The Conoco gas station and convenience store in Cottonwood Park Square closed Jan. 29 after many years as the only source of gasoline in the community.  Conoco employees were unable to explain the closing, saying, “You know as much as I do.” 

According to Chuck Semple of Walnut Realty, the leasing agent for the shopping center, the decision to close was made by Conoco corporate headquarters, even though the lease has not yet expired.  The corporate-owned store apparently did not fit with Conoco’s plan to focus on high volume locations. 
 “We’re looking at several different possibilities, one of which is a gas station,” Semple noted.  “But right now we don’t have anyone.” Conoco’s policy is to tear out the underground tanks when a gas station closes, Semple noted. 

The Conoco station was the longest continuous tenant of Cottonwood Square, predating several changes in ownership of the shopping center.  Cottonwood Square was built and owned by Bowron Builders, Inc., in the early 1970’s. 

Kent Bowron recalled the first gas station in a small wood structure on the site, which sold Fina gas and operated as the Niwot Country Store. “We built it and ran it at first, just trying to get something going.  We’d stop by the dairy every day to pick up milk.”  Richard Hobson took over the store from Bowron Builders.  Lee and Jeannette Johnson and Ed and Joan Hazzard bought the business in the mid-1970’s and sold Texaco gas before selling to Roy and Darlene Fick. 

When the shopping center was sold to Fred Simmons and Tom Drever in the mid-1980’s, the Niwot Country Store lost its lease and the building was demolished. Conoco leased the newly constructed building, operating a convenience store and gas station ever since.