Week of December 24, 2025
Week of December 24, 2025
Strong winds and fire danger led to widespread power outages along the Front Range last week, and closed schools and businesses in Niwot. Most of the residential areas of Niwot and Gunbarrel lost power early Friday morning, if not earlier, and power was not restored until mid-day on Saturday, though some areas remained without power for a longer period. While some billows of dust beneath the foothills looked like smoke, no major fires were reported. The National Weather Service issued a rare...
This is the fifth in a series of Left Hand Valley Courier articles regarding the proposed incorporation of Niwot. If Niwot were to incorporate, revenues are projected to begin with $3.7 million in 2028, increase to $5.5 million in 2030, the first year of full revenue collection, and then rise to $8.1 million by 2040. While the funds would come from some 10 different sources, according to Steve Lehan, one of the Niwot Incorporation Committee members, the bulk of those revenues would come from...
There have been no specific updates regarding the recent vehicle thefts that occurred in Niwot in the very early hours of Saturday morning, Dec. 13. It is believed that the Boulder County Sheriff’s investigation is still active. Residents of Cottonwood Park West received an email from Tim Atkins on behalf of the Cottonwood Park West Homeowners Association, who informed residents of the car thefts and also confirmed there was an active attempt to steal personnel property from an undisclosed...
ROAD NEWS 63rd Street - Open between Jay and Twin Lakes roads 63rd Street north of Jay Road in Gunbarrel has reopened for vehicles and pedestrians. Boulder County Road Maintenance Division replaced a deteriorating culvert under the road at Boulder Left Hand Ditch. Although the full closure of the road has been lifted, crews will need to use daytime, weekday single-lane closures until the project is finished in January. 63rd Street remains closed south of Jay Road for the City of Boulder's...
Niwot area middle school athletes traveled to Shelbyville, Indiana, on Dec. 13 for a snowy run at the USATF National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships. Running as Rock Creek Track Club under Coach Tim Geldean, the athletes expected to post some personal records for time after training at altitude, but the midwest weather did not cooperate. Geldean said, "I formed my original group as part of REAL Training, but broke off last summer and merged with Rock Creek Track Club, founded by...
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 enjoy reading every week. Stacie Johnson Howdy there LHVC readers! I'm Stacie Johnson and I have been writing for the Courier since February 2025. It has been a great privilege and I have enjoyed so many moments this past...
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Ok. It is Christmas Eve and hopefully, the tree is sparkling, presents are wrapped, carols are playing, spices fill the air and your family surrounds you like a big hug. This year, gratitude is particularly acute. Why? Because, among many reasons, we just finished dealing with a four-and-a-half day power outage. Nothing makes you feel grateful for what you have more than when you don't have it anymore. Since the outage started for me during the day on Wednesday, the immediate impact was that...
The holidays are a wonderful time to enjoy those special meals that although you can make them any time, waiting for the season to be the reason makes them that much more enjoyable. Here are a few of my favorites that I can't wait to stuff myself with this year. Not only do we get to visit extended family, traveling the "Christmas Circuit" involves plenty of great food. WILCZEK'S PIEROGIES Recipe by Judy Wilczek These Polish dumpling-style pierogies are a Christmas staple at my great aunt...
Niwot High School is host to over 60 student-run clubs, and one standout is Dance Club. Niwot High School's Dance Club serves as a vibrant hub for creativity and connection, warmly welcoming students of all experience levels, from beginners to seasoned dancers. This club, led by President Ellie Rauschkolb and Teacher Facilitator Ashley Mouw, is, at its core, about fostering community and encouraging every student to try new things in a supportive, low-pressure environment. Rauschkolb said,...
Niwot High School sophomore Emma Tyrrell is an intermediate member of the Technical Theater Crew, but her talent and grit have led her to become a core leader among the group. Tyrrell began participating in the arts program at NHS her freshman year after graduating from Aspen Ridge Preparatory School. Through ceramics and technical theater, Tyrrell has created a diverse range of artistic pieces, from small pots to decorative house fronts. Under the direction of art teacher Kyle Rees, Tyrrell...
Niwot High School students participated in Thescon, Colorado’s annual high school theater conference, held Thursday, Dec. 11, through Saturday, Dec. 13. The event brought together student performers and technicians from across the state for three days of workshops, performances and competitions. Thescon, short for Theater Convention, is created for students in advanced drama or technical theater, or for those simply drawn to the arts. This year, 42 Niwot students attended, representing...
Theatrical productions require much more than a stage and some actors. This series examines many of the people "behind the curtain" who make productions at Niwot High School possible, including the large team of students, educators, parents, and community members. Behind the curtain you will find a small but mighty group of people equipped with sewing needles, hair combs, makeup brushes, and measuring tapes. Across individual NHS productions, there are a variety of factors that need to be...
Leadership has been a constant in Elliot Wisecup's basketball journey, one that has grown with his role within Niwot High School's program. A senior guard and one of the Cougars' three captains, Wisecup has taken on the responsibility of guiding a young roster while helping shape the team's identity early in the season. "I first started playing basketball when I was about four years old, pretty much as long as I can remember," Wisecup said. That early connection to the game has translated into...
The Niwot High School girls swimming team has started the season off strong. Head Coach Ella Thramann said, "I am so proud of how strong they have been these past two meets. They show up to practice, work hard and they're delivering well at these meets. This year we also have great team spirit, and that's something we have struggled with over the years. They have great sportsmanship and are always cheering for their teammates, creating a fun environment for everyone!" On Wednesday, Dec. 10,...
The Niwot High School girls basketball team earned two decisive victories last week, winning against Pomona High School 47-16 on Tuesday, Dec. 16, and dominating Prairie View High School 55-32 on Thursday, Dec. 18. Against Pomona, Niwot set the tone early in the first quarter with the Cougars taking the lead, 9-5. In the second quarter, the Cougars maintained their lead with an 11-1 run. Niwot continued to build momentum in the second half, outscoring Pomona 16-6 in the third quarter and...
The Niwot boys basketball team experienced a week of sharp contrasts, splitting two road games, posting a decisive win over Pomona High School on Dec. 16 before falling to Prairie View High School the following night. The back-to-back stretch tested Niwot's energy, depth and consistency early in the season, offering clear lessons as the team continued to develop. The first home game of the season, scheduled for Friday, Dec. 19, was postponed due to the power outage. Niwot opened the week with a...
On Thursday, Dec. 11, Niwot High School's cheer team competed at the 2025 Spirit State Championship at the Denver Coliseum. Led by Head Coach Wendy Coppersmith, the team placed 22nd out of 43 competing teams in the 4A/5A Gameday division. The squad finished with zero deductions and 65.1 points. Senior Clara Rhea said, "Competing at State was such a great reminder for me of how far we've come as a team. We stayed focused, supported one another, and got to show what we've been working so hard...
Nancy Pennington Apr. 16, 1946 - Nov. 6, 2025 Nancy Pennington surprised her family and friends by dying on Nov. 6, 2025 after a short intense struggle with cancer and its complications. After an initial promising treatment regimen, she weakened quickly and died comfortably at home in the company of her partner (Michael Mitchell) and sons (James and Andrew Hastie) in the care of Trailwinds Hospice services. Nancy was born on April 16, 1946 in Stigler, Okla., to Eleanor Huckeby Pennington and...
