Committee, Contributors & Funding
This page provides information about committee leadership, contributors, and funding so residents can evaluate this effort with full context.
Last updated: May 9, 2026
Leadership
Officers of the Niwot Incorporation Committee, a 501(c)(3) Colorado Nonprofit Corporation
- Nicholas Little — President
- Steve Lehan — Secretary
- Paula Hemenway — Treasurer
- Deborah Fowler — Community Engagement Lead
- Jim Parys — Home Rule Lead
- Steve Lehan — Information Lead
- Georgianna Holderbein — Community Outreach Lead
- Tony Santelli — Business Vitality Lead
- Bob Kilcullen — Roads Lead
Legal Counsel
The committee retained Widner Juran LLP to serve as legal counsel for the incorporation effort. Widner Juran previously represented the incorporation committees for Keystone and Castle Pines.
Based on their experience with prior incorporations, Widner Juran estimated the total cost of the incorporation process at $100,000 to $200,000. These costs cover legal fees, other professional fees such as preparation of the description of the proposed territory, court filing and other related costs, mailing of information to residents, and the cost of the elections. Niwot can coordinate the November 2026 election with Boulder County; elections in 2027 will likely be administered and paid for separately. The committee must post a bond and pay for all costs associated with conducting the votes.
Community Contributors
Volunteers supporting research, outreach, and public engagement
- Adam Monette
- Amy Grolnick
- Andrew Fowler
- Biff Warren
- Bob Kilcullen
- Colin Stewart
- Cornelia Sawle
- Curt Bruner
- David Kates
- Dayna Roane
- Frank Farrall
- Georgianna Holderbein
- Heidi Storz
- Jim Hemenway
- Jim Parys
- Jim Ringel
- Joanna Parys
- Keith Nichols
- Kevin Klau
- Louis Hernandez
- Melissa Koller
- Mike Keffeler
- Orin Hargraves
- Paula Dicharry
- Philip Greenberg
- Sara Hughes
- Scott Firle
- Suze Fischer
- Tim Conarro
- Tony Santelli
- Tracey Nichols
Note: Some individuals appear in more than one section — for example, as both committee leadership and financial supporters. This reflects the nature of a volunteer-led effort where participants contribute in multiple ways.
Financial Supporters
The Niwot Incorporation Committee is a Colorado nonprofit corporation recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, formed to promote the general welfare, civic betterment, and social improvement of the community of Niwot. Colorado law provides for and encourages the inhabitants of any territory not embraced within the limits of any existing municipality to organize into a city or town, with “All costs and expenses connected with such incorporation proceedings, including all election expenses and fees for necessary legal expenses, shall be paid by the governing body of the newly incorporated city or town within one year from the date of incorporation” (§ 31-2-104(7)). As costs must be paid as incurred, the purpose of the incorporation committee is to secure interest-free loans for such costs, which will be repaid by the town upon successful incorporation. As such, support from those listed below is primarily in the form of loans (82% of funding) to the Niwot Incorporation Committee. A few supporters have made tax-deductible donations, which will not need to be repaid by the newly formed municipality.
This effort is funded by Niwot residents and business owners that care about the future of Niwot with no expectation of personal benefit. It is not funded by any development company, political party, or outside organization. All funding is in the range of $1,000 to $20,000, with some pledges that will be fulfilled when the funds are needed. As a charitable organization, the Niwot Incorporation Committee is different from an issue or campaign committee that receives political contributions.
Approximately $150,000 has been raised or pledged.
- Marc & Barbara Arnold
- Ron & Grace Budacz
- Jim & Susan Cloar
- Andrew & Judy Cousin
- Andrew & Deborah Fowler
- Jon & Maria Gillespie-Brown
- Andrew & Amy Grolnick
- Jim & Paula Hemenway
- David & Georgianna Holderbein
- Kevin & Erin Klau
- Tim & Melissa Koller
- Steve & Lisbeth Lehan
- Nicholas & Sarie Little
- James & Megan Macintosh
- Matthew Neagle
- Keith & Tracey Nichols
- Steve & Lynda Pasma
- John & Susan Rademacher
- Tony & Felicia Santelli
- Heidi Storz
- Bruce & Susan Warren
- Alex Chlebek
- Deborah Fowler
- Nicholas Little
- Bruce “Biff” Warren