LID - Juried Art Show's return, new restaurant in Niwot, and Sundance Film Festival interest provide hope after report of continuing revenue decline

The Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee (LID) approved funding for the 2025 Why Not Niwot? Juried Art Show, now in its fourteenth year. The amount approved was $2,037, the same amount which was approved last year.

The event is sponsored by the Niwot Cultural Arts Association (NCAA) and Osmosis Gallery, and features Niwot-related artwork, which is displayed in participating Niwot businesses beginning in July 11 during July's First Friday Art Walk, which will be held on the second Friday due to the July 4th holiday. Last year's winning entry featured a painting of the late Bert Steele, and his Ford pickup, titled "Keeping It Running."

Art is judged by a panel of three judges, who review all of the artwork and award a first-place, second-place and third-place stipend to the winning artists. In years past, the judges have also made "special" awards for artwork that has a particular and unique connection to Niwot.

As members of the public visit the businesses and review the art displayed at the business, they are encouraged to vote for a People's Choice Award by visiting all locations and having their passport stamped by each business.

"Last year over 92 voters visited every business and voted," according to the application submitted by Anne Postle, event coordinator. "This year we are hoping to increase that number. We have had several plein air groups painting in Niwot, with applications in hand." Those who vote are eligible for a drawing for a print of the winning artwork.

The awards ceremony will be held at Osmosis Gallery during the First Friday Art Walk, also sponsored by the NCAA, held outside of Osmosis Gallery at 290 Second Avenue in Niwot. The Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band will perform a concert appropriate to the occasion that evening, beginning at 5:45 p.m., including "Pictures at an Exhibition," by Emerson, Lake & Palmer, "Paint it Black" by the Rolling Stones, and "Mellow Yellow" by Donovan. Awards will be presented at 6:15 p.m.

Artists may submit entries at Osmosis Gallery. The deadline to enter is June 30, 2025. The NCAA press release states, "Artists of all ages and experience levels are invited to submit original artwork that captures the charm, character, and beauty of Niwot." The winning art is used to create prints, wine labels, cards and boxes.

In other matters, Treasurer Mary Coonce reported that the 1% sales tax figures year-to-date through March are down 12.3% from the same period a year ago. Of particular concern was the report that revenues from the Accommodations and Hospitality are down 26% over the same period.

Encouraging news was shared by LID member and Niwot Business Association President Jim Ditzel, a commercial real estate broker, who reported that a new restaurant signed a lease to take over the former Farow restaurant location in Cottonwood Square. The restaurant is to be known as "Fortezza," which Ditzel described as an Italian steakhouse. "It's a local family," he said, "with experience in high-end restaurants in Denver. They hope to be open this summer."

LID member Sarah Cioni reported that Niwot hopes to be involved when The Sundance Film Festival comes to Boulder in January of 2027 for two weeks. Cioni, who is part of the recently formed Sundance Task Force, has already been in touch with the film festival's representatives, which she said could feature day trips to Niwot.

LID member Cornelia Sawle, an owner of the Niwot Inn & Spa and The Wheel House, said, "A representative of the Boulder Chamber of Commerce came out several weeks ago" to meet with her. "It's in January," she said, "which is a dead time." She also noted that the Boulder International Film Festival (BIFF) had moved to the spring so as not to compete with The Sundance Film Festival.

LID chair Scott Firle, who is vice-president for the Boulder Chamber of Commerce, said," An executive from Sundance said it's for all of Colorado," and not just for the City of Boulder. "We're the closest town to Boulder. This is an opportunity to market our town."

The LID also discussed the minimum wage issue as it applies to Niwot businesses, imposing a higher minimum wage requirement than anywhere else in Boulder County.

Mark Ruzzin, Boulder County's liaison to the LID, noted that the topic would be on the agenda for the August meeting of the Boulder County Consortium of Cities. "A regional minimum wage is a top priority" for the county, Ruzzin said.