Jennifer Livingston, Nederland. On Tuesday, March 3, 2020, the Nederland Board of Trustees (BOT) Meeting began as usual at 7 p.m. in the Nederland Community Center. Trustees Julie Gustafson, Alan Apt and Dallas Masters were absent. 

Public Comment included Dane Cobble stating he was glad that Trustees Masters and Gustafson would not be running again, that he believes it’s because of the recall, and that he wishes Mayor Kristopher Larsen would also not run again. He went on to decry the Short Term Rental (STR) ordinance for a lack of study of the effects of the ordinance and suggested that it should be “put on hold” until after the election. No Trustee present made any such motion. 

Lindsay Danforth spoke to encourage the BOT and the town at large to consider, develop and support more family friendly events. 

Billy Giblin was “glad that paid parking is off the menu now.” Ron Mitchell had been slated to testify for the passage of an updated parking project, but town administration was concerned that the changes he’d made were too far off from what the Planning Commission saw, so he will now have to resubmit his application. Giblin would like to see multiple players including Eldora, Nederland, and the state “come together for better solutions that benefits everyone instead of just one and creates a welcoming atmosphere for everyone.” Mitchell indicated he is open at any time to talk about his plans. 

Roger Cornell was unanimously approved as Alternate to the Board of Zoning Adjustment. This is a quasi-judicial state mandated board and has to follow very specific guidelines for making variances. Cornell has been involved with the Planning Commission and has served as Chair. He believes he has the continuity of knowledge and experience to make sure the BZA maintains the duties per state law. 

May Jarril also volunteered and was very appreciated for doing so. Multiple BOT members did think it would be a good idea to make sure the information people such as Cornell has gets shared, and yet there was concern that there would be some “things coming up that will require deep knowledge.” The BOT also discussed ways for them to appoint both applicants which may include removing the voting rights of the member of the BOT that liaisons to the BZA but will need to be addressed by the next BOT after it’s elected. 

The liquor license for Covered Wagon (old Pioneer Inn) was unanimously approved. Jennifer Davis and the crew have at least 100 years of combined experience running a bar and specifically a bar at that location. Ron Mitchell now owns the location and will be leasing it to Covered Wagon. Davis says the concept for the bar will remain largely the same and was circumspect enough regarding possible changes to entice one’s curiosity. 

Ron Mitchell said he is delighted to have Davis and the crew and believes they will function well together and pledged to support them “as much as possible.” 

Dennis Quinn described how he’s been back and forth as a citizen of Nederland for the last 40 years and that the Pioneer Inn (PI) had “always been an anchor in town.” He said, “I began working there about 15 years ago and became part of the place.” He hopes to stick with family oriented and local centric but welcoming to tourists. Maybe “tone down the rough housing,” but keep the legacy of Bunny Spangler alive as well. 

Larry Bones testified that he came up from Broomfield in 1974. He’s worked in Trump’s (before the Branding Iron), the Stage Stop and started working at the PI in 2004. He said he loves the place and would like to stick with the idea of a family oriented spot until 9 p.m. and then a “comfortable bar.” 

Roger Cornell was happy to cut to the chase, stating we’ve “gone through a whole lot of conversation for a liquor license for a place that’s been there 40 years, can’t wait to have a beer from Bones!”

The BOT also approved an extension on some work that Cornerstone Homes Caribou Ridge, LLC hasn’t yet been able to complete at the multimillion dollar Caribou Ridge development. Remaining work includes work on the valve cans in the drinking water distribution system and fencing around the water storage tank and exposing all sanitary sewer manhole rings. Chris Pelletier, Nederland’s Public Works Manager will oversee and sign off on these issues.

The BOT then discussed the impact of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 on the community. Of course, we now know what the BOT did not know then. Ultimately Frozen Dead Guy Days was cancelled by the BOT following Boulder County Public Health’s recommendations to cancel all large event activities. Many other local activities, businesses and events have been altered or impacted. 

Ultimately, it’s important to know that Nederland’s administration is working very closely with Boulder County Public Health and the Office of Emergency Management to mitigate, plan for and respond to the virus as it impacts our health and the community. 

The meeting adjourned at 8:33 pm. 

The Board of Trustees election will take place on April 7, 2020. The next BOT meeting after elections will take place on April 21, 2020, at 7 p.m. at the Nederland Community Center. 

(Originally published in the March 19, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)