Premier August 2016 by The Greeley Publishing Company

AUGUST

2016

WHAT'S SO APPEALING about Windsor Lake?

INSIDE:

WINDSOR HARVEST FEST EVENTS

ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT WINDSOR

WINDSOR'S FIRST AGRICULTURE GARDEN

WINDSOR SKATE PARK FRIENDLINESS

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PUBLISHER

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EDITORIAL

EDITOR Randy Bangert

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Allison D. Bluemel Trevor Reid Luanne Kadlub Kelly Ragan

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F E AT U R E S NEW DEVELOPMENT OFF OF U.S. 34 AND I-25 Retail, industrial and apartment space is sprouting up within a 15-20 minute drive of Windsor

WINDSOR SKATE PARK Friendliness sets it apart from others

WINDSOR LAKE Now the town’s crown jewel, it began as one of first irrigation projects in Colorado

CREATIVE SUPERVISOR/DESIGN Amy Mayer TWO COLORADO NATIVES open Windsor’s first Community Supported Agriculture garden

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SALES MANAGER Bruce Dennis SALES STAFF Cristin Peratt Sue Lapcewich Albert Teel Steph Mighell

PHOTOGRAPHY

4 8 15 16 18 22

Calendar of Events Windsor by the numbers Answers to the most-asked questions about the town of Windsor Flip Flop Gala Windsor RE-4 citizens committee Windsor Harvest Fest

ON THE COVER Three friends relax by Windsor Lake.

Joshua Polson Alyson McClaran

August 2016, Volume 1, Issue 1. Published by: Greeley Publishing Co., publisher of The Greeley Tribune, Windsor Now, The Fence Post and Tri-State Livestock News The Best Of Windsor Magazine • PREMIER • AUGUST 2016

AUG. 19

Coffee with the Mayor, 7:30 a.m., Safeway Starbucks, 1535 Main St., Windsor (970) 674-2405

AUG. 22

Weird Science, 3 p.m., Clearview Library, 720 3rd. St. Windsor (970) 686-5603

AUG. 22

Town Board Work Session, 6 p.m., and regular meeting, 7 p.m., Town Hall, 301 Walnut St., Windsor www.windsorgov.com

R SO AR ND D S

AUG. 20

I N W LE NT s to or CA VE hing inds E t W 10 in do

Movies in the Park – Minions, 8:30 p.m., Main Park, 300 Locust St., Windsor (970) 674-3500

AUG. 23

Tree Board, 5 p.m.,Town Hall, 301 Walnut St., Windsor www.windsorgov.com

SEPT. 2

Windsor Wizards Football season opener, 7 p.m., Windsor High School, 1100 Main St., Windsor (970) 686-8100

SEPT. 3

Coed Mud Volleyball, 8 a.m., Diamond Valley Ball Fields, 801 Diamond Valley Dr., Windsor (970) 674-3500

SEPT. 3-5

Windsor Harvest Festival www.windsorharvestfest.com

SEPT. 11

Windsor Reads presents Craig Johnson, 5:30 p.m., Windsor Recreation Center, 250 11th St., Windsor (970) 686-5603

AUGUST 2016 • PREMIER • The Best Of Windsor Magazine

SEPT. 17

Coffee with the Mayor, 7:30 a.m., Safeway Starbucks, 1535 Main St., Windsor (970) 674-2405

NEW DEVELOPMENT OFF OF U.S. 34 AND I-25 offers Windsor residents even more nearby retail options

Work continues into the day as construction workers are silhouetted by the sky as they work on the Scheels last month at the 2534 development in Johnstown. The developers plan to continue expanding for the next several years. CORNER: A construction worker shovels an area in what will be the parking lot of one of the hotels under construction last month as work continues in the 2534 development in Johnstown. In addition to the current construction, the Gateway at 2534, a 254-unit apartment complex, officially opened on Tuesday.

BY TREVOR REID // For Premier Photos by: Joshua Polson

f Windsor residents didn’t have enough shopping options, yet another retail development — along with office, industrial and apartment space — is sprouting up within a 15-20 minute drive of Windsor. The 2534 development, at the southeast corner of U.S. 34 and Interstate 25, is beginning to thrive. That corner of the intersection didn’t look like much through the late 1990s, but a few savvy businessmen saw the location’s potential and they had a vision — and the guts to try to make it come true. Almost two decades later, the team has grown and their vision has evolved, but the root of the goals remains: to build a hub for the northern Colorado region. The retail anchor in the development will be the sporting goods giant Scheels. It might seem surprising that Scheels has taken so long to build its first location in Colorado, a state known for its outdoors culture. Even more surprising is that the 250,000-square-foot retail building will open officially in the town of Johnstown, which annexed that busy corner of the interstate many years ago. The more than 500-acre 2534 development now is quickly expanding with new developments. It’s home to multifamily housing units, retail, medical

and office buildings and it will soon be home to some industrial companies. The dream all started when developers Gary Gerrard, Joel Wiens and Dale Boehner bought the several hundred acres of land at the cross-section of two of the region’s busiest highways. “I think that all three of us could see the value of that intersection. You’ve got a major interstate highway going north-south and a major U.S. highway going east-west, so it makes a regional draw for users, and that’s what we saw,” Gerrard said. “We hadn’t seen a raise in the value of the land yet, so it was a good time to buy that land, even if we had to hold it for a while.” A while later, Scheels purchased its Johnstown location with Carson Development, a development company that has worked with the store in Overland Park, Kan. Operating as Johnstown Plaza, LLC, Carson Development purchased nearly a million square feet from Chrisland Real Estate, the company that began the 2534 development. Developer Allen Schlup said various factors attracted Carson Development to the location. “The demographics worked for our retailers we want to put in,” Schlup said. “The traffic count for I-25 and Highway 34 is really what brought us in, and the

visibility from that intersection.” With an estimated 118,000 cars passing through the intersection each day, Schlup doesn’t use the word “visibility” lightly. Scheels officials anticipate the store will bring 450 new jobs to area, marking the beginning of the Johnstown Plaza as a prime location for retail businesses. Johnstown Town Manager Roy Lauricello said the project will bring the town $6.17 million in one-time revenue. Though such rapid growth might sound daunting, Johnstown is no stranger to growing at a faster pace than most towns. From 1990 to 2005, the town’s population grew nearly twice as fast as the populations of the counties of Larimer and Weld. That population growth naturally stimulated the businesses of Johnstown as well. From 2000 to 2005, the gross retail sales increased almost 20 percent annually, more than 15 percentage points larger than Colorado’s growth rate in the same period. More than just a growing population is responsible for that sales increase. The town literally grew in land size as it began annexations northwards along I-25 in 2000. The growth might have been stunted if not for a lack of interest in Loveland. “We wanted to annex that property » New Development continued on page 6

The Best Of Windsor Magazine • PREMIER • AUGUST 2016

» New Development continued from page 5 and develop it,” Gerrard said. “Loveland’s vision didn’t really carry it that far east. At the time, there wasn’t much out there. (Loveland) didn’t seem interested in crossing the interstate, so we went to Johnstown, and they were very interested in it.” Johnstown hopped on board quickly, helping the developers come up with an expedited approval process for companies looking to use the land. “It was attractive to (Johnstown) because it brought them to a very busy intersection,” Gerrard said. Gerrard said they installed the infrastructure, such as the water and sewage, on their own dime. Town Planner John Franklin described the annexation as “a short flagpole,” referring to a strategy used by municipalities to annex a small strip of land to maintain contiguous borders. From the historic Johnson’s Corner truck stop and restaurant, Johnstown annexed along I-25 to reach what’s now known as Thompson River Ranch. With more than 50 homes already sold this year and still more land to build on, the Thompson River Ranch is the fastest selling community in Northern Colorado. From there, parcel annexations brought Johnstown to the 2534 development. Just two miles north of the Thompson River Ranch sits the Gateway at 2534, offering 254 luxury apartments. The brand new apartment complex hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony July 12. Scheels marks just the beginning of the development, as Schlup mentioned other leases with Johnstown Plaza already being executed. Johnstown Plaza has about 590,000 square feet of retail space, and here is what is committed so far: » Scheels, known to some as “the Disneyland of all sporting goods stores,” broke ground earlier this year and will anchor the retail center. » The Starbucks at 4910 Thompson Parkway is remodeling and getting a liquor license. » Swire Coca-Cola plans to build a distribution center and expanded office space at 2534, and High Country Beverage out of Fort Collins will build a warehouse at the location. “It’s kind of a blend of uses that we’re getting out here now,” said Todd Williams, a project official. “They all work together where hopefully all of them are successful.” Ryan Schaefer, who oversees the planning and marketing for the development with Chrisland Inc., a real estate company, said they’ve been looking for more tenants to fill about 200 remaining acres of land. “We’ve tried to present 2534 to the market in such a way that it was not only high quality, but our pricing is attainable,” he said. And with the infrastructure and the fast track to planning approval, it’s a fairly certain property on which to build. Franklin said it’s already filling in. “We hear rumblings. We know people are looking,” he added. “They see the buildings go up and they’re inspired. We get questions about it every hour — about commercial and now more and more on residential.” — Reporter Bridgett Weaver contributed to this story.

DID YOU KNOW? When a municipality annexes unincorporated territory, it is required to maintain a set amount of contiguity along its borders. In order to do so, a municipality may annex a narrow strip of land to reach a desired plot of land. The resulting annexation looks like a flag waving off a pole that attaches to the main land of the municipality. 6

AUGUST 2016 • PREMIER • The Best Of Windsor Magazine

WINDSOR

SK8 PARK FRIENDLINESS

sets it apart from others BY TREVOR REID // For Premier Photos by: Joshua Polson

ince moving to Windsor from Ohio six years ago, skateboarder Steve Demacopoulos has always felt welcome at the Windsor Skate Park. “I tried to get into it in Ohio, but it was all cornfields,” the 20-year-old said. “There was one skate park in like a 50-mile radius, and it was pretty much a parking lot with some boxes that you had to stack up.” Demacopoulos visits the Windsor park four or five times a week. Located on the west side of Eastman Park, 7025 Eastman Park Drive, the skate park is made up of ramps, rails and a kidney bowl. He said the park’s relatively small size has plenty of benefits. “The ramps are way more mellow. A lot of the parks in Fort Collins, they’re like barriers and DIY concrete stuff that’s super steep, and it’s kinda hard to skate. This one’s fun,” Demacopoulos said. Consideration for the park began when a local group of skate and bike park enthusiasts approached the town requesting a park. Manager of Parks and Open Space Wade Willis said the northern Colorado branch of the American Society of Civil Engineers provided the design in 2002. “One of the members of that group was an avid skater and did skate park design, so he met with the kids and came up with that concept we have down there,” Willis said. Since the park’s construction in 2003, Willis said it has required very little maintenance. In its 13 years of operation, the park has only needed repairs for some panels on the ramps and metal grating on the rails. Judah Schmidt,

14, recently moved to Windsor from North Dakota with his family. He said the Windsor Skate Park is a refreshing change. “We would slip on some nasty things in our skate park, but this one’s really nice,” Judah said on his scooter. Judah was at the park with 12-year-old Aiden Jensen, who was offering pointers as Judah was riding his scooter. Aiden said he isn’t the only one who offers advice at the park. “There’s a lot of fun people here that help out. There was a kid who left a little bit ago, he helped us learn how to drop in different ways. He really helped us, and I think that’s kind of cool to just know everybody,” Aiden said. Demacopoulos, who’s visited eight different skate parks, said Windsor Skate Park’s friendliness is what really makes it stand out. “The skateboarders in Fort Collins are really good, but there are some jerks,” he laughed. “It’s just kind of chaotic.” The Windsor Skate Park is only about two miles south of the local Spokes Bike Shop, 427 Main Street. Owner David Roberts, 49, said he hears about the Windsor Skate Park’s culture of kindness often. “We have some good kids here in town, and some of the older ones are especially good to the younger ones, trying to take care of them and trying to help them learn,” he said. When asked if he had a favorite memory at the park, Aiden thought of the help he received earlier in the day and quickly responded: “Probably, actually today.”

7th St. Eastman Park Dr.

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Water Valley

CENTER: Dayton Hammel, 14, grinds his board on the top of a ramp as he warms up for the Windsor skate competition in June at Eastman Park. The competition hosted skaters from across northern Colorado. CORNER PHOTO: Donovan Knapp, 17, glides on his board through the air as he competes in the Windsor skate competition in June at Eastman Park. The Best Of Windsor Magazine • PREMIER • AUGUST 2016

Population

2000 2014 19,865 people lived in Windsor as of 2014. That's 102 more people than in Golden, and 75,812 people fewer than Greeley. The population has increased 100.74% since 2000. The population growth rate is much higher than the state average rate of 20.84% and is much higher than the national average rate of 11.61%.

44.25% of Windsor residents are native Coloradans, and 50.97% were born in a different state. 4.13% were born outside the U.S.

Economy

Windsor median household income is $82,724, which has grown by 50.47% since 2000. The median household income growth rate is much higher than the state average rate of 25.94% and is much higher than the national average rate of 27.36%.

Windsor residents spend an average of 23.6 minutes a day commuting to work.

Unemployment rates are lower in Windsor than the Colorado and national averages. For females, 2.69% is unemployed in Windsor, 7.595% in Colorado, and 8.82% in the U.S.

Housing

Median price of a house in Windsor is $276,400, which is higher than the state average of $239,400 and is higher than the national average of $175,700.

The Windsor median house value has grown by 74.27% since 2000.

The median year that a house in Windsor was built is 1999. The median year for a house built in Colorado is 1981, and 1976 for the U.S. source: usa.com (all figures from 2014)

AUGUST 2016 â&#x20AC;˘ PREMIER â&#x20AC;˘ The Best Of Windsor Magazine

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AUGUST 2016 • PREMIER • The Best Of Windsor Magazine

Hunter Tackley, 3, goes into Windsor Lake to fill up his bucket with water to bring back to the shore..

WINDSOR LAKE, now the town’s crown jewel, began as one of first irrigation projects in Colorado

BY LUANNE LADLUB // For Premier Photos by: Joshua Polson

ention Windsor and one of the first things that pops into the minds of many is the increasingly popular destination known simply as Windsor Lake. Located just a block north of Main Street, Windsor Lake is part of the 187-acre Boardwalk Park that features a 2.25-mile trail, playground, fishing piers, docks, bandshell, concession stand and museums. Summer months see peak use with a variety of activities ranging from walking, swimming, fishing and boating to concerts, movies and

5Ks. But this being Colorado with more than 300 days of sunshine, the park is used year-round by outdoor enthusiasts — even on snowy days. The numbers of users continues to climb. Since mid-February, 59,000 people have walked or biked around Windsor Lake, said Eric Lucas, director of parks, recreation and culture for the town of Windsor. That number is thanks to an Eco-Counter installed at the first of the year. Not included in that pedestrian count are the thousands more who visit the park to swim, fish, boat or watch July 4 fireworks, which by itself draws nearly

10,000 people from throughout northern Colorado. Windsor’s crown jewel began in the late 1800s as a man-made reservoir, one of the first irrigation projects in Colorado. “Windsor is a community that cares very deeply about parks, recreation and culture,” Lucas said. “This is an amenity that many communities nationwide would die to have. We are very fortunate to have wonderful views of the mountains, great weather, and to fish, boat, hike, walk, lay out at the beach or just have a picnic in the heart of town. It’s truly an amazing, amazing amenity.”

The Best Of Windsor Magazine • PREMIER • AUGUST 2016

So amazing that people — such as Steve and Laura Rains — move to Windsor to take advantage of all that it offers. At least once a week the couple makes the five-minute drive from their house to put on the lake with their paddleboards and/or kayaks. They also attend the Thursday night summer concerts and Steve participates in all of the 5K events that take place here. And back in the day, both of their daughters had summer jobs working at the concession stand.

What’s the appeal? “The lake is so calming, so peaceful, no matter what time of year,” says Laura, noting that the array of migrating birds makes it even more enjoyable. Plus, Boardwalk Park is well-maintained. Laura recalls how her family and many other community members helped lay sod at the park three weeks before the now infamous Windsor tornado blew through town eight years ago. Insulation, boards and debris covered the area. “Within three days the whole park was cleaned up. It shows you what kind of community we live in. People went out of their way to help so people could enjoy the park on Memorial Day.” If you’re ready to hit the trail, try your luck at fishing or to visit a museum, here’s what you need to know: WINDSOR LAKE TRAIL The 2.25 mile concrete trail is used yearround by walkers, joggers, skateboarders, rollerbladers and bicyclists, with benches conveniently located along the path. The trail is also a popular setting for 5K and 10K events throughout the year. Although Windsor Lake Trail does not yet connect with the Poudre River Trail, it will in the future. For now it connects with the Windsor Trail along the No. 2 Canal on the west side of Colo. 257, which takes walkers and bicyclists behind the Windsor Community Recreation Center and almost to High Hops/Windsor Gardener. FISHING Want a good spot to cast your line? Then you best arrive early as prime spots along the lakeshore are grabbed up fast. The Colorado Department of Wildlife stocks the lake once a year with trout while other species — yellow 12

perch, bluegill and catfish — find their way via irrigation canals. Fishing is allowed year-round when ice is not present and night fishing is only allowed on the west side of lake from the south end of the parking lot on Colo. 257 to the inlet bridge of the lake. A valid fishing license is required. WINDSOR LAKE SWIM BEACH When you want to cool off — whether after a game of beach volleyball or after too much time in the sun — there’s nothing like a quick dip in Windsor Lake. Keep in mind the lake is untreated agricultural water so it’s important to not ingest it. Testing for E. coli bacteria is conducted regularly throughout summer months. Swimming is permitted during daylight hours within areas designated by ropes and buoys. Children under 9 must be accompanied by a responsible party 16 years or older. Swim diapers are a must and can be purchased at the concession stand. PICNIC SHELTERS If you’re planning a family get-together or other special event, you can reserve one or both 20-by-24-foot picnic shelters at Boardwalk Park. Each shelter has two tables that can seat up to 32 people. Small propane grills are allowed, charcoal grills are not.

AUGUST 2016 • PREMIER • The Best Of Windsor Magazine

Reservations can be made by calling 970-6743500 or going online at windsorgov.com/256/ Parks-Amenities#boardwalk NON-MOTORIZED BOAT RENTALS Kayaks, paddleboats, canoes and aqua trikes can be rented – $5 for 30 minutes – from the concession stand noon-5 p.m. MondayWednesday, noon-8 p.m. Thursday-Friday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Life jackets are required and will be provided. Children under 9 must be accompanied by a guardian 16 years or older. Anyone under 18 must have their legal guardian sign a waiver before participating. NONMOTORIZED/MOTORIZED BOATING All kinds of boaters take advantage of Windsor Lake, whether to troll for fish, to water ski or simply to enjoy the sunsets. Daily permits are $5 for residents and $7 for nonresidents; annual permits are $35 for residents and $50 for nonresidents. Permits can be purchased at the concession stand or Windsor Community Recreation Center, 250, N. 11th St. Permits for motorized boats must be obtained in advance at the Windsor Community Recreation Center. Daily permits are $15 for residents and $25 for nonresidents.

through Labor Day weekend from 3-7 p.m. Thursdays and from noon-4 p.m. FridaysSundays. Guided tours can be arranged throughout the year by calling 970-674-3500. FIRE MUSEUM The Windsor-Severance Fire Museum sits west of the Boardwalk Park Museum at 121 N. 6th St., and features two antique fire trucks and an array of historic firefighting items. The museum is open Thursday nights in conjunction with summer concerts and movies at Boardwalk Park. Call 970-686-2626 to arrange tours at other times.

Annual passes can be purchased for $450. To purchase a motorized boat permit you will need proof of residency in Windsor (if applicable), driver’s license, current boat registration (motorized and sailboats) and proof of insurance (motorized only). Call 970674-3500 for more information. DOG PARK As tempting as it may be to let Fido join you on the swim beach, it’s not allowed. Instead, he has his own special place: the Windsor Lake Dog Park on the north end of the lake. Here your favorite canine can can romp and swim to his or her heart’s content, provided it’s within the designated buoyed area. PHOTOGRAPHY Professional and amateur shutterbugs flock to Windsor Lake to capture images of pelicans, geese, ducks and other migrating birds that often land on logs strategically placed on the west and north edges of Windsor Lake. Bald eagles are a common site both flying over the lake or observing from treetops. SUMMER CONCERT SERIES The concerts for this summer have now concluded. But be sure to watch for next

summer’s schedule and check out the live music in the new amphitheater at the park. The concerns generally are on Thursday night. MOVIES IN THE PARK Windsor’s Movies in the Park series attracts up to 400 movie-goers wanting to see an array of family friendly movies at Windsor’s parks. Again, this summer’s lineup of movies has concluded. Bring your blankets, chairs and the all-important mosquito repellent. BOARDWALK PARK MUSEUM If you’re visiting the park to swim, fish or picnic and want to take a break, consider dropping in at the Boardwalk Park Museum. “Windsor has an amazing history and people don’t know it,” said Caitlin Heusse, museum curator for the town of Windsor. Boardwalk Park Museum features a cluster of historic buildings including the train depot, schoolhouse, German-Russian farmhouse, beet shanty, prayer meeting house and the Eaton House. Hands-on exhibits let kids dig for bison bones originally found when a housing development went up in west Windsor. Future plans call for extensive landscaping to enhance museum offerings and programming. The museum is open June

HARVEST FESTIVAL Windsor’s Harvest Festival is a three-day celebration over Labor Day weekend with events happening throughout the town. Boardwalk Park is the setting for several events planned on Saturday, Sept. 5. A coed mud volleyball tournament gets underway at 8 a.m. while the all-town barbecue is from 4:30-6 p.m. A free street dance from 6-9 p.m. will feature country singer/songwriter Logan Mize and special guest The Sean Curtis Band. Fireworks will fill the sky beginning at 9:20 p.m. NEARBY DESTINATIONS The beauty of Windsor Lake is its proximity to Old Town Windsor. A quick walk (we’re talking all of one block) puts you on Main Street where you can enjoy an ice cream cone or a bite to eat at one of six restaurants, visit local shops or take in an exhibit at the Windsor Art and Heritage Museum across the street from the park (hours: noon-4 p.m. WednesdaySaturday).

LEFT: Helena Knudten, 14, left, and Isabelle Sitki, 14, explore Windsor Lake on a Aqua Cycle. CENTER: Windsor Community Church friends play in the sand at Windsor Lake. RIGHT: Shanell Enriquez, left, Kiaya Enriquez, 9, and Ciara Cucina go on a walk around Windsor Lake.

The Best Of Windsor Magazine • PREMIER • AUGUST 2016

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ANSWERS TO THE MOST-ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE TOWN OF WINDSOR

Have you wondered where to go to pay a ticket? Does the town have ordinances to regulate pet ownership? Who do I call about a big pothole? And why is the sky blue?

xcept for the color of the sky, the town of Windsor answers these and dozens of other questions to help Windsor residents navigate municipal government and be a wellinformed citizen. Here are a sample of some of the useful information on the Windsor FAQ :

Why do I have to pay a stormwater fee every month?

A: The Town of Windsor adopted a Master Drainage Plan in 2003. The plan identified $15 million of major drainage improvements that need to be made with Windsor’s Growth Management Area. The Town Board decided that the Master Drainage Plan is in the best interest of health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Windsor and provides an adequate, justifiable and reasonable basis upon which to assess a Monthly Basin User Fee. The Monthly Basin User Fee is applied equitably to every developed lot within Windsor based on the size of the property and the percent of impervious surfaces within the property. The fee is to pay for the operation, maintenance, administration and routine functions of the existing town stormwater drainage facilities and for the design, rightof-way acquisition and construction or reconstruction of such existing and future stormwater drainage facilities. Sometimes a development owns and maintains some of the localized stormwater related infrastructure. In any case, the town of Windsor has oversight of all facilities within the town limits. In other words, whether a facility is privately owned or not, the town is here to see that it operates properly, so as to not adversely affect downstream properties. If it doesn’t the Town may have to step in with enforcement action. The fact that some developments have privately owned facilities helps keep the monthly drainage fee lower than it otherwise would be.

Q What is a 100-year floodplain? A: “100-year floodplain” is a term that is commonly used by the general public to describe a Special Flood Hazard Area identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). A Special Flood Hazard Area is defined as any land that would be inundated by a flood having a 1-percent chance of occurring in any given year (also referred to as the base flood). FEMA and floodplain administrators

typically discourage the use of the term “100 year floodplain” because some people can inaccurately interpret the term to mean a flood will only happen once every 100 years.

Q How can I pay for a ticket? A: Municipal tickets can be mailed to: Windsor Municipal Court 301 Walnut St. Windsor, CO 80550 Or paid at Town Hall with the Court Clerk. There is also a drop box located on the west side of 301 Walnut St. We accept cash, checks or money orders. Visa, Master Card, and Discover are also accepted in person and over the phone. All credit card transactions will be assessed a 4% convenience fee. County tickets (Weld or Larimer) issued by a Windsor Police Officer: Please refer to the back of your ticket for payment instructions. Payments cannot be accepted at Town of Windsor.

is boating permitted on Q When Windsor Lake? A: Properly permitted non-motorized boats are allowed on the lake year round as long as there is no ice present. Motorized boating is allowed seasonally only on Windsor Lake.

Do you allow non-residents to sign up for programs and activities?

A: Yes! Non-residents may sign up to participate in all programs and activities offered, at the same price.

can I find the town’s Q Where animal ordinances? A: The town’s ordinances are published and available online via the Windsor Municipal Code Chapter 7. You can also download the informational animal ordinance brochure.

Q How do I register my bicycle? A: Complete the Town of Windsor bicycle registration form. Try to give as much information as possible, including all of the accessories on the bicycle. Keep in mind, the serial number could be at different locations on the bicycle — generally somewhere on the frame. Leave the “License #” blank; we will give that to you. Bring the completed form to the Police Department lobby (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.) and

we will give you a registration sticker. There is no fee for this service.

and/or road hazards who to call? Q Potholes A: Report potholes and road hazards to the street division at (970) 674-5400 or online to Report It! Potholes are generally filled within two business days after initial report, weather permitting. www.windsorgov.com/ Report-It

does the town do roadside mowing? Q When A: Mowing normally begins in May and continues through the summer until the first frost, usually October.

— Who owns what Q Utilities and who to call? A: If a problem arises, it helps to know who owns the wires and pipes in and around your home or business. Electric and Natural Gas: Depending on where you live, Xcel Energy or Poudre Valley REA owns, maintains, installs, reads and tests all equipment. Xcel Energy: (800) 895-4999 Poudre Valley REA: (800) 432-1012 Water and Sewer Lines: The town owns, operates and maintains all water mains and the pipes to the meter pit or curb stop, whichever comes first. The homeowner owns the pipes to the house and inside the house. Sewer lines are the property of the homeowner to the point of connection with the Town of Windsor sewer main. For questions, call (970) 674-5400. Telephone and Cable: Telephone and cable lines are installed, owned and operated by the companies providing the service to the connection with your home. You are responsible for the lines inside the house. If you have questions, call your service provider. Utility Billing: Town of Windsor Water / Sewer utility bills are due the 20th of each month. If you have questions regarding your water or sewer bill, please contact the utility billing office at (970) 674-2403.

Town Board meetings Q Are open to the public? A: Yes, except if the Town Board recesses for an executive session. The Town Board meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month at 7 p.m. in Town Hall. — Source: Town of Windsor, www.windsorgov.com/faq

The Best Of Windsor Magazine • PREMIER • AUGUST 2016

ANNUAL

GALA to raise money for Windsor schools, teachers, students BY KELLY RAGAN // For Premier Photos by: Joshua Polson

AUGUST 2016 • PREMIER • The Best Of Windsor Magazine

“We also expect to get many grant requests to help fund the he Weld Re-4 Education Foundation is set Makerspaces that most of the schools are setting up in the to hold its third annual Flip Flop Gala on media centers,” Schutt wrote. “”We will be considering all Aug. 27. Attendees are encouraged the grant applications that we receive from teachers within to wear sundresses, Hawaiian shirts the district, and doing our best to fill needs at every school and flip-flops. The night will include and at every level within the district.” auctions, dinner and libations. Schutt encouraged teachers to think about their Despite the casual atmosphere of the event, needs and act on innovative ideas by submitting a grant the foundation hopes to surpass the $118,000 application before the September board meeting. it raised last year. Some of the big-ticket live auction items include a Last year, the money went toward houseboat party, a Spokes cruiser bike and an orthodontia purchasing 400 new Chromebooks, musical package from Windsor Smiles, which, Schutt wrote, have instruments, science and literacy tools, 3D Aug. 27 been popular in the past. printers for both middle schools, robotics and 6-9 p.m. “We are also putting together some travel packages Makerspace materials — which could include The Island and hope to have one fun surprise item which is still in 3D printers, software, crafts, hardware and the works,” Schutt wrote. “Each of the eight schools is also tools — and other classroom necessities that at Water Valley putting together a themed package for the live auction.” might otherwise have gone unfunded because $60 The foundation has made some adjustments to get guests of budget constraints, wrote Kim Schutt, the per ticket checked in faster, have more food available and secured a foundation’s president, in an email. better sound system, Schutt wrote. The foundation is also Some of the money also went toward starting working to have online bidding available for at some of the a coding class for elementary students at Tozer WHAT TO WEAR: auction items for the first time. Primary School, funded scholarships for Windsor Sun dresses, High School students participating in the district’s Hawaiian shirts technology showcase, and helped to underwrite the and flip flops cost of sending a teacher from each school to the International Society for Technology in Education conference in Denver in June, Schutt wrote. “We have no specific target dollar amount set, other Tickets can be purchased at than we would love to surpass the $118,000 that we Windsor State Bank or raised last year,” Schutt wrote. “Based on the buzz the online at event is already generating and the tremendous support www.weldre4education the community has shown for the event, we think that foundation.com/ anything is possible.” Guests dance to Hand-Picked during the Flip Flop flip-flop-gala Schutt expects some of the money to go toward buying Gala at the Island at Water Valley last year.. more Chromebooks in a continued effort to ensure each kid has a device.

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LEADERS OF WINDSOR RE-4 CITIZENS COMMITTEE bring diverse support to bond issue, property tax hike

BY TREVOR REID // For Premier

hough the Friends of Weld Re-4 Schools citizens committee is united by a belief in the importance of education, the leaders found their way to the committee from diverse backgrounds. The committee is advocating for a $104.8 million bond and mill levy override in order to build a second high school for the district, along with improvements to many other current facilities, and to provide operating funds for the district through a property tax increase. The committee describes itself as a “passionate group of volunteers” who support facility improvements in the Windsor Re-4 School District. They hope to raise money to support advertising and marketing efforts in support of the bond issue and property tax hike, as well as appear at community events and service clubs to provide information to voters and school district parents. Here is a look at the three individuals who are leading the Friends of Weld Re-4 Schools committee: KIM SCHUTT The committee met for the first time June 30, but for chairwoman Kim Schutt, the value of education reaches back for generations. “My great grandparents on my mother’s side of the family were people who immigrated from Poland and barely had any education, so it was instilled in my grandparents and then my parents after that,” Schutt said. Schutt, 46, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Illinois in 1992. Graduating in the top 3 percent of her class, she earned the title of Bronze Tablet Scholar. “I was fortunate to have that background

and my husband was raised the same way, so it just seems natural that that’s the philosophy that’s important to us for our kids.” Schutt and her husband moved to Colorado in 1994, where she finished her law degree at the University of Colorado School of Law. While working in Fort Collins, friends and co-workers recommended they look into moving to Windsor. After seeing the school system, the bike path and the park, Schutt and her husband moved to Windsor just a month before the birth of their first child in 2001. “When we saw all the amenities that are here … and just the small town community feel of what Windsor was then, and is still now, that was where decided to land and raise our family,” Schutt recalled. Schutt’s daughter, now 15, will be a sophomore at Windsor High School in the fall. It was her experience as a freshman

AUGUST 2016 • PREMIER • The Best Of Windsor Magazine

that opened Schutt’s eyes to the problem of an overcrowded high school. “As a freshman, she never used her locker,” Schutt said. “She couldn’t get to her locker in the few minutes that they had in between classes because of overcrowding. She carried a — I never actually weighed it — but I guess a 30-pound backpack every day.” Though Schutt’s daughter will graduate before the remodeled Windsor High School would open, Schutt said her daughter’s experience made her realize the district’s need for a new high school. Schutt also has a son who will be a seventh-grade student at Windsor Middle School in the fall. “It’s a great school district. Teachers who really do believe

kids come first and don’t just pay lip service to that. We’ve had some phenomenal teachers over the years. It’s just been a great place to raise our kids,” Schutt said. “I’d love to see that quality of education and feeling of community continue.” CHRIS RUFF Friends of Weld Re-4 Schools chairman Chris Ruff, a Windsor resident since 1989, has seen all four of his children graduate from Windsor High School and reported similarly positive experiences. Ruff’s children were active in sports and enjoyed their time at the school. His youngest child, now 19, graduated in 2015 and returned to Windsor High School help coach football. “I’m a longtime Windsor resident and always felt strongly about education and helping with the school district,” Ruff said. Ruff, 58, is a veteran of two previous bond elections, having served on the Long Range Facility Planning Committee for about 10 years now. The committee meets three or four times a year to analyze demographics, growth trends and plan for general facility needs. Ruff said the committee has been tracking the need for a new high school since his first year there. “We report to the school district, so we give them the heads-up when we need to build another elementary school or (for example) when we built Severance Middle School,” he said. “It’s just a committee that tracks all that data, studies those trends and makes reports to the school board so they can make informed decisions about this stuff.” Though he was born and raised in Greeley, Ruff’s family began moving around when he was starting middle school. Without a consistent high school experience, Ruff

understands the importance of a quality place for an education. “I went to four different high schools, so my high school experience was not too rosy. As a freshman I went to high school in Utah, sophomore year in Phoenix, part of my junior year in Boise, moved to Ault spring break of my junior year and then graduated from Highland (High School in Ault),” he said. A certified general appraiser in the state of Colorado, Ruff believes an educated vote will mean a “yes” vote. “The high school kids are getting packed in there and it will get worse instead of getting better until we get another place for them to go, so I’m hoping people will educate themselves about the bond election and then vote in favor of it,” he said. JOHN FEYEN Weld County Sheriff’s Office Lt. John Feyen decided to co-chair the Friends of Weld Re-4 Schools committee after discussions with the district as chairman for the Windsor Charter Academy. He joined the Windsor Charter Academy board six years ago, when his only child started kindergarten. “As a supervisor at the sheriff’s office, I look at the opportunities I had growing up, and I look at what my daughter is experiencing

currently. Every parent wants what’s best for their child, and a quality education is one of those things because it sets the stage for their whole future,” Feyen said. Before moving to the Windsor area in 1998, Feyen was born and raised in eastern Iowa. His hometown had a population of only about 4,000. Drawing from other small towns in the area, however, his high school was about the same size as Windsor High School. “High school was a great opportunity for me. I loved the opportunity to learn,” he said. “That was the nucleus of family experience and town experience: the high school, and the sporting events and social events that went on there.” When Feyen did move to the Windsor area, the small town culture reminded him of home. Though things have changed, Feyen hopes Windsor residents will maintain the quality of education. “It’s not the small little town we moved to, but it’s exciting to see all the growth,” he said. “If you want a quality workforce, if you want good economic growth, if you want those kinds of things in your community, you need to have a good school system.”

FOR MORE INFO Those interested in getting involved with the committee can email weldre4friends@gmail. com or follow the committee on Facebook at www.facebook.com/weldre4friends.

The Best Of Windsor Magazine • PREMIER • AUGUST 2016

TWO COLORADO NATIVES

open Windsor’s first Community Supported Agriculture garden BY ALLISON DYER BLUEMEL // For Premier Photos by: Joshua Polson

AUGUST 2016 • PREMIER • The Best Of Windsor Magazine

t’s hard to come up with a better example of Colorado culture than two new Windsor business owners. Fiancées Justin Gossard and Katy Schilling, both Colorado natives, have guided the Poudre River as raft guides and dedicated a large portion of their lives to healthy living and supporting local business. But in March they put some skin in the local game, opening Windsor’s first Community Supported Agriculture business: the Artisan Gardens CSA at the former Windsor Dairy location, 6427 Weld County Rd 68 1/2. Opening the farm has been a learning experience on everything from weed mitigation to brand awareness in the surrounding communities. However, the business, a long-time dream of Schilling and Gossard’s, nearly didn’t happen when Gossard nearly died from a bacterial infection he contracted while rafting in Costa Rica in February. After some time in the intensive care unit, Gossard recovered right as an opportunity to take over the former dairy opened up. Sometimes, the timing is just ripe and undeniable, he said. Schilling and Gossard had talked before about their vision to create a local, organic farm that would someday support a community space featuring food grown on-site and products and art from the area. “We really want to be a staple in the community,” Schilling said. “We really want to be that place that people come to for organic food.” With that goal in mind, they moved forward on the project in March. Originally, Schilling and her father planned to split the business 50/50, but a sudden increase in his primary business left most of the responsibility on Schilling’s willing shoulders. The property took a lot of work. The couple, along with help from their friends and family, cleaned up loads of old equipment and other material before they could get a start planting an already late set of crops. “We’ve done really well considering it’s our first year,” Schilling said. Once the site was cleaned up, the couple went to work planting their crops — tomatoes, carrots, beets, onions, squash, zucchini, pumpkins and peppers — and set out to the Larimer County and Fort Collins farmers markets to start selling. They’re still in the early stages of the business, however, where the biggest challenge is getting the word out at the farmers markets that they’re in business. Luckily, both Schilling and Gossard have day jobs in the marketing field, enabling them to take their time to do the farm and CSA projects right. “We want the community to know our reputation and know what we stand for,” Gossard said. “The money will come when you really are passionate about something.”

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Windsor Harvest Festival

expects bigger, better year for its 95th anniversary event in 2016 BY ALLISON DYER BLUEMEL // For Premier Photos by: Joshua Polson

indsor’s largest festival — the Windsor Harvest Festival — will celebrate its 95th year Sept. 2-5. The festival’s theme this year is Growing For the Future. The festival started in 1921 to celebrate the town’s first paved road. At the end of the road was a picnic to celebrate its completion. While this year marks a five-year milestone for the event, the schedule will largely resemble last year’s, including a bigger-budget music act. “It’s just your usual fun,” Windsor Manager of Recreation Tara Fotsch said. The festival is put on by an ongoing partnership between the town of Windsor and the Harvest Festival Committee. 22

AUGUST 2016 • PREMIER • The Best Of Windsor Magazine

“That’s kind of our fall festival,” Director of Parks and Recreation Eric Lucas said. The Committee is made up of volunteers, including a chairman, a vice chairman, a secretary/treasurer, a member at-large and additional volunteers. “The annual event draws thousands of people to town and contributes directly to the local economy,” Fotsch wrote in materials to the Windsor Town Board on May 16. Typically, the town has awarded the festival a sponsorship package of $1,750. The Committee also requested $9,831 in additional town funding to support the festival. Organizers also repeated their 2015 request of $12,000 for the larger musical act, which this year will be country-rock singer Logan Mize and The Sean Curtis Band, for a total request above sponsorship of $21,360. Because of the bigger band, the 2016 festival is comparing a lot to last year’s event in terms of crowd estimates, said Committee Chairman Kasey Johnson said. Last year’s concert attracted approximately 6,000 people. A total between 25,000-28,000 came by throughout the weekend last year. Johnson expects the weekend will have

similar numbers. The Festival will kick off Sept. 2 with the Windsor Harvest Festival Balloon Launch at 6:30 a.m. at Eastman Park. Following the launch, the town of Windsor Parks, Recreation and Culture department will host a Coed Mud Volleyball Tournament before the Windsor SALT Group’s All-town BBQ from 4:30-6:30 p.m. in Boardwalk Park. This year’s music act, Logan Mize and The Sean Curtis Band, will take the stage for the street dance and concert at 6 p.m. in Boardwalk Park. Fireworks will follow at 9:20 p.m. The grand marshals, retiring Windsor Police Sgt. Jerry Selzer and his wife, will be recognized at the fireworks show Saturday. They will take part in the parade and a variety of other activities, including the balloon rides and pancake breakfast, throughout the days following. On Sunday, the balloon launch will take place at 7 a.m. at Eastman Park. The Lions Club Pancake Breakfast will also start at 7 a.m. at the Windsor Middle School cafeteria. The day will also feature games for children and adults as well as a church service in the park at 11 a.m. in Windsor Main Park.

Monday will kick off with the Labor Day 5k run/walk at 7:30 a.m. at Boardwalk Park and the Labor Day Parade at 7 a.m. at Walnut Street and Chimney Park Drive. Johnson expects the parade to be similar in size to last year’s 95-entry lineup. The festival is also on track to meet the record-breaking number of booths set last year. In 2015, 160 booths were set up for the festival; before the final deadline this year 140 had signed up. The Home and Garden Show, hosted by the Harvest Festival Committee, will take place from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday and Monday at Windsor Main Park.

Windsor Harvest Festival 2016 Schedule

SEPTEMBER 3

6:30-8am Windsor Harvest Festival Balloon Launch Balloon launch of several hot-air balloons, weather permitting. Windsor Eastman Park, 7th and Eastman Park Drive. 8 am-noon Coed Mud Volleyball Tournament Produced by the Town of Windsor Parks, Recreation & Culture Department, Click here for registration and details! Windsor Boardwalk Park, 5th and Main Streets Noon-6pm Town of Windsor Museum Town of Windsor Museum, open extended hours for Harvest Festival Weekend. Click here for more details! Windsor Boardwalk Park, 5th and Main Streets 4:30-6:30pm All-town BBQ, $5 meal deal, with concessions afterwards provided by Windsor SALT Group. Windsor Boardwalk Park, 5th and Main Streets 6-9pm Windsor Harvest Festival Street Dance/Concert (free) Logan Mize with special guest The Sean Curtis Band Windsor Boardwalk Park 9:20pm Fireworks** begin Announcement of the 2016 Windsor Harvest Festival grand marshals

** Fireworks parking information: parking is not allowed on Colo. 257. Cars parked on the highway will be ticketed or towed.The town asks attendees to respect private property.

SEPTEMBER 4 7am

7-11am 9am-5pm 9am-5pm 10-11am 10am-2pm 11am-4pm Noon-5pm Noon-6pm 2-4pm 4-6pm 8:30pm

SEPTEMBER 5

Hot Air Balloon Launch

(weather permitting)

Eastman Park – Open to the public Lions Club Pancake Breakfast Windsor Middle School Cafeteria Arts & Crafts, Commercial & Food Booths, Kid’s Amusement Rides & Games Windsor Main Park, 300 Locust St. Horse Drawn Carriage rides Windsor Main Park, 300 Locust St. Church service in the park Presented by 1st United Methodist Church Windsor Main Park, 300 Locust St. Windsor Car “Cruise-In” Eastman Park, $10/car to enter (free) Home and Garden Show Windsor Main Park, 300 Locust St. Beer Garden Main Park, Hosted by Windsor Rotary Club Lions Club Bingo Southeast corner of Main Park, under the white tent Kids and Adults Games (Pie Eating Contest, etc) Windsor Main Park, 300 Locust Street Bulls on the Beach Water Valley South Free movie in the Park TBA – Boardwalk Park

7:30am 7am 8-8:45am 9am 10am-5pm 11am-4pm 11am-5pm Noon-5pm Noon-5pm 2-4pm

Labor Day 5k Run/Walk Boardwalk Park, 100 N. 5th St., call (970) 674-3500 for more information Parade Lineup for Parade Entries Begins at Walnut Street and Chimney Park Drive, follow instructions that were emailed to participants. Kiddie Parade and Judging 3rd Street and Walnut Street Windsor Harvest Festival Parade West on Walnut to 7th Street, then South on 7th Street to Eastman Park Drive Arts & Crafts, Commercial & Food Booths, Kids Amusement Rides & Games Windsor Main Park, 300 Locust St. Home and Garden Show *New location: Windsor Main Park, 300 Locust St. Horse Drawn Carriage Rides North Side of Windsor Main Park, 300 Locust St. Beer Garden Main Park, Hosted by Windsor Rotary Club Lions Club Bingo Southeast corner of Main Park, under the white tent Home and Garden Show Exhibits Released Awards presented at Windsor Main Park, 300 Locust St.

The Best Of Windsor Magazine • PREMIER • AUGUST 2016

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