Author Archive
Boulder County Colorado - a bright spot in a gloomy forecast
December 9th, 2008 Categories: Colorado Round Up, Focus on Boulder, Market Conditions, Relocating
The Boulder Daily Camera highlighted today the economic forecast for the state, stating that “next year 1000’s of people might loose thir jobs, retail sales will be sluggish and the state’s housing market will continue to slide”. This was released Monday from the University of Colorado recapping the 44th Annual Colorado Economic Forecast released Monday. By comparison, even though Colorado’s forecast might be a bit rosier than the US as a whole, what was amazing was that Boulder County’s forecast is faring quite well. Although not immune, Boulder County as been outperforming the state and national economy in many areas due to the “strength and diversity” of the economy which will most likely hasten the recovery. Read the rest of this entry »
Written by Karen Cifala | Discussion: No Comments »
Tis The Season to Be Giving
December 3rd, 2008 Categories: Colorado Round Up, Focus on Boulder
During these seemingly difficult times (ok- even the press is calling it a “recession” now) it really makes my heart shine when I continue to read in the Boulder Colorado Daily Camera newspaper about people digging deeper into their pockets making sure that their neighbors have enough to eat. This year the Community Food Share’s “Let’s Bag Hunger” food drive has so far exceeded it’s goal to collect food and money by 20%. The scary part is that the 20% is also a mirror of the increase in demand . I am proud to say that Boulder’s Non-Profit Community is one of the best I’ve ever seen and one which Boulderites pride themselves. Continue reading to see a sample list of non-profits in Boulder Colorado and think about getting involved in one of Boulder’s unique non-profits or maybe one in your community.
Written by Karen Cifala | Discussion: 1 Comment »
How To Keep Your Man in Nederland
November 20th, 2008 Categories: Boulder Subdivisions and Neighborhoods, Mountain Living, Relocating
Well, one way to do it is when he dies you keep him frozen on ice. 
That’s how Frozen Dead Guy Days got it’s name. Every year on the first full weekend in March (burrrrrr….) Nederland Colorado celebrates “Grandpa Bredo” who supposedly is still kept on ice in the Tuff Shed. His grandson, a Norwegian immigrant brought his deceased “Grandpa Bredo” to Nederland Colorado in 1989 where his body lies frozen in a shed (at -109F) behind his daughter’s old house. I’ve heard it said that Trygue (the grandson) wasn’t aware of American taboos about storing deceased relatives with yard tools…anyway Trygue was finally deported by the US government (not because of his grandfather..), and the City of Nederland Colorado grandfathered in Grandpa Bredo, against all odds, and Grandpa is allowed to remain interned in the Tuff Shed until they discover a cure for being dead. Read the rest of this entry »
Written by Karen Cifala | Discussion: No Comments »
Boots and Fur (faux of course, it’s Boulder)
November 12th, 2008 Categories: Colorado Round Up, Focus on Boulder
You know it’s winter in Boulder Colorado when the bike racks come off the cars and the ski racks go on AND the fashion changes for the women to “boots with fur” around the top! I think it was my son in law that coined that phrase about Boulder Colorado because it was the first thing he noticed on his very first visit as we went strolling down Pearl Street Mall. Everyone was wearing them! More Boots with Fur….I think he might have been noticing the girls to..do ya think? Pearl Street Mall happens to be within walking distance of the University of Colorado so the mall is abuzz with young inventive fashion designers. Winter in Boulder, ahhhh… Read the rest of this entry »
Written by Karen Cifala | Discussion: No Comments »
Looking to buy a house in Boulder Colorado…but need a job first?
November 5th, 2008 Categories: Colorado Round Up, Focus on Boulder
Who are the biggest employers in the Boulder area? I get asked this question a lot from people that are thinking about moving to Boulder Colorado. Everybody wants to live in this beautiful place and who wouldn’t with 300 days of sunshine and some of the best educational institutes around the nation right here in our backyard. Colorado University is by far one of the largest employers; founded in 1876, CU is a tier 1 research institute that received more than $266 million dollars in sponsored research awards in 2007. It sits on 600 acres right in the heart of Boulder Colorado, which by the way, was named America’s Smartest City by Forbes magazine in 2008. Read the rest of this entry »
Written by Karen Cifala | Discussion: 1 Comment »
Building a Xeriscape or Zeroscape in Boulder Colorado
October 29th, 2008 Categories: Boulder Subdivisions and Neighborhoods, Focus on Boulder, Relocating
Moving to Boulder Colorado is a lot like moving to the moon, if you’re from most anywhere else in the US. You think you know what it “should” look like or what you would like it “to look like”, but when you actually get here you have to adjust your perceptions a bit. Boulder is located where the great plains end and the Rocky Mountains begin. Boulder isn’t all plains and isn’t all mountains, but somewhere pleasantly in between - and oh, did I mention the gorgeous foothills? With 300 days of sunshine, 17-25 inches of rain, an average of 158 inches of snowfall each year and with varying degrees of altitudes between 5000 - 14,000 feet above sea level there is an amazing diversity of plants - which gets me to my title point - what is heck is a “xeriscape”? Read the rest of this entry »
Written by Karen Cifala | Discussion: 1 Comment »
Spooky Dead People Rise Again in Boulder Colorado
October 22nd, 2008 Categories: Boulder Subdivisions and Neighborhoods, Focus on Boulder
It’s that time of year again when Boulder Colorado’s “Meet the Spirit’s” event happens. It takes place at the historic Columbia Cemetery in downtown Boulder where local volunteers bring back to life colorful historic characters and city founders by presenting short biographical monologues. Dressed in full regalia complete with Victorian mourners, funeral music and vintage hearses. You won’t want to miss the reenactment of a solemn Masonic burial service. More than 30 Columbia spirits were brought back to life among them the well known bounty hunter, trapper, linguist and Indian scout Tom Horn. Read the rest of this entry »
Written by Karen Cifala | Discussion: 1 Comment »
Boulder Colorado always ahead of the curve
October 8th, 2008 Categories: Boulder Subdivisions and Neighborhoods, Focus on Boulder
Whether you are a worldwide athlete training for your next marathon, or you’ve decided to save on gas and ride your bicycle to work or run down to the grocery store, you will feel right at home in Boulder Colorado. Everyday you see people riding to work in work clothes and dresses, all decked out with baskets on the front and trailers on the back. Families ride together on tandem bikes or with infants tagging along in attached bicycle trailers. As a driver, you must be very alert and always look twice before making a turn. I myself have spent many Sundays riding my bike around to Open Houses. Read the rest of this entry »
Written by Karen Cifala | Discussion: No Comments »
“Loaded with delicious”, Mapleton Hill in Boulder Co
October 1st, 2008 Categories: Boulder Subdivisions and Neighborhoods, Focus on Boulder
Mapleton Avenue
It’s hard to imagine Boulder Colorado’s humble beginnings in the late fall of 1858 when the gold rush brought participants that erected log cabins just below the base of Boulder Canyon. At the time, Boulder City was part of the Nebraska Territory. It wasn’t until 1861 that the Territory of Colorado was established and by 1867, Boulder became the county seat and the town of Boulder was incorporated 1871 where they dropped the word “city” from its name. By 1882, the first neighborhoods were established: Mapleton Hill and Whittier. You can tell from walking the tree lined Mapleton Hill neighborhood, as you walk southeast from the Boulder foothills, down Mapleton or Spruce the homes get more grandeur. Read the rest of this entry »
Written by Karen Cifala | Discussion: No Comments »
What Do Chief Niwot and Boulder Colorado Have In Common?
September 24th, 2008 Categories: Boulder Subdivisions and Neighborhoods, Colorado Round Up, Focus on Boulder
Why of c
ourse … Niwot Colorado! My grandmother says that you’re always suppose to talk nice about people after they die, or maybe even name a town after them or a street! How many times have you thought, where in the world did they come up with that name? Named after Chief Niwot, an Arapahoe tribal leader, Niwot Colorado, an unincorporated village, as we know it today is located 9 miles northeast of Boulder Colorado, spitting range, OK, cycling range in modern terminology, from Longmont, Lafayette, Louisville and Boulder Colorado. With an elevation of 5095 feet, this 4.1 mile unincorporated village is a quiet retreat from the hustle and bustle of the surrounding cities. It really reminds me of the “old west” and it makes you say “I want to live here”. Read the rest of this entry »
Written by Karen Cifala | Discussion: No Comments »
