All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
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Do you know of a local event, interesting story or local person the Courier might be interested in covering? Do you have comments about what you have read in the Courier or suggestions to make? We would like to hear from you at editorial@lhvc.comeditorial@lhvc.com....
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...
As the May 6 hearing before the Boulder County Commissioners approaches, tensions continue to mount over the proposed 63rd Street Subdivision at the southwest corner of 63rd Street and Niwot Road. The hearing, scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at the Boulder County Courthouse, will determine whether the development moves forward or is permanently blocked. "This does not deter us, we're energized," said community organizers Chris Ennis and Karen Mandery, who have helped coordinate opposition efforts....
The Left Hand Valley Courier will hold a Donor Appreciation Night on Monday, April 28, from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. at The Wheel House in Niwot. The public is invited to attend. The event will celebrate the generosity of the Courier’s donors and advertisers with live music, games and prizes. Attendees may purchase local treasures at the silent auction. Eight tickets to a Colorado Rockies game will be up for bid at a live auction. All auction items were donated by local residents and businesses The Left Hand Valley Courier began a fundraising campaign...
In a move aimed at supporting local farmers and expanding access to locally grown produce, the Boulder County Commissioners have unanimously approved Docket DC-25-0001, Text Amendments to the Land Use Code related to Mobile Farm Stands, allowing mobile farm stands throughout unincorporated areas of the county. The decision, which came during the commissioners' regular meeting on April 15, amends the Land Use Code to permit mobile farm stands as part of accessory agricultural sales operations....
This week's familiar face is Hannah Valadez, a paralegal at the Niwot law offices of Warren, Carlson, & Moore, LLP. You might know her as the friendly person who greets you whether you are there for legal services, a Left Hand Valley Courier matter, volunteer efforts, or youth sports sign-ups. Valadez first moved to Longmont from Michigan during her junior year of high school and ended up in the new Skyline High School's second graduating class. "I thought my parents were horrible at the time be...
Leah (Saraceni) Messinger's personal and professional journey practically defines the phrase full-circle. Now a counselor at Niwot High School, she graduated from the school herself in 2010 and has long been connected to the Niwot community. Messinger was raised in Boulder County and attended Niwot Elementary School and Sunset Middle School before attending Niwot High School. She reflected, "When I came to high school, it took me a little bit to find my footing socially, but the place that I...
The burgundy and turquoise racing stripes that run the length of the crisp white wall inside the newly renovated space on Murray Avenue have already started to attract the attention of people passing by on their way to the post office or Whistle Stop Park to get a look at the new Wheel House Bike Shop adjacent to The Wheel House bar. "I should give credit to Eric," said Pete Brandes, the manager of The Wheel House, speaking of the bar and the former Wheel Works' prior owner Eric Bergeson. "Becau...
Later this spring, fishing flies will be flying off the racks of the Cottonwood Square location that previously housed the well-loved boutique, Fly Away Home. In welcome news to local anglers, Niwot resident Nick Wilson is opening a brick-and-mortar retail space for Togens Fly Shop, selling a wide range of flies, fly-tying supplies, and other equipment. The fly shop will be the first in Niwot since a fly tying shop in Cottonwood Square owned by Richard and Kay Laatt, known as Rocky Mountain Fly...
The Niwot Historical Society will host a lecture titled "Walker Ranch: Where Colorado's Frontier Lives On" at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday April 30 at Niwot Hall. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for light refreshments and socializing. The guest speaker, Laurie Bedford, is a volunteer with Boulder County Parks & Open Space's Cultural and Heritage Programs. Bedford has volunteered for three years with Boulder County's Cultural and Heritage Programs, where she participates in living history demonstrations and...
ROAD CLOSURES Monday, April 21, at 7 a.m. traffic signal work will cause various right shoulder closures on southbound CO 119 between Jay Road and Hover Street. These closures will continue until Friday, April 25 at 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 22, at 7 p.m. asphalt work will cause single lane closures on southbound CO 119 between Monarch Road and IBM Drive until 5 a.m. on Wednesday, April 23. Tuesday April 22 at 9 p.m. until April 23 at midnight, there will be a single lane closure on eastbound Niwot...
The Niwot Sanitation District has been conducting preventative maintenance of its pipe system as part of a three-year clean-out plan. The most recent area in Niwot to be cleaned was at the intersection of 83rd Street and Niwot Road. DRC Construction and C & L Water Solutions have been contracted to provide this service. Adrian Gibson, Operator at Niwot Sanitation District, explained that after the pipes are put in a bypass mode, “We have a Jetter truck first clean with a Jetter which is a specialized truck with a high-pressure water nozzle t...
Although last Friday's spring snowstorm made driving conditions less than ideal, it didn't deter residents from coming out to Cottonwood Square's Una Vida to hear author, journalist, and academic Christine M. Tracy mark the Niwot debut of her new book, "Just Trust Life." "Just Trust Life" focuses on how the work of Father Pierre Teilhard de Chardin guided Tracy through a series of difficult life challenges, including infidelity, a house fire, addiction, and a near-death experience. "I paid...
Do you know of a local event, interesting story or local person the Courier might be interested in covering? Do you have comments about what you have read in the Courier or suggestions to make? We would like to hear from you at editorial@lhvc.comeditorial@lhvc.com....
Niwot's fifth Around the World Celebration is coming up on Saturday, April 26, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Second Avenue and in Cottonwood Square in Niwot. The event is sponsored by the Niwot Business Association (NBA) and funded in part by the Niwot Local Improvement District (LID). The event invites businesses and the public to celebrate many countries and cultures through food, drinks, decor, and music throughout town. Around the World started in 2020 during the COVID epidemic as a way...
On Saturday, April 19, Niwot's annual pancake breakfast and Easter egg hunt will be held at Niwot High School. The entire community is invited to celebrate the season. Bert's Pancake Breakfast, named in honor of the late Bert Steele of Niwot Market, begins at 7:30 a.m. and serves a hearty breakfast until 10:30 a.m. The price for the breakfast is $10 for adults and $5 for children five and older. Kids age four and younger are free. Proceeds go to the Niwot Community Connection, Live music and a...
Cottonwood Square Shopping Center, a central community hub in Niwot, has added a powerful new amenity for environmentally conscious shoppers with the installation of Level 3 fast-charging stations for electric vehicles. The charging infrastructure, activated in August 2024, represents a significant investment in sustainable transportation for the Boulder County community. The project was funded through a $100,000 grant from Charge Ahead Colorado, matched by nearly equal investment from Cottonwoo...
Boulder County Parks and Open Space (BCPOP) has an amazing portfolio of 107,861 acres of open space. Boulder County protects 67,419 acres of public land owned or leased and 40,442 acres of protected private land known as conservation easements. Conservation easements are recorded legal agreements between the county and a landowner which usually restrict residential or commercial development on the property. There are currently 26,190 acres dedicated to agriculture. Boulder County's Agricultural...
ROAD CLOSURES AND IMPACTS At press time, the road closures and impacts for the week, 4/13/25–4/19/25, had yet to be posted by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) on the CDOT website or in their emailed newsletter. Niwot residents saw Niwot Road at the intersection with CO 119 closed to traffic on Saturday, April 12. It will close again beginning April 28 at 9 p.m. and continuing through May 7 at 5 a.m. If a commuter approaches this intersection on the east side of CO 119 during t...
Do you know of a local event, interesting story or local person the Courier might be interested in covering? Do you have comments about what you have read in the Courier or suggestions to make? We would like to hear from you at editorial@lhvc.comeditorial@lhvc.com....
Principal Eric Rauschkolb and Athletic Director Joe Brown announced that Elise Cranny, Mabel Miyasaki, and Mike Moat have been selected for induction into the Niwot High School Hall of Fame as the Class of 2025. "These individuals have left an indelible mark on the school and its community through their outstanding achievements, unwavering dedication, and profound impact," Brown said in a press release. The induction ceremony will take place on Sunday, June 1, at 6 p.m. in the school...
During the Boulder County Commissioners' public comment session on April 3, several Niwot residents addressed the commissioners with significant concerns about the detrimental effects of the current minimum wage ordinance on Niwot's small businesses. Ordinance 2023-4, which took effect on January 1, 2024, established the minimum wage for unincorporated Boulder County at $16.57 per hour this year, $1.76 higher than the neighboring incorporated towns and cities, except Boulder, which is still...
The Denver Broncos Foundation is giving Niwot High School (NHS) football players a major equipment upgrade this year, at no cost to the school or families. As part of a groundbreaking initiative called "All In, All Covered," the Broncos Foundation is donating 15,516 top-of-the-line Riddell Axiom helmets to high school football programs across Colorado over the next four years. As of Tuesday, April 1, the St. Vrain Valley School District (SVVSD) schools will be participating in this $12 million...
ROAD CLOSURES AND IMPACTS The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has announced the ongoing work associated with the CO 119 Safety, Mobility & Bikeway Improvements Project for the week of April 6 through April 12, The right shoulder on southbound CO 119 will be closed between Jay Road and Hover Street beginning Monday, April 7 at 7 a.m. and ending Friday, April 11 at 5 p.m. for traffic signal work. Niwot Road/CO 119 intersection/median Full closure of the Niwot Road/CO 119 median for...
Members of the Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee (LID) met on April 1 at the Niwot Inn and unanimously approved five funding requests. The committee also unanimously approved a LID resolution urging the Boulder County Commissioners to implement a moratorium on the remaining unincorporated county wage increases. Among other business matters, the LID discussed the status of the Niwot Master Plan, the vice chair vacancy, a possible policy to extend the time to make decisions...
On April 1, the Boulder County Commissioners, during a public land use hearing, approved plans for an equestrian center, an agricultural worker accessory dwelling unit, and a 5,352 square foot residence for the 68-acre parcel at 8130 North 73rd Street. According to hearing documents, the parcel is east along 73rd Street and is less than a mile north of Nimbus Road with the Holland Ditch bisecting the parcel. With Commissioner Claire Levy absent during the hearing, Commissioners Marta Loachamin...
Mountain View Fire Rescue will be moving its headquarters to 6328 Monarch Park Place in Niwot this spring. The move was announced last fall. Mountain View Fire Rescue will take possession of the building in late May, however, currently, there is not a set date as to when the move will take place. Once the move is complete, the fire protection district is planning to have a ribbon cutting and grand opening in July after their operations are moved in. There will be quite a few new operations, and...
The Wheel House, a unique neighborhood bar founded by Eric Bergeson, and the bicycle shop formerly known as Wheel Works, is entering an exciting new chapter under fresh ownership and management. Cornelia Sawle and Pete and Carissa Brandes announced that they have taken over the community fixture, bringing enthusiasm and ambitious plans for the future. The Wheel House is still open and its new bicycle shop will open by the end of April. The Wheel Works is now under new ownership at 7960 Niwot...
Do you know of a local event, interesting story or local person the Courier might be interested in covering? Do you have comments about what you have read in the Courier or suggestions to make? We would like to hear from you at editorial@lhvc.comeditorial@lhvc.com....
After months of negotiations, the Niwot city council approved Option 34a for an over-underpass access to Niwot from the bikeway-pedestrian-stroller path currently under construction in the CO 119/Diagonal Highway median. Option 34a includes an overpass from the mini-multi-modal path over the Longmont-bound lanes of the Diagonal Highway, using the same design as the 63rd Street overpass in Gunbarrel. "They wanted us to pay them another million dollars to design an underpass, so we figure by...
The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), acting on a recommendation from Parks and Open Space (POS), unanimously agreed on April 1 to create a Niwot Animal Sanctuary Train Yard (NASTY) on the median in the center of CO Highway 119 north of Niwot Road as part of the ongoing CO 119 Safety, Chaos, Access, and Technology (SCAT) project. The decision was made after extensive public input at Sight Review hearings, and after consultation with the NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB and NCAA, although NIL money from an...
With the announcement of Coach Prime's contract extension, Cimmini's Italian restaurant has decided to rebrand as Coach's Creole Kitchen, bringing a bold new look and menu to Niwot. The move comes after University of Colorado head football coach Deion "Prime" Sanders was reportedly spotted dining at the restaurant last year. According to the restaurant staff, the visit left a lasting impression. "We realized we weren't just serving food, we were serving the future of Buff football," waiter Jack...
The Courier often profiles "familiar faces," community members around Niwot and/or Gunbarrel that you might see on a regular basis, but don't know their story. These individuals do a lot for our community to make it the tightly knit and functioning area it is. Yet there are many familiar names without a corresponding face. We call those "Unfamiliar Faces." This week's Unfamiliar Face is Frederick Niwot. His name appears on signs directing motorists to exit 235 on I-25 but, as much as we might...
The similarity between Niwot and Minot's unusual and often-mispronounced names piqued Left Hand Valley Courier reporters' interest in the city which none of them had heard of. What began as curiosity led to a serious interest in approaching Minot for getting-to-know-you discussions. As reporters learned about the city, they began referring to Minot as "Northern North Dakota's best kept secret." Minot's metropolitan area population is almost 20 times that of Niwot and it is the fourth largest...
A steady stream of Niwotians, past and present, visited Niwot Hall on Sunday, March 30, 2025, for an open house celebrating Niwot's Sesquicentennial. The town plat was recorded with Boulder County 150 years earlier, on March 30, 1875. Niwot resident Laura Skaggs, who chaired the organizing committee, was more than pleased with the turnout. Young and old were mesmerized by the slide show which paired photos of buildings past with current photos of the same property. Pete Wernick on banjo, his...
For his enduring leadership and volunteerism for the Niwot community and advocacy for Niwot's businesses, Tony Santelli is the Left Hand Valley Courier's April Left Hand Laurel. As a former co-owner of the Niwot Tavern, a past president of the Niwot Business Association (NBA), and a current member of the community's minimum wage task force as well as the Niwot Future League (NFL), Santelli's leadership and dynamism is apparent when he discusses his love for the Niwot community. Niwot is the...
He was a lawyer in a different life. She worked in the food safety industry. That was before February 24, 2022, in Ukraine. Today, he works for a large retail outlet in Longmont. She is also employed. They live in a garden-level apartment in Niwot's Old Town area. Their surviving extended family members also live in the United States. They live in fear of being deported, with nowhere to go. Though they entered the U.S. legally as refugees, the uncertainty of their status resulting from the...
This is a monthly feature summarizing the activities of the Boulder County Commissioners. The Niwot Business Association will be sending you a request for your signature on a letter addressed to the Commissioners. This letter urges the Commissioners to amend the minimum wage ordinance to match the $14.81 rate of neighboring municipalities. Currently, Niwot's minimum wage is $16.57 per hour, and scheduled to rise to $25 per hour by 2030. Data from the Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory...
The Left Hand Valley Courier, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, launched a fundraising campaign in November 2024 with the goal of raising $250,000 to pay reporters and vendors, print the newspaper weekly, upgrade our printing quality, and support our educational mission. Your generosity has been overwhelming. To date, we have raised $49,573.00 with $4,985.00 of that donated in 2025. Our success is due to the outpouring of local support from you, our loyal readers. We are in the process of applying for grants to supplement our local...
The Niwot Patriotic Cookie Moms are gearing up to send out the next round of Passover/Easter boxes of cookies on April 7 to deployed troops serving the United States. Each troop has members from the local community as well as from other states. An informal group of women interested in supporting U.S. troops far away from home was first formed in 2010 by local realtor Pat Murphy along with Patty Strecker and Karen Copperberg. They officially incorporated as a non-profit organization in March...
Behind every trusted face on television lies a story, and for longtime CBS Denver7 anchor Mitch Jelniker, that story begins in the hallways of Niwot High School. Though born in Oklahoma, Jelniker considers himself nearly a Colorado native, having moved to the state when he was just a few months old. His father, an aerospace engineer, moved the family several times during Jelniker's childhood - from Colorado Springs to Houston, Los Angeles, and Washington, before finally settling back in...
As April ushers in the beautiful renewal of spring, Niwot Hall hosts a month of invigorating cultural events, lectures, dance, music, and opportunities to connect where all are welcome. Dance Classes with Lindy Bartruff Tuesdays, April 1, 8, 15, 22, & 29 Beginning at 3:00 p.m. Participate in fun and fitness while dancing under the instruction of director-choreographer Lindy Bartruff. 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Aerobic Dance Do you love to dance and yearn for an easy, energizing outlet? Ignite your...
The $165 million CO 119 Safety, Mobility & Bikeway Project, aimed at enhancing safety, mobility, and adding a bikeway between Longmont and Boulder, has progressed to Niwot. The stretch of Niwot Road between the northbound and southbound lanes of CO 119, which are separated by a grassland area referred to as "the median" in transportation terminology, is scheduled to close from Monday, April 7, to Wednesday, April 16. The closure will enable crews to construct the bikeway underpass at Niwot...
Katie Wallace, who has long been active in local Democratic politics, was selected to fill the vacant Senate District 17 seat previously held by Senator Sonya Jaquez Lewis, who resigned amid reports of improper treatment of and use of her staff. Wallace was selected over seven other candidates who were considered for the appointment, which was made by the Boulder County Democratic Party vacancy committee, which consists of approximately 100 members. She will serve until 2026, when she will be up...
Do you know of a local event, interesting story or local person the Courier might be interested in covering? Do you have comments about what you have read in the Courier or suggestions to make? We would like to hear from you at editorial@lhvc.comeditorial@lhvc.com....
An ad hoc committee of community leaders will host an open house anniversary party for Niwot's sesquicentennial on Sunday, March 30 from 12 noon to 3 p.m. at Niwot Hall. The event will commemorate Niwot's founding as noted by the handwritten date of March 30, 1875, on a town plat recorded with Boulder County 150 years ago. Activities will include a photo booth, a then-and-now slideshow, and live music by Pete and Joan Wernick, with guest fiddler Justin Hoffenberg. According to event organizers,...
Fred Mosqueda, the Arapaho Language and Culture Program Outreach Specialist Coordinator for the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma, returned to Niwot Hall Monday, March 17, and brought his friend, Chester Whiteman of the Cheyenne Tribe who holds a similar role, to address a standing room only crowd of mostly Niwot residents. Mosqueda was the featured speaker in 2024 for the Niwot Historical Society, and was warmly received again. Phillip Yates of the Niwot Cultural Arts Association, which...
The Boulder County Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend denial of proposed text amendments to the Land Use Code that would have placed stricter limits on residential home sizes in unincorporated areas of the county. After four hours of testimony on March 19, during which the Planning Commission heard staff presentations, asked questions, and listened to extensive public testimony, the commissioners unanimously recommended that the Board of County Commissioners reject Docket DC-24-0003, which would have modified the Site Plan...
In a move aimed at supporting local agriculture and expanding economic opportunities for farmers, the Boulder County Planning Commission unanimously approved text amendments to the Land Use Code that will make it easier for farmers to operate mobile farm stands throughout unincorporated parts of the county. During the March 19 hearing, commissioners voted to advance Docket DC-25-0001, which creates a regulatory framework for mobile farm stands following feedback that permanent structures were financially out of reach for many of the county's...
