Chuck Klueber named July 4th Grand Marshal

People strolling along Niwot's Second Avenue looking for a peaceful place to sit in the shade can thank their lucky stars that Chuck Klueber gives his time to Niwot.

Klueber, who has been named the 2021 Grand Marshal of Niwot's 4th of July patriotic motorcade parade, is the quiet force in the background making sure that "streetscape" projects are completed in the town. The "bump out" patio in front of Old Oak Coffeehouse, allowing for inviting umbrella tables, chairs and trees, was one of the projects Klueber shepherded.

"I get a lot of satisfaction from seeing people enjoy themselves using spaces I've had a hand in creating," Klueber said. "I want people to enjoy themselves in Niwot, and if I can be a small part of a project that helps them do that, then I am happy."

Niwot Community Association board members chose Klueber as grand marshal because of his dedication and enthusiasm for Niwot.

"Chuck is truly one of the unsung heroes that does so much behind the scenes that makes Niwot the great place that it is," said NCA president David Limbach. "Nobody can pass through Niwot without viewing his handiwork. Downtown art, decorations, parking, and events are all better because of Chuck. It's for this reason that the NCA asked him to be our 4th of July Grand Marshal."

Klueber, who grew up in Rochester, New York, knew he always wanted to live in the West. "I would read those stories of the Wild West as a kid, and it made me really itch to live in the West." he said.

He finally got his chance following college, when his second job brought him to Colorado in 1970. He and his wife Linda first had a home in Denver near Aurora, but they moved to Niwot 33 years ago. Chuck worked in the computer engineering industry until he retired in 2007.

Meanwhile, Linda had started an interior design business which eventually grew into Niwot Interiors. When Chuck retired, he helped her with her business. That led to involvement in the Niwot Business Association.

"I started by volunteering for the membership committee, and then I joined the committee for holiday lighting," Klueber said. "When streetscapes needed a new head, Tony Santelli (the NBA president at the time) recruited me for the post."

"I thought of Chuck, because he has the rare quality of being very humble, doesn't seek the limelight, and quietly, without much fanfare, gets things done," Santelli said. "He's the 'can-do guy.' And he's a pleasure to work with."

Santelli pointed to the Sculpture Park at the corner of 79th Street and Niwot Road as just one example of Klueber's ability to get things done.

"The Sculpture Park project took years to negotiate with the Cottonwood West Homeowners Association. That project is an example of Chuck's ability to work with people, gain their confidence, and quietly lead. The park is both very impactful in its beauty and for enhancing a connection between Old Town Niwot and Cottonwood Square," Santelli said.

Santelli also praised Klueber's ability to manage large projects such as the Second Avenue bump out and new trees. "Chuck is an engineer, and with professional skill comes the ability to manage projects," Santelli said. "He is extremely competent in managing many moving parts, on different schedules, and bringing home the project on time and within budget."

"I refer to Chuck as Niwot's MVP," he added.

Through the years, Klueber has been a part of many Niwot projects to enhance the ambience of Niwot. In addition to the patio bump out and trees, he has worked with Carrie Wise to obtain funding for the flowers along Second Avenue and in Cottonwood Square shopping center, shepherded planting a pine tree for decorating at Enchanted Evening the day after Thanksgiving, and hung banners advertising town events.

"I have worked directly with Chuck on the Veterans Banner Project, the spring-time congratulatory signs and banners for Niwot High School graduates, and assorted other projects," Limbach said. "In every case, it has been a pleasure to witness his unbounded enthusiasm for Niwot."

Klueber also is involved with the new parking lot on Murray Street. Through his work with Boulder County, the lot will not only hold 14 parking spaces but also have enough electrical infrastructure and vehicle charging spaces for future growth. Best of all, Klueber said, the additional work is funded by grants.

While Klueber said he hopes to "retire" from streetscapes in January, he does have one project dear to him that he'll continue with – preserving Niwot's three tree sculptures along Niwot Road.

Klueber said the first sculpture, Spear Lodge Man, is rotting from the inside out. "Willow wood is prone to decay, and all those sculptures are wood," he said. Klueber met with artist Eddie Running Wolf several times before Running Wolf's death last summer to discuss how to preserve the sculptures.

"We have some ideas and an artist's rendering for putting the sculptures on pedestals to stop water from seeping up through the roots," Klueber said. "But that really just postpones the problem. Luckily, I was contacted by Jeff Wolcott, who had an idea to dry out the wood and then use a product to harden the wood."

Along with preserving the original sculptures, Klueber has worked with Niwot resident Nick Whitaker and CU faculty member Pat Clark to get full 3D scans of the three tree sculptures. "You never know," he said.

Klueber's enthusiasm shows when he discusses ongoing Niwot projects. "I'm afraid I might be bored if I completely retire," he said. "Plus it's always fun to do new and challenging things."