Week of June 18, 2025
Week of June 18, 2025
The famed Sundance Film Festival, previously held in Park City, Utah, for over four decades, will be moving to Boulder in 2027. A Niwot Sundance Task Force, a part of the Niwot Business Association, is being formed to involve Niwot businesses in the upcoming event. "I am very excited about this because of all of the attendance and revenue it will bring to Boulder County along with Denver and Estes Park during those ten days of the festival," said Sarah Cioni, owner of Niwot's Belle Terre...
Niwot's Fourth Jazz Festival will smooth and soothe your Saturday, June 21, from 3:00 to 9:30 p.m. in Niwot's Cottonwood Square. The music lineup features After Midnight, a swing sextet with clarinetist Roger Campbell from 3:00 to 4:15 p.m., East Coast jazz vocalist Angela Bingham from 4:45 to 6:00 p.m., Grammy award winning trumpeter Brian Lynch with the Keith Waters Trio and saxophonist Peter Sommer from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m., and a salsa dance party with Quemando Salsa from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m....
On Tuesday, June 10, the Board of Boulder County Commissioners (BOCC) approved a Parks & Open Space request to purchase land at 5701 North 79th Street in Gunbarrel, owned by the Tennis Center of the Rockies, LLC. for $1,800,000. Tennis Center of the Rockies, LLC had purchased the property in January 2024 for $1,750,000, according to Boulder County Assessor records. The county's purchase of the 20-acre plot of land marks the end of plans to build a large, 26-court tennis center on 79th Street...
The wind came up just as the House Blend Band took a break Thursday night at Rock & Rails, but it did not deter the Rotary Club of Niwot from presenting the Eli Buzas Community Service Award posthumously to Bert Steele and the Steele family. On stage to receive the award were Seth Steele and Alison Steele, owners of the Niwot Market, with several other family members in the audience. Thom Lynch made the presentation on behalf of the Rotary Club of Niwot, which was also one of the tip jar...
The second week of Rock & Rails brought a burst of energy to Whistle Stop Park on Thursday, June 12, despite a cool breeze in the middle and a few raindrops. The second performance in the 2025 Rock & Rails series featured a pair of Niwot favorites, starting with singer-songwriter Dean Himes, followed by the Rock & Rails debut of the headliner, House Blend Band. As the skies drizzled, Himes took the stage at 5 p.m. for a lively, guitar-forward set. A 2022 Colorado Country Music Hall of Fame...
As part of the Left Hand Valley Courier's Neighborhood Spotlight series, which features various local neighborhoods, their history, issues, and general nature, the Courier in this week's edition is spotlighting the Morton Heights neighborhood, one of the oldest subdivisions outside of Old Town Niwot. The Morton Heights neighborhood, with its first structures built in the early 1960s, is located south of Niwot Road between Walker Drive and Paiute Avenue, and includes the more commonly known...
Among Niwot's many familiar faces are the animals that roam the open space, backyards, and streets of this small community. This week's familiar face is Onyx, the canine local who can be seen anytime at Niwot Jewelry & Gifts on Second Avenue. Onyx, a sheepadoodle, is from Loveland and has been a part of the Niwot Jewelry crew for over five years. Waking up at 7 a.m. and commuting over 40 minutes every day, Onyx is a dedicated yet quiet worker who enjoys helping customers find precious pieces...
Saturday, June 14 was another beautiful day resulting in a well attended and successful Slepicka Tractor Collection Show at 6675 N. 79th Street in Niwot. This Niwot Community Association (NCA) event hosted by the Jerry and Marsha Slepicka family with son Brandon Slepicka also in attendance, had a line of people waiting to attend before it opened at 10 a.m., with a consistent flow of people and children throughout the day. New this year was a vintage rock crusher, in addition to a variety of...
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Earlier this month, Niwot High School (NHS) and Niwot Youth Sports (NYS) partnered to hold a summer baseball camp for elementary and middle school students. Children entering first through eighth grades were welcomed to the program, which ran from Monday, June 2, to Thursday, June 5, at the NHS athletic fields. Approximately 40 students participated, the majority of whom were from the Niwot area, according to NHS baseball Head Coach Ken Rosales. "Everybody seemed to enjoy it," Rosales...
Isaiah Richart's first season on the Niwot High School track team concluded with the kind of performance that had his coaches and teammates buzzing with excitement about what the future holds. The freshman sprinter and basketball player dominated the Unified division at the state track meet in May, capturing gold medals in both the 100 and 200-meter events. His winning time of 13.07 seconds in the 100 meters, with a personal best slightly under 13 seconds, has Niwot track coach Maurice...
More than 52,000 people registered for the 45th annual www.bolderboulder.com/" target="_blank">BOLDERBoulderBOLDERBoulder, and 46,664 runners crossed the finish line on Memorial Day, completing the 10K inside the University of Colorado's Folsom Field. Hailed by Runner's World as "America's All-Time Best 10K," the race drew participants from all 50 states and 18 countries. Among the finishers were 245 runners with a Niwot address, several of whom earned top-10 finishes in the respective age...
If you had asked Kye Toothaker a few years ago, running was just a tool to get better at soccer. He did not expect it to become his main sport, let alone the thing that would take him to college. "I initially ran cross country and track to get fit for soccer, but then decided to focus on it full time," he said. "I stuck with it because of the people on the team and coaches being so supportive." Now, the recent Niwot High School graduate is headed to Pomona College in California to compete in...
The Erie High School boys lacrosse team, which includes players from Niwot High School, wrapped up its 2025 season with a 6-10 overall record. The team reached the state playoffs, earning statewide recognition for several standout players. During state playoffs the Tigers were eliminated in the first round of the CHSAA Class 5A competition. Last year the Tigers were part of the CHSAA Class 4A and won the championship against Cheyenne Mountain High School with a score of 14-6. As an award,...
Elyse Prestopnik, a rising junior at Niwot High School, has been involved in theater since she was four or five years old. She said, "I've been in choir three years so far; two at Niwot and one at my middle school, but I've taken voice since I was around nine or ten as well. I've also done some community theater." Prestopnik's theatrical experiences at Niwot include playing Mary Debenham in "Murder on the Orient Express" and most recently, serving as the understudy for Lulu Warnicker in...
As Niwot residents take their Thursday morning walk on the trails behind Niwot High School, drive by with their windows down, or sit on their porch with a cup of coffee nearby, they may notice an array of rhythmic-sounding music coming from the back side of the school. Each Thursday morning, the dedicated members of the drumline within the NHS "Pride of Niwot" Cougar Marching Band congregate to practice for upcoming events and to get ahead before the busy school year commences in August. For...
Megan Schlagel was named the new Dean of Students for Niwot High School this past April after thirteen years of teaching math at NHS. Schlagel has also been the head of the Jumpstart program at Niwot, a program dedicated to helping new students transition from eighth grade to ninth grade, as well as being in charge of the Link Crew, upperclassmen who help ninth-graders adjust to high school. Both pioneering programs make becoming Dean of Students a natural next step in Schlagel's career. As...
The color purple and the sound of funk will be taking the Rock & Rails spotlight June 19 as Paizley Park makes its first appearance in the summer concert series. "This group seriously embodies the Prince vibe," said concert booking agent Satir DeMarco. "There'll be plenty of guitar licks, dancing, and a great stage presence. They are just amazing, world-class." Guests are asked to indulge in the spirit of the event by dressing in purple. Scarves, hats, feathers, sparkles, tights, and...
Dancing Under the Stars is back for another season of music, dance, and community. Starting Friday, June 20, Cottonwood Square will come alive with energy and rhythm as the outdoor dance series kicks off for the summer. Held every Friday night through September 19, the event promises a lively atmosphere where people of all skill levels can enjoy dancing under the Colorado sky. The season opens with a salsa night, led by Joseph Snowhawk. A fun, beginner-friendly lesson will kick off at 7 p.m.,...
Looking for something a little different to serve this summer? Here are two unique, easy-to-make treats that bring a fresh twist to classic snacking. From crispy, savory Roasted Chickpea Snack Mix to buttery, delicate Honey-Lavender Shortbread Bars, these recipes are perfect for a picnic, a road trip, or simply a sweet break in your day. ROASTED CHICKPEA SNACK MIX Courtesy of Christine Blue Looking for a crispy, savory treat that's a nice break from potato chips or popcorn? Roasted Chickpea...
Calling all photographers, intentional or accidental! The Left Hand Valley Courier’s Photo of the Week feature is open to any area resident who personally photographs Niwot-Gunbarrel area sights, including people (with permission, of course), buildings, animals, birds, plants, flowers, events, or anything else. Naturally, there are a few rules to follow: • The photograph must be submitted in jpg format via email to editorial@lhvc.comeditorial@lhvc.com in high resolution. • Please include a caption describing the photo, your name, email...
ACROSS 4. Himes 6. theater 8. Princess 11. BOLDER 14. Chivukula 16. tennis 17. Woo 18. Prince DOWN 1. Steele 2. drumline 3. Richart 5. Whistle 7. baseball 9. rock 10. House 12. Jazz 13. Onyx 15....
Lee Ann O’Donnell Niwot area resident, Lee Ann O’Donnell, died Feb. 2, 2025, from a rare variant of ALS. A celebration in her memory was held at her hom on June 7, 2025. Thomas Valeski Former longtime Gunbarrel resident, Thomas “Tom” Valeski, age 79, died March 9, 2025. Memories will be shared in Boulder on June 22, 2025. For more information, contact tevmemorial25@gmail.com. Jack Reneaud Former longtime Niwot resident, Jack Reneaud, age 92, died June 6,...
