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Joe Chrisman's journey from a three-sport athlete at Longmont High School to a successful business owner in Boulder County is a testament to the lasting influence of sports on his life. Growing up in Longmont, Colorado, during the 1980s and 1990s, Chrisman was shaped by a close-knit community that instilled strong values and a passion for athletics. Chrisman spent his early years in northwest Longmont and went to elementary school in Hygiene, an area that reminds him of the small-town feel of...
If you have been keeping up with the Left Hand Valley Courier's Familiar Face features throughout the 2024 Rock & Rails season, you may have noticed a certain "photo-bomber" in the background of a few photos. While Rock & Rails came to a close this past Thursday, Aug. 29, with Hazel Miller's closing performance, that "photo-bomber" is a dedicated volunteer who deserves recognition. Tony Maurer has been a weekly regular behind the bar in the Depot for more than 10 years. He first got involved...
On August 29, Hazel Miller & the Collective, along with Nalani Clisset (stage name Nalani) performed the final show of the 2024 Rock & Rails season at Whistle Stop Park. As Nalani was setting up for her opening set, headliner Hazel Miller was standing by the performance gazebo greeting arriving concertgoers like old friends. Energized and radiating joy, Miller promised them that they "were in for a great evening and plenty of dancing." Miller's band members were fired up for their set. Lead...
The 8th Sustainable Transportation Summit met on Aug. 27 to address the question of how to finally make a rail system from Pueblo to Fort Fort Collin a reality. The Summit was hosted and delivered by Commuting Solutions. During the course of speaker presentations and round table discussion, in addition to a statewide rail system, it was suggested that a real regional transportation solution must include travel from Raton, New Mexico through Colorado to Cheyenne, Wyoming. A rail system...
In July of 2023, Ifrain and Shannon Rodriguez, the owners of a 39.5-acre property at 6184 Niwot Road, located on the southwest corner of 63rd Street and Niwot Road, submitted an application to Boulder County to construct nine new residential homes (for a total of 10 homes, including their own). This application was submitted using a Boulder County land use process involving Transferable Development Rights (TDRs), and is known as the Rodriguez TDR-PUD, docket number SD-23-0003. TDRs are a land de...
In 2013-2014, the Northwest Area Mobility Study (NAMS) identified several highways that were prime for transit expansion or enhancements, one being the CO 119 corridor between Longmont and Boulder, also known as the Diagonal Highway. According to highway safety records, CO 119 is the highest crash corridor for motorists and the second highest for bicyclists in Boulder County. By 2040, the stretch of the Diagonal Highway between Boulder and Longmont is expected to see an increase in vehicle...
On Sept. 8, Niwot United Methodist Church, located at 7405 Lookout Road in Gunbarrel, will celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the installation of a stained glass window with the two artists who created it for the sanctuary where they were members at the time. The service of celebration will begin at 10:20 a.m. and is open to the public. Gayle Weiss and Patti Dahlem really didn't understand what they were getting into when they volunteered to undertake the project in 1994. It required 600 hours...
On Wednesday, Aug. 28, internationally acclaimed author Peter Heller spoke to an audience of more than 50 people at Inkberry Books in Niwot. The temperature reached 91 degrees outside before cloud cover cooled things down, and it turned out to be a perfect summer evening to hear Heller read from his new novel, "Burn." He began the reading with the opening scene from the book, a novel about two lifelong friends who emerge from the woods of rural Maine to a dystopian country wracked by v...
The penultimate salsa dance evening of the Dancing Under the Stars season brought a large, enthusiastic crowd to Cottonwood Square on Friday, Aug. 30. With perfect weather and a gorgeous sunset as the backdrop, the night was a memorable one for the dancers. Marcela Lay, the evening's instructor, introduced new moves that challenged and delighted participants, adding to their growing repertoire of salsa steps. Her teaching style was both engaging and accessible, ensuring that newcomers and vetera...
"The ability to play a musical instrument gives people a way to express their feelings at a depth that goes beyond any words," said Arts Student of the Week Evan Green. "Music can fill you with excitement, sadness, anticipation, calmness, or any other emotion, which makes it exhilarating to play and listen to. Additionally, playing an instrument lets you sculpt the music into expressing what you want to express." As a student at Niwot High School, Green says his experience with music has been bo...
Students in the St. Vrain Valley School District are provided with countless opportunities for success and engagement through innovative programing. Being a part of that community is enriching and SVVSD wants you to know why. On Saturday Sept. 7 at 10 a.m., SVVSD will hold its first ever Public Education Parade starting at Roosevelt Park and continuing down Main Street in Longmont. The parade will celebrate the elementary, middle and high school programs and achievements in the district. "This...
Niwot High School's annual homecoming festivities begin Monday, Sept. 9 with a highly anticipated pep rally, where freshmen wear white, sophomores wear black, juniors wear green, and seniors wear the iconic Niwot camo pattern. This year's theme is "Bright Lights, Neon Nights." Niwot's student council team, sponsored by counselor Leah Messinger, has been working hard to plan events, choose spirit week activities and make it a fun, welcoming event for everyone. Spirit week extends through the day...
While playing the most physically demanding position on the diamond, senior Saleen Amaya has grown tremendously throughout her four seasons as Niwot High School softball's starting catcher. Amaya would be the first to admit that she struggled with blocking balls in the dirt and framing pitches early in her career. But with hard work and perhaps some patience on behalf of Niwot's coaching staff, her glovework has become a strength. "I feel like I've definitely developed a lot," Amaya said. "I...
Behind the right arm of ace pitcher Kianna Butler, the Niwot High School varsity softball team is off to an encouraging start in the newly formed Granite Peaks League. The Class 4A Cougars kicked off their league slate on Tuesday, Aug. 27, by hosting Erie High School, which reached the Class 5A state championship game last season. Unfazed, Butler struck out 15 Tigers and didn't walk anyone en route to a 1-0 victory. "I was really focused and took my time," Butler said following her complete-game...
The Niwot High School golf team continued its season at the Eaton High School Invitational on Aug. 29, where the Cougars secured a solid fourth-place finish among a field of twenty-five teams. The tournament at the Eaton Country Club saw Niwot achieving a team score of 226. Windsor High School claimed the top spot with a score of 204, followed by Fossil Ridge High School in second with 217, and Monarch High School rounding out the top three with 222. Niwot's top performer was junior Jackson...
Niwot High School's football team kicked off its season on Saturday, Aug. 31, with a tough matchup against Thomas Jefferson High School (TJ), a 4A team known for its strong competition. The Cougars, playing in Class 3A again this season, showed flashes of promise, but ultimately fell to the Spartans, 33-14. The game started on a positive note, with senior running back Haden Shaw scoring on a six-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Junior kicker Caleb Roby added the extra point, putting the...
The Niwot High School boys soccer team opened the home season Saturday, Aug. 31, with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Steamboat Springs High School on the Cougar's home turf at Niwot High. Niwot had opened the season with two games on the road, a 2-1 victory over Class 5A Legacy High School, followed by a 1-0 loss at perennial 4A powerhouse Cheyenne Mountain High School on Tuesday, Aug. 27. Against Steamboat Springs, Cougar senior Gavin Engtrakrul scored off an assist from fellow senior Naveen...
The Niwot girls volleyball team opened the season on Wednesday, Aug. 28, with a solid 3-0 win over Class 5A Boulder, which entered the match with a 1-1 record. The Cougars, led by four-year starter Anne Haley, took the first game of the season by a score of 25-18. That set the stage for Haley, Niwot's senior setter, who began the game serving for the Cougars.. Once Haley started serving, Niwot prevailed on every rally, some easy, some hard, with a few aces by Haley thrown in for good measure....
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 addre...
Everywhere you go this time of year you see Palisade peaches for sale. They are in season and delicious. The Niwot High School Instrumental Music is selling Palisade peaches through today. Order yours today here. Sometimes you buy a whole flat and wonder what to do with all those peaches. Here are a few ideas. CANNED PEACHES Submitted by Deborah Fowler Adapted from the Niwot Women's International Club Cookbook "My go-to is the regular canned peaches - I serve them on Christmas Day as a lighter...
Three writers for the Left Hand Valley Courier, Deborah Cameron, Vicky Dorvee, and Elise S. Marylander, were recognized at the Colorado Press Association (CPA) awards banquet for their articles from 2023 in the CPA's Better News Contest. Judging is conducted anonymously by journalists from another state, and awards are presented based upon size and type of publication. The Courier is a Class 5 publication as a weekly newspaper in a small community. Cameron, who writes for the Courier as well as...
Hazel Miller and The Collective will wrap up the 2024 Rock and Rails (R&R) series this Thursday evening, Aug. 29, at Whistle Stop Park. Inducted into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame in 2023, Miller and her band will perform their mix of jazz, blues, soul and popular music. Miller is one of the most sought-after performers in Colorado and has also performed elsewhere in North America, as well as in Europe, the Far East, Middle East and Central America. R&R booking manager Satir DeMarco said that...
Niwot is a welcoming place for businesses of all kinds. From spas, to restaurants, to family owned shops, Niwot has proved to be a great place for businesses to thrive. This upcoming month, Niwot will welcome Love Ice Cream to the community at 240 Second Avenue between the Bader House and Blessings Day Spa in the former Seven Wealth office location.. Love Ice Cream will open in early to mid-September with a ribbon-cutting Grand Opening ceremony and free single scoops for the first 100...
The Boulder City Council met on Aug. 22 to discuss the feasibility of implementing a higher minimum wage to address concerns about wage equity from community members. Colorado’s statewide minimum wage currently sits at $14.42, a wage that the cities and towns in Boulder County adhere to for its minimum wage workers. Unincorporated Boulder County’s minimum wage, however, is $15.69 an hour, and is scheduled to increase to $25 per hour by 2030. The Emergency Family Assistance Association (EFAA), a non-profit focused on helping out struggling fam...
Prugh Dunfee has been a vital piece of Niwot High School's theater and choral programs throughout her two years at Niwot High School. Now in her junior year, Dunfee has built an impressive theatrical resume and reputation. Dunfee has performed in the NHS productions of "Beauty and the Beast" (2022-2023), "Puffs," and "Shrek the Musical" (both 2023-2024). She has also performed in local theater productions such as "Sound of Music," "White Christmas," and, most recently, "Into the Woods."...
University of Colorado Professor of Linguistics Andrew Cowell spoke to a crowd of over 40 at the Grange Hall in Niwot Aug. 21 as part of the Niwot Historical Society's Now & Then Lecture Series. Cowell has focused his research on Native American languages, and especially the Arapaho language, which he speaks, as well as efforts to preserve it. He described how anthropologists learn about historic travels of indigenous peoples, in part by comparing languages of the Arapaho Cheyenne and other...
After a few drops of rain fell early at the Rock & Rails concert Aug. 22, the evening cooled off and the crowd came out to hear hometown girl Nalani Clisset and her band, The Nalani Effect, entertain the crowd with a mix of blues, funk and soul standards. Joined by Regi Wooten on guitar and Adam Wooten on drums, from the renowned Wooten Brothers, Nalani, her stage name, poured out her heart and soul on vocals while playing bass. Tunes included Chaka Khan's "Tell Me Something Good" as well as a...
On Friday, Aug. 23, Dancing Under the Stars featured a lively blend of waltz, folk, and contra dancing, bringing a fresh dynamic to Niwot's beloved event. The evening was accompanied by live music from keyboardist Teri Rasmusson and fiddler Royston Hunget, whose harmonious tunes set the perfect mood for the traditional dances. Earlier in the season, Rasmusson, a Niwot resident, performed with violinist Julia Hays on July 12. Adding to the energy was Tina Fields, who called the dances and guided...
Kaige Kennedy, a senior at Niwot High School, recently returned home from the Dominican Republic with a gold medal around his neck, after representing the USA in the Latin America Baseball Classic (LABC). "It was really exciting getting to travel and play with a bunch of guys who know what they're doing and give it their all," Kennedy said. "The fact that we got to win the whole thing was surreal." Reflecting on the atmosphere of the final game, Kennedy noted that the team's mindset remained...
The Niwot High School gymnastics team is kicking off this season with exuberance and optimism for both its new and returning talent. Led by Coach Marisa Purcell, who is entering her ninth year with the team, and Assistant Coach Maddi York, the gymnasts are freshly prepared to compete. After landing in fourth place at last season's 4A state meet by less than half of a point from a position in second, the gymnasts are bringing an ambitious attitude. Senior Maeve Flentie has challenged herself on...
Senior Tyler Chivukula doesn't take his new role as a Niwot High School boys tennis team captain lightly. "I take a lot of pride in it," Chivukula said. "Team captains are always someone that's looked up to. In the past, I've always looked up to the team captains. Being the person that's looked up to now is a really big honor." Along with fellow captains Charlie Kirtland and Rex Wallington, Chivukula is looking to improve the Cougars' chemistry throughout the entire program, junior varsity inclu...
The Niwot High School girls volleyball team is gearing up for an exciting 2024-2025 season under the leadership of Head Coach Tony Engel. Coming off a strong performance last year, when they placed second in their league and secured a spot in the state playoffs, the Cougars are looking to build on that success with a new approach to the game. This season, the team will emphasize defense and ball control, a shift from the aggressive hitting strategy they have employed in the recent past. Last...
With a new-look lineup, the Niwot High School boys tennis team navigated a rather chaotic first week of the season. The Cougars were tested immediately in their opener, going up against two-time defending Class 4A team state title winner Kent Denver School. In a match that began on Monday, Aug. 19, and wrapped up the following day due to rain, junior Oskar Hansen's 6-1, 6-2 performance at No. 3 singles represented Niwot's only winning line. "It was tough starting with Kent because (they're) the...
As school begins again in full swing, so do the various fall sports, notably cross country. The Niwot High School cross country team recently geared up for the season's first invitational at Mountain Vista High School, a large Class 5A school in Highlands Ranch last Saturday, Aug. 24. This event was the first real test of the team's rigorous summer training program, and the athletes were met with a hot, but manageable environment, as temperatures ranged from a high of 90º to a low of 84º t...
The Niwot High School boys golf team faced another challenging week on the course, competing in two league tournaments that tested the golfers' consistency and resilience. On Aug. 20, the Cougars participated in the Centaurus League Tournament at the Indian Peaks Golf Course, where they tied for fourth place with Monarch High School, both teams finishing with a score of 308. Fairview High School claimed first place with a dominant score of 287, followed by Erie High School at 302, and Horizon...
Niwot Youth Sports (NYS) is a non-profit organization providing recreational and competitive sports experiences for children ages four to 18 in the Niwot, Gunbarrel and South Longmont area, and fall brings back the NYS flag football program. The NYS NFL Flag Football League is a premier youth flag football league for boys and girls that includes games against other NFL flag football teams in the Boulder County area. Flag football is a non-contact sport where players wear flags and defenders are...
Coming off a 3-7 season, Niwot High School's football team is aiming for an upward trajectory in a challenging new environment. The Cougars have moved to a new league in 3A, the North 2 League, which includes tough opponents like the Windsor Wizards and the Mead Mavericks. The reclassification sets the stage for fierce competition, but Head Coach Nik Blume remains focused on the bigger picture in his fourth season as the coach. Despite the challenges ahead, Blume's primary focus is on continued...
Last year, Niwot High School had over 60 student-led and created clubs. Niwot students are dedicated to their passions, and many returning clubs will be coming back bigger and better to recruit members at this year's Club Rush event on Sept. 4. During both A and B lunches, club leaders and other members will be outside at the front of the school with interest sheets, candies, and information about their clubs. This year, clubs such as Model United Nations, Best Buddies Club, Dance Club,...
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 addre...
All nine members of the Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee (LID) met with Boulder County Commissioners Claire Levy and Marta Loachamin on Aug. 12 at the Left Hand Grange building in Niwot. The meeting, which had been rescheduled several times, is an annual affair in which LID members can give an update on the state of Niwot and hear directly from the commissioners about their priorities. County Commissioner Ashley Stolzmann, who is the elected representative from an area which...
The Niwot community and many of its events are made possible only through the efforts of community volunteers, people who dedicate their personal, unpaid time to make this town fun, eventful, and engaging. One such volunteer is Terry Larsen, treasurer and board member of the Niwot Community Association (NCA), an organization whose board is made up entirely of volunteers. For her volunteer efforts, Larsen is this month's Left Hand Laurel. Larsen has been a Niwot resident since December of 1999....
While Rock & Rails may be coming to a close soon, the free music will continue for one more week with the annual Remember in September (RISE) Benefit Concert for the Jared Music Foundation. The concert will take place on Thursday, Sept. 5, at Whistle Stop Park from 5 to 9 p.m. This concert is not affiliated with or sponsored by the Niwot Cultural Arts Association (NCAA) or the Niwot Business Association (NBA), but has sometimes been referred to as the "unofficial Rock & Rails victory lap"...
Ok. Can we all take a deep breath after the first week of school? That first week is a little rough, don’t you think? All the fuss, anxiety, and logistical planning comes to head with the start of school. Whether you are a parent of a student or the student, it’s a tumultuous time. In the blink of an eye, the lazy days of summer end and the regimen of school begins. I am also sure you are familiar with the sleepy, whiny, anxiety that permeates the house around the start of school. Yes, it com...
While there may be only a couple of Rock & Rails concerts left this season, there is an unlimited amount of friendliness that comes from its volunteers. This week's Familiar Face behind the Rock & Rails bar on Thursdays is Kristin Alger. Alger first got involved with Rock & Rails seven years ago. Bill and Jill Whitener used to manage the site at Whistle Stop Park and because Alger and the Whiteners were friends, she would help with pre-concert set-up during the first year. She soon got promoted...
The Grange main floor hall has had another wonderful update. After many years of a mirror lurking behind curtains, there is now a beautiful continuous wall on the first floor. This update was transformative resulting in the hall feeling larger and warmer. Stop by for one of September's community events listed below and enjoy the new ambiance. Niwot Historical Society Then & Now Lecture Series Wednesday, Aug. 21, 7:00 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.) "The Arapaho in Boulder County and Northern...
Rock & Rail's penultimate summer concert welcomes back Niwot native Nalani DeMarco Clisset and her band, The Nalani Effect. Nalani, a bassist and vocalist, is a Niwot High School graduate and has deep roots in the Niwot community. "Rock & Rails is my home," Nalani said. "I remember when they built the gazebo and feeling that it was an anchor point for a community space. I just stood up on it, with my arms wide open, and wondered what the space would be like with the crowd, vendors, and...
Once again, the parking lot in front of Cottonwood Square's WiNot Coffee Company and The Little Shop became a Friday night outdoor ballroom during Niwot's Dancing Under the Stars. On Aug. 16, nearly 175 participants and spectators enjoyed the return of Swing Dance Night, with the event's usual introductory lesson, followed by open dance for the rest of the night. Catherine McHale and Tom Masterson organized the evening, as they do every Friday. "We have salsa, swing dancing, and country...
Rock & Rails drew a large crowd on Aug.15 to see the opening act, Charted Territory, followed by the headliner, FACE Vocal Band. "FACE always draws a large crowd, including many fans from out of town," said Biff Warren, co-manager of Rock & Rails. "Many came early to set up chairs near the stage, and were treated to music from Charted Territory, the opening band, which included Mike Pierce and Katie Warren, who performed earlier this summer at Rock & Rails with the Niwot Community Semi-Marching...
