Niwot Wildlife Sanctuary to open on CO 119 median

The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), acting on a recommendation from Parks and Open Space (POS), unanimously agreed on April 1 to create a Niwot Animal Sanctuary Train Yard (NASTY) on the median in the center of CO Highway 119 north of Niwot Road as part of the ongoing CO 119 Safety, Chaos, Access, and Technology (SCAT) project.

The decision was made after extensive public input at Sight Review hearings, and after consultation with the NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB and NCAA, although NIL money from animal photos is still being negotiated with animal rights groups.

Experts from the Colorado Bear Cub Coalition (CBCC), The Wildest Animal Sanctuary (WAS), RTD, CDOT, and Confusing Solutions testified regarding the feasibility, viability and responsibility of the proposal.

POS spokesperson Paul Baits said, "The median at Niwot Road is currently closed and under construction anyway, so adding some fencing around the bike path should not be an issue. We have plenty of volunteers who will bike under the overpass each day to feed and water the animals. Actually, we have a waiting list of volunteers."

"The genesis of the wildlife sanctuary idea came from residents who have enjoyed the bear sightings over the years," said Baits. "Everyone has noticed the exodus of wild animals from the mountains, and residents often post a number of photos on social media of bears on their driveways, fox families in backyard ditches, raccoons in trees, squirrels, and prairie dogs. Even bobcat families and an occasional mountain lion. They feel that a safe place to house these animals who are naturally attracted to Niwot's homey feel makes a lot of sense. It keeps the animals and everyone safe and we are sure the animals will enjoy living together in our beautiful area."

Wild animal posts on social media constitute over 60% of posts by Niwot residents, according to the Niwot Internet Mammals Behind You (NIMBY). "With such obvious interest, volunteers came forward, drew up the plans and submitted them to the County," Baits said, "All free of charge."

Planning the sanctuary has been on a "need-to-know basis," said Baits. "We were concerned about attracting poachers or scaring the animals away toward Boulder. Both would be disastrous for the animals. But now that the details have been worked out with CDOT and RTD and advisors from the Denver Zoo, we are ready to go public."

In addition to NIL money, donations will be the primary source of funding, with the initial outlay of $2.2M coming equally from CDOT, the LID, BOCC, RTD and Burlington Northern RR.

Originally, a federal grant was in place to pay for animal relocation services, but that funding has been withdrawn. "We are not deterred by the withholding of federal funds," said local Test Yard organizer Sandy Meerkat. "Those guys in D.C. have a lot going on right now. We are sure they will come around."

"I feel so good about doing this," Meerkat added. "Finally the local animals will be protected from the horrible trash they are forced to eat and harassment from residents. They will finally be safe in the middle of the highway. We are so lucky that the median is being worked on now anyway. They can easily add a comfortable natural habitat for so many animals."

Baits added, "The portion of the median encompassing the sanctuary will be a quiet zone requiring that all electric bikes, electronics, and Strava apps be turned off as people pass through the area. This is for the comfort of the animals living there."

To volunteer and find out more, email iloveanimals@NiwotWLS.com.