Rock & Rails postponed for now...

Warm summer nights in June traditionally herald the return of music lovers to Niwot's Whistle Stop Park for the annual Rock & Rails summer concert series, with weekly Thursday night shows featuring a double-bill of local acts and fan favorites. But in 2020, the worldwide coronavirus pandemic has forced organizers from the Niwot Cultural Arts Association and Niwot Business Association to push back opening night to July at the earliest.

"The earliest opening date would be July 2, but for that to happen, Boulder County would have to lift gathering restrictions that are now in effect," NCAA President Biff Warren said. Originally, the 15th rendition of Rock & Rails was set to open on June 4 and run for 13 weeks through Aug. 27. "The co-managers, Vicki Maurer, Dan Hawk and myself, continue to monitor the situation and consult some of our key volunteers," Warren said. "We will look at a possible July opening in mid-June and make a decision."

Until then, organizers are getting Whistle Stop Park ready for the weekly influx of concertgoers. The Caboose recently received a new coat of paint, courtesy of Colorado Custom Paintworks, a local contractor and Rock & Rails sponsor, which discounted the cost significantly. Also, Porchfront Homes, another sponsor and donor, is putting the finishing touches on "The Depot," the park's new permanent concession facility.

Warren said the organizers are working with musicians, vendors, and tip jar recipients to devise a new schedule for the season, which could potentially run through the end of September.

"The musicians have been very flexible, and we intend to make an advance partial payment to some of the headliners who have performed for us for many years to help them through this crisis," Warren said. "Craig Cutcliff, who has been our sound man since day one in 2006, has also been very supportive and understanding, and we intend to include him in the advance payments."

However, if the start date is pushed out much further than July 2, the series will have to be shortened or canceled altogether, which could leave area non-profit organizations with budget shortfalls in the coming year.

"We have had 18 applications from local charities and school groups for tip jar nights, so we had planned to double up on several nights to help as many as we can," Warren said, adding that tip jar proceeds topped $1,200 per concert in 2019.

Other community projects could also be adversely affected. "The NCAA and the NBA divide the net proceeds from the concert series equally, and the NCAA portion funds all the maintenance costs for Niwot Children's Park, which last year totaled $14,000," he noted.

The balance of the 2019 proceeds went towards construction costs for The Depot, which topped $100,000, despite donated materials and services from contractors, including Porchfront Homes, the general contractor.. The NCAA and NBA have also been soliciting donations for the costs, but Warren said they were hoping for another profitable Rock & Rails series in 2020 to close the gap.

"At this point we are about $50,000 short of our fundraising goal for the project, as donations have come to a halt with the pandemic. If the concert season is canceled, we will have to borrow funds to pay the balance of the cost. If we are able to have a concert series, we will set aside one night where we ask patrons to give generously to The Depot project."

The NCAA and NBA are still accepting donations for The Depot. Donations are accepted by mail: Niwot Cultural Arts Association, P.O. Box 733, Niwot, CO 80544, or may be made online at http://www.niwotarts.org.