By Mandy Sutyak
Most of us do what we can to avoid contact with bees, regard them as a nuisance andgive them little second thought. A conversation with a beekeeper will change your attitude. You’ll come away realizing that bees deserve much more respect.
Approximately a third of our agriculture is dependent on bees for pollination. Without bees we would be without melons, squash and blueberries, among others. The other two-thirds of crops are either wind pollinated, such as corn, or don’t need insect pollination. It’s easy to understand how a shortage of bees would impact the agricultural industry.
Commercial beekeepers transport their bee colonies to places
where bees are needed for pollination. According to Tom Theobald of Niwot Honey
Farm, “The almond pollination in California is the first big test each year.”
Some 1.2 million bees are needed to pollinate the almond crop, which is worth
about $2 billion.
This year, bees were imported from Australia and New Zealand because of shortages within the United States. The shortages were a result of two threats: mites and pesticides.
Mites come in two guises: the varroa and the tracheal. The verroa mite is an external pest similar to a tick and is visible to the human eye. It is controlled through the use of miticides, although Theobald said, “We’re seeing significant resistance to controls.”
The tracheal mite takes up residence in the trachea and multiplies there. Theobald uses menthol chips and Crisco patties in the hives to help control them.
The mites attack the bees during winter and beekeepers discover their losses in the spring – as much as 30 to 50 percent of a colony. To replace lost bees beekeepers have to purchase new ones. This can be expensive in terms of both time and money.
Mark Beran of Medovina said he lost 35 percent of his colonies this past winter. Beran estimates he spent approximately $400 on replacement bees and lost six weeks of production.
Theobald’s production has been so impacted that he’s now out of stock of honey and has posted a sign at Niwot Market advising customers that he expects to have more by early October.
According to Beran, the mites are a parasite-and-host problem and given the dependency, it’s unlikely the mites will wipe out the bees. “The less we interfere, a natural balance will evolve,” said Beran, who is experimenting with herbal remedies such as lemon balm. But Beran is also quick to point out, “It’s difficult if you’re
dependent on honey for a business.”
Beran is also looking to control the mites through more active management of the colonies. By replacing the queens more frequently, he hopes the new bees will be more resistant to the mites.
The impact of the mites is not limited to bee losses suffered by beekeepers; it also affects feral colonies. In the spring, existing colonies get crowded, so they divide and swarm. Beekeepers try to anticipate this and divide their own colonies into separate hives. But in the wild, the mite damage reduces colony crowding, so new colonies don’t get established and the wild bee population declines.
While the mites are the “glamour bugs” and get all the attention, Theobald said bees are also threatened by pesticides. Theobald said “The EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] does little to see that spray warnings are enforced.” The EPA delegates its authority to the State Department of Agriculture, but according to Theobald there are no standards of performance.
Boulder County is fortunate; Theobald, on behalf of the Boulder County Beekeepers Association, works with local sprayers who notify him of planned sprayings. Theobald is then able to share that information with local beekeepers who can close up their hives for several hours. This doesn’t always protect the bees, since some pesticides can be effective for days.
The Boulder County Beekeepers Association has held beekeeping classes in the fall for the past seven years, graduating some 150 people. The association has grown from about 30 members five years ago to over 70 now. Even so, Beran and Theobald agree that the longstanding tradition of beekeeping, which in Niwot dates back to 1860, is threatened.
Beran said, “We won’t see an immediate impact, but slowly viability will erode. It will become more expensive.”
Theobald is more pessimistic, “What we’re seeing with bees is just a small part of it. We are living beyond our means.”
Mandy Sutyak can be reached at MandyS@lhvc.com.
Photo by Mandy Sutyak
Tom Theobald checks a hive near Niwot
Left Hand Laurel, Debbie Lammers
By Jennifer Delaney
This month the Courier honors Niwot
resident Debbie Lammers for her involvement in the local schools, including her
work with the Community Bond Review Committee (CBRC) and the entire St. Vrain
Valley School District.
When Board of Education President Sandi Searls contacted Lammers and asked if she would like to serve on the CBRC committee, Lammers agreed. She has been immersed ever since, serving as chairman for the last two years.
Lammers said she might have been considered for the committee because of her commitment to three parent groups: Niwot Elementary PTAC, Sunset PAC and Niwot High Boosters. “I was grateful for Sandy’s invitation to participate. It has been educational and an eye opener,” she said.
The CBRC was formed by the Board of Education in the spring of 2002, following the failed 2001 school bond measure. The committee consists of two representatives from each of seven areas of the district.
The purpose of the committee is to unite individuals with diverse backgrounds who are willing to listen and to pass along information to interested residents.
“Representatives offer the best reflection of their individual community’s priorities, keeping in mind the big picture, that is, the needs district wide,” Lammers explained. “It is very rewarding to meet teachers and administration around the whole district.”
Lammers recalled the early days of the committee, when members met every week for six months to put together 50 projects for the school bond. Ten new schools are included in the bond program and virtually every existing school received benefits. Projects included track and field improvements at Niwot and Longmont High Schools, as well as less visible projects at other schools, such as replacement of air conditioning units.
The CBRC allowed residents and board members to get together to positively impact the community. For example, Lammers made a plea to establish a paved and well lit student parking lot at Frederick High School. When the project was close to being cancelled, she insisted that student safety should come first, and the board agreed. As a result, the project will be completed by the end of summer 2006.
The Lammers family moved to Colorado from the San Francisco Bay Area in 1997. With her children at school and husband Chris at work, Lammers decided to get involved, “Plugging into the schools turned out to be a positive move for me,” she said.
Lammers served as the middle school league girls’ basketball commissioner for Niwot Youth Sports in 1998-99, and also served on the board of directors for Boulder Valley Hockey Association, where she was a division director. “Glorified team manager,” she said with a giggle.
Lammers’ children have been active in community sports. Laura, who has completed her freshman at San Diego University but will probably transfer to the University of Virginia, played in the state tennis championships as a sophomore at Niwot High School. “She came in third in No. 4 doubles,” Lammers said. Stephen, an incoming freshman at NHS, plays baseball in Niwot Youth Sports.
Additionally, she is one of the people responsible for overseeing the development of projects and making recommendations for the future of the bond committee. She also wrote the argument for the Mill Levy Override on the sample ballot in the fall election.
The failure of the override frustrates Lammers. “It failed by only 126 out of 61,000 votes,” she said. “Most districts have them. We don’t. It amazes me what this district does with smaller amounts than every other district in the state.”
Lammers considered the possibility that recent financial blunders affected voters’ decisions concerning approving the override. “The news of 2002 is old news. Unfortunately, people have a long memory for bad news,” Lammers said.
She wants people to know there are finance accountability procedures in place that are making a difference. “There will always be detractors, but things are different now and a tax increase this year is vital,” she said.
Lammers’ devotion to education is evident, considering she is still active with parents’ groups, even at the schools where her children no longer attend. When asked if she would consider taking on a bigger political role in the future, for example, as a school board representative, she took a deep breath and said, “Perhaps down the road.”
Then she added with a laugh, “I’m finally using my political science degree from Chico State as a homemaker.”
Photo by Jennifer Delaney
Debbie Lammers
New Pipes Increase Capacity
By Julie Fowler
The Boulder Reservoir Water
Treatment Plant in Gunbarrel was built in 1969 to provide residents with enough
water during water-strapped summer months. In 1994, it became a year-round
operation to help ease the strain on the Betasso Water Treatment Plant, the
city’s main facility near Sugarloaf Mountain. 
But with the improvements made at the 63rd Street facility during the past year, the Boulder Reservoir Water Treatment Plant could now be the sole water source if need be.
“We increased the capacity of this plant so we could serve the entire city if there ever was a problem,” said Annie Noble, city project manager for the improvements.
Terry Reichenberger, water treatment plant supervisor, said improvements have been made to the facility periodically during the past 15 years. The most recent project required closing the reservoir facility on Oct. 1, 2004 for a little more than five months.
An entirely new water treatment system has been installed. This system not only makes the treatment process more efficient, but it also allows the city to double its treatment capacity without changing the footprint of the building.
Additionally, there is the potential to triple capacity in the future. “We went from a million-gallon-a-day plant to a 16-million-gallon-a-day plant,” Noble said.
With increased capacity for treating water came an increased need to transport it. People who drive the westbound Diagonal Highway have seen the crews laying a pipeline along the shoulder of the road.
Four lagoons were added to the site so that solids, or residuals, sifted off the top of water treated at the plant can be handled on-site. “Up until this point, our residuals went to the sewer system and were handled by the wastewater plant,” Noble said.
One of the final phases of the project will be completed this summer when the shoulder of the Diagonal Highway is reseeded.
Photo by Mary Wolbach Lopert
The Boulder Reservoir Water Treatment Plant
Getting Into The Spring Of Things
By LuAnn Piccard
All Photos by LuAnn Picard
We’ve had our usual flirtation with spring and subsequent snow, and finally the warm weather seems to be here to stay. We can now dine al fresco. No, Al Fresco is not a new character from the Soprano’s, in Italian, it means “in the fresh air.” As it turns out, there are many restaurants in our area that serve lunch, dinner and maybe even drinks in the fresh air.
Café Blue is an “American Bistro” in Gunbarrel Shopping Center. Named after the owners’ blue-eyed dog, it has a unique menu with tasty entrees, sides and sauces. It has (in this writer’s opinion) the best macaroni and cheese for kids for miles around.
A friendly and knowledgeable wait staff and artwork from local artists makes it a great place for lunch or dinner, inside or on the front patio.
Le Chantecler, on the corner of Franklin and Second Streets, has expanded to include an adjacent renovated historic building. It is one of Colorado’s finest restaurants, with full-service lunch and dinner available on the atrium-like patio tucked between the two buildings. Canopies that protect diners from the hot sun and rain also provide a softly lit atmosphere where climbing vines adorn trellises. Portable heaters maintain a warm environment on cool evenings.
Niwot Tavern, formally Flanagan’s Pub, is in Cottonwood Square. The large, sunny patio is a great spot to enjoy a pint or to dine. It’s a place where locals congregate and where employees from nearby companies stop to have a drink, relax and enjoy the sunshine. In the evening, portable heaters take off the chill. The friendly wait-staff serves drinks and meals on the patio as well as indoors.
For south of the border dining, Ajuua!!, in Cottonwood Square Shopping Center, has a covered courtyard patio that is tucked beside the main dining room. Ajuua!!’s sunny interior color palette always feels like summer and the patio extends the festive atmosphere. Lunch, dinner, a full bar and weekend brunch are served on the patio and in the dining room.
House of Chang, located at the northwest corner of Gunbarrel Plaza, has a sizeable covered patio. Its popular lunch buffet draws a loyal crowd. Fast and friendly full-service dining and take-out and delivery service make this restaurant worth checking out.
Serrano’s Restaurant is a lively Tex-Mex spot located in Gunbarrel Shopping Center. Its back patio has several outdoor tables where patrons can take a “walk on the spicy side” and enjoy lunch or dinner and drinks.
Treppeda’s Gourmet Market
and Catering has been an anchor for the east end of Historic Downtown
Niwot since 1987. Besides unique and tasty breakfast and lunch items from
their deli counter, Treppeda’s also offers gourmet deli meats and cheeses,
prepared entrees, salads and desserts. In June, Treppeda’s will begin dinner
s
ervice. A sunny day means a large crowd on the patio. Umbrella tables offer
shade and a cozy atmosphere.
Fan’s Chinese Cuisine in
Cottonwood Square has expanded its dining facilities to include several outdoor
tables. Fan’s has an extensive selection of site-prepared food and is Niwot’s
only Chinese restaurant.
Also in Cottonwood Square, The Niwot Market has several outdoor tables adjacent to the deli counter where sandwiches, soup and specials are served daily. The Niwot Market has also added a sushi bar, headed by Chef Tsukasa.
The enclosed courtyard provides a
sunny spot to relax and enjoy lunch. On Friday evenings during the summer, the
Niwot Market will host “Picnic on the Patio” dinners, serving up grilled food
and music under the moonlight and cottonwood trees.
Whether lunch, dinner, brunch or drinks, there are many local opportunities to enjoy an outdoor meal while being warmed by the sun and taking in the local color.
Café Blue, Gunbarrel Shopping Center, 303-530-4345. Hours: Monday -Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday - Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Closed Sunday.
Le Chantecler, 210 Franklin Street. 303-652-0777. Open for lunch Monday - Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Open for dinner Monday - Saturday beginning at 5 p.m. Closed Sunday. Reservations recommended.
Niwot Tavern, Cottonwood Square Shopping Center, 303-652-0200. Hours: Monday - Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Bar closes at 10 p.m.
Ajuua!!, Cottonwood Square Shopping Center, 303-652-3995. Hours: Monday - Saturday. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m, Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
House of Chang, Gunbarrel Plaza Shopping Center, 303-581-9958. Open for lunch Monday - Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dinner hours: Monday -Thursday, 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Serrano’s Restaurant, Gunbarrel Plaza Shopping Center, 303-530-7423. Hours: Monday - Friday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Treppeda’s Gourmet Market and Catering, 300 2nd Avenue, 303-652-1606. Hours: Monday - Saturday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. for breakfast and lunch; Beginning in June, dinner is served 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Closed Sunday.
Fan’s Chinese Cuisine, Cottonwood Square Shopping Center, 303-652-6249. Hours: Monday - Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Niwot Market, Cottonwood Square Shopping Center, 303-652-0919. Lunch daily. Thursday evening “Picnic on the Patio,” 5 p.m. to 8 p.m, Sushi bar with Chef Tsukasa, 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
By Mandy Sutyak
School funding is complicated. If a school district simply retained what was raised within its own boundaries, there would be little equity between districts and a child’s educational experience would depend on where the child lived.
The Public School Finance Act of 1994 was aimed at removing this inequity. As a result, Colorado has a system whereby the state legislature each year sets what is known as the “per pupil funding” amount.
Per Pupil Funding
The formula for determining per pupil funding provides a base amount that is the same for all school districts. This base amount is then adjusted for differences in costs of living, personnel costs and district size. There can also be an adjustment for at-risk and on-line pupils.
In 2004-05 each school district was guaranteed a minimum of $5,627 per pupil. The St. Vrain Valley School District’s (SVVSD) per pupil figure for that year was $5,943.16.
Total Program Funding
Total Program funding is derived by taking the official student headcount, determined every October, and multiplying that figure by per pupil funding.
It’s up to each school district to decide how to spend the Total Program funds, with three exceptions. First, each school district must budget a minimum of $165 per pupil for instructional supplies. Second, most school districts must budget a minimum of $268 per pupil for capital reserves or risk management. Finally, 75 percent of any at-risk funding must be allocated to at-risk pupils or to staff development associated with those at-risk pupils. These dollar figures will change in the next fiscal year.
School districts may also receive additional funding for “categorical programs” such as English language proficiency, gifted and talented, special education, transportation and vocational programs.
Where Does Total Program Funding Come From?
School district funding comes from two local revenue sources: property taxes and vehicle registration taxes. If these local sources don’t fully fund the total program, the state funds the balance.
In fiscal year 2004, 37.6 percent of the SVVSD general operating fund came from property taxes, 3.3 percent from registration fees and 59.1 percent from state tax contributions.
Property Taxes
What appears on your property tax bill as a single school district mill levy is comprised of two parts: a General Fund mill levy and a Bond Redemption Fund mill levy. For the tax year 2004, the mill levy was a total of 40.089 mills. This figure is applied to the assessed value of the property. Residential property with an actual value of $350,000 would have an assessed value of $27,860, based on the percentage set by law for residential properties. The total amount of property tax for the school district thus would be $1,116.88.
Bond Redemption Fund Mill Levy
This funding covers the cost of servicing the bonds that SVVSD issues for capital projects, such as new school construction. Issuing capital bonds is subject to voter approval. These funds can only be used to meet the costs of servicing the bond debt, such as interest payments, issue costs and redemption costs and cannot be used to supplement operating costs. Funding from this source has nothing to do with Total Program funding and has no impact on the amount the state contributes.
The portion of the 2004 mill levy that went to the Bond Redemption Fund was 14.23 mills out of the total 40.089 mills, which for the $350,000 home described above equals $396.45 in taxes. Since bonds are being redeemed and issued on an on-going basis, the amount of the mill levy will vary from year to year. From 2002 to 2004, the mill levy was 14.23 mills. Prior to that it was 9.330 mills.
General Fund Mill Levy
In 2004 the General Fund mill levy was 25.859 mills out of the total 40.089 mills. Your property tax notice tells you that “in the absence of State Legislative Funding your General Fund mill levy would have been 80.587.” If you owned that $350,000 house, the amount of property tax for the General Fund that you paid for 25.859 mills would be $720.43. Without the state contribution you would have paid $2,245.15 on 80.587 mills. That’s a significant difference.
The General Fund mill levy is set by each school district. Note that increases in this mill levy will have no impact on Total Program revenue – such mill levy increases simply decrease the state’s contribution.
The school district is required to levy the smallest mill resulting from three options:
1) The mill it levied in the prior year;
2) The mill necessary to entirely pay for its Total Program and categorical programs, less any specific ownership taxes and minimum state funding received; or
3) The maximum mill allowed by the TABOR constitutional amendment.
An increased contribution from property taxes could also result from an increase in the number of taxable properties within the district, such as new subdivisions, or from an increase in assessed values as a result of the periodic property assessment process. Neither of these increases would impact Total Program funding. The result would again be a decrease in the state’s contribution.
Mill Levy Override
Understanding that increases in the General Fund mill levy do not increase district funding is fundamental to understanding why a district may ask for a mill levy override. Such an override allows for the creation of a separate fund that goes directly to the district and does not figure into the equation for Total Program funding. While a ballot issue for such an override for SVVSD seems likely for voters this fall, details are not yet available.
Mandy Sutyak can be reached by email at MandyS@lhvc.com
Cougars Win State Baseball Title, Tie State Record
By Bruce Warren
The Niwot Cougars won the state Class 4A Baseball title for the fifth time in eight years with a 7-0 win over Pueblo South, the only Colorado team to beat them in the last two seasons. Niwot was ranked 29th in the nation among schools of all sizes by Baseball America in its May 15 poll, up three spots from the previous ranking.
Niwot entered the state 4A tournament as the favorite, and the early games confirmed that ranking as Niwot beat Golden (13-2) and Ralston Valley (8-2) in the opening day of games in the double elimination tournament. Kyle Spencer started against Golden, with Winslow Taylor finishing after Spencer tired in his first game back after an injury.
The game was marked by an attempted inside-the-park homerun by Thomas Bauer, who coaches believe hits the ball harder than anyone on the team, including Sean Ratliff, when he connects. Bauer drove the ball to the fence, then rounded third and headed for home, arriving just as the relay throw came in to the catcher. The Golden catcher had moved up the third-base line to the edge of the grass to take the throw, and Bauer, with nowhere to go and too far to slide, threw a textbook block into the receiver just as the ball skidded past. Although he would have been safe, the plate umpire ruled him out for failing to slide or avoid the collision, then ejected him from the game. The play highlighted one of the difficulties of the high school rule as it is enforced, which allows the catcher to block the plate without the ball, putting the burden on the runner to avoid contact or initiate a slide that will likely never reach the plate.
In typical fashion, the Cougars rose to the occasion. Robbie Fowler replaced Bauer at first base, and made several difficult plays on high throws. The very next inning, when Taylor replaced Spencer on the mound with one out and the bases loaded, Seth Boveri came into the game at third base for Taylor. Within a few pitches, the Golden batter hit a hard grounder to third. Boveri calmly picked up the ball, stepped on third base for the force out, then fired across the diamond to Fowler to complete the inning-ending double play.
With Fowler replacing Bauer at first base for the next game against Ralston Valley, Ratliff pitched masterfully, leaving after six innings with an 8-0 lead. When an obviously tired Taylor struggled in the seventh, Ratliff returned to strike out the last two batters with the bases loaded after two runs had scored. Clint Stapp had a perfect game at the plate, going 4-4 with two runs scored and three RBI’s while Michael Perry added two more hits and an RBI.
The next day saw Niwot matched against cross-town rival Longmont in the winner’s bracket game, with the victor assured a spot in the state title game. Niwot had rallied to beat Longmont 5-4 in the opening game of the season, but this time it was no contest as Brian Lux gave up only four hits before yielding to Ratliff in the final inning. Shortstop Mike Harpe, as he had all season, made a bare-handed defensive gem to keep the Cougars out of trouble, then launched a homerun in the fifth inning. Stapp had two hits, including a homerun while Bauer added two doubles. Lux also had a double at the plate, while Taylor added a triple.
That matched Niwot against 22-2 Pueblo South on the final weekend. The Cougars faced the Pueblo South ace, Mario Mattivi, and came away with a 4-3 loss to snap the Cougars’ 45-game winning streak, which tied Eaton’s state high school record. Kyle Spencer pitched a solid game, allowing three earned runs in 5 1/3 innngs. The bounces were not going Niwot’s way, including a great throw to the plate by leftfielder Nick Stockwell, which took a bad hop before reaching catcher Michael Perry.
Two errors led to an unearned run which left Niwot with a one-run deficit after six innings, and Niwot was unable to get the tying run home from second in the seventh inning. The Cougar attack was limited to Ratliff, who hit two homeruns, and Lux, who had the only other Niwot hit, scoring ahead of Ratliff for the second NHS run.
Due to the double elimination format, the Cougars were guaranteed a spot in the championship game by beating Longmont in the winner’s bracket game. As a result, the Cougars faced Pueblo South again in the title match after Pueblo South had beaten Ralston Valley earlier in the day.
As happened all season long, everyone stepped up for the championship game. The Cougars employed all ten seniors, including courtesy runners/pinch runners Jamie Hollowell, Fowler and Spencer, as well as underclassmen Harpe, Nick Saraceni and Tyler Olsen.
Again Ratliff was rested and ready to go on the mound. He proved to be almost unhittable, giving up only two hits while
striking out 14 batters in seven innings. Yet entering the sixth inning, Niwot only held a 1-0 lead, thanks to an RBI single by Taylor which drove in Hollowell, running for pitcher Ratliff. When Pueblo got the tying run to third base with two outs and a full count on the batter, it took a game-turning defensive play by first baseman Bauer to give Niwot the momentum it needed to finish the job. Pueblo’s Ryan Carillo hit a hard grounder between first baseman Bauer and second baseman Olsen. Bauer managed to dive for it, knock it down and throw to Ratliff covering first for the third out, something he’s been doing all season long.
In the bottom of the sixth, designated hitter Lux led off with a walk, something he has done a remarkable number of times this season. Ratliff, hitting behind Lux, jokes about Lux’s “force field” whenever he gets a three-ball count, assured that Lux will then draw a base on balls.
This time Hollowell came in as a pinch-runner for Lux and Ratliff followed with a single. With Fowler already running for catcher Michael Perry, Spencer entered the game to run for Ratliff this time. Two errors on a Clint Stapp grounder allowed both Hollowell and Spencer to score. Taylor followed with a single, scoring Stapp, but was erased on a double play. Leftfielder Saraceni then singled and a double by shortstop Harpe drove him home. Bauer came up with a triple off the wall, scoring Harpe. Bauer scored the sixth run of the inning before Pueblo South got the third out.
Ratliff got the last three outs, ending the game with a “caught looking” third strike to batterymate Perry. After the game, Ratliff noted that Perry was instrumental in his mound dominance this season. Ratliff, who finished with a 9-0 record and 0.65 ERA for the season, spent the winter traveling to Denver to work with renowned pitching coach Bus Campbell, 83 years young. Perry, who was one of three varsity catchers last year with Dylan Tumblin and Lewis Johnson (now playing at Northwestern Junior College) volunteered to travel to Denver with Ratliff and catch him while he worked out. The work paid off as Ratliff never had a bad game all year, thanks in large part to Perry’s work behind the plate.
Ratliff ended his prep career with six hits in six at bats over the final two games.
Next year the Cougars will have to reload, but the cupboard is far from bare. Only shortstop Harpe, outfielder Saraceni and second baseman Olsen saw significant varsity action this season, but five more underclassmen came up from coach Jason Lathrop’s JV squad to contribute to the playoff wins, including third baseman Boveri, pitcher Austin Taylor, catcher Brett Hawley, first baseman Elliot Haas, and infielder-outfielder Nick Zelie.
Pitching will be wide-open next spring, with senior pitchers Ratliff, Spencer, Lux, Winslow Taylor and Fowler graduating. Only Harpe and Austin Taylor have varsity experience on the mound, but pitching coach Roger Fisher has a stable of young arms that may surprise opponents when given an opportunity. Last year’s state title team included 11 seniors; this year the count was 10. As most players in the Niwot system realize, you often have to wait your turn to get a chance to win a state title.