Jim Ditzel new Niwot Business Association president

Jim Ditzel is the new Niwot Business Association (NBA) president and is ready to continue the great work of Eric Bergeson, former NBA president and NBA board member. Ditzel said Bergeson and the board "did a great job, especially through Covid and the chaos that created. They provided support to the businesses, helping everyone."

Ditzel is originally from the small town of Tipton, Iowa, and graduated from the University of Iowa. In 1983, he relocated to Boulder County to pursue a master's degree in journalism and business at the University of Colorado Boulder, and he has lived in Boulder County ever since.

Ditzel has worked for various local newspapers throughout his career, concluding his journalism journey at the Boulder Daily Camera. In 1999, Ditzel transitioned into the field of commercial real estate. He and his family moved to the Niwot area after their daughter developed an interest in horses, which is where they live today.

Ditzel has two main goals for the NBA. First, he would like to pause the current minimum wage ordinance impacting unincorporated Boulder County and, secondly, he would like to mitigate the impact of the Highway 119 construction project on local residents.

He is concerned that Ordinance 2023-4 which became effective Jan. 1, 2024, will negatively impact Niwot and jeopardize its businesses' ability to survive as the unincorporated area minimum wage is scheduled to climb to $25.00 per hour by 2030.

He is also concerned that the short-term impact of the Highway 119 construction will compound the situation for Niwot businesses. Ditzel, an avid bicyclist, said, "I think in the long term it is going to be good for Niwot, but in the short term, I am neutral as it will impact everyone's commute for at least the next two years."

Ditzel said that the NBA will publicly state its position supporting a pause in the minimum wage escalation through letter-writing campaigns, petitions, and addressing the Boulder County Commissioners at their bi-weekly meetings with local Niwot business owners. Ditzel described this as the NBA's "policy initiative."

Ditzel hopes the NBA receives a response from the Boulder County Commissioners by August and said, "We would prefer sooner, like April, but we would like it resolved by August at the latest. The NBA will be asking for a pause and to align unincorporated Boulder County's minimum wage ordinance with the lowest minimum wage in the county."

Ditzel is concerned that because Niwot's sales tax revenues decreased in 2023 over 2022 and again in 2024 over 2023, He believes Niwot, as a small market, is in a downward cycle partially because of the minimum wage ordinance.

He said, "You lose one or two businesses, which significantly impacts a small town. We must navigate as effectively as possible and support the businesses in Niwot, similar to what the previous NBA board did during Covid." "We want to support Niwot businesses by creative decision-making and evolved marketing for the various events hosted in Niwot that people have become accustomed to," Ditzel said. He hopes to use marketing alternatives such as social media and the internet.

Ditzel strongly believes Niwot residents can help support local businesses by shopping locally, attending events, volunteering for the community, and coming up with other ways and new ideas to attract people to Niwot. Ditzel said, "Niwot is a wonderful place, and I hope to do my part to make it better."

Ditzel welcomes residents and business owners to attend the NBA meetings on the second Tuesday of every month at 8:30 a.m. to learn more about the NBA's work and how individuals can help. Meetings are held at Niwot Hall unless hosted at the site of a local business.