All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
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Gillian Marie Finnell, a well known local illustrator, has been a Niwot resident for 17 years having moved from Seattle. Her mother taught Finnell and her siblings how to draw when she was very young, and she has been drawing her whole life. Finnell was an art teacher for quite a while in Colorado before she started doing her own illustrations and went back to school to study scientific illustration at California State University Monterey Bay. You might know her best as simply "Gillian Marie,"...
On Oct. 14, the Left Hand Valley Courier emailed Gloria Handyside, Communications Director for the Boulder County Commissioners, inquiring whether the Commissioners planned to amend Boulder County's minimum wage ordinance, in light of the recent breakdown of the Consortium of Cities (COC) regional approach to establishing a county-wide minimum wage. The ordinance sets the minimum wage in unincorporated Boulder County at a higher rate than incorporated areas in the county. Handyside responded on...
Effective immediately, 71st Street, on the west side of CO 119 (the "Diagonal") from Monarch Road to CO 119, is closed to all modes of transportation through May 2025. See the accompanying map for detour information or visit the CDOT website). This closure is required for the safety of crews working to tie in new southbound CO 119 to existing CO 119 infrastructure as part of the CO 119 Safety, Mobility & Bikeway Improvements Project. Travel delays due to the new configuration at Jay Road and CO...
Boulder Open Space and Parks Management (OSPM) announced that two local trails will be closed. A news release regarding the Heatherwood Trail connection to Walden Ponds Wildlife Habitat states: "A portion of the Heatherwood Trail at Walden Ponds will be closed for about one month beginning Monday, Nov. 4, for a City of Boulder sewer line project. Visitors will not be able to connect between Heatherwood Trail and the trails at Walden Ponds. #boco_trails" Please see the accompanying map of the...
Social media was buzzing with reports of an attempted burglary in a Niwot subdivision adjacent to open space near Highway 52 on Halloween night. According to reports, five men attempting to enter a home on the second floor from nearby open space were caught on a security camera. The would-be thieves were shown in a video lifting one member of the group to the second floor balcony, but the homeowners reportedly turned on the lights at that point, and the group quickly ran. The Boulder County...
In the early morning hours, shortly after midnight on Tuesday, Nov. 5, the siren at the former Niwot Volunteer Fire Department building next to the Left Hand Grange building in Niwot, went off, waking residents of Old Town and beyond. Worried neighbors who called law enforcement were informed that it was not an emergency, and that the siren had simply malfunctioned. Before members of Left Hand Grange No. 9 could respond to the scene, the Boulder County Sheriff's Department responded and pried...
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.com....
The Great Pumpkin Party began Oct. 26 with an impressive vocal performance by Niwot Elementary School students in the Left Hand Corner parking lot, a fitting prelude to the presentation of the Curtis Lizakowski Golden Hammer Award for outstanding volunteerism to longtime Niwot resident Neal Anderson. Niwot resident and realtor Pat Murphy, who helped create the award many years ago, made the presentation to Anderson, explaining that the award honors often unsung volunteers who make things happen...
The Great Pumpkin Party kicked off its 27th year in Niwot with an immense crowd on Saturday, Oct. 26, with hundreds of trick-or-treaters in costume roaming the Niwot business district from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Local businesses, with owners and staff dressed in costumes themselves, gave out candy to the trick-or-treaters. The Left Hand Grange provided children's movies for youngsters who needed a short break from trick-or-treating. The Niwot High School Key Club created another very popular...
The International Blues Challenge (IBC), the world's largest and most prestigious blues music competition, will once again bring together hundreds of talented musicians from around the globe. Hosted on the iconic Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee, the competition will run from Jan. 7 to 11, 2025. Among those set to compete is Niwot resident Joe Pacheco, bassist and backup vocalist of the blues band George Street and the Drive, who, along with his bandmates, earned the chance to perform in...
On Oct. 28, the Left Hand Valley Courier was notified that the IRS recognizes the Courier as a Section 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization, allowing the Courier to seek tax deductible donations and grants to support local journalism. Watch the Courier for details....
On any given Wednesday, if you have wandered into the Inkberry Books in Niwot you most likely have seen the familiar face of Jim Mitchell. Upon entering, you would be greeted with a cheery "Hello," and the opportunity for a hearty chat whether on the question of the most recently delivered book you should read, or what Groucho Marx might have to say on a multitude of subjects. Mitchell's New York City origins are not immediately evident. Indeed the rather circuitous route he has taken to be a...
When Curt and Marianne Bruner decided to downsize after 31 years in Niwot, they bought a lot at 364 Franklin Street in Niwot's Old Town area next to Left Hand Animal Hospital. The previous home at that location had fallen into disrepair and had been scraped by a developer after the death of the owner. The Bruners engaged Niwot architect Anne Postle of Osmosis Architecture to design a one-story home of approximately 2,275 square feet at ground level with a height of just under 29 feet, an...
Niwot Cookie Momsters, Thanks so much for thinking of the STOCKDALE team while we are deployed! The wardroom enthusiastically dug into the homebaked goods - our culinary specialists do a great job, but there is something a cookie baked in a kitchen back stateside. You generated a lot of smiles and about 10 minutes after the attached picture was taken that tray was empty! I also got a kick out of the Left Hand Valley Courier - it is really nice to be reminded who we're out here doing this for....
Tyler Eggers, arrested for causing a crash near Niwot High School after a high speed chase last Valentine’s Day, was sentenced to four years in prison after accepting a plea bargain. Although the defense requested Eggers spend five years in community corrections, the prosecution requested he serve time in the Colorado Department of Corrections. Eggers, 31, was accused of leading law enforcement officers on a car chase through Longmont, which ended in a collision at Niwot High School on Feb. 14, 2024. He was initially charged with reckless drivi...
At the monthly Commuting Solutions members' meeting on Oct. 23, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Regional Transportation District (RTD) and the Governor's Office of Colorado gave presentations. EPA Report KC Becker, the Regional Administrator for the EPA's Region 8, provided graphics showing air quality trends comparing Denver to Salt Lake City (see Air Quality Trends graphic). For what is referred to as "Criteria Pollutants" which are focused on ozone and particulates that are PM...
Inkberry Books in Niwot's Cottonwood Square shopping center hosted local author Peggy Cline Friday, Oct. 25, who read excerpts from her recently published book, "Trout Farming in the People's Republic of Boulder." Cline and her late husband Steve had a trout farm on the edge of Boulder, off of Valmont Road near 55th Street on the edge of Boulder. The book is a tribute to Steve Cline and the memorable moments they created in the foothills of Boulder. That wasn't the only trout farm the Cline...
The Left Hand Valley Courier, a nonprofit organization, is dealing with the same issues that the journalism industry, particularly local journalism, is grappling with across the country. This article is the second in a series of reports on the current journalism business climate, the history and contributions of the Courier, why local journalism remains an important asset in community-building, and ways in which its business model can be strengthened. The Left Hand Valley Courier (Courier)...
The City of Boulder, a Consortium of Cities (COC) member, recently voted to increase its minimum wage, as shown in the table below. The increase is less than unincorporated Boulder County's minimum wage ordinance. In contrast, the remaining COC members, including the cities of Longmont, Louisville, Lafayette, and the town of Erie, have either chosen not to pursue this matter, placed it on hold until 2025, or are still in deliberations. In the summer of 2023, the five members of the COC-an...
In addition to road closures associated with the ongoing CO 119 Safety, Mobility and Bikeway Project that is set to continue for at least the next three years, a road closure on 95th Street between Lookout Road and Valmont Road will continue until December. That means more traffic is diverted to 75th Street and 63rd Street, which also has lane closures due to a waterline replacement. Soon to be closed as well is 71st Street, which also provides access to CO 119. The 71st Street closure will...
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.com....
Vesper Trail The City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) announced this week that the new Vesper Trail, north of the Heatherwood subdivision, is now open to the public after a mating pair of burrowing owls successfully raised eight new owlets. Congratulations to the new parents who are now facing empty nest syndrome! OSMP thanked members of the public for their cooperation in staying off the brand new trail that was built this past spring, only to be closed to allow the federally...
The transformation of the former 1stBank building into the long-anticipated Gunbarrel branch of the Boulder Public Library District (BPLD) is underway. According to David Farnan, Director of the BPLD, the demolition phase was recently completed. The remaining steps are the design, permitting and construction phases. Emphasizing that the completion date is uncertain, Farnan shared the hope that the new branch will open in approximately June, 2025....
The Boulder County Planning Commission hearing regarding the application for the construction of three new homes at the 39.5-acre rural residential zoned property at Niwot Road and 63rd Street was tabled at the request of the applicant. The new hearing date has been set for Nov. 20 at 1:30 p.m. at the Boulder County Courthouse. More information earlier reported by the Courier can be found here....
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....
The Niwot Trot, a fundraising race for Niwot Elementary School, was a huge success on Sunday, Oct. 6, raising over $10,000 for the school. "We had a record number of over 700 participants, surpassing our numbers by 100 racers," organizer Aimee Morin said. "It was a perfectly cool, sunny morning and everyone brought happy smiles and great energy, making it a memorable and successful event for our community." The event sent runners of all ages through a new route through the streets of Niwot,...
The annual Great Pumpkin Party will be coming back with plenty of spooktacular events on Oct. 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The event, spanning Second Avenue and Cottonwood Square, has been a Halloween tradition in Niwot for the past 27 years. Pat Murphy, one of the founders of the event, continues to organize the activities on behalf of the Niwot Business Association, with funding from the Niwot Local Improvement District. Family-friendly events will include three magic shows in Cottonwood...
Susan Odiseos has been an active volunteer in the Niwot community since she moved here in December 2018, including organizing food drives, participating with the Niwot Patriotic Cookie Moms, working at Rock & Rails, and being an active member of the Niwot Community Connection (NCC). Odiseos has had a lifetime of community involvement that has changed lives. Odiseos originally lived in Connecticut, and assisted several charity and volunteer organizations there before she moved to Santa Fe around...
It shouldn’t take a research paper to figure out that the reason the cost of living is driving workers and young families out of Boulder County is one thing. It’s not the cost of food, or clothing, or utilities, or other essentials of living that makes it unaffordable to live here. It is the cost of housing. Yet the governing bodies in Boulder County have taken only token steps to address the shortage of affordable, attainable and workforce housing their own policies have created. It’s much too little, and too late. A recent study concl...
Music at the Grange Sunday, Nov. 10 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. This special afternoon of tunes features up to 11 talented local artists performing their renditions of familiar songs with some original pieces sprinkled in. Performers are by invitation only and the community is welcome to listen and enjoy free of charge. Complimentary refreshments are always provided. Niwot Community Connection Thursday, Nov. 14 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. In addition to covering community news and discussing upcoming...
Lindy Bartruff is a face that is familiar to many in the Niwot Community. She has been teaching dance lessons at the Left Hand Grange for four years. Her classes are popular as she teaches all levels of dance including line dancing, social dancing, tap and jazz. Bartruff 's journey to Niwot is a tale of passion, perseverance, and the pursuit of artistic expression. Born and raised in Montana to artistically inclined parents - her father a renowned UCC minister and counselor, her mother a...
The Left Hand Valley Courier (Courier), a nonprofit organization, is dealing with the same issues that the journalism industry, particularly local journalism, is grappling with across the country. This article is the first in a series of reports on the current journalism business climate, the history and contributions of the Courier, why local journalism remains an important asset in community-building, and ways in which its business model can be strengthened. There was a time when cities and co...
If you ride a bike in Boulder County, you need to know about Community Cycles. Located at the northeast corner of Spruce and 26th streets, (2601 Spruce Street, Boulder), Community Cycles is more than a biker’s thrift store with refurbished bikes and new and used biking togs and accessories. It is more than a charity that collects bikes for the economically disadvantaged and also gives away 350 bikes to kids during the Christmas season by attending and supporting bike drives. (Have a bike to d...
REVENUE Revenues from the 1% sales tax in the Niwot Local Improvement District is down 8.8% compared to a year ago through July, but the percentage of decrease actually dropped a full percentage point, from 9.8%, since June. LID Treasurer Mary Coonce reported that retail sales are down 7.4%, while accommodations and food are up 6.7% year-to-date compared to 2023. The largest percentage decrease is in a category of "Other and Wholesale," which is down 35% year-to-date. Four funding requests were...
Niwot Historical Society's Now & Then Lecture Series' latest speaker was Gunbarrel resident Tom Myer, an activist and expert on Native American culture. Before an audience of 40 people at the Left Hand Grange on Oct. 10, Myer introduced his lecture called "What is a Powwow?" accompanied by "hand talk," a form of Plains Indian sign language. Myer's information-packed and enthusiastic presentation wove together the tragic history of how American Indians have been treated as a way to elucidate why...
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....
Last Friday, Oct. 4, a beautiful chinkapin oak sapling was planted outside of Niwot Market in honor of the market's late owner, Bert Steele, with a small personal ceremony at 10:30 a.m. The oak will grow to provide shade over the Niwot Market, where Bert loved to work and help the community. The tree honoring Steele began as part of a project started in March 2023 to plant a few trees around Niwot. The focus of the project changed with the loss of Steele, whose life had an amazing impact on...
Gunbarrel resident Tom Myer, whose parents were Iroquois and native Panamanian/Spanish, will speak at the Niwot Historical Society Now & Then Lecture Series on Thursday, Oct. 10, at 7 p.m. at the Grange in downtown Niwot. Myer describes his presentation style as "one man on a stage" with videos and props. Pow Wow (or "powwow") is often thought of as a festive event of energetic group dancing, drumming and singing. Indeed, it is, but spectators may be unaware of the significance of various...
The public hearing before the Boulder County Commissioners regarding the Boulder to Erie Regional Trail (BERT) Plan has been rescheduled from Oct. 10 to Oct. 24 at 9 a.m. The BERT Plan evaluates multiple conceptual alignments and identifies a preferred alignment for further consideration for an 8.5-mile east-west multi-use trail connection between the City of Boulder and the Town of Erie. The BERT Plan includes the project process, public and stakeholder input and engagement, technical evaluation, conceptual level alignment, opinion of cost,...
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....
When the building at 101 2nd Avenue went up for sale, Niwot's Cornelia Sawle saw it as an opportunity to invest in the town she loves. Sawle, who owns and operates the Niwot Inn & Spa just down the street, also owned commercial property in Ohio, which was recently taken by the local government there through the eminent domain process for public improvements. To avoid capital gain taxes resulting from the compensation paid to her, she had to quickly find a replacement property that was also a...
The five-day auction of the second parcel of property at Haystack Mountain, 5655 Niwot Road, concluded on Tuesday, Sept. 24, with the prevailing offer for the 105-acre site placed by Boulder County. According to Janis Whisman, Real Estate Development Manager for Boulder County Parks and Open Space, "We competed in the auction and are now under contract to purchase it and 31 shares of the Reformer New Hinman Ditch Company for their combined fair market value of $6.2 million. Closing is currently...
In the summer of 2023, five members of the Boulder County Consortium of Cities (COC)—an organization that fosters interaction and communication among local governments in Boulder County and now includes non-voting representatives from Niwot—directed the Regional Minimum Wage working group of the COC to study Boulder County’s regional economy, engage the community regarding a potential minimum wage increase, and work with ECOnorthwest, a consultant hired by the COC to prepare an economic analy...
The City of Boulder strives to provide customers with safe, high-quality drinking water. In order to continue to do this, older waterlines that are reaching the end of their useful life must be replaced. As part of the 63rd Street Waterline Replacement Project, the City of Boulder will be replacing two aging waterlines along 63rd Street between CO 119 (Diagonal Highway) and Jay Road, a project that is funded by the city's utilities fund. The project will replace two aging waterlines and...
Commuting Solutions held its membership meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 23 at the Hampton Inn in Gunbarrel, where members were presented with an update on the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Safety and Mobility Improvements Project as well as the results of the Northwest Rail Peak Service Feasibility Study that was prepared by RTD. Commuting Solutions serves as the transportation management organization for the northwest region. The major elements of the CO 119 Project include: •New CO 52 Intersection - R...
Commuting Solutions held its membership meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 23 at the Hampton Inn in Gunbarrel, where members were presented with an update on the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Safety and Mobility Improvements Project as well as the results of the Northwest Rail Peak Service Feasibility Study that was prepared by RTD. Commuting Solutions serves as the transportation management organization for the northwest region. The report on the BRT Rapid Transit Safety and Mobility Improvements Project is addressed in a separate article in this edition...
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....
On Sept. 18, 2024, the Regional Transportation District (RTD) announced the temporary closure of the Niwot Park-n-Ride until May 2027 and the permanent closure of the north and south bound CO 119 bus stops at CO 52. The permanent closures at CO 52 are to allow the reconstruction of the intersection of CO 52 and CO 119 that will include new Bus Rapid Transit bus platforms and access to the new bikeway that is to be constructed through the median of CO 119. Inquiries to RTD as to why these areas n...
The Shine Prom is an annual event like no other. Hosted by the Rocky Mountain Christian Church (RMCC) on Sept. 20, the fourth annual prom offered warmth and connection to residents throughout the Niwot area while celebrating individuals with special needs. Guests began by making their way through a red-carpet welcome, where Niwot High School sports teams cheered them on. Cheer volume was specific to each visitor's preference, and students applauded in sign language for hearing impaired...
