All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
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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...
Art and Debbi Stapp of Stapp Interstate Toyota were honored with induction into the Boulder County Business Hall of Fame, recognizing the Stapp family's decades-long commitment to excellence and community involvement. The couple was nominated by longtime community leader Leona Stoecker, a testament to the impact the Stapps have made across Boulder County. "It is an incredible honor to be recognized by your peers for your life's work," said Debbi Stapp. "As new families move into our area, we...
In an impressive display of community action, local non-profit High Plains Permaculture - Niwot Homestead mobilized 100 volunteers Sunday, May 4, to plant 1,600 trees at Wild View Farm at 7705 N. 95th Street, transforming a long-degraded landscape into what organizers hope will become a thriving agroforestry system. The ambitious project aims to regenerate land that has remained largely barren for two decades after years of overgrazing. According to Amy Scanes-Wolfe, Program Manager with the...
A concerning trend has emerged in Niwot and Gunbarrel, with an increase in "porch piracy" and mail thefts. Criminal activity is targeting both residences and institutions, including Niwot United Methodist Church. A Niwot resident was walking his dog early in the morning of Tuesday, April 29, when he came upon seven Boulder County Sheriff's patrol cars. Deputies were responding to a call notifying them that a woman had passed out in a parked car on Greenwood Drive in Niwot. According to a...
Rhythm of the Horse, a Niwot-based nonprofit organization, focuses on equine-assisted services transcending basic horseback riding activities. People of various ages and abilities find empowerment and learning opportunities, together with healing services, on the backs of and around horses. Established in 2001, Rhythm of the Horse operates under CEO and therapist Justine Williams to deliver innovative programs with deep community involvement and compassionate care for people with diverse...
As new tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump take effect across the U.S., small-town businesses, including those in Niwot and Gunbarrel, are bracing for ripple effects that may not make headlines, but will undoubtedly be felt behind local counters and in backroom supply chains. In recent months, the U.S. has implemented a new round of tariffs on goods imported from countries such as China, including materials such as aluminum, steel, electronics components, packaging, and some food products. While these measures are aimed at protecting...
Katelin VonFeldt, a junior at Niwot High School, and Kayla Evans, a senior at Erie High School, were invited to present their project at NASA's HUNCH final design showcase in April at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. The showcase focused on biomedical research related to human spaceflight. VonFeldt and Evans' project uses virtual reality and sensory-based memory triggers to address the isolation and stress astronauts experience in space. Nationally recognized as one of the top 20 high...
Grace DeRose, a senior at Niwot High School, has been reminiscing about her full theater experience during her time at school. She has been in eight productions at Niwot High, including "Peter and the Starcatcher," "Mamma Mia," "Noises Off" where she appeared as Tim Allgood, "Beauty and the Beast," "Puffs," "Shrek" where she played Gingy, "Murder on the Orient Express" where she played Countess Andrenyi, and, most recently, "Footloose" where she performed as Cowboy Bobby and served as the...
The Niwot Historical Society's "Now & Then" lectures have proved to be popular, and the latest installment, with a focus on Walker Ranch, located off Flagstaff Road 19 miles outside of Niwot, was no exception. The April 30 lecture featured Laurie Bedford, Ph.D. a long-term volunteer at the ranch who was recently named Boulder County's Volunteer of the Year, and co-volunteer and ranch blacksmith, Tim Plumb. "In telling the story of James and Phoebe Walker, Bedford and Plumb shared the history,...
ROADS According to the CO 119 Mobility Safety and Bikeway project email and CDOT (Colorado Department of Transportation website, the following road impacts have been listed for the week of May 4 to May 10: • The Niwot Road median, which was originally scheduled to re-open at 5 a.m. on Wednesday, May 7, has now reopened as of Sunday evening, May 4, three days earlier than anticipated. The closure was required to install the bikeway underpass at that location. • The concurrent RTD bus stop clo...
Niwot High School hosted its annual Music Awards Night on Thursday, May 1, recognizing student musicians across band, choir, orchestra, jazz, and mariachi for their achievements throughout the year. The evening began with the presentation of academic letters, awarded by grade level to students who demonstrated consistent excellence and commitment in their music groups. After letters were distributed, directors introduced a series of individual awards, highlighting students’ leadership, musicianship, and growth. “Music Awards Night is one of...
Senior Kate Schmidthuber has made a name for herself on the track, not just for her individual achievements, but also for the way she thrives as part of a team. As a key member of the Niwot High School track and field team, she helped lead the 4x200-meter relay to a 2024 state championship and earned All-State and All-Conference honors along the way. Now, as her senior year winds down, Schmidthuber is focused on finishing strong and reaching new personal records. Schmidthuber first started...
Laura Loomis has been hired as the new head coach of the Niwot High School girls basketball team. Loomis replaces Todd Trobaugh, who served as head coach for the past two years. Trobaugh resigned shortly after the end of the 2024-25 season. Loomis served as JV coach and assistant varsity coach at Niwot High last year. Her daughter, Alaina Loomis, was a freshman on the varsity basketball squad, and saw considerable playing time, averaging 9.3 points per game, second highest on the team. "With my...
The Niwot High School track and field teams swept the Granite Peaks Conference Championships this past weekend, May 2 and 3. Both the boys and girls teams took first place with dominant performances across the board. Longmont and Erie High Schools followed in second and third place, but the Cougars were clearly in a league of their own. Friday, May 2, consisted mostly of preliminary runs, but some events held finals. On the girls side, senior Jade West continued to impress by winning the discus...
Niwot High School senior Samantha Zacky is not only a major player on the Niwot girls tennis team but she is also the founder of the Jewish Together Club which was established during her junior year. The mission of Jewish Together remains rooted in two primary values: creating a safe, welcoming environment for Jewish students and increasing education across the student body. Zacky said she started the club because she "felt there was really a need in the community, seeing as there was not a...
The Niwot High School baseball team showed tremendous grit this past week, rebounding from a tough loss to claim back-to-back victories, ending a 7-game losing streak in the process. The Cougars faced a challenging matchup Tuesday, April 29, at Holy Family High School, falling 9-2 despite some bright moments at the plate. Arlo Richards, Drew Stapp, Charlie Shaw, and Kaige Kennedy each collected one hit for Niwot in the game. Kennedy, Haden Shaw, Matis Castro, and Nico Castro showed patience at t...
The Niwot girls soccer team closed out its 2025 season with a mix of celebration and reflection, capped off by a 3-0 home loss to Mead High School on Thursday, May 1. Although the result was not what the Cougars hoped for on Senior Night, the evening was a meaningful send-off for five dedicated seniors. Just two days earlier, Niwot secured its most decisive victory in weeks with a 3-1 road win over Frederick High School. Sophomore Diya Mehta led the charge with two goals, while freshman Tori...
The Niwot High School girls tennis players showcased their exceptional talent and determination at last week's regional championships, with five of their seven positions claiming regional titles. The impressive showing took place on Wednesday, April 30, and Thursday, May 1, with the Cougars overpowering competitors from several area schools. Junior Saha Kolli, competing at No. 1 Singles, delivered a commanding performance against a Standley Lake High School opponent, winning 6-0, 6-1, followed by a win over Centaurus High School’s No. 1, 6...
The Niwot High School boys volleyball team is headed to the state tournament after a strong showing at regionals, winning both of their matches on May 3 and extending their dominant streak in the postseason. The Cougars kicked off the past week with a sweep over Riverdale Ridge High School on April 29, winning by a commanding 3-0 match. Niwot claimed each set with scores of 25-16, 25-17, and 25-22, setting the tone with aggressive serving and solid net play. Senior Jenu Ngialah led the charge wi...
Albert Hector Lepine June 17, 1934 – April 18, 2025 Niwot resident Albert Hector Lepine died on Good Friday, April 18th. He was born on June 17,1934, in Hardwick, VT, son of Irenee and Therese Lepine. He is survived by his wife, Antoinette, 5 children, 10 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren and a brother. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, May 12, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi, 3791 Pike Road, Longmont, Colorado....
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...
ACROSS 2. Adams 6. Modoc 7. Gravelle 8. engineering 14. Ritzenhein 17. unincorporated 19. Nike 20. golf 21. Zacky DOWN 1. Culpepper 3. Steele 4. Craig 5. Longseth 9. music 10. world 11. STEAM 12. West 13. two 15. sugar 16. Niwot 18. Cangilla 22. Chen...
In a contentious Earth Day meeting, Boulder County Commissioners voted to approve new Site Plan Review regulations limiting home sizes in unincorporated areas of the county, despite significant opposition from local architects, realtors, property owners and the unanimous rejection of the proposed changes by the Boulder County Planning Commission. The amendment, known as DC-24-0003, substantially limits increases in residential floor area for modifications to existing homes in unincorporated Boulder County, The new regulations will take effect...
Given all the ways Chris Crandell contributes to Niwot, you wouldn't guess he moved here just five years ago, and with a less-than-auspicious start. He described his first living situation here as "an apartment above a friend's barn, in the middle of a pandemic lockdown." "We lived there for a couple of weeks, with no internet, no cell phone service, and you can't go out shopping or anything because of COVID," he laughed, summing up that time. "For a couple of years, I wasn't getting plugged...
Seth Steele was hard at work at Niwot Market on March 31 when a 10-member contingent of Niwot residents and business people entered the market, looking for him and his sister, Alison Steele. Seth greeted everyone, but wasn't sure where Alison was. Linda Vehrenkamp, proprietor of The Nook, one of several small businesses that operate out of the Niwot Market, left the group and tracked Alison down. At the same time, Carey Mason, who had been enjoying lunch at the market, joined the group. Mason...
Third in a series of articles highlighting Niwot's 150-year history. If you've ever wondered why the streets of Niwot's old town are laid out as they are, consider that what we now know as Niwot was originally just a section house along the railroad tracks that ran from Longmont to Boulder. The railroad was extremely important to early area farmers, who by then were producing crops on land served by water from a series of irrigation ditches, most dug by hand. Before the railroad, the only way...
The latest aesthetic update to Niwot Hall is the beautiful, handcrafted encasements of the three metal poles that run down the center of the main hall. These new columns, in keeping with the vintage style of the Hall, add a wonderful touch of class to the venue. Come by to see this small, but mighty improvement when you attend an event at the Hall. Breakfasts with the niwotrotary.org/" target="_bl...
As the school year comes to a close, many seniors are beginning to reflect on their lives over the past few years as they begin a new journey. For some students, the arts have been a large part of their past. "Art is a very important part of my life and I am a part of a lot of different groups in the school," said Gabby Gravelle, a senior at Niwot High School. "I am a part of the Niwot theater program and the musical has been the highlight of each school year for me since freshman year." Gravell...
“Lessons From a Barracuda” is a fast-moving, page-turning, breezy thriller that is a perfect read for a rainy, drippy weekend day. Written by Boulder County author Beth McKnight, the book is entertaining while also being informative. It touches on a wide range of subjects such as mental health, including co-dependence and anger management, pulmonary diseases such as pneumonia and MAC (Mycobacterium avium complex) and social issues such as spousal abuse. The book addresses the need for sup...
This is a monthly feature summarizing the activities of the Boulder County Commissioners. Boulder County Commissioners background information: The Boulder County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is comprised of Claire Levy, Marta Loachamin, and Ashley Stolzmann. Each commissioner is elected at-large to a four-year term. They are elected by and represent the entire county with a population of 330,758 according to the U.S. 2020 census, but each comes from a different district. The BOCC is resp...
Senior Keegan Geldean has made the most of his time at Niwot High School, both on the cross-country trails and on the track. From helping his team win the Nike Cross Nationals to dominating the 1600-meter and 3200-meter this spring, Geldean has proven to be an athlete who thrives on both competition and camaraderie. This past fall, he was part of the Niwot boys cross country team that won the Nike Cross Nationals in Oregon, an experience that left a lasting impression on him. "Winning was an...
Good weather graced the fifth anniversary of Niwot's Around the World celebration, which was sponsored by the Niwot Business Association (NBA) with funding from the Niwot Local Improvement District (LID). More than 25 merchants welcomed community members with regionally specific food, entertainment, music, and smiles. Vendors included long-term businesses, new enterprises, and in one case, a combination of both as The Wheel House celebrated its first Niwot community event since it has been under...
The Mountain View Fire Protection District (MVFPD) is conducting a mail-ballot election for two available director positions. The MVFPD is governed by a five person Board of Directors who must live in the District. Each director serves a four-year term with a maximum of two terms. Residents of the MVFPD should have received their ballots in the mail. Ballots are due by May 6. Mountain View Fire Protection District Background MVFPD was founded in 1961. At the time, the district was primarily...
ROADS As we have been warned, the median between the north and southbound lanes of CO 119 at Niwot Road is to be completely closed from Monday, April 28 at 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. on Wednesday May 7 in order to further the bikeway underpass construction. The accompanying map shows the recommended CDOT (Colorado Department of Transportation) detours, but there are also turn around opportunities at 83rd Street and Oxford Road in addition to the one shown at Airport Road. If you are considering taking...
On April 11, educators, families, and community members gathered at the University of Colorado Boulder for the annual St. Vrain Valley Schools Education Foundation Celebration of Excellence, recognizing exceptional teachers across St. Vrain Valley Schools. Hosted by the St. Vrain Valley Schools Education Foundation, the event honors educators who go above and beyond in supporting students, fostering a love of learning, and making a positive impact within their school communities. Honorees were...
The Left Hand Valley Courier is known for its coverage of athletes and arts students at Niwot High School. The Courier also honors an array of students who pursue activities such as community service, robotics, academics, and topics that fall under the S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) umbrella. Many faculty members consider Niwot High School senior Cas Clark an exemplary student, especially teacher Sarah Demmel, who recognized their individuality and enthusiasm...
Every year, thousands of students from around the world gather to compete at the FIRST World Championship, the culminating event for the programs under its umbrella. Among these is FIRST Tech Challenge, where teams of middle and high school students design, build, and program robots to take on a new game challenge each season. Through the year, teams advance through local, state, and national competitions to earn a spot in the World Championship, where they compete in division rounds and...
Niwot Youth Sports held Opening Day ceremonies on Sunday, April 27, at Hangge Fields at Monarch Park. After early games concluded, the ceremonies began with "The Star-Spangled Banner," performed by an abbreviated version of the Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band. Afterward, outgoing NYS President Pat Longseth thanked the assembled parents, players and fans for their support over his decade of service to the organization, which was highlighted by the construction of a multi-purpose...
Needing a bounce-back week, the Niwot girls soccer team showed flashes of strong play but could not find the results they sought. On Tuesday, April 22, Niwot traveled to Holy Family High School and battled hard in a tight 2-1 loss. After a scoreless first half, the Cougars broke through in the 43rd minute when sophomore Diya Mehta found the back of the net off a clean assist from sophomore Hannah Wurth. The Tigers answered back quickly, tying the match with 30 minutes left and later scored the...
The Niwot High School varsity baseball team endured a difficult week, dropping consecutive games against Erie High School and Broomfield High School as they head into May and continue through league play. The Cougars fell 8-1 at Erie on Tuesday in a game that started promising before the host Tigers pulled away. Niwot showed early offensive potential when Charlie Shaw worked a walk to lead off the game, followed by Arlo Richards' single to center field. However, the Cougars couldn't capitalize...
The Silver Creek boys swim and dive team is closing out a hard-fought season with a wave of successes as they prepare for the Granite Peaks League Championships and the upcoming state meet. The team moved into the Granite Peaks League this year which meant facing a new lineup of competition and swimming against much larger 4A high schools including Fairview, Monarch, and Legacy. The transition proved challenging, with the Silver Creek team’s win-loss record reflecting the higher level of competition. Head Coach Debbie Stewart sees the silver l...
As the season starts winding toward its homestretch, Niwot track and field is hitting its stride. At the Stutler Bowl on Friday, April 25, Niwot's boys and girls were all over the leaderboard. On the boys side, senior Weston Domich came away with a win in the long jump, hitting a mark of 22 feet, 8.75 inches, while also placing 14th in the 200-meter dash with a time of 22.69. On the distance side, the Cougars kept rolling. Junior Rocco Culpepper led a pack of Niwot runners in the 800-meter, fini...
The Niwot High School girls tennis team had a full schedule last week, competing in two important matches in the Colorado team state tournament. On Wednesday, April 23, Niwot faced Thompson Valley High School and earned a 4-3 win to advance. On Friday, April 25, the team played Air Academy High School, falling 5-2 to end their run in the team state tournament. In the first match against Thompson Valley, Niwot made use of home-court advantage. At No. 1 Singles, junior Saha Kolli secured a quick w...
The Erie High School Tigers varsity lacrosse team played Fairview High School at home April 23, but came away with a tough loss with a score of 12-7. The Tigers are a district team with players from several high schools including Niwot High School. It was a competitive game from the beginning, with both teams trading goals before Fairview took over in the third quarter with a 5-goal run. Erie’s leading scorer, Cooper Riley has 18 goals on the season. Erie had several strong individual performances, especially from goalie Luke Foley and m...
The Niwot High School girls golf team competed in two consecutive Granite Peaks League tournaments at The Olde Course at Loveland, and at the Coyote Creek Golf Course. On Wednesday, April 23, Niwot finished sixth at The Olde Course at Loveland with a team score of 364. Sophomore Wendy Cheruiyot led the Cougars with an 84, followed by sophomore Addison Murphy with an 87, freshman Sonya Holmes with a 92, while both junior Emmy Hostelley and senior Ayla Schatz each recorded a 101. Ahead of the tournament, Schatz said she felt confident in her...
The Mead High School varsity girls lacrosse team secured three wins last week, with major contributions from Niwot High School players. Facing tough competition, Mead defeated Palmer Ridge High School 16-11 on Monday, April 21, Conifer High School 18-7 on Thursday, April 24, and Denver South High School 14-10 on Friday, April 25. The Mead High School girls lacrosse team is a district team composed of players from several St. Vrain Valley schools including Niwot High School. Senior midfielder Lucy Connors from Niwot High led the charge throughou...
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...
Community-wide Easter egg hunts were held on Saturday, April 19 at Niwot High School and on Sunday, April 20 at Niwot United Methodist Church. A Friday snowstorm did not deter youngsters from attending the events as the sun came out. The Niwot Community Connection assisted Pat Murphy and the Compass Real Estate team in putting on Bert's Pancake Breakfast at Niwot High before the Easter egg hunt began, while the youth group at the Niwot United Methodist Church served brunch before and during...
Niwot High School junior Ollie O'Brien developed an affinity for the footlights at an early age. When they were only six, O'Brien attended the School of Rock in Boulder, joining in with other musicians to perform rock songs. "There was one time where the School of Rock in Broomfield was hosting a Beatles versus The Rolling Stones concert and they needed a singer," O'Brien said. "They called the School of Rock in Boulder to ask if there was a singer available, and they said, 'We have a...
