NEDERLAND - An update on the Town's purchase of Eldora was first on the agenda during the Nederland Board of Trustees (BOT) November 18 meeting and public hearing on the proposed 2026 Budget.

Though the Board expected to be take action regarding an Asset Purchase Agreement, and to vote on approval of many other documents associated with the acquisition, Town Manager Jonathan Cain informed Trustees that those documents are not yet ready for a final vote. 

The Agenda Information Memorandum (AIM), prepared by Cain, stated that the BOT can anticipate seeing the Eldora acquisition agreements and documents during their next meeting on December 2, or as late as the December 16 meeting. 

Budget hearing

The Board held the required public hearing on the Town’s 2026 Budget, providing Nederland residents the opportunity to comment on the draft budget, which Town staff has been working on for the last several months to mitigate a $400,000 deficit in the General Fund. 

A presentation was given by Cain and Town Treasurer Rita Six, highlighting key details in the budget in regard to 2025 sales tax revenues, the Town’s Water and Sewer Funds, and upcoming capital improvements.  

The Town is statutorily obligated to adopt their 2026 budget by December 15, but expects to do so during their next regular meeting on December 2. 

Six noted that the sales tax revenue for 2025 was trending slightly higher than the previous year. Due to Boulder County’s rates increasing to fund behavioral health services and programs, Nederland’s sales tax will be increasing from 9.435% to 9.585% starting January 1, 2026. 

There is $147,914 in the Sewer Fund’s reserves, allocated for sewer infrastructure improvements and expansion in 2026. The fund has a healthy balance going into the new year, and is projected to operate in the black in 2026 with a budget of $118,618, and a projected increase to the fund balance of $225,094.  

The Water Fund has $553,292 in reserves allocated for water infrastructure improvements and expansion next year, and is also showing a healthy balance. The expectation for the fund is to enter 2026 in the red with a negative balance of $75,883, but with a projected increase of $305,501. 

Cain noted expected infrastructure improvements, including upgrades to the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system, water meter replacements, water tank cleaning and inspections, and distribution center improvements.   

The Streets Fund is budgeted to spend $217,201 in 2026, leaving a balance of $3,177; the expenditures include paying off loans for equipment and repairing and maintaining culverts.   

As for the Parks Fund, it is estimated to earn $60,000 in marijuana tax revenue in 2026, and is budgeted to spend $63,695. The Department requires funds for new equipment and infrastructure improvements, Cain added, including for the Chipeta Park playground and for NedRINK improvements, which have not yet been budgeted.  

The Nederland Downtown Development Authority’s budget shows projected expenditures for 2026 to be at $488,100: $61,000 of those funds will go to matching the Safer Main Streets grant, $60,000 is for the next Summer Concert Series, $37,500 will go to event support, $50,000 to public art initiatives, $20,000 for traffic and safety report, and $5,000 for a new website. 

Regarding the Town’s contract with Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, the cost of law enforcement coverage in 2026 will increase by 5.1%, resulting in a total cost of $931,629, compared to the $885,798 the Town paid for law enforcement in 2025.

 Snow removal

Nederland Streets Department Manager Joshua Davis discussed the Town’s revised Snow Removal Plan. The policy, created by Davis with input from Cain, Fire Marshal Andrew Joslin, and Parks Department Manager Nicki Dunn, expands on the Town’s snow removal operations and, according to the AIM, is “designed to enhance public confidence.” 

The policy defines the four distinct levels of winter storm activity typical of the Nederland area. It also specifies the Town’s response to each level of storm severity. 

A “minor” storm, for instance, is defined to consist of 4 inches or less of snow, with “little to no impact on traffic flow and public safety,” which would result in the Town’s Streets team working normal hours to implement de-icing measures, including salting and sanding. Snow would be removed snow from main roads within 24 hours. 

An “extreme” storm would involve an accumulation of 12 inches or more of snow, causing an increased impact to public safety, definite road closures, a risk of power outages, and potential damage to Town infrastructure.    

The Streets team’s response to such an emergency would include full mobilization of all Town Works personnel, as well as private contractors, to keep key priority roads clear, especially routes to established emergency shelters, and will work over several days so residents are not stuck in their homes. 

According to the revised Snow Removal Plan, Big Springs Drive, followed by 1st and 2nd Streets, and then North Jefferson Street, are the first of a list of 22 “priority routes.” Shoshoni Way, Arikaree Circle, Ute Way, and Tejas Lane top the list of the Town’s 29 “secondary routes.” 

Priority routes are expected to be cleared within eight hours after the end of snowfall for a “severe” storm (eight to 12 inches of accumulation), and secondary routes expected to be cleared within 10 hours.

For an “extreme” storm, primary routes are expected to be cleared within 24 hours, with secondary routes expected to be cleared within 36 hours.

The plan also details how the Town will communicate with residents during winter conditions, stating that “before, during, and after snow events, updates will be provided through the Town’s social media pages. In cases of extreme snow events, news about closures and other emergency notifications will be made by the town's public notification system.”

Cain added that updates could be provided through the mass emergency notification system Everbridge as well. 

Filling BOT vacancy

The BOT discussed how to address the recent vacancy left on their Board by the resignation of Trustee Aaron Tye.

As a special election would need to be held within 90 days before the Town’s next election—slated for April 7, 2026—it would need to be scheduled for January 7, 2026, which Town staff has stated is not enough time for proper public notification, ballot preparation, and coordination with Boulder County. 

Trustees were required to provide guidance as to whether the Town should begin accepting applications for appointment as Trustee, or to remain as a Board of six until the scheduled election in April. 

If the Board were to vote to fill the vacancy through an appointment, the application process would last from November 19 to December 10, with interviews, and a possible vote for appointment expected to be held December 16. 

Most Trustees agreed that, even though the position would only last until April of 2026, the position should be filled by appointment under the expectation that the appointee would consider running for a full term in April.

Nomination petitions for the April 7 election would need to be submitted by late January or early February. 

The Nederland Board of Trustees meets on the first and third Tuesday of every month. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at 7 p.m. and can be attended either online or in person at the Nederland Community Center. 

For more information ,go to: townofnederland.colorado.gov/board-of-trustees.