Dear Editor,

Nederland is facing another potential boom in its history. And this boom will potentially cause more gentrification. The development pressures on this little town are unrelenting. Every time you read about something happening in Nederland it seems that developers want to build large, out of scale buildings that don’t serve the residents, they are aimed to serve a larger, wider audience. While this might seem good to get some shiny new buildings and services, I urge you to think long-term and SCALE. We are at a crossroads.

I ask you-Why did YOU move here? If it was because of the cute little mountain town with history and character, we could lose all that in just a few development decisions that would affect us all.

On the other side of the coin, Nederland is also facing outdated infrastructure and dilapidated buildings. How can our little mountain town maintain its character and still provide what residents need to live and survive in these mountains? We should be more MINDFUL about how we develop. We limit the size of buildings that are allowed to be built to maintain that small mountain town feel.

Gentrification is an unintended process whereby people who live in an area can no longer afford to do so due to economic factors beyond anyone’s control. It is when ‘money’ comes into an area, but is not flowing to the area residents. It’s when development pressures start to take over, and the ‘little local guy (or girl)” gets pushed out. Nederland has been seeing that for years already, but it’s starting to take on larger proportions recently. People may say that the pressures of housing and development come from the backwash of Boulder. I don’t believe that.

Many of us moved here to be in a small town with charm and character. A little rougher and more removed from Denver and Boulder and its sprawling metropolis. Do you want to become another Boulder? Then go ahead and approve your speed radars, and your 10,000 sq foot buildings—let’s become another Aspen or ski town in Colorado!

I vote to build on a smaller scale— that is the ONLY way to slow growth and keep the character of this town. We CAN have nice things...on a smaller, more appropriate scale.

This is a VERY slippery slope we are on. I urge you to take notice of what is happening around you, because the steamroller is coming your way and it will change your way of life.

How can you help keep Nederland small and full of character? You can do your research. You can fact find about new development and what the Board of Trustees are approving. You can speak your mind—as Nederland residents. The time is now…decisions are being made WITHOUT YOUR INPUT on purpose. Do you care? Then cut through the BS on social media and do your due diligence!! Stay focused and committed to smaller, more appropriate sized developments.

April Laliberte

Registered Ned Voter