“Instead of despair, we found determination, instead of silence, we heard support.””

Stephen Tebo

NEDERLAND - On November 1, 2025, Tebo Properties threw a much-needed party for the people of Nederland. It was a benefit, a relief, a breath of hope and fresh air coming out of the dense smoke of the aftermath of the Lakeview Fire.

On the edge of the wreckage of the Caribou Village Shopping Center, on the front stoop of the long-revered Black Forest restaurant, the Nederland Strong Rally brought the community together and delivered a message of hope.

“I want to thank each and every one of you for being here today,” Stephen Tebo said to the audience. He added thanks to all the first responders and members of his team, including emcee Ben Myers, for their tireless work responding to the tragedy.  

“What happened on October 9 was devastating, but in the days that followed something powerful had happened,” Tebo continued. “Instead of despair, we found determination, instead of silence, we heard support.”

The message behind the slogan “Ned Strong” was that the town will “rebuild, restore, and move forward stronger than ever.” This was solidified immediately following the fire, which destroyed 20 Nederland businesses early in the morning of October 9, as relief efforts in the form of local fundraisers began immediately. 

Over the last month, there have been concerts held and future ones scheduled at The Caribou Room, matching donation challenges and fundraising nights created by Eldora Mountain Resort, and GoFundMe efforts for nearly every business lost, including the one enveloping fundraiser started by local realtor Dan Vollmer.

Many other events include a successful silent auction at Very Nice Brewing Company, a pop-up by the Nederland Farmers Market, and the recent Halloween party at Ned General.  

The seed for the Nederland Strong Rally was planted by Tebo Properties as the wreckage of the shopping center was still smoking. Over the weeks, that seed grew into a fully realized concert right outside the Black Forest. 

Three bands rocked the stage on the Black Forest porch, including Queso Ra, Daft Phish, and The Galentines. The crowd danced in the large parking lot, among vendors such as Very Nice Brewing Company (VNBC) and local photographer James Dewalt. Food trucks lined up on a closed-off Big Springs Drive, featuring Sizzlin’ Street Bites, Tibet’s Momo Mobile, and Monarca Foods.    

“Can we all just take a breath together? I’m a yoga teacher after all,” Diana Underhill, owner of Tadasana Mountain Yoga, proposed, beginning with a short exercise before delivering a powerful speech. 

“It’s hard to describe in words what the past few weeks have been like. In just a few hours our studio, the place that held 14 years of classes, laughter, healing, and community, was gone.

“Losing that physical home has been heartbreaking, but it’s reminded us of something powerful: The true heart of yoga isn’t found in walls or floors, but in practice, and the community is always our home.”

Underhill described how, thanks to the Nederland Community Center and Community Library, the Boulder Creek Lodge, HubNed, Dino Moves, and Eldora Mountain Resort providing them with the space required, Tadasana has been able to continue supporting the community with their healing yoga sessions. 

“We’re nomadic yogis now,” Underhill continued. “As we look ahead we’re not just rebuilding businesses—we’re reimagining them. We have the chance to create something that reflects what we are now: a community grounded in compassion, devoted to healing, and stronger than we ever imagined.”

Underhill’s message struck a chord with those residents at the rally, as the “rise from the ashes” story of Tadasana Mountain Yoga restored a feeling of confidence within the community— confidence that Nederland can pick up the pieces and sally forth. 

The quick turnaround and opening of Mountain Man 2.0 within the Kind Castle location was another pure example of the determination of these businesses to continue serving the community.

And, with the recent announcements of Brightwood Music and Very Nice Brewing Company reopening in The Vault (formerly Citywide Bank), with local artist Danielle Crouse on display at Lolo’s Atelier on East 1st Street, and with all the health practitioners taking up offices in the Poppy Plaza, the tenets of “Ned Strong” are in full effect. 

Ben Myers of Tebo Properties reported on the Monday following the rally that The Community Foundation is still totaling the funds, but preliminary counts are showing that the Nederland Strong Rally raised more than $18,000. 

As for the final relief effort that the community is really clamoring for, the rebuilding of the shopping center, there are many factors to navigate before such an endeavor can begin.

Even then, many more factors are involved that will determine the cost and timeline of the operation. 

Despite all these factors, there is still hope and determination. 

“Today I want to say to every person here: we will rebuild,” Tebo said, eliciting applause. “We will rebuild something that is not just bricks and mortar, but something even more meaningful. A place which reflects the incredible resilience of this town. Together we will make the heart of Nederland stronger than ever.”