Niwot plans to celebrate 150-year anniversary

Niwot organizations are poised to begin celebrating Niwot’s first 150 years as a Boulder County community. Sparked by the Niwot Historical Society’s plan to publish a recap of Niwot’s 150-year history with historical photos and descriptions, other organizations in Niwot have formed a committee to celebrate the sesquicentennial anniversary of the recording of the town plat of Niwot by Ambrose Murray and Porter Hinman on March 30, 1875.

The first meeting of the organizing committee, chaired by Niwot resident Laura Skaggs, was held Dec. 2, 2024. In her invitation, Skaggs wrote, “Niwot will be hosting a year-long Sesquicentennial celebration in honor of our community’s founding in 1875. This will be a year for the entire community to commemorate, educate, and celebrate our rich history and highlight the cultural fabric of the last 150 years.”

After discussing ways other communities across the country have celebrated 150 years, Skaggs concluded that Niwot already does many of the activities that characterize other town celebrations. The consensus of the committee was to “wrap a ribbon” around existing events and activities in Niwot, by asking each sponsoring organization to include a 150-year banner in all promotional materials, and to incorporate historical themes and activities in each event.

The committee includes Skaggs, who has professional and volunteer experience in historic preservation, Kathy Koehler of the Niwot Historical Society, Jeff Knight of the Niwot Community Association, Mary Coonce of the Niwot Business Association, Angie Miltersen of the Niwot Business Association, Chris Crandell of Niwot Hall and Left Hand Grange No. 9, Biff Warren of the Niwot Cultural Arts Association and the Left Hand Valley Courier. Coonce and Knight also serve on the Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee.

Miltersen volunteered to design a 150-year banner, and Koehler noted that the Niwot Historical Society would offer the use of select historic photos from its archives for use on banners around town.

The committee will also consider a special event dedicated to celebrating the founding of the unincorporated community. Ideas suggested at the initial meeting included burying a time capsule, a bus trip to the Sand Creek Massacre site, creating a historic cookbook, commissioning a Niwot puzzle, walking tours, a photo exhibit, a genealogy workshop, a local history lecture series, a parade, a community picnic, a talent show, a volunteer day, an essay contest, an art competition, an old-fashioned games day, a classic car show, a music festival, a farmer’s market with a historical flair, a scavenger hunt, children’s activities, and creating a commemorative item.

Suggestions and volunteer offers should be directed to any committee member.