NEDERLAND - On Tuesday, June 3, 2025, the Nederland Board of Trustees (BOT) met to take action on Resolution 2025-13, a movement from the nonprofit organization The Mountain Pact aimed at rallying mountain communities in support of the continued federal stewardship of public lands.

Regarding public land

The resolution lists data from the 2023 Colorado Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) stating that 96% of Coloradans partake in outdoor recreation, and that the industry generated $65.8 billion while providing 404,000 jobs and creating $11.2 billion in tax revenue.

The 2024 Conservation in the West Poll revealed that “85% of Westerners support creating new national parks, national monuments, national wildlife refuges and Tribal protected areas to protect historic sites or areas for outdoor recreation.”

The Agenda Information Memorandum (AIM), prepared by Town Administrator Jonathan Cain, provided additional context as to Nederland’s position, both physically and politically, and detailed the many functions of the U.S. Forest Service land that surrounds the Town.

“These lands support a variety of uses—recreation, watershed protection, grazing, and wildlife habitat—that directly and indirectly affect the Town’s economy, environment, and quality of life,” the AIM reads. 

By signing and approving Resolution 2025-13, the BOT will be officially expressing their support for “the continued federal management and stewardship of public lands surrounding Nederland,” while directly opposing the sale or transfer of these lands, as well as opposing any harmful legislation, including any changes to the Antiquities Act. 

Approving the resolution also “directs the Town Manager to send copies to the members of the Colorado Congressional Delegation, the Governor of Colorado, and the relevant federal land management agencies.” 

Trustee Luke Miller inquired about the purpose of the resolution, questioning whether there was a desired outcome or whether it was meant as more of a symbolic statement.

Mayor Billy Giblin described the resolution as a non-partisan statement with the aim to garner more political awareness and support. Cain added that there is an overarching aim of gaining traction on implementing impactful policies regarding the protection of public lands.

A motion was made and seconded, and Trustees voted unanimously to approve Resolution 2025-13. 

The Mountain Pact is supported by Aspen, Boulder, Breckinridge, Buena Vista, Dillon, Durango, Estes Park, Frisco, Longmont, Ridgway, Silverton, Telluride, Vail, and many other local governments. 

For more information visit: https://www.themountainpact.org .

Town administration

The Board was tasked with voting on Ordinance 875, which involved changing Jonathan Cain’s official position title from “Town Administrator” to “Town Manager” and required an amendment to Nederland Municipal Code (NMC), as well as amendment to Cain’s Employment Agreement.

It was specified that the purpose of the ordinance was to more accurately reflect the scope of Cain’s position, and the responsibilities involved, by aligning with common industry standards that is used by most Colorado municipalities. 

Ordinance 875 was approved unanimously, as was Resolution 2025-12, which amends Cain’s Employment Agreement.  

Approval of Ordinance 875 officially retitles the Town Administrator as the Town Manager, clarifies that there is no change to the duties and responsibilities expected of the role, and changes all references of “Town Administrator” to “Town Manager” within NMC. 

Plastic bag ban, again

Sustainability Coordinator Cass Grady led Trustees in a discussion regarding Ordinance 862, which instituted a ban on the use of plastic bags and polystyrene containers by Nederland businesses.

The ordinance also initiated a $0.10 fee for each disposable paper bag provided to customers, with 40% being retained by the business, and 60% percent of the profits being remitted to the Town quarterly.

Due to several of Nederland’s retail businesses providing feedback on the new bag fee collection and remittance processes put in place by Ordinance 862, Town staff recommended amending the ordinance to allow for retail stores that collect less than $5 during a single quarter to instead remit their fees to the Town annually.

Each retail business will be expected to report to Grady every quarter with their collected bag fee total in order for her to monitor bag fee revenue and determine which businesses remain to be "small collectors.”  

Trustee Tierney Maris asked about the logistics of all Nederland businesses reporting annually to which Grady answered that she was not opposed to collecting annually, though she would prefer for the Town to still require quarterly reporting from businesses of their bag fee revenue, so that both the Town and businesses can ensure accurate accounting.  

The majority of the Board were in favor of Maris’s suggestion to continue quarterly reporting but to collect the bag fee revenue from all businesses annually. The Trustees voted to provide Grady with the direction she needed to move forward with adjusting the bag fee remittance process.  

New appointments

The Board was tasked with approving several appointments to the open positions on the Planning Commission, Downtown Development Authority (NDDA), Sustainability Advisory Board (SAB), and the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA), 

On the Planning Commission, both Vice Chair Steve Williams and Commissioner Tim Duggan’s terms expire in June. The two Commissioners reapplied for their vacant seats and, with no other candidates, were officially reappointed by the BOT.

Board members Danielle Crouse and Steve Rowntree of the NDDA had their terms end in June, with only Crouse reapplying for her position. Trustees appointed Crouse to a new four-year term on the Authority; applications are being accepted for the remaining vacant seat until June 23, 2025. 

The SAB lost four members in June, with only Rich Orman reapplying for a new term. Trustees appointed Orman, and applications for the two remaining regular positions and one alternate position will be accepted until June 23. 

As for the BZA, Trustees appointed Solana Kaercher to the vacant alternate position, a seat which had been difficult to fill. 

Pride

The BOT also voted to approve Resolution 2025-14, officially declaring June as Pride Month and recognizing the contributions of LGBTQ+ community members. 

The resolution states that all of Nederland’s residents “deserve the right to live in a town that respects their dignity, safety, and overall well-being by supporting equality and fair treatment for all,” and highlights the importance of embracing diversity.

“We of the Town of Nederland do hereby proclaim June 2025 to be LGBTQ+ Pride Month and urge all residents to respect and honor our diverse community and celebrate and build a culture of inclusiveness and acceptance,” the resolution reads.  

The Nederland Board of Trustees meets on the first and third Tuesday of every month. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 7 p.m. and can be attended either online or in person at the Nederland Community Center. 

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