Nederland Buying Eldora: Fire Recovery, Transparency & the Future of Boulder County’s Hometown Mountain

Wednesday, November 5

Headlines

• Superior’s Recovery: Mayor Mark Lacis highlighted a “great year for Superior” at the State of Superior event, celebrating recovery milestones from the 2021 Marshall Fire. Roughly 75% of destroyed homes are rebuilt or underway, and vacancy rates in commercial districts are at all-time lows. Residents can join the next “Coffee with Council” this Friday, Nov 7, at 1500 Coalton Rd, 7:45 – 9:30 a.m.

• Boulder Police Encryption: The Boulder Police Department has encrypted its radio scanners, ending decades of public and press access. Officials cite safety concerns; journalists and transparency advocates, including the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition, call it a blow to accountability. Read the full Daily Camera report →

• Boulder Star Lighting: The city’s holiday Boulder Star on Flagstaff Mountain lights up Tuesday, Nov 11, 6 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., streaming live via the Boulder Chamber YouTube channel.

• Correction: Our Oct 22 episode stated the Elevate Boulder pilot ends in December. While that’s true for the current cohort, the program may continue with new partners. A fund to sustain future cash-assistance rounds is now live at the Community Foundation Boulder County.

Nederland Buys Eldora

Boulder County’s hometown ski resort, Eldora, is close to changing hands — from private ownership under Powdr to the Town of Nederland itself. With ski season days away, Shay sits down with Mountain Ear reporter Christopher Kelley for a deep-dive on the evolving deal.

What We Know

• Sale status: In final stages; Nederland’s Board of Trustees will review draft purchase agreements Nov 5, with a final vote Nov 18.

• Price: Between $115 million and $120 million.

• Timeline: Transition expected to take two years, under a temporary operations agreement with Powdr and Alterra (Icon Pass).

• Funding: Financed through revenue bonds secured by ski-area earnings within a new Mountain Recreation Enterprise Fund. Town officials say the operation’s profits can cover debt, operations, and even local infrastructure projects.

• Transparency questions: A local private group, 303 Ski, helped structure the bond deal — raising concerns about accountability and public oversight.

• Post-fire finances: Despite the Lakeview Fire destroying 20 Nederland businesses (roughly ¼ of the town’s revenue base), officials remain confident the acquisition can move forward.

• Community impact: Town Manager Jonathan Cain’s leadership during the fire recovery has inspired confidence, but journalists like Christopher Kelley emphasize the need for “more pragmatism and less hope” until financial details are public.

One More Thing

🎧 Zohran Mamdani acceptance speech

https://www.youtube.com/live/NnM_RgL4M6w?si=VH-xcxk8m5J38f1r

Music by #mobygratis

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Thanks to our sponsors: Jill Grano, Delphi Projects, Boulder Bookstore, Mountain’s Edge Fitness & Positive Pros Painting.

🔗 Links & Resources

• Boulder Police Scanner Encryption: dailycamera.com/2025/10/27/boulder-police-radio-scanner-encrypted

• Elevate Boulder Fund: godonate.akoyago.com/cfbc/fund/elevate-boulder

• The Mountain Ear (local journalism): themtnear.com

• Nederland Fire Relief Fund: themtnear.com/stories/donate-to-the-lakeview-fire-victims,62399

#BoulderCounty #Nederland #Eldora #SkiColorado #LocalNews #MountainJournalism #BoulderPodcast #ColoradoFires #Transparency #BoulderValleyFrequency #CommunityJournalism #LakeviewFire #TheMountainEar

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