NEDERLAND - Every month every Town of Nederland department head releases a report detailing the work being done in their respective areas and the progress being made on various projects and initiatives. All of this reflects the main objectives of the Board of Trustees’ (BOT) Strategic Plan. 

These Town Staff reports were completed on April 15, 2025, and were delivered to the Planning Commission on Wednesday, April 23. They cover all that’s occurred in the Town's various departments since March 18. 

Town Administrator Jonathan Cain began his report by thanking all Town staff for their “professionalism, care, and commitment” during this period of transition preparing for a busy late spring and summer season.

Under Objective #1 of the Strategic Plan, which specifies a focus on fostering “a strong organizational culture where Town employees are valued, and the Town is an employer of choice,” it was reported that the Administrative Assistant position had been filled, and that a candidate for a position on the Streets department has been selected. 

Cain noted that a meeting of all department heads was held on April 9, during which the priorities for summer preparations were outlined.

In meeting with department heads, Cain was made aware that areas in Town employment, including the water and wastewater crew, the Community Center, and “communications and visitors services,” could use support. With the specific issues identified, Cain expects to deliver a proposal soon which will include some solutions to this matter. 

Under Objective #3, which dictates promoting “orderly, sustainable and resilient development in the Town through thoughtful, engaged and equitable planning processes,” Cain stated that planning activity is on the rise and that there has been a “noticeable increase” in permit and zoning review requests.

As for Objective #4, “modernizing the Town’s infrastructure to reduce public safety risks, promote economic growth and improve the quality of life for our residents,” the Town has been working with the Nederland Fire Protection District and other community partners on a wildfire mitigation strategy, which will come before Town government in May.

Cain reported that the audit of the Big Springs Egress Grant has been completed and that, as a result, some of the Town’s policies will need to be updated over the next few months in order to meet federal requirements. 

As for discussion on the egress route and moving the project closer to “shovel ready,” a public engagement meeting for discussion on the suggested routes is still planned to be scheduled.

For Objective #5, “augment and leverage the Town’s financial resources to support desired levels of services and to ensure upkeep of the Town’s infrastructure,” Cain stated that preparation work has already begun on the Town’s 2026 Budget and that the first agenda item regarding the budget will be discussed by the BOT in May.

Cain provided additional updates in his report, highlighting that the Town Hall’s hours have been adjusted due to recent staff departures. The Town Hall is currently open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with staff being available by appointment from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

It was also reported that a facilitator is being sought to help coordinate the BOT and Town staff in the creation of the 2025 - 2026 Strategic Plan, the process for which is still undergoing planning. 

 Treasurer’s report

The Town of Nederland’s Treasurer, Rita Six, provided her financial report for the month ending March 31, highlighting that the Town’s $2.5 million investment with Colorado Surplus Asset Fund Trust has earned up to $31,122.55 in year-to-date (YTD) interest. 

Six reported that the General Fund YTD revenue totaled $611,874, which is 5% higher than the budgeted amount. The YTD sales tax revenue collected totaled $80,181, which is $819 below the budgeted amount of $81,000, but $315 higher when compared to last year.

The YTD property tax collected totaled $278,219, which is an increase of $67,419 over the budgeted amount of $210,800; and the YTD of expenditures in the General Fund totaled $774,028, a 17% decrease from the budgeted amount. 

Six added that every Town department, except the Administration & Finance Department, is reporting savings in expenditures compared to the budgeted amounts, and that the YTD change in the actual fund balance equaled a decrease of $162,154 compared to a budgeted decrease of $345,867.

Town Clerk

Town Clerk Macy Caligaris reported that she has issued nine new and renewed business licenses, eight contractor licenses, and eight Short Term Rental (STR) licenses over the last 30 days. 

Caligaris stated that she is working on liquor license transfers for two businesses, license renewals for two businesses, and a new license for one new business. As for marijuana licenses, The Flower Collective has requested to co-locate an additional license at their location, and Igadi is performing a change of corporate structure.

Addressing violations by STR license holders, Caligaris has sent a final letter of communication to one license holder for a continued violation of the Town’s STR license policies. Caligaris has also issued a verbal warning to a license holder whose guests were “engaging in disruptive behavior.” 

Caligaris reported having received a total of seven Colorado Open Records Act requests for building records, documents, and permits for several different properties, as well as requests for Town official correspondence regarding said properties. 

Law Enforcement

Boulder County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) Sergeant Jennifer Mendez reported that they had received 256 calls for service in Nederland for the entire month of March, which included one call of criminal mischief, nine animal complaints, two alarms, five calls of suspicious activity, 14 fire- and medical-related assists, two calls of harassment, two trespassing complaints, six welfare checks, one missing person, one narcotics violation, one call of child abuse, one disturbance, one burglary, and two calls of domestic violence.

BCSO deputies conducted 195 traffic stops and responded to six incident assists and three accidents. According to Mendez’s report, deputies issued 147 traffic citations and 24 written warnings. 

Mendez also reported on the calls of significance for March. A 46-year-old male was found in violation of a protection order when he was caught on security camera entering the property he was restricted from and stealing. Another 46-year-old male attempted to purchase coffee with a fake $100 bill; the business did not press charges, and the suspect later paid back the money. 

A 56-year-old female was caught throwing piles of trash all over the Barker Reservoir hillside; she was contacted and, after being issued a summons, returned to the site to pick up her trash.  

BCSO deputies received a drop off at the Nederland substation of a “dog at large,” a white American bulldog who, as a result of the dog’s owners being unable to be contacted, was transported to the Boulder Humane Society.  

There is an open investigation into a dispute between a 17-year-old male and his 53-year-old father, as well as an open investigation to identify a male suspect seen on video surveillance with a bloody hand after the property manager reported a broken window. 

Deputies also stopped a female driver in town and issued a court summons for speeding, reckless driving, and for running through several stop signs. 

Nederland’s designated BCSO Co-Responder, Lynette Anderson, responded to two active calls in the month of March, which included offering support and resources to an unhoused person living in their vehicle, and to an incident in Allenspark related to mental health issues.

Emergency Services Manager Troy Hendricks also reported that there was a 44.44% increase in citations given by BCSO in March, as well as a 170% increase in court cases on the docket for appearance and a 125% increase in Failures-to-Appear.    

Streets

Streets Department Manager Joshua Davis stated that his team has been focused on maintaining the Town’s essential equipment and vehicles, while also updating the department’s checklists and spreadsheets associated with their equipment and vehicle maintenance. 

Davis gave shout-outs to Streets Department employees Adam Cypher and Matthew Freed for earning their CDL permits. Davis also completed the Traffic Control Technician course and is continuing his training with a Traffic Control Supervisor course in June. 

Parks

Parks Department Manager Nicki Dunn reported that work on the Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Trails Master Plan has commenced with Urban and Rural Planning student Maya Diaz taking the plan on as her Capstone project. 

In addition to maintaining Town’s trails and sidewalks after any potential winter damage, the Parks Department team has been maintaining Town’s facilities over March. Work has commenced on updating and generally improving the Visitors Center bathrooms, on preparing for an ADA-compliant ramp to be installed at the historic Gillaspie House, and on securing the historic Bryant House from any unauthorized access.

Utilities

Utilities Department Manager Andrew Bliss noted in his monthly report that his team will be working on cleaning and inspecting the Town’s sewers at the end of April, with the goal to clean and inspect up to a third of the entire Town’s sewer system. 

Bliss also delivered an update on his department’s many capital improvement projects, including the $40,000 improvements to Town water meters. The new meters have been received, and the billing integration is already in progress.

Work on the $67,000 grit removal project for the Town’s wastewater plant is underway, while progress on the digester pump purchase, sanitary sewer improvements, and hill top generator and backup power equipment is temporarily delayed for further planning. 

Planning

Community Planner Britt DeMinck reported there were four open cases in conjunction with SAFEbuilt Code Enforcement regarding residents who have failed to get in compliance regarding keeping of storage or junk, work stop orders for unpermitted work, and for bothersome exterior lights.

DeMinck also stated that code enforcement and Town Staff have tagged five trailers in the month of March and have been successful in getting the trailers to be moved.

Sustainability

Sustainability Coordinator Cass Grady reported that the Town is currently awaiting new parts to arrive to service its Level 3 EV Charger in the Visitors Center parking lot. The charger had been deemed to be in disrepair in late March, but it is covered under an extended warranty. 

The ChargePoint Level 2 EV Charger saw 68 total sessions in February, with a total of $266.18 in revenue, and 74 sessions March, totaling $286.33. The average charging session is approximately an hour and a half. 

Community Center

Nederland Community Center Manager Dawn Baumhover thanked her staff for filling in and covering the Center’s front desk, and highlighted the Xcel Energy Peak to Peak Safety Fair, which took place at the Center on Saturday, April 26. Read the full coverage of this event in this edition of The Mountain-Ear. 

Baumhover also gave a shout out to the Mountain Forum for Peace’s Yard Sale, which will be held at the Center on the weekend of May 30 to June 1. Donations can be dropped off at the Center on May 25, 27, and 28 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.