Colterra to rebuild barn

Colterra restaurant at 121 Franklin Street in Niwot suffered severe interior damage in an October 2017 fire. News that Colterra was unable to provide assurances that it would be able to reopen in time for a scheduled September 2018 wedding led to speculation as to when the restaurant might return.

Colterra Food & Wine owner Bradford Heap provided a statement during the Niwot Business Association meeting Jan.9 regarding the restaurant and future plans.

“My team at Colterra food and wine and I are still trying to make sense of what happened on October 18, 2017,” Heap said. “I am working with the insurance company and the county to bring Colterra food and wine back as soon as possible.

“We learned last week that the building will have to be torn down. Anybody who’s ever worked with the county before will tell you it will be a long process. I appreciate everyone’s kind words and concern.”

Due to the age and construction of the main building, which was originally a barn, and the extensive damage to the interior caused by the fire, the barn structure will have to be torn down and rebuilt to current code requirements. The historic Bader House on the corner of the property, which is also part of the restaurant, was not damaged by the fire.