Pat started a tradition of volunteerism that would touch the lives of many residents in Niwot. She created programs that allow people to get involved, work with people they wouldn’t ordinarily meet. 

She credits the idea of community participation to her hometown of Joliet, Illinois. She met her husband Larry in high school, but it wasn’t until college that they dated and eventually married. She received her degree in teaching with an emphasis on special education. 

After Larry and Pat married, Larry’s job took them to New Hampshire where their first child John was born in 1969. They moved to Texas where Erin was born in 1971, and finally came to Niwot in 1972. Tara was born here in 1978. 

Pat started working in real estate in 1976 when she went to work at Morton & Morton Ltd. located on Paiute Avenue in Morton Heights. In 1985 Morton and Morton moved to downtown Niwot. Howard Morton retired in 1988 and Pat and Jane Harrison formed the new firm of Niwot Real Estate. 

Situated on the corner of Second Avenue and Murray Street, Niwot Real Estate serves as the staging area for many community events. Stop by before an event and you will see signs being made, balloons being filled, candy being passed out, costumes being put on. And everyone who works there gets into the act – it’s part of the job description.

Besides the Easter Egg Hunt, Pat has added a pancake breakfast to the event schedule. The breakfast is run by the Niwot Optimists and the proceeds go to youth projects in Niwot and local schools.

In addition to the pancake breakfast, Pat has added entertainment ranging from a friendly bunny handing out balloons, to a petting zoo, Eddie Spaghetti, magicians and puppeteers.

Rain or shine for the past 20 years Pat Murphy has provided a community event that will live in the memories of Niwot’s children.

Pat’s involvement did not stop at the Easter Egg Hunt. For over 15 years Pat made sure Niwot had a summer community event for residents to enjoy. In the late 1970s support for Niwot Nostalgia Days had dwindled. Pat donated a pig for the pig roast and cajoled her neighbors and friends to get together and make it happen. Also included with Nostalgia Days was the Ice Cream Social with live music, games for the kids, teddy bear parades and of course, ice cream provided by the Left Hand Grange.

Pat was one of the charter board members when the incorporated in 1988. She was in charge of community events and was responsible for bringing new members into the organization. She also was active in the effort to create a recreation district and to build a community center for the Niwot area. She believed then and still believes that the community needs a gathering place. "This is what builds a community. Niwot is not just a subdivision, but a town of people who enjoy a community spirit. We need a place where young and old can meet and play. We don’t have a large enough gathering place in Niwot," she stated. 

Her proudest accomplishment is the twelve unit Eagle Place senior housing in Cottonwood Shopping Center. As a realtor she saw many older residents leaving Niwot because they could not keep up their large home where they had raised their families. 

Pat hated to see people who had lived in Niwot so many years leave. She attended a seminar put on by the Federal Home Loan Association on rural housing, only to discover that the association didn’t consider Niwot rural. 

Next, she asked Boulder County Commissioner Ron Stewart for help. He brought in Jim Liles, housing director for Boulder County. Jim told her that there were programs available; all that was needed was a place. 

After years of trying to find space the owners of the property in Cottonwood Square were looking into expanding the commercial building sites. Again Ron Stewart helped to meet the needs of the property owner and provided a place for senior housing.

Pat glows with pride when she sees the attractive and comfortable apartments that allow seniors to stay in Niwot. "Diversity is so important to a community," she said. "We need all ages participating in what’s going on in Niwot."

Besides Eagle Place, Pat is active on the Niwot Senior Advisory Council. She helps with the Plant Sales and provides entertainment for the Annual Christmas potluck.

Her love of young people knows no bounds. From the Easter Egg Hunt, to the Annual Niwot Christmas Party, Pat is there. You will see her as Mrs. Santa helping Santa get the list just right; you will see her handing out balloons and treats to trick-or-treaters at the Annual Halloween party she organizes. 

Through the Niwot Business Association she helps organize the Annual Christmas Party and Halloween Parade. With her involvement in the Niwot Optimists she supports many programs that benefit youth, such as the Essay Contests, Just Say No, Bicycle Safety Rodeo, Oratorical Contest and Listening Post.

Pat gets her reward in the kids’ response, whether it’s a big smile when they find the golden egg at the Easter Egg Hunt or from the thrill of seeing Santa arrive. At a recent Optimist dinner that honored youth from Boulder County for their scholastic and community volunteer work, a young lady told Pat, "I was from a family who never got involved in the community or volunteered, so I never knew what it was all about. But since I’ve started volunteering and have seen the impact and the difference one person can make, it has changed my life. I’m just sorry I missed this growing up."

In 20 years of coloring Easter eggs and building fond memories and community spirit, Pat Murphy has given Niwotians a precious gift of community that is rarely found in today’s fast paced world.