LID approves 6 funding requests

The March 4, 2025 meeting of the Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee (LID) began with Jim Ditzel, newly elected president of the Niwot Business Association, taking the place of long-time LID advisory committee member and former NBA president Eric Bergeson.

LID Treasurer Mary Coonce reported that year-end sales tax revenues for 2024 were down 8.8% from 2023 at just under $250,000. The biggest losses came from the "Wholesale" (down 50%) and "Other" (down 24%) categories, in addition to a "Retail" decline of 5.2%. LID members asked Boulder County liaison Mark Ruzzin to contact the county's finance department to find out more about what kind of sales are included in the "Wholesale" and "Other" categories.

The LID budget for 2025 is set at $218,998, which is 80% of the 2022 actual sales tax collections. Coonce reported that 2024 reimbursements came in at $234,021, leaving $9,623 approved but not reimbursed, as applicants are only reimbursed for approved expenditures actually made. The LID reserve fund is increased by $15,656, bringing the 2024 year-end total to $454,802.

Six funding requests were submitted and all were approved unanimously by the LID.

Wellness Lecture Series

Dr. Janine Malcolm submitted a request on behalf of the Niwot Business Association for a new event in 2025 entitled "Niwot Wellness Lecture Series." She presented the proposal as a series of lectures, building off on the NBA's January Health & Wellness event. The application stated that the series would be "quarterly educational health and wellness-based lectures presented by Niwot wellness and medical business owners."

The lectures are scheduled to be presented at Niwot Hall from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday evenings on April 16, June 4, Sept. 17 and Dec. 3. Malcolm said, "We want to bring more people into town."

Scheduled lectures include Dr. Patti Ashley speaking on grief, and Dr. Amy Chang speaking on optometry. In discussing the application, Ditzel said, "I went to the one in January. I thought, 'This should happen more.'"

Estimated cost of the events is $778, primarily for promotion and advertising, with the NBA providing $200 toward the total cost. The LID approved funding for the $578 balance.

Building Arapaho, Cheyenne and Niwot Relationships and Native Art Show

The Niwot Cultural Arts Association (NCAA) presented a funding application for another new project with the stated goal of building relationships between the people of Niwot and the Arapaho and Cheyenne tribes who lived in the Niwot area in the 1800s before being forcibly relocated to a reservation in Oklahoma.

The project includes a Native Art Show scheduled for Sunday, March 16, at Niwot Hall from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with 12 emerging Native American artists displaying their work for viewing and for purchase. Among the artists is Dustin Wolf, son of Eddie Running Wolf, who created Niwot's iconic tree carvings, Spear Lodge Man, Eagle Catcher, and Cheyenne Holy Man, which are currently undergoing restoration by Wolf with assistance from Jeff Wolcott of Niwot.

"That event will be a step toward recognizing and honoring Niwot's connection with the Arapaho and Cheyenne communities," the application states. The project is part of Niwot's Sesquicentennial celebration, marking 150 years since the town of Niwot was platted in 1875.

On Monday, March 17, from 6 to 8 p.m., the NCAA will sponsor a presentation by Arapaho cultural leader Fred Mosqueda, who spoke a year ago to a standing-room-only audience at Niwot Hall, and Chester Whiteman of the Cheyenne tribal community. They will speak about building Arapaho, Cheyenne and Niwot relationships for the next 150 years.

Both events are free, but the March 17 event requires a ticket through Eventbrite with a suggested donation. Attendance is limited to 100 people. The March 17 presentation will be moderated by Phillip Yates, NCAA board member, and by Native American artist Tom Myers of Gunbarrel.

The estimated $3,500 cost of the project, which consists of rental of Niwot Hall, lodging expenses at the Niwot Inn for the speakers, and promotional expenses, will be largely covered by the NCAA. The LID approved the requested $500 contribution toward the cost of the project.

Sesquicentennial Celebration

Another new event was approved for funding as part of Niwot's Sesquicentennial Celebration on Sunday, March 30, at Niwot Hall, from 12 noon to 3 p.m. The NBA-sponsored event will be an open house, with refreshments, including every Niwot organization, as part of the year-long recognition of the 150th anniversary of the platting of the town of Niwot.

The application, presented by Coonce and NBA vice-president Deb Fowler, states, "The party will be an open house, and there will be a slide show 'Then & Now,' photo booth, ice cream social, and music from the period."

Donations for a time capsule to be opened in 25 years are also welcome at the event, Coonce said there will be a large birthday cake along with cupcakes, saying, "I plan to bake one for the top."

The LID approved funding of $4,333.35 with the NBA contributing an additional $500 toward the costs. Expenses include promotional costs, refreshments, music by nationally renowned local banjo artist Pete Wernick with his wife Joan, along with a fiddle player.

First Friday Art Walks

The NCAA also requested funding for First Friday Art Walks, which are scheduled for the first Fridays in March, June, July (second Friday due to 4th of July), August, September and December, from 5 to 8 p.m.

The event is co-sponsored by Osmosis Gallery, and features Niwot businesses displaying art while offering refreshments. The LID funding provides revenue to pay musicians who perform in front of local businesses in Old Town and in Cottonwood Square.

Often, participating businesses host an appearance by anan artist. Malcolm said, "I've seen lots of people walking about town" during the art walk events. The application states, "Special events are often scheduled during First Friday Art Walks, including dedication of donated art, kick-off and awards ceremony of the "Why Not Niwot? Juried Art Show," Plein-air artists at work, and holiday events.

The LID approved the requested funding amount of $3,000, which is the same amount approved in 2024. Total costs of the art walks are estimated at $3,900, with the NCAA covering the balance.

Around the World Day

The NBA requested funding for what has become an annual event, Around the World Day. Fowler presented the funding request for the Saturday, April 26 event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Cottonwood Square and Old Town. The application stated, "This event has been hugely successful in the past four years, and [we] would like to do it again for the fifth year. We are asking any storefront business, be it retail, restaurant or services, to participate by adopting a country for the day and celebrate its culture with food, drink, decor and/or events."

Fowler said, "We have 20 businesses already committed. The proposed budget is to provide entertainment around town and to cover the marketing costs." Coonce said, "It's a great event," in supporting the motion to approve funding of $5,879, with the NBA contributing an additional $500.

Honeybee Harvest Festival

Fowler also presented a funding request for another popular event, the Honeybee Harvest Festival, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Second Avenue and in Cottonwood Square. The bee and pollinator event will include closure of Second Avenue, with live music at various locations and food trucks next to Niwot Hall. The Tom Theobald Lecture Series will take place at Niwot Hall all day. Other activities include bee trivia, beeswax candle rolling, and beekeeping demonstrations.

Children's activities include story time, a puppet show and a pollinator costume contest. Local restaurants will feature unique menu specials, according to the application, and Niwot Market will offer a "bee breakfast."

Fowler said, "It's really taken off. We've gotten a lot of positive feedback. LID chair Scott Firle spoke in favor of the application, saying, "This is talked about outside of Niwot."

With total costs estimated at $9,571, the LID approved funding for $5,894 with the NBA contributing another $500, and vendor fee income covering another $3,572 of expenses, based on the 2024 event.