All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
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The working draft of the Niwot Master Plan 2023 was presented to the Niwot Community Association (NCA) on Jan. 23 at the Left Hand Grange No. 9. The master plan is the first step in imagining how Niwot might look in the near and distant future, and includes an update to the 2012 Transportation & Connectivity Plan that has guided Niwot projects for the past decade. This vision for Niwot has been developed by the Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee (LID) in conjunction with the...
CPAs and Niwot residents Don Perry and Dayna Roane joined forces in Niwot in 2010 to form the accounting firm, Perry & Roane, P.C. In addition to their professional accounting and tax services, the partners were active in the community, providing pro bono services to a wide range of Niwot area non-profits, including Niwot Youth Sports, the Niwot Business Association, the Niwot Cultural Arts Association, and Left Hand Grange No. 9. While Perry retired from the firm several years ago, he...
Niwot is known for its great small-town feel and numerous community events. The inaugural WinterFest event on Saturday, Jan. 27, did not disappoint. WinterFest brought food, games and carriage rides from Cottonwood Square to 2nd Avenue. Vendors, musicians, and activities were scattered through Niwot including Nothing Bundt Cakes in Cottonwood Square and Sweet Maple Cotton Candy at the Emporium on 2nd Avenue. A steady flow of attendees participated throughout town. However, the real hit was the...
The location of the Feb. 4 meeting of local residents opposed to the application for the "Tennis Center of the Rockies," to be built on 79th Street just north of Lookout Road, has changed since the Courier’s Jan. 24 article regarding the matter. The meeting will still be on Sunday, Feb. 4 at 2:30 p.m. but at Shepherd of the Hills Church, 7077 Harvest Road (on Lookout Road near 71st Street), in Gunbarrel....
Your neighbor, Sean Tufts, his wife Orly Ripmaster, and their two sons live just east of Niwot on a 48-acre farm. Tufts is the managing partner of Optiv, a cybersecurity consulting company focusing on critical infrastructure installations. Tufts is also well-known for his football career as a middle linebacker for the University of Colorado Buffaloes (2000-2003) and then for the Carolina Panthers of the NFL. Tufts was born in 1982 in south Denver near County Line Road, where subdivisions once...
With roots dating to 1875, Old Town Niwot, the area on 2nd Avenue between Niwot Road and Murray Street, has always been a mixture of the familiar and the new and is widely considered to be the historic heart of town. John Nelson, a local carpenter, is credited with building the first commercial structure on Second Avenue in 1905. Most of the remaining shops in the first block were completed by 1915 and include the home of the oldest operating Grange in Colorado. These buildings comprise the...
Seed swaps are events where gardeners and farmers exchange seeds to help people garden inexpensively and reduce seed waste. The swap also provides a networking opportunity to build community, share local gardening information, and dispense education from experts such as CSU Master Gardeners and Growing Gardens. The swap works locally to keep plants for future generations. The Second Annual Boulder County Seed Swap was held on Jan. 27 at the Niwot United Methodist Church on Lookout Road. The swap...
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 [email protected]@lhvc.com....
The vast majority of banners inside Niwot High School's main gym celebrate team championships. A select few, however, are hung in honor of individual achievements. Coming off a stellar sophomore season on the NHS cross country team, Addison Ritzenhein will soon have her name immortalized twice. After receiving the Gatorade Colorado Girls Cross Country Player of the Year award on Monday, the state championship-winning runner earned the prestigious Gatorade National Girls Cross Country Player of...
As one of two main hubs of small businesses in Niwot, Cottonwood Square brings together a variety of retail stores. Businesses range from restaurants to clothing stores, and from florists to fitness studios. A surprisingly high number of these enterprises are run, either in whole or in part, by women. Many owners have several things in common. They enjoy the Niwot community and the support it gives local businesses. They also share a "give back" or "pay-it-forward" attitude. "I feel like Niwot i...
In a world that sometimes seems to create isolation, the Courier is launching a new feature entitled "Meet Your Neighbor." We hope you enjoy getting to know some of the fascinating people who live in our community. Joyce Johnson has lived in Niwot for 32 years. Her determination, friendly nature, sparkling eyes and kindness mask the many hardships and tragedies she has faced throughout her long life. The first word Johnson uses to describe herself is "resilient." She was raised in Connecticut...
Open areas are dwindling as urban areas continue to be developed into more densely populated regions. One location being proposed for development is a vacant parcel on the west side of 79th Street between Lookout Road and Highway 52, next to the Church of the Lookout. An application for development of the parcel to be a private tennis club, "Tennis Center of the Rockies," was dated Nov. 22, 2023 and formally filed with Boulder County on Dec. 5, 2023. Many Gunbarrel residents met on Dec. 17,...
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 [email protected]....
Four Niwot-area appointed positions on Boulder County advisory boards are open for applications, which close on Friday, Jan. 19. Niwot Design Review Committee The Niwot Design Review Committee's primary role is to act as a referral agency for proposals within the Niwot Rural Community District I (NRCD I), which consists of the first block of 2nd Avenue between Murray Street and Franklin Street, plus the historic Bader House property. According to the county website, "The committee does not have...
In two separate split-decision votes at their Jan. 9 meeting, Boulder County Commissioners approved sweeping changes to the Boulder County Land Use Code and Boulder County Licensing Ordinance 2023-02 regarding regulation of Short-Term and Vacation Rentals in unincorporated Boulder County. The complexity of the issues and passion of public opinion were once again on full display at the Jan. 9 meeting which lasted eight hours, including nearly four hours of public testimony both in favor of and opposed to the proposed changes. On the two votes,...
In years past, the Niwot hosted Apres Ski Day, a fun winter event that included winter treats and activities around town. This year, the revamped event has changed its name to "WinterFest" and will be held on Jan. 27 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. The name was changed to better celebrate the season and let the community know that no one needs to go skiing before enjoying all the activities. WinterFest is sponsored by the Niwot Business Association (NBA) with most of the funding coming from the Niwot...
When Staci Pencis walked into the Garden Gate Cafe two years ago to borrow a cane, she had no idea she would be leaving the Café with a job. Pencis' son, Sy, was putting together a costume for Senior Day at Skyline High School, and he needed a cane to complete his outfit. "He had a hospital gown and an adult diaper," Pencis said. "And he needed a cane." She placed a message on Facebook and soon heard back from Dawn Dunlap, manager of the Cafe, who offered to lend them one. When Pencis came to...
The Niwot Community Association (NCA) set goals for 2024 during its December board meeting. The NCA serves as a local advocacy group with representatives from eight residential service areas that interfaces with local government to provide input and provide a forum for Niwot citizens to learn about issues and voice their opinions.The January monthly meeting saw the NCA board launch projects that board members volunteered to champion. Boulder County’s land use policies and actions are an important topic for NCA attention. Examples of d...
Amy Scanes-Wolfe asks the question whether we need to reclaim our arid lands of the West by addressing the serious problems caused by our centuries-long disruption of nature's balanced ecosystem. In her Jan. 11 presentation to the Niwot Community Connection (NCC), it was clear Scanes-Wolfe is passionately committed to doing just that. She led NCC participants on a wide-ranging journey combining her cultural anthropology, ecology, agricultural and natural history backgrounds. Scanes-Wolfe...
Niwot's community focus is one of the things that make it a unique and fun place to live. Events like Niwot's summer concert series, Rock & Rails, winter festivities such as Winterfest and Let's Wine About Winter, and its holiday markets and parades bind the community together. Even the art around Niwot is special with tree carvings and left-hand chairs decorated to the theme of their surroundings. One often overlooked feature also contributes to the quaint aesthetic of Niwot. Little boxes with...
The Niwot Local Improvement District (LID) Advisory Committee approved funding for three upcoming events to be held in January, February and June, 2024, at its Jan. 9 meeting. Mary Coonce, who serves as treasurer of both the LID and the Niwot Business Association (NBA), spoke in support of the events, saying, “The goal is to have an event every month.” In her treasurer’s report, Coonce reported a $10,716 decrease in sales tax revenues collected by the LID through October 2023, compared with...
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 [email protected]....
When Steven Craig joined the Rotary Club of Niwot shortly after building a home on Portico Lane in the Ranch at Clover Basin subdivision two years ago, he didn’t waste any time in making a difference. Sadly, Craig, who was recently chosen as President-Elect for the club, will not have a chance to serve in that position. Craig was attacked in his home on Dec. 19 in the middle of the night, and died of his injuries Dec. 24. Michael Lucky, 32, turned himself in to the Boulder County Sheriff’s off...
Yesterday I received a thank you note in our mailbox, mailed from "Alaska Frontier," dated December 24, 2023. Here is what the card says: "Thank YOU so much for including us on your cookie moms' list. We have enjoyed sharing the goodies your team bakes and collects each holiday. We love the mini-photos/inspirational words and the Niwot Courier. Thank you for the time, effort, and love you put into making us feel remembered. We are leaving AK in February (unknown location), so, we will no longer be here to receive your boxes...but, please...
The inaugural New Year’s Eve party at the Left Hand Grange went off without a hitch. Close to 40 attendees started the night with cocktails while listening to the music of local musician John Shepherd. International appetizers and entrees were provided by Anam Soul Food, and the rousing tunes of Niwot’s own House Blend Band chimed in the rest of the evening as folks danced their way into 2024. The Grange’s new audio-visual system featuring a large television and new speakers allowed party...
Niwot resident Anita Wooldridge has been making the most of her retirement by devoting her time to photography. She specializes in nature and wildlife, capturing the natural beauty of the Rockies, Yellowstone National Park, and the Grand Teton National Park in her work. Her photography captures a feeling of quiet serenity, and offers a calm interlude to a busy life. Wooldridge said she first got started with ocean photography while diving, about 20 years ago. "...(B)ringing a camera underwater...
Redevelopment, particularly on historic properties, can be unpredictable. It's challenging to know exactly how a project will proceed until an excavator begins to dig into the ground. It's become apparent that this is the case with the project at the former Colterra restaurant and Bader House at 210 Franklin Street in Niwot. The building which housed the Colterra restaurant began life as a barn, and has been demolished due to damage from a fire several years ago, leaving the historic Bader...
Nearly four decades of holiday joy and delight came to an end Jan. 6 when Chuck Rodgers switched off his holiday lights for the last time. For all of its challenges, Rodgers’ light display for charity at the top of the hill on 79th Street between Lookout Road and Highway 52 has continued to be a labor of love, and this final year, at the culmination of its colossal size, it also hit a record amount of donations for Longmont Meals on Wheels (LMOW). Donations of $32,400 and 277 pounds of food were...
Abo's Pizza in Niwot's Cottonwood Square has been closed ever since a fire broke out in the oven at the business on August 10, 2022. Since then, the popular restaurant's reopening has been delayed multiple times by insurance issues, building permit delays, asbestos mitigation requirements and electrical issues related to the oven. Jeff Riegel, who purchased the business from Tom Smathers in 2020, operated the pizza business for two years before an early morning fire shut it down. Smathers, who...
The newspaper you are reading is now published by a newly formed nonprofit corporation, known as Left Hand Valley Courier. For over 26 years, the Left Hand Valley Courier newspaper was published by a Colorado limited liability company, known as Lefthand Valley Publishing, LLC. Effective with the Jan. 3, 2024, online edition, the weekly newspaper, both online and in print every four weeks, is now owned and published by Left Hand Valley Courier. Left Hand Valley Courier has applied for...
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 [email protected]....
The Left Hand Valley Courier has been fortunate to have devoted staff members who bring you the news every week. We profiled many of our staff members last week, and have had some new valuable additions this year and thought you might want to know who is reporting what you like to read....
I am a new reporter for the Left Hand Valley Courier after responding to their ad. Although I do not have any reporting experience, I am a retired professional civil engineer who has spent many hours writing technical documents over my career, so I will try not to bore you. I moved to a farm outside of Lyons, Colorado in 1968 with my family and have resided in Colorado the entire time. Although I grew up outside of Lyons, Colorado, I did not attend school in Lyons and consequently graduated...
I'm Lisha Nouhan, and I've been writing for the Courier since last August. However, as a very busy (and poor) Studio Art major at the University of Denver, writing for the paper has been a great opportunity. I have lived in Colorado for most of my life, and while I live in Denver during school, on breaks I live in Longmont with my parents and my younger brother who is a freshman at CU Boulder. I graduated from Silver Creek High School in 2021. As a DU student in my junior year, I keep myself...
First, just in case you were wondering, most of these groups of letters are not acronyms but initialisms, as they cannot be pronounced as a word. For example, FOMO (fear of missing out), FedEx, and NASA are pronounced as words, consequently they are acronyms, whereas ATM is not pronounced “attem,” thus an initialism. But the initialisms listed above represent organizations in Niwot, including non-profits, a taxing district and its advisory committee, and a business committee, which are all quite important to local Niwot citizens. The ini...
Hand gestures have a long, diverse and important history. From early humans using them to communicate non-aggression, to nautical and military signaling, to non-verbal forms of communication used today during sporting events where players acknowledge the crowd. Waving is the most common hand gesture and an important social custom that somewhere along the way it seems, has started to become less practiced. Do we wave less frequently because we are increasingly walking around, heads down, looking...
Niwot High School 2014 graduate Madison Bounds has many stories to tell, and he delivers them with the clarity and the detailed eye of an ardent historian. Ranging from topics as diverse as men's basketball at the University of Kentucky to German immigration, Bounds has documented the lives of teachers, painters, and sports figures on film. And even though LIfeStory Films, the company he founded in 2022, is based in New York, Bounds has strong ties to the Niwot community. In 2001, when Bounds...
With the new year, many of us resolve to change something in our lives. “New Year’s Resolutions” sounds a little daunting but really, small changes can make a difference. Whether it is to eliminate a behavior or add a behavior or perhaps treat yourself to a new experience, there are many good reasons to start the year with a “clean slate” and resolve to make 2024 a better year. The Courier staff shares some of their resolutions below. Maybe they might inspire you to do the same. Detox from sugar. Enjoy my family before my daughter leaves fo...
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 [email protected]....
The Niwot Sanitation District Board of Directors hosted a public meeting at the Left Hand Grange in Niwot Dec. 14 to let customers know that fees will rise substantially in the new year to fund infrastructure improvements which have been in the planning stages for the past three years. For many years, Niwot Sanitation District customers have grown accustomed to paying only a $71.00 bimonthly cost of service, without a mill levy for property taxes, which most special districts impose for capital...
The Left Hand Valley Courier has been fortunate to have devoted staff members who bring you the news every week. We profiled many of our staff members a year ago, and have had some new valuable additions this year and thought you might want to know who is reporting what you like to read. We are not just long-term residents reporting the news to you. We are a diverse group of devoted journalists who feel strongly about keeping small town newspapers alive. The Courier staff includes the following past or current backgrounds: college professor,...
I am a 2019 graduate of Niwot High School and recently earned a Journalism and Media Communication degree from Colorado State University in 2023, with a minor in Spanish. I grew up in Lyons, Colorado, and moved to southwest Longmont when I was 15. I was on the varsity softball team at Niwot High for all four years and was elected as a co-captain with my best friend, Caitlyn Schreiner, my senior year. In high school, I was an outfielder but I played third base my junior year. I have a brother...
Contrary to popular belief, I am actually quite private and introverted, so writing this profile on myself is challenging. I am a born and raised Niwot native who attended Niwot Elementary, Altona Middle School, and graduated from Niwot High School (an undisclosed amount of years ago). Having grown up in our cute little town, I've gotten to know a lot of people and become involved in several things over the years. I received my Eagle Scout award from Troop 161 (an undisclosed amount of years...
I am an only child born and raised in Colorado. I've been telling stories for as long as I can remember and I always wanted to become a storyteller. I started writing drafts of plays and children's stories at around ten years of age, and teen novels at thirteen, one of which I am still working on eight years later. I went to high school at Colorado Early Colleges Fort Collins, a program that lets students attend community college in high school. Through that school, I attended Front Range...
Thanks to the alarmingly successful recruitment efforts of the Courier's Biff Warren, Keith Waters was persuaded to contribute articles to the Courier beginning last summer. Local readers lavish praise on his prose, noting that his articles are "remarkably adequate," with one local going so far as to say that they are "appropriate in length." When asked about Waters's writing, Niwot novelist Jim Ringel was quoted as saying, "...uhh, right, Keith Waters," before abruptly leaving the room. When...
How much fun is this? After nearly 50 years of climbing the corporate ladder, Biff Warren asked me to come back to my roots – writing about high school sports for the Courier. Seriously? Talk about coming around full circle! While still in college at the University of Utah, I found myself working for the Salt Lake (City) Tribune -- first as a copy boy (yell "BOY!!!" and I still come running) and, after about 18 months, as a full-fledged sportswriter at the ripe old age of 20. What a great j...
Hi! I'm Camryn Bell. I am a student at Niwot High School, and I have always had a love of writing. I've been a part of the Niwot community my entire life and I love everything about it. I have two brothers, two dogs, and one sister-in-law (my brother has a lovely girlfriend as well). My mom, Alyson Bell, is by far the most inspiring person I have ever met. I'm passionate about a lot of things, writing being one of them, of course. I also enjoy theater, music, sports (specifically horseback...
My name is Jonathan Epstein and it's a pleasure to join the Left Hand Valley Courier. Except for a stint in San Diego to see what all the hubbub was about, I've lived in Colorado for the better part of 34 years, with the last 20 being in Niwot and Gunbarrel. Originally from Buffalo (Go Bills), New York, I moved to Colorado in part because my high school college counselor said I'd fall off the face of the earth if I moved west of Ohio. Challenging her contention, I drove to Boulder to attend CU,...
While Christmas is the most common winter holiday in the U.S., there are a variety of other winter holidays celebrated around the world. The winter solstice is a common date for winter celebrations all over the world since it is the longest night of the entire year. There are sites of ancient buildings that were built to accent astronomical events such as the winter solstice. These solstice commemorations are also suspected to have had an effect on the dates of many other winter holidays, and wh...
You don't have to leave Niwot or Gunbarrel to enjoy New Year's Eve. Whether you're looking for drinks and good company at midnight or a special celebratory dinner, you can find what you need without leaving the area. Here are a few suggestions for New Year's Eve. Niwot New Year's Eve Gala at the Left Hand Grange 195 2nd Avenue The Left Hand Grange is inviting the community to its inaugural New Year's Eve gala, with dinner and dancing from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The evening includes a welcome cocktail...
