Nederland Town Administrator Karen Gerrity notified the Nederland Board of Trustees and Town staff on March 31, 2021, that she intended to leave her position in five months. The administrator position is a statutory office of the Town, and the appointment is subject to appointment by the Board within 30 days after each biennial regular municipal election.

Gerrity was hired in 2017 and began her tenure with the Town on September 1 that year.

The Nederland Board of Trustees hired her as the new town administrator during a regular meeting on August 1, 2017.

Gerrity, who lives near Wondervu in Coal Creek Canyon, said that this new position marked the realization of a dream for her to live and work in the mountains.

Gerrity said her accomplishments during her tenure were a result of a collaborative effort between the elected and appointed officials, town staff and often included community partners.

During her four years, the Town’s financial position continued to grow stronger, and the fund balances increased. A reserve account was established, which has about $1 million in it today for future infrastructure improvements.

“Another joint accomplishment is the successful management of the Town’s services and operations, working with residents so they can gather safely and partnering with businesses and nonprofits to navigate through the ever-changing public health orders during a pandemic,” Gerrity said.

Setting up a testing site and vaccination clinics in Nederland was of huge benefit as well. Nederland continues to have the lowest incident rate in the county.

Gerrity is also proud of the completion of some major infrastructure projects and securing more than $3 million in grant funding. The BioSolids building, which resulted in the elimination of the sludge pond, a new roof for the Nederland Community Center and improvements to Chipeta Park are just a few examples.

“Securing federal funding for a Big Springs Emergency Egress took four years of research and requests and is a huge score for the Town,” Gerrity said. “Improving town staff salaries and benefits was a goal of mine from the very start of my employment, and with the support of the Board of Trustees, the Town has made great strides towards this effort.”

Gerrity said she has so many wonderful moments during her time with the Town. Fun memories involve the staff. Working with them was such an honor and a pleasure, and she had the best times at their holiday parties and picnics.

“The Town clean-up day is one of my favorites because of all the smiles and positive exchanges with the area residents who are thrilled to be disposing of their waste in an environmentally sound manner as they clean up their homes and properties,” Gerrity said.

Working with the area nonprofits also brought her a lot of joy and satisfaction. “Dancing at the Food Pantry Fundraiser, dancing at Nedfest and Frozen Dead Guy Days, checking out the amazing art at the High Peaks Art Festival, shooting off the ceremonial start gun at the NedNed Race, taking a spin on the Carousel of Happiness during Mary Wingate Days are just a few of the highlights,” she said.

Regarding frustrations in the job, Gerrity said, “Being a public servant can be tricky and maintaining a neutral political position can sometimes be frustrating. Our job as public servants is to provide programs and services based on the vision of the elected officials who represent their constituents.

“After 40 years in a demanding career, it will be nice to let go of the 60-to-70-hour work weeks and to get back evenings and weekends for myself and family. I knew what I signed up for though and was fully prepared and not afraid of the work. It’s just time to find more balance.”

For the most part, she was able not to take things personally, to use her words impeccably, not make assumptions and show up the best she could. “There were definitely times when I didn’t meet all those standards.

“When you are addressing several new challenges every day and needing to work at an accelerated pace, it can be difficult to show up as your best self,” Gerrity said. “Any time that I showed up in a way that wasn’t kind still causes me pause and reflection as a reminder to monitor and redirect myself in the moment.”

For her future, Gerrity said, “I’m taking a year to reimagine how I show up in service, and some wonderful opportunities have already surfaced. I’ll begin teaching at CU Denver next year in their School of Public Affairs.

“I’m also working with a couple of clients in part-time consulting gigs starting this fall. My goal is to create a new career path that balances the amount of time I spend in service to others with the time I spend on my personal and creative endeavors.”

Town Clerk and Deputy Town Administrator Miranda Fisher will become the new town administrator after the Nederland Board of Trustees selected her as Gerrity’s replacement during a meeting on June 1, 2021.