All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
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Did you know that Niwot had a live nude dancing venue in the 1980s? The Ace of Hearts was located at 112 2nd Avenue, now occupied by Little Bird. The show was apparently short-lived. Kathy Koehler said she contacted the Boulder County Sheriff's Office to see if anyone recalled the business. "One former deputy remembers this location," Koehler said. "She remembers that the business was open for about three weeks. The closure was related to liquor license issues rather than an eviction closure."...
The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approved the Colorado Highway 119 Safety and Mobility Improvements Project and Bikeway Project at a "1041" review in a hearing on April 20. The "1041" designation is shorthand for an "Areas and Activities of State Interest" law which outlines how the county must manage projects that involve State of Colorado lands. The BOCC hearing was the final step and highest level of government review in the county. A significant outcome from this hearing was that the...
Pun intended: love between Belle Terre Floral and the Niwot community has blossomed since the business opened in 2021. What many don't know, however, is the story of owner Sarah Cioni, who is one of the best floral designers in the region and has maintained a deep love for the area and the town. Her background as an area florist began a little more than two decades ago, coinciding with one of the most striking moments in our nation's history. "In 2001, I decided it was time to open my first...
With few vacancies in Niwot's commercial district, and an increasing need for administrative help for the many events sponsored by the Niwot Business Association, the NBA is seeking to hire someone from the community to provide assistance to the organization. At the April meeting, president Eric Bergeson said that the NBA would seek funding from the Niwot Local Improvement District (LID) for the position. Bergeson reported that since Catherine McHale's term as Economic Development Director has...
Last month, Catherine McHale completed her contract with the town of Niwot as the Niwot Business Association's Economic Development Director (EDD). She has held that role since 2018, and this milestone marks a change in her professional life. "It's been a great five years," McHale said. "At the same time, essentially, I feel that it's time to focus on my core business. I've achieved a lot of things that I wanted to with Niwot but it's time to make a shift." McHale talked about things she feels...
Some of us remember when television audiences watched spellbound as pageant host Bert Parks whittled down a row of finalists to reveal the identity of our new Miss America. The year's reigning beauty would hear her name as the last one called, then half-laughing, half-sobbing, she'd parade across the stage, one shaking hand steadying her new tiara, the other wrapped around an enormous bouquet of fresh flowers. She was the very vision of disbelief that her lifelong dream had come true. This...
The Niwot Business Association presented four funding requests to the LID, including funding for five concerts on 2nd Avenue by the House Blend Band. All of the requests were approved unanimously. The House Blend Band concert series is now in its third year, and features co-owners of The Old Oak Coffeehouse, Michael Tomich and Patty Machen with what they describe as "about the most eclectic group of people ever to assemble in the name of music." Both appeared to present the application to the...
The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) will hold a hearing on Monday, April 31 at 1 p.m. to hear a proposal from Niwot for a multi-modal transportation underpass to improve safety at the intersection of Niwot Road and Highway 119 (the Diagonal). The underpass would send both lanes of the Diagonal under Niwot Road and preserve the pristine view of the mountains for travelers heading west on Niwot Road. The commissioners are expected to make a positive decision. The Niwot Local Impediment...
On Friday, March 31, the Front Range experienced high winds, creating hazardous driving conditions and causing significant property damage. The National Weather Service issued a "blowing dust advisory" for Boulder County that was in effect until 6 p.m., with winds in Boulder County measured at up to 79 mph. "Strong winds are causing significant dust to blow across lower elevations (below 6,000 ft)," the Boulder County Sheriff's Office wrote in a tweet that day. A large tree fell into the...
The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) unanimously overruled county staff and approved the construction of a 2500-square-foot hay barn at the location adjacent to the Niwot Cemetery proposed by Mary and Douglas Lyle. The decision occurred at a public hearing for the Lyles' appeal as docket SPR-22-0077 on March 21. The Boulder County Community Planning & Permitting (CPP) Department had conditionally approved the proposal on December 9, 2022, but with a condition that the barn be constructed at...
The Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee (LIDAC or LID) held its annual meeting with the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) on Monday, March 27 in the Left Hand Grange. The members of the LID are a mix of people from businesses and community plus representatives of the Niwot Business Association (NBA) and Niwot Community Association (NCA). The commissioners serve as directors of the LID while the LIDAC advises the commissioners on ways to benefit the district through...
Niwot real estate agent Pat Murphy has been putting on an Easter Egg Hunt for so long she now sees second-generation participants. The event, originated by Murphy over 40 years ago, and now sponsored by the Niwot Business Association, was Murphy's way of connecting the community and bringing joy to Niwot-area children. It has grown over the years to the point that Murphy recently had to ask Niwot Business Association members not to promote the event on social media or in newsletters to out of to...
The Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee (LID) welcomed its newest member, Sarah Cioni of Belle Terre, to the March 7 meeting. Cioni was appointed to fill the business position vacated by Bruce Raberler, who did not seek reappointment. Cioni said, "Speaking as a business member, the LID is such a gift to us." Mary Coonce was selected to serve as treasurer of the LID, a position Rabeler previously held. A reception to honor Rabeler and recognize his contributions is planned for a f...
Lucky Niwot Day celebrates St. Patrick's Day on Saturday, March 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., courtesy of the Niwot Business Association, with live music, games, Irish food and face painting for the whole family. See if you can spot the leprechaun wandering our streets. Start the day with an Irish breakfast at the Niwot Market, treat yourself to cookies at Little Bird, Cimmini's, and Few of a Kind Vintage + Mercantile, and lemonade at The Niwot Inn. Get your face painted at Blessings Day Spa, find...
Halfway between Boulder and Longmont lies the charming, unincorporated little "whistlestop" town of Niwot. The "small town with a big heart" was platted in 1875, but never incorporated. Today, Niwot is home to a unique commercial downtown district that is primarily located along two blocks of 2nd Avenue, with the "first block" located between Murray and Franklin streets, and the "second block" between Franklin Street and its intersection with Niwot Road. For many years this modest "downtown"...
February 2023 marked the return of Let's Wine About Winter and it made its return in spectacular fashion. Anne Postle, event founder and co-organizer, said more than 500 people attended the event on Feb. 11 and approximately $13,000 was raised that will go towards maintaining the Niwot Children's Park and Whistle Stop Park. "This was our most successful Wine About Winter to date," Postle said. "The beautiful weather and the event's hiatus for two years certainly helped add to the excitement."...
The Niwot Community Association (NCA) has a full calendar of events for 2023 which are all open to the public. One event in particular, the annual Niwot Clean-up Day on May 20, is free for members and is a great reason to join the NCA. Roll-off dumpsters will again be set up in the Niwot High School parking lot so that members of the community can drive through to unload a variety of materials which might otherwise end up in a landfill. That includes yard waste, branches, and much more. Staff...
The monthly meeting of the Niwot Business Association (NBA) was postponed until Feb. 21 due to a conflict with Valentine's Day, but the delay did not hurt attendance as 37 members gathered at Porchfront Homes to hear about the launch of the newly designed NBA website, www.niwot.com. The website is currently in transition as businesses are updating their listings, which was made easier by a new platform. NBA president Eric Bergeson announced that the current NBA officers, who ran unopposed, had...
The Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee (LID) February meeting opened with a presentation from 18-year veteran Sgt. Michael Hill of the Colorado State Patrol. LID members also welcomed another guest, who offered her perspective on planned traffic improvements on Highway 119. Boulder County Commissioner Ashley Stolzmann, who was elected to replace Matt Jones last fall, attended the February LID meeting at the Niwot Inn Feb. 7, and gave her perspective on the traffic issues...
People packed Cottonwood Square and Second Avenue last Saturday for the Let's Wine About Winter event, sponsored by the Niwot Cultural Arts Association with partial funding provided by the Niwot Local Improvement District. After a two-year hiatus, the tasting event attracted more than 30 shops, businesses and restaurants who participated in the event, as well as over 400 participants. "We haven't had it since 2019, and we just love the event," business owner Holly D'apolito said. "It brings...
Let's Wine About Winter, sponsored by the Niwot Cultural Arts Association (NCAA), returns Feb. 11 after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. The walk-about event begins at 1 p.m. and runs until 5 p.m., with businesses offering beverage samples, refreshments, and live music for participants in Cottonwood Square and the downtown business district. Several businesses are pairing up for the event, with a total of 31 shops, restaurants and offices participating. To purchase a ticket and become a me...
The Niwot Cultural Arts Association, which manages Niwot's Rock & Rails summer concert series with the Niwot Business Association, announced that applications for receipt of Tip Jar proceeds are now open. Non-profit organizations serving the Niwot area, or which have a substantial connection to Niwot as part of a mission to serve a broader community, are eligible to apply. For the 2023 summer concert series, there will be 14 concert nights, beginning June 1 and ending Aug. 31. The Tip Jar...
Close to 200 speech and debate competitors gathered on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 27 and 28, for the CHSAA 3A Speech and Debate State Tournament. Fourteen events were slated to take place over the span of the event, with a champion named in each event and an overall school champion taking an ultimate prize. Schools from as far away as Steamboat Springs and the state's other mountain regions competed against local teams. Niwot's team, coached by Niwot High School alumnus Evan Clark, competed with...
Four candidates have applied for appointment to the Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee, with four openings to be filled. The Boulder County Commissioners will make appointments to the LID in February. Current LID Treasurer Bruce Rabeler, who serves as one of four rate-paying business members of the LID Advisory Committee, did not seek another term. Rabeler is a co-owner of Little Bird in downtown Niwot. Sarah Cioni, owner of Belle Terre Floral, a floral design shop in...
The Niwot Business Association (NBA) got down to its own business at the last meeting, held Jan. 10 at Rocky Mountain Christian Church. NBA president Eric Bergeson announced that NBA membership dues for 2023 would be $200, which is the first increase in over a decade. For the past several years, the NBA has had two membership tiers: Basic membership at $100 annual dues, and Gold membership at $200 for additional perks, including more exposure on the NBA website, www.niwot.com. "We based this...
The Niwot Local Improvement District (LID) advisory committee approved a $10,000 expenditure for connectivity planning, accepting a proposal from Niwot architectural firm Fletemeyer & Lee Associates, Inc., to create a plan for better access to Niwot from the planned bikeway-pedestrian path in the median of the Diagonal Highway from Longmont to Boulder. The proposal was presented by Mary Coonce on behalf of the Niwot Business Association (NBA). Coonce is a LID member, and also serves as...
Curtis Johnson, who was elected Boulder County Sheriff in the November 2022 election, was sworn in as the top law enforcement officer in Boulder County on Jan. 10. Johnson succeeds Joe Pelle, who served an unprecedented five 4-year terms as Boulder County Sheriff. Pelle is a former Niwot resident whose wife Stephanie worked at the Niwot Post Office for many years, and as a result, was very familiar with the community. Johnson, a Boulder native whose father, Clayton "Swede" Johnson, was a...
After a brief hiatus, Let's Wine About Winter, one of Niwot's most popular events, is scheduled to return to Niwot on Saturday, Feb. 11 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Suspended for two years, one of the many consequences of Covid, the Niwot Cultural Arts Association event is now in its sixth year. For those who have not heard about the event, Kristin Alger, who is coordinating the event this year, has an apt description. "I will describe it the way my dad's wife described it," Alger said. "It's...
The 2022 Rock & Rails summer concert season has long been over, but offseason work continues. Co-managers Vicki Maurer and Dan Hawk organized a crew of 11 to meet up at Whistle Stop Park Jan. 7 to clean and reorganize the Depot building for the offseason. Chris Teta, who handles set-up and break-down on concert nights, Tom Smathers, who coordinates the food vendors, and Satir DeMarco, who books all of the bands, were joined by regular beer tent volunteers Tony Maurer, Maureen Miller, Doug...
Jason Champion was awarded the prestigious Eagle Scout rank at a ceremony at the Left Hand Grange Dec. 12. Champion, a member of Troop 161 B of the Boy Scouts of America, has been involved in scouting for the past six years. His Eagle Scout project was to make improvements to Whistle Stop Park in Niwot, where Champion has volunteered for several years as a member of the Gargoyles, who man the recycle and compost stations at the Rock & Rails summer concert series and retrieve traffic control devi...
A third generation Coloradoan, I was born in Longmont and grew up in Southmoor Park where my parents (Courier carriers Otto and Arlene Ahlgrim) reside today. Graduating from Niwot High School in the 1980s, I saw Niwot as a sleepy farming community with a few subdivisions housing mostly IBM employees. In November of 1980, I was hired at the only law firm in town, the Law Office of Bruce W. Warren, and have been fortunate enough that even though the firm has evolved to Warren, Carlson & Moore,...
One might think the Bank of Estes Park is only located in the resort community 35 miles up Highway 7 from Niwot. But the bank also serves the Niwot community, with one of its three branches located at 7980 Niwot Road, attached to the Niwot Market in Cottonwood Square Shopping Center. "Bank of Estes Park is a local community bank that started up in 1965 in Estes Park, and they opened up a second branch in Estes Park," said Vice-President and Branch Manager Terry Gushiken. "Over time, they...
Last September, the community of Niwot mourned the sudden death of Craig "Lefty" Harris, owner of Lefty's Gourmet Pizza on 2nd Avenue. A little over two months later, the iconic restaurant that means so much to the community has launched a new chapter. Lorenzo Villalobos, who worked as a chef for Harris for 24 years and considered him family, along with Villalobos' wife, Marciela Vazquez, have purchased the restaurant from the Harris family and have reopened it to the delight of the pizzeria's...
Grange funding approved The Left Hand Grange is on a mission to make the iconic building in the center of Niwot's downtown business district even more of a community center. Jim Dorvee, president of Left Hand Grange, Inc., which owns the building on the southwest corner of the intersection of 2nd Avenue and Franklin Street, presented a funding request to the Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee (LID) at the LID's regular meeting Dec. 6. Dorvee asked for a contribution of $15,000...
The Niwot Community Association (NCA) held its monthly board meeting Dec. 7 at the Mountain View Fire Rescue Niwot Station conference room, and listened to a presentation about a proposed housing development at the northeast corner of SH 119 (the Diagonal) and SH 52 (Mineral Road). The proposal, which is in a very preliminary stage, would include 100 units of affordable housing and 150 units of workforce housing. Workforce housing is designated for those earning 80% to 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI), while affordable housing is designated...
The Holiday Market opened in Niwot Dec. 3, with live music on the streets from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. as well as crafts and art vendors throughout town and in the Left Hand Grange. The Holiday Market featured multiple craft vendors at the Grange, including the Women's International Club Niwot (WINC), which previously put on the craft fair. This year the event is sponsored by the Niwot Business Association, and organized by NBA Vice-President Deb Fowler. "We've had over 740 people, which is a new...
The new parking lot in Niwot was officially dedicated in a brief ceremony Dec. 2, with Niwot Business Association president Eric Bergeson presiding. Bergeson noted that the project had been long in the works and thanked all those who saw it through to completion. While the parking lot has been open for several months, glitches with the functioning of the two charging stations delayed the official ribbon cutting. Bergeson also noted that approval has already been obtained for expansion of the...
Niwot is filled with art for the holidays. This past Saturday, Open Studios Pop! Gallery at the former Niwot Rental and Feed store on 2nd Avenue was open to the public in a holiday showing. The space showcased between 20 and 30 artists in a variety of mediums, and artists with work on display are available, in turns, to speak to gallery visitors. Megan Morgan and Terri Ficken were two of the artists available for the weekend shift. Morgan showcased her work as a variety of subjects portrayed on...
It's beginning to feel a lot like it's time for Niwot's annual Holiday Parade. In fact, the parade is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 26 at 11 a.m. The parade will proceed down 2nd Avenue starting at Murray Street and ending in the Left Hand Corner parking lot at Niwot Road. The event is sponsored by the Niwot Business Association (NBA). Linda Klueber, the NBA coordinator for this event, said, "Not only [are] Niwot's Holiday Magic Events intended to recognize the holidays, they are an opportunity...
Bug's Eye View The building may be small, but Niwot artist Denise Chamberlain has transformed it into a colossal piece of public art. The new mural called "Bug's Eye View" wraps around the entire front and southern side of 291 2nd Avenue, the former location of Niwot Rental and Feed. The new owner of the property, John Fischer, reached out to Chamberlain to create the mural. "I just told Denise to do whatever she'd like," Fischer said. "She told me what she wanted to do and I said, 'That's...
Let the Holiday Fun Begin! Niwot’s Holiday Magic Celebration is kicking off with the 22nd Annual Enchanted Evening, followed by the coveted Holiday Parade, Small Business Saturday and two weekends of Holiday Markets and events around town. The details: Enchanted Evening It all began over 20 years ago when the town gathered around the evening following Thanksgiving to light the holiday tree and support our local shops by jump starting the holiday buying. Sarah Cioni, one of the originators of the event, says this year is no different. The tree l...
Anne Postle, Jill Whitener and Lisa Rivard are members of the Niwot Cultural Arts Association's Community Corner Sculpture Park Committee, launched in 2018 to create a park that benefits the community as well as artists. Newly donated art has given the park even greater prestige as a home for world-class art. Working with the Cottonwood Park West Homeowners Association and the Niwot Business Association, the committee has expanded the sculpture park along Niwot Road, where Native American...
The dedication of the Niwot Parking Lot, located west of the intersection of 3rd Avenue and Murray Street in Niwot, has been set for Friday, Dec. 2 at 4 p.m. Niwot Business Association President Eric Bergeson will be on hand to recognize the contributions of Chuck Klueber, NBA Streetscapes Coordinator, Chad Fletemeyer, of Fletemeyer & Lee Associates, a local architectural firm, and others in the acquisition of the property and construction of the parking lot. The lot provides 14 parking spaces...
The Niwot Business Association meeting at the Niwot United Methodist Church on Nov. 8 focused on saving energy, reducing costs and recycling. Pastor Emily Kintzel welcomed the NBA members and she and Janet Gates provided a brief history of the church, which was founded in 1870, and formerly occupied the building which is now the offices of Left Hand Animal Hospital in Niwot. Jim Dorvee, President of Left Hand Grange No. 9, was the featured speaker, sharing his experience trying to maximize energy savings for the Grange building in Niwot....
On Sunday, Nov. 6, approximately 100 members of the Niwot community came together in Cottonwood Square to honor military veterans at the fourth annual Veterans Banner ceremony. The event, jointly sponsored by the Niwot Community Association (NCA) and the Niwot Business Association (NBA) began at 1:30 p.m. with a patriotic concert by the Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band. The colors were presented by Niwot Boy Scout troop 161 followed by the National Anthem performed by the band....
Now it can be told. For well over 20 years, long-time Niwot resident and real estate agent Pat Murphy has sponsored, organized, funded and championed the Great Pumpkin Party on the Saturday before Halloween, and whenever there is a vacant commercial space in town, she has been quick to ask if it can be used for a haunted house as part of the event. Murphy has often worked with the Niwot High School Key Club to construct and staff the haunted house, and this year was no exception. Except that it...
All nine members of the Niwot Local Improvement District advisory committee (LID) were present for the Nov. 1 meeting at the Niwot Inn. Treasurer Bruce Rabeler reported that revenues continue to climb as collections through August are up over $26,000 from a year ago. He noted that with an approval of the loan funding request on the agenda, the LID would have approved over $222,000 in expenditures for 2022. The 2022 LID budget is only $170,000, but Rabeler reminded the committee that the budget is set at 80% of collections from two years ago....
The Niwot Community Association (NCA) held its monthly board meeting Nov. 2 in the Mountain View Fire Rescue Niwot Station conference room. Terry Larsen, NCA Treasurer, reviewed the Association's finances through her detailed spreadsheets and then launched the process for developing next year's budget. Two annual events are prominent in budget planning: the Niwot Clean-Up Day in May, and the 4th of July Parade. The NCA has been working on restoring the mural in the LoBo Trail underpass under...
The third round of funding requests from the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) Transportation Improvement Projects (TIP) is in the works. This round includes a proposal for another segment of the Regional Transportation District (RTD), Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and a bikeway on Colorado State Highway 119 (the "Diagonal"). This is part of the safety and transportation improvements plan for the highway between Boulder and Longmont. The design is laid out in segments and each is funded...
