove vegetation from irrigation infrastructure where the vegetation competes for water, as well as to help control plant growth and...
A holiday that typically features bars packed shoulder-to-shoulder with revellers will look very different for Niwot residents this year. Though mass vaccination of Colorado residents is near, all businesses in Boulder County are still restricted by the yellow level of the COVID-19 concern tier system, which allows for 10 people from a maximum of two separate households to gather. Both essential and non-essential businesses, which includes most indoor eateries, are limited to 50% of posted...
Agriculture in Colorado can be in a state of challenging realities. Like all spots on terrestrial earth, we are surrounded by abundant nitrogen in the air, but we are unable to get this essential nutrient to crops without significant human intervention. Some 70% of the snowpack melts out in 90 days, leaving farmers on the semi-arid plains in search of water from rivers, creeks, aquifers and the sky to replenish soil moisture. Many Coloradans enthusiastically demand local food, yet county, state...
Meet Jon Snow - This clever two-year-old boy is a pleasure to be around and is looking for his new best friend for life through Longmont Humane Society right now. Jon Snow is deaf and he has learned some very useful hand signals including "sit" and "down!" Jon has lovely leash manners and enjoys going on long strolls in the park and being in the company of people of all ages. Jon enjoys playing with some dogs, and is looking for a home with no kitties, please. Call 303-772-1232 today to learn...
Nancy Davis thought a conservation easement meant the land was protected from development. So when she and her husband bought their property on Lookout Road in 2015 they were confident that the conservation easement on the adjacent Rainbow Nursery tree farm would preserve its rural character, giving them confidence to move forward with their dream of a business doing horse boarding, training and growing hay. In fact, their property is subject to a conservation easement on the lower 16 acres of...
With its large front windows, bright red sign, and prominent patio area, it's hard to miss Pinocchios Restaurant as you drive down 2nd Avenue. But behind the exterior there has been a great deal of change. As of Jan. 18, the restaurant has new owners, Kelsey and Joe Deboard. Kelsey Deboard isn't new to Pinocchios, in fact, she's been part of it for a while. "I started as a server looking for extra income, but when I came on board I enjoyed everything I did. From the social aspect of it to...
School volunteer Lydia Moy looks at every opportunity and raises it up a notch. "Your job is not to do 10,000 cutout Valentines for second grade, your job is to spread the love," Moy said. Moy has been spreading the love for 14 years in elementary, middle and now high school. She's a realtor who used to work with emerging markets in finance, which she said helped her think about the big picture, "I'm a long term person." That mentality influences the way she approaches volunteering. When she...
As we eagerly await the official start of spring, there's plenty to look forward to in Niwot during March. Starting March 1, and continuing all month, visitors to Niwot can participate in a St. Patrick's Day-inspired virtual scavenger hunt. This festive activity, sponsored by the Niwot Local Improvement District (LID) and the Niwot Business Association (NBA), will send players on a quest to find the lucky leprechauns hidden around town. Owner of Deborah Read Fowler Real Estate (DRF) and recent L...
Boulder County's newest commissioners Claire Levy and Marta Loachamin got a crash course in the history of the Niwot Local Improvement District when the BOCC met with members of the LID advisory committee on Feb. 25. They also got an earful about some missteps by their predecessors, as well as some still-lingering conflicts that arose from the NRCD building moratorium from two years ago. But the meeting ended with an optimistic tone, and an agreement from both boards to work more cooperatively...
Thirty years ago Niwot's 2nd Avenue was a mess whenever it rained or snowed. No curb and gutter, no streetlights, and nowhere for moisture to drain. As an unincorporated community, the downtown business district had no tax revenue or funding mechanism for basic infrastructure projects. In the early 1990s a small group of local commercial property owners approached Boulder County officials seeking a solution. Anne Dyni, who with her husband Jack owned the former blacksmith building (now occupied...
With the move down to the yellow zone, many businesses and organizations have been able to open up, in spite of COVID. But one that is still struggling to open are the libraries throughout Boulder County. Those institutions--in Longmont, Louisville, Lafayette and Boulder--are all municipal libraries, which are funded by city budgets. Unlike the library districts in the surrounding areas of Fort Collins, Weld County, and Broomfield, many libraries in Boulder County remain closed for in person...
On Dec. 10 last year, the Boulder County Commissioners approved updated Land Use Code regulations that relate to oil and gas production. These regulations were made effective as of Dec. 15, so now the oil and gas industry will be held to higher standards since the lifting of the moratorium on Dec. 31. "These regulations are quite stringent," said Jasmine Rodenburg, senior planner in the Boulder County Community Planning and Permitting Department. "This is emblematic in the detail of materials...
You decided that you want to keep a few chickens so that your family has fresh eggs. You have all the equipment to house and feed them, but how do you keep them healthy? The first step which should be done prior to purchasing your chicks is to identify a local veterinarian who is familiar with and can treat chicken health issues. While it is unlikely that you'll need their help, it is good to have one identified as not all veterinarians treat chickens. The next step is to keep their feeder,...
Meet Max - This fun-loving little gentleman loves being in the company of people of all ages and is hoping to find a great forever family to call his own. Max is seven years old, is so sweet-natured and just seems to want to give and receive as much love as he can! Max prefers the company of calm and easy going dogs who can be respectful of his space and is looking for a home with no kitties, please. Want to learn more about Max? Please call (303) 772-1232 today and let us tell you what we know...
Hilary Allen “Sarge” Waukau, age 73, of south Longmont died Friday, February 19, 2021. Sarge was head of security at Norlin Library of the University of Colorado. He was often seen attending sporting events, dance recitals and other events supporting his children and grandchildren. A memorial gathering was held March 1 in Wisconsin. Donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Native American Rights Fund.... Full story
You never know who or what you're going to find on a walk around Niwot. On a lovely day, in-between a bitter cold day, and a foot of snow the next, Karin Antoni and her daughter Alma Boyd were out for a combined horseback ride and dog walk. Alma, a Sunset Middle School sixth-grader, was happily at home reading a book, when Mom insisted on going outside. Everyone seemed happy with the decision....
Can someone please solve this mystery? These "magic" mushrooms are on the back of a sign along the Cougar Trail which borders Niwot Road. What do these mushrooms signify? Is "SoLo" the artist and "SP'' making a comment? Inquiring minds want to know. If you have any answers, let the Courier know. Email us at Editorial@lhvc.com. We'll publish your responses....
In a state like Colorado, it pays to look up. In this case it wasn't about an avalanche, but a pair of owls. For Niwot resident Chad Fogelberg looking up paid off. "They mated several times in a nearby tree. We witnessed them mating and thought we were done seeing them. Several days later, we heard hooting in our front yard. We saw both in our pine tree near each other. I took a photo of one." Fogelberg added, "They were 30 to 40 feet up in a pine tree and stayed for a couple of hours."...
No one wants to go through another fire season like 2020 with months of dangerous air quality, eerie smoke, raining ash and tragic losses of homes, forest land and wildlife. That's why Rep. Joe Neguse of Boulder County convened a listening session to hear from Colorado residents about their wildfire experiences and what would help prevent and mitigate wildfires. More than 800 people joined last week's video call with several sharing heartbreaking stories of losing their homes to the flames....
Have you ever wondered what life was like in Longmont when settlers first came 150 years ago? If your answer was yes, then look no further--former Courier reporter Amy Scanes-Wolfe has turned her writing talents toward historical fiction and released the first of her "They Came to Stay" series in February. "I've always loved writing," said Scanes-Wolfe. "I got away from it when I got into farming, but I really wanted to tell this story [of Longmont]." Scanes-Wolfe grew up in Longmont and said...
I always enjoy partnering with Inkberry Books because I've received great recommendations with such interesting titles. This week, I had the pleasure to review Bruce McDougall's novel, The Lizards of Palm Beach. This is a tale about two brothers, a gold-digging teen, a flamboyant art dealer, a Jeffrey Epstein-like art collector, and other people (mainly rich) who live in the Palm Beach area. Let me tell you--it's a doozy. There's obviously art, a discussion and critique about both the search...
After seven months of travel through 120 million miles of space, a small piece of Niwot is finally circling the Red Planet. Launched on July 19, 2020, the Emirates Mars Mission (EMM) reached Martian orbit on February 9. The unmanned mission is led by Emirati researchers and assembled by scientists at various research universities, including the University of Colorado Boulder. The orbiter, officially named the "Mars Hope Probe," is a significant achievement for the Middle East. Hope is the scient...
It seems the old Chinese adage (curse?), "May you be born in interesting times," continues to play on from 2020 into 2021. Atop Covid-19, business pivots from farmers markets and foodservice accounts to increased CSA and online sales. Working outdoors in very smoky conditions last summer/fall, and doing their best to keep farm workers safe from both, Boulder County farmers are now staring down a 2021 snowpack in the Indian Peaks portion of the South Platte River watershed that varies from...
The warm weather ahead of the bitter cold snap had many people thinking of spring chores. The recent storms with their snowfall were a welcome drink for parched landscapes, and one of the first plants to show their appreciation after the thaw is lawns. They'll green up, and to get a season of stress-free grass, a few chores now give you a dense, healthy yard this summer. First, tackle those pesky weeds. Timing is crucial for controlling annual grassy weeds, whose seeds fell to the soil in fall....
Meet Forest - Forest is a 2 year old Catahoula Mix. He is wonderful with people and other pups alike. Forest is incredibly smart and hilariously goofy! Who is able to resist a face like that? Forest is currently getting love and pets from his foster family but is searching for a forever home. He is the perfect dog to snuggle up with on these cold days. If you are interested in meeting Forest, or any other lovely foster pups, please contact Farfels Farm at (303)443-7711 or visit their website...
This year, there are more prairie dogs where Boulder County wants them and fewer acres where they don't. The recent annual management review of the county's open space properties took stock of last year's efforts that see-saw between killing and nurturing, depending on where the animals live. There are fewer acres with prairie dogs on agricultural open space, which are generally classified as No Prairie Dog acres or NPD. In 2020, prairie dogs lived on 2.5% of NPD acres, down from 4.1% in 2019....
For seven years the Bowhaus in Gunbarrel has provided furry family members with daycare and boarding. While the pooches are playing with friends and relaxing in a safe environment, they're likely to spend time with two long-time employees, Klare Black and Suzi Hendrix. We wanted to learn more about these two familiar faces in the community. Left hand Valley Courier (LHVC) - Where did you grow up, and how did Colorado become your home? Klare Black (KB) - I'm the middle child of seven siblings,...
If you or your cat has ever been anxious about a trip to the veterinarian, Left Hand Animal Hospital is one veterinary practice that has gone the extra mile to provide veterinary care that is less stressful for both cats and their caregivers. The hospital, which is also a certified fear-free practice, recently announced that they are now a certified Cat Friendly Practice® (CFP). This program, established by the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) and the International Society...
In the nearly 24 years that I've been reporting for the Courier, I've taken quite a few odd photos. There have been photo shoots of dirt piles, potholes, with gigabytes of prairie dog pictures. But a pole? This is no ordinary pole though. I was looking for a photo op with a caption about waiting for spring. What could be better than the left hand bike racks and the blue hopscotch squares that reside just on the west side 7916 Niwot Road in Cottonwood Square? Then I noticed it; a pole with bike...
The addition of the "purple" on the COVID dial last November made the six color levels more like stepping stones between safety level precautions, rather than jumps. With the recent downgrade to level yellow (concern), businesses in Niwot appear to be largely the same. The most notable difference is restaurants are allowed to have indoor dining. "It's [COVID restrictions] definitely taken a toll," said a WiNot Coffee employee. " I think that since the restrictions have been lowered, and having...
The weather outside was frightful, but businesses along Niwot's 2nd Avenue and in Cottonwood Square went out of their way to make this Valentine's Day delightful for visitors, with special treats and decor. That included Old Oak Cofee House, which made Valentine's-themed cookie bags for patrons. Sweetening the pot was the NBA's Love Niwot Walk, a month-long passport shopping event that rewards shoppers with a complimentary love-themed gift. See additional photos here....
While this may not seem to be the best time of year for weed management, it is a good time to start dealing with winter annual and biennial weeds and planning your strategy for the 2021 growing season. Winter annual weeds can germinate in the late summer, fall or winter, over winter and start actively growing again in the spring. Winter annual weeds finish growing and produce seed by early summer. Biennial weeds start growing in the summer or fall, over winter and produce seeds the following...
Meet Bodhi - Bodhi is a cuddly, affectionate and playful fellow who is looking for his new forever home through Longmont Humane Society right now! This sweet two-year-old gets along well with other dogs and is also likely to do well with a confident cat in his new home. Occasionally Bodhi can feel a bit nervous about the world and would love to find a best friend who will be able to offer him patience and reassurance when he needs it. Interested in learning more about this handsome young guy?...
Roses are red Violets are blue Here are things we love (About living in the LHV) And we bet you do too Our Incredible Trail System Whether you are out for a leisurely stroll, a serious hike, run, or a bike ride, the Left Hand Valley's miles of trails offer something for everyone. Every season offers its unique vistas near and far, from snow-capped peaks in the distance, to the beautiful architecture of bare branches against the sky in winter, to the verdant fields and flowers in the summer....
Sue Prahl couldn't hold back her emotions while talking about her dear friend Eli Buzas. "I just remember his huge heart," Prahl said. The two met in the 1990s when their daughters both played varsity soccer for Niwot High, and then bonded while working together for the school's education foundation. After their girls graduated, Prahl and Eli's wife Chris were officemates while on staff at the high school, and the two families remained close. By then Eli Buzas, a realtor by profession, was also...
There aren't many places where you can pick up a bag of birdseed, a bale of alfalfa, rent a Bobcat, buy a plush dog toy and goat's milk soap, check the community bulletin board to see who has chickens for sale, and be recognized by a familiar face at the counter who rings you up. "Most of the people call you by your first name when they come in. They know us," said Tim Rollman whose parents, Steve and Kay Rollman, started Niwot Rental and Feed Jan. 1, 1981. The store's 40th anniversary is...
The adage, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going," typifies Niwot's Deborah Read Fowler. Read Fowler, owner of Deborah Read Fowler Real Estate (DRF), was already resolutely involved with the community when along came COVID-19, shifting her dynamism into overdrive. With her can-do attitude, optimistic outlook, and a keen sense of humor, Read Fowler simply gives her all to Niwot, which is why she is the recipient of this month's Left Hand Laurel. "What is new is my concern, and I'd say...
Growing up, I remember a cover of Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi" playing regularly on the radio. The last lines of the chorus have always stuck with me: Don't it always seem to go / That you don't know what you got 'til it's gone / They paved paradise to put up a parking lot. Truly, I didn't know what I had growing up in Colorado until I took a short excursion to live in another state. I traded the Rocky Mountains for a brief stint in central Texas, and it didn't take me long to see that I...
In January 2020, East Side Art Institute board members Nancy Utterback and Kathy Griffin painted a vision of a communal workshop for artists. They described how they were working on pitching the idea to the Boulder County Commissioners and were hopeful for approval. They were approved, but then COVID hit, drastically overthrowing their plans. "We were gearing up to do fundraising events and giving lots of classes," explained Utterback. Unfortunately, they had to stop those plans with the new...
The Niwot Business Association unveiled its 2021 budget at February’s monthly meeting of the Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Board, prompting a discussion of the district’s 2021 finances. The board also approved a handful of funding requests, discussed topics for its upcoming meeting with the Board of County Commissioners, and got an update on recruitment for upcoming vacancies from county liaison Mark Ruzzin. Treasurer’s Report Up first was the February treasurer’s report from Bruce R...
Meet Apollo - Apollo is a sweet, lovable, 2-year-old American Bulldog mix who is looking for his forever home. Apollo is such a love bug and would love to just snuggle up in a fluffy house with a warm human. Apollo is also great with other dogs and would love to find some four-legged playmates. If you are interested in meeting Apollo or any other foster dogs, please call Farfels Farm at (303)443-7711 or visit farfels.com...
It has been six months since the death of Arapaho artist Eddie Running Wolf due to the coronavirus, but his memory and his art live on in Niwot. A Saturday gathering, masked and socially distant, paid tribute to the work of Wolf and continuing efforts to preserve his iconic tree sculptures on Niwot Road with a blessing ceremony led by Thornton resident Walt Pourier of the Oglala Lakota Nation, and attended by the artist's wife Melissa, his sons Calvin and Dustin and his mother. "So I called...
