CogniLocal Your Community, More Completely.
Colorado edition
CogniLocal

Berthoud

Your Community, More Completely.
Saturday, November 14, 2026 · Permanent link to this edition
Edition archive
Sunday, November 15: Berthoud Recreation Step Challenge beginsTuesday, November 17: Berthoud trustees study session on downtown redevelopment projectsWednesday, November 18: Application deadline for the Town's Streets Technician openingFriday, November 20: Berthoud Recreation Center 5th anniversary celebration, 4 p.m.Wednesday, November 25: Larimer County's deadline to post final election results
Weather at a glance · Berthoud
Loading weather...
Weather data: Open-Meteo

Today in Berthoud

Larimer County says final results of the November 3 election will be posted no later than Wednesday, November 25, including on Berthoud Ballot Issue 3G.
The Berthoud Community Library lists Make & Mingle for adults Sunday, November 15, from 1 to 4 p.m.
A Town memo lists a trustees study session Tuesday, November 17, on possible downtown redevelopment projects.
The free Berthoud Recreation Step Challenge starts Sunday, November 15; the Rec Center's 5th anniversary celebration is Friday, November 20, 4 to 8 p.m.
The Town is taking applications for a Streets Technician until Wednesday, November 18, at 11 p.m.
A Town memo says Flock cameras have recently been damaged, and staff is still working to set a meeting date with the Sheriff.

NEW: newly reported developments or upcoming opportunities. UPDATE: later substantive information on a covered story. ONGOING: continuing useful information. RESOLVED: the reported issue has ended. BACKGROUND: dated historical context, not a new development or confirmation of current availability. UNCONFIRMED: a story, continuing story or detail that could not be confirmed against its cited source on the edition date; the note under the headline says what is not confirmed. Today and countdown lines carry "(unconfirmed)" for the same reason. All local times are Mountain Daylight Time.

City, Roads & Planning

ONGOINGBerthoud

Berthoud Ballot Issue 3G: final results due by November 25

Larimer County's results page carried a notice that it anticipated posting final unofficial results on Friday, November 13, after the cure period ended, and it lists no results for Berthoud Ballot Issue 3G. The last day for voters to cure a signature discrepancy or missing signature, or to provide missing ID, was Thursday, November 12. The county says final results will be posted no later than Wednesday, November 25. Town of Berthoud Ballot Issue 3G asks whether to increase Town debt by $28 million, with a maximum repayment cost of up to $60 million, according to the ballot language on the Town's elections page. The Town says results will be posted on the Larimer and Weld County Clerk and Recorder election webpages.

ONGOINGBerthoud

Trustees study session Tuesday, November 17 to review downtown redevelopment projects

Town Administrator Chris Kirk's memo to trustees headed October 27 lists a Board of Trustees study session on Tuesday, November 17, to review possible downtown redevelopment projects and to consider a Larimer County Planning IGA (intergovernmental agreement). The same memo listed six tentative items for the trustees' regular meeting on Tuesday, November 10: Bike Park Improvements, Jaskowski Open Space, Arboretum Construction Contract, Fickel Farm Metro District Submittal, a contract for a new Enterprise Resource Planning system, and the Berthoud Main Street annual report. As of November 14, the Town's meeting-summary page lists no recap of that meeting; its newest summary is for October 13, so what trustees took up or decided is not yet public there.

ONGOINGBerthoud

State accepts Berthoud's Strategic Growth Element

The Town's Board update memo from Town Administrator Chris Kirk, dated October 27, says the State accepted the Town's Strategic Growth Element, and that Berthoud was the third community to comply with the requirement. The memo also says a State grant will fund an educational sign near the historic water tower that will communicate the history of the structure and the Town.

ONGOINGBerthoud

Town of Berthoud is hiring a Streets Technician; applications close November 18

The Town of Berthoud's jobs page lists a full-time Streets Technician I-III opening that closes Wednesday, November 18, at 11 p.m. It is the only full-time position on the page. The Town also lists part-time lifeguard, recreation attendant, group fitness instructor and swim instructor openings.

AI in Your Community

CogniLocal tracks where artificial intelligence and related automated systems are already entering the institutions that serve this community, who is deploying them, what they are being used for and what changes next.

BACKGROUNDBerthoud

Thompson School District's AI work began with a task force

Thompson School District, which serves Berthoud, established an AI Task Force of educators, administrators and IT professionals to explore AI's impact and develop guiding principles for its use, Superintendent Marc Schaffer wrote in a March 14, 2025, column on the district's news site.

Schaffer wrote that AI literacy includes thinking critically, evaluating AI-generated content and using AI ethically and effectively, and that AI "cannot replace the relationships, creativity, and emotional intelligence that make learning meaningful."

BACKGROUNDLarimer County / Berthoud area

Larimer County shares its generative-AI policy with grant applicants

Larimer County offers its Generative Artificial Intelligence Policy to applicants for its Behavioral Health grant program, saying it may serve as a starting framework for an organization's own policy. The county's AI guidance tells applicants to double-check every figure and source, never to put confidential client information or sensitive internal data into an AI tool, and to use AI as a drafting partner while human staff remain the final editor. It also says the applicant's organization is ultimately accountable for all content submitted. Berthoud is among the municipalities in Larimer County.

ONGOINGI-25, Mead to Berthoud

CDOT speed enforcement continues in the I-25 work zone between Mead and Berthoud

CDOT says drivers who exceed the posted speed limit in the I-25 North work zone between Mead and Berthoud receive a $75 civil penalty mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle. CDOT says the penalties began April 2, 2026, and that excessive speeding in the work zone has decreased by 93% since the program started.

CDOT's announcement says the system measures a vehicle's average speed between two points, using eight speed cameras installed in late January between Mead and Berthoud, with signs marking the cameras at least 300 feet ahead.

ONGOINGBerthoud

Town memo says Flock cameras have been damaged

Flock cameras have recently been damaged, Town Administrator Chris Kirk wrote under public safety in his October 20 update memo to Berthoud trustees. The memo says staff is still working to set a date with the Sheriff for a meeting on the topic. It does not say how many cameras were damaged or where. A later memo headed October 27 does not mention the cameras. Berthoud contracts with the Larimer County Sheriff's Office for law enforcement services. Denver7 reported in August that the Sheriff's Office has 49 automated license plate reader cameras installed across the county and recently renewed its contract with Flock Safety for 2026 and 2027.

Minutes of the Town Board's September 22 meeting record two residents speaking in public comment against AI technology and Flock camera surveillance used by law enforcement. The minutes also record Trustee Grace asking about a study session on Flock cameras and Administrator Kirk suggesting the November 17 study session. The October 27 memo lists that session's items as downtown redevelopment projects and a Larimer County Planning IGA, and does not list Flock cameras.

ONGOINGLarimer County

Larimer County data center rules draw more than 7,000 survey responses

KUNC reported on Tuesday, November 3, that a huge majority of the more than 7,000 survey responses from Larimer County residents opposed data centers, according to county community development director Rebecca Everette. KUNC said the county's draft data center regulations will be voted on in January. The KUNC segment drew on reporting by Michael Booth of The Colorado Sun.

The county released the draft regulations on Tuesday, October 27. The county says the draft caps power use at 30 megawatts per facility, which effectively prohibits hyperscale data centers.

A county data center moratorium for unincorporated areas is in place until February 2027. Comments can be submitted through the county's Engage portal. The county says input will inform work sessions with the Planning Commission and the Board of County Commissioners, and public hearings will follow.

Berthoud trustees approved an emergency ordinance temporarily suspending the acceptance and processing of data center applications on September 22, according to the Town's meeting recap.

In Berthoud, trustees passed Ordinance 1391 on September 22, in a 5-2 vote recorded in the minutes, temporarily suspending the acceptance, processing and approval of applications for large data centers in town.

ONGOINGBerthoud

Thompson School District lists vetted AI tools for student use

Thompson School District, which serves Berthoud, says the tools on its AI Tools page have gone through a district vetting process and were added for use with students. Its classroom tools are MagicSchool, Snorkl and Google Gemini. The page also lists Canva and Adobe Express, design tools with AI-assisted features, and two curriculum tools: AI Math Coach, for K-8 educators, and SavvyWriter by Savvas, a writing tool for grades 6 through 12.

The district says it considers instructional purpose, privacy and safety, teacher guidance and age-appropriateness when reviewing student-facing AI tools. According to the page, Gemini is for high school students only, and Gemini Notebook is for grades 6 through 12. Student experiences in MagicSchool are designed and started by teachers, who can see students' interactions with the tool.

BACKGROUNDBerthoud

Thompson School District offers families guidance on AI

Thompson School District, which serves Berthoud, lists guidance for families on its AI in TSD page, with sections titled Learn About AI Together, Talk About Responsible Use and Establish Home Guidelines for AI Use.

The page tells families that if they have questions about AI use in the classroom, they can ask their child's teacher.

BACKGROUNDBerthoud

Thompson School District's AI guidance rests on four principles

Thompson School District, which serves Berthoud, lists four guiding principles on its AI in TSD page: Human-Centered Approach, Student and Staff Agency, Ethical and Responsible Use, and Safety and Security. The district says AI should not replace any educational experience or the role educators play. The page says it began with a draft created by the district's AI Task Force, includes guidance for families, and uses a stoplight scale to describe how much AI a task involves, from no AI to AI and the student working together.

ONGOINGBerthoud

Town water staff weighed a final decision on automated meter system

Berthoud's water utilities staff was "looking at a final decision on Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) this month," meaning October, Town Administrator Chris Kirk wrote in his Board update memo headed October 27. AMI is the general term for water meters that report usage automatically over a network instead of being read by hand. The memo does not name a vendor, a cost or a timeline for installation, and the Town has not posted a newer Board update memo reporting the outcome. The same memo says the Recreation Center is accepting bids for a building automation system.

Community & Culture

ONGOINGDowntown Berthoud

Small Business Saturday November 28, A Very Merry Berthoud December 5

Downtown Berthoud's next two Main Street events are Small Business Saturday, November 28, when Berthoud Main Street encourages visits to local merchants, and A Very Merry Berthoud, Saturday, December 5, which its events page describes as Cowboy Christmas, downtown lighting and a parade of lights.

ONGOINGBerthoud Recreation Center

Berthoud Recreation Center marks five years November 20; Step Challenge starts November 15

Berthoud Recreation lists a free family celebration of the Rec Center's 5th anniversary on Friday, November 20, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Berthoud Recreation Center. The Berthoud Recreation Step Challenge runs Sunday, November 15, to Tuesday, December 15. It is free and open to everyone, and uses an app with a live leaderboard. Registration is online, at the front desk or by calling 970-532-1600. The Town also lists its 2026-27 Winter Activity Guide, with registration opened November 1.

ONGOINGBerthoud

Town of Berthoud opens registration for the holiday lights contest

The Town of Berthoud is running its annual holiday lights contest. Registration closes Monday, December 7, and voting opens Thursday, December 10. The Town says entrants can win a $100 gift card.

ONGOINGBerthoud Recreation Center

Winter Craft Fair returns to the Rec Center December 5

The 5th Annual Winter Craft Fair takes place Saturday, December 5, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Berthoud Recreation Center, 1000 N. Berthoud Parkway, according to the Town's events listing.

Berthoud Recreation also lists Holidaycation, an evening of holiday games, arts and crafts for ages 7 to 14, on December 12 and 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. The cost is $15 per night.

Libraries & Community Access

BACKGROUND

Berthoud Life Center at Grace Place is open Tuesdays and Thursdays

House of Neighborly Service's Berthoud Life Center, hosted at Grace Place church, 375 Meadowlark Drive, is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Its next open day is Tuesday, November 17. The phone number is 970-532-0161. The organization's crisis-prevention program lists food baskets of up to a week's supply of groceries based on family size and utility assistance. House of Neighborly Service says it does not provide rental assistance and refers people to Neighbor to Neighbor. Its service area is Thompson School District boundaries and Berthoud and Johnstown addresses, and it asks people to expect longer wait times from September through December.

ONGOINGBerthoud Community Library

Berthoud library lists programs through November 20; early close November 25, closed Thanksgiving

The Berthoud Community Library, 236 Welch Avenue, lists Terrific Toddler Storytime on Fridays at 10:30 a.m., next on Friday, November 20. Make & Mingle, for adults, is Sunday, November 15, from 1 to 4 p.m. Donut Bug Me, I'm Reading!, for middle schoolers, is Wednesday, November 18, at 4:15 p.m., and Just Write!, for ages 11 to 17, is Thursday, November 19, at 4:15 p.m. Budding Artists: Collage!, for ages 7 to 10, is Friday, November 20, at 4 p.m. Make & Mingle, Donut Bug Me and Budding Artists require registration at 970-532-2757.

The library's 2026 closures list shows it closing at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, November 25, and closed Thursday, November 26, and Friday, November 27, for Thanksgiving.

ONGOINGBerthoud Community Library

Berthoud library offers one-on-one technology help Tuesdays through Thursdays

The Berthoud Community Library's Digital Navigator program offers one-on-one help with technology. The library's events page lists drop-in hours (15-minute sessions, no appointment needed) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with in-person appointments at 2 and 3 p.m. on those days. The next drop-in day is Tuesday, November 17. The page says a Digital Navigator will be present from February through December 13.

Schools & Youth

ONGOINGBerthoud

Thompson School District is taking 2027-28 School of Choice applications

Thompson School District, which serves Berthoud, is taking applications for 2027-28 School of Choice. The district's announcement lists programs including Dual Language Immersion, International Baccalaureate, the Loveland-area Integrated School of the Arts, STEM and Leader in Me. The page does not state an application deadline.

Still Developing

The latest confirmed movement, the open question and the next checkpoint.

OPEN

County Road 1 / Farmstead infrastructure

The Town says LGI Homes is in default of its development agreement over delayed infrastructure work. Town Administrator Chris Kirk's memo dated October 27 says progress is being made toward completing the Farmstead 2 roadways by the end of November.

Still unresolved: Completion and reopening of County Road 1 and the roundabout, plus any additional Town enforcement or legal action.

Next checkpoint: A Town notice of reopening, completion or further action.

Town Administrator memo dated October 27.

Sources: Town road update; Town of Berthoud, Board update memo (dated October 27)
OPEN

Berthoud Main Street strategic planning

The Town committed an initial $50,000 investment in 2026 to the partnership, and Berthoud Main Street says it will take part in a Colorado Main Street Strategic Planning Workshop with a DOLA-provided consultant this fall. Town Administrator Chris Kirk's memo dated October 27 says Main Street strategic planning sessions were held the week of October 19, and lists a Berthoud Main Street annual report among tentative items for the trustees' November 10 meeting.

Still unresolved: The resulting 3-to-5-year downtown strategic plan, annual work plan and priorities for the program area.

Next checkpoint: The Main Street annual report to trustees, which the Town's memo listed as tentative for the November 10 meeting (no recap posted yet), and an adopted downtown work plan.

The Town's memo dated October 27 reports the planning sessions and lists the annual report as a tentative November 10 item.

Sources: Berthoud Main Street; Town of Berthoud, Board update memo (dated October 27)
OPEN

Ursa Major Colorado expansion

The Berthoud-headquartered aerospace and defense company opened a Longmont facility August 20 for its avionics and in-space propulsion work, which it says also increases manufacturing space at its Berthoud headquarters. On August 25 it announced a planned merger with Bleichroeder Acquisition Corp. III that would make it a publicly traded company, at a post-transaction equity valuation of about $2.3 billion, with closing expected in the first quarter of 2027. Since then, the company has announced two U.S. Navy solid rocket motor contracts totaling $137 million (October 5) and promoted Jason Meredith to president (October 13).

Still unresolved: How many new jobs the expansion and planned public listing will bring to the Berthoud headquarters, and completion of the merger.

Next checkpoint: A company or Town update identifying Berthoud jobs and investment, or the merger's closing.

Ursa Major announced the Navy contracts October 5 and the president appointment October 13.

Sources: Ursa Major, Ursa Major Opens New Longmont Manufacturing Facility; Ursa Major, Hypersonics and Critical Munitions Company Ursa Major to Go Public; Ursa Major, U.S. Navy Awards Ursa Major $137M for Advanced Solid Rocket Motor Programs; Ursa Major, Ursa Major Appoints Jason Meredith as President
OPEN

2026 Town strategic plan implementation

The approved strategic plan, covering September 1, 2026 through March 31, 2028, sets three high-level objectives: Economic Development, Communication & Transparency, and Financial Sustainability. Town Administrator Chris Kirk's memo dated October 27 says staff will include a table of strategic plan updates, with status and upcoming milestones, beginning with the next memo.

Still unresolved: The specific actions, measures and public results that will demonstrate progress on each objective.

Next checkpoint: The strategic plan progress table in the next Board update memo, and Board progress reports.

The Town's news release dated September 22 says the Board approved the plan at its September 8 meeting; its memo headed October 27 describes the planned progress table.

Sources: Town strategic plan; Town of Berthoud, News Releases; Town of Berthoud, Board update memo (dated October 27); Town of Berthoud, 2026-2028 Strategic Plan
OPEN

Large data centers

Trustees approved Ordinance 1391, an emergency ordinance temporarily suspending the acceptance, processing and approval of applications for large data centers in the Town, on September 22, according to the Town's meeting recap. Larimer County released draft data center rules for unincorporated areas on October 27. KUNC reported November 3 that the county's draft rules will be voted on in January.

Still unresolved: Permanent siting, infrastructure and process rules.

Next checkpoint: A Town code amendment or technical guide on data centers, and any 2027 budget requests for the work.

The Town's September 22 recap lists the ordinance; the county released its draft October 27; KUNC reported on the county process November 3.

Sources: Town of Berthoud, September 22 Town Board meeting recap; Larimer County, Feedback needed for draft Larimer County data center regulations; KUNC, Larimer County tackling data center rules by listening to the public
OPENUNCONFIRMED

Welch Avenue drainage redesign

Not confirmed against the source as of November 14, 2026: all details, because the source page could not be opened. Check the source before relying on it.

Proposals for engineering and construction-document services were due October 23, and the Town's bid listing shows the solicitation has closed. No consultant selection has been announced.

Still unresolved: Firm selection, final design, cost and construction schedule.

Next checkpoint: A consultant award for the design work.

Proposals were due October 23.

Source: Welch Avenue RFP
OPEN

Jaskowski Open Space

Six bids were received for the Jaskowski Open Space project. Town Administrator Chris Kirk's October 20 memo to trustees says staff is evaluating the bids with plans to bring them to the Board for consideration by early November. His October 27 memo lists Jaskowski Open Space among tentative items for the Board's November 10 meeting.

Still unresolved: The selected bidder, contract amount and construction timing.

Next checkpoint: Board consideration of a contract award; the Town's memo listed it as a tentative November 10 item and no recap has been posted.

Sources: Town of Berthoud, Board update memo (October 20); Town of Berthoud, Board update memo (October 27)
OPENUNCONFIRMED

Water-efficiency plan

Not confirmed against the source as of November 14, 2026: the September 23 date given for the last update of the public-input listing. Check the source before relying on it.

Public feedback was scheduled to close Monday, October 26. The town's draft goal is to reduce use from 109 to 105 gallons per person per day by 2032. The Town's project page says the plan is scheduled for final adoption in November.

Still unresolved: Final revisions and formal adoption.

Next checkpoint: Close of comments October 26, then final adoption, scheduled for November.

Source: Town water-efficiency project
OPEN

Heron Lakes Marina neighborhood master plan

Trustees continued the public hearing on Resolution 2026-25, the neighborhood master plan for Heron Lakes Marina, to October 27, according to the Town's September 22 meeting recap. The Town has not yet posted a recap of the October 27 meeting.

Still unresolved: Approval, denial or conditions for the neighborhood master plan.

Next checkpoint: The outcome of the continued public hearing held Tuesday, October 27, which the Town has not yet posted.

The most recent Board meeting recap posted by the Town covers October 13.

Sources: Town of Berthoud, September 22 Town Board meeting recap; Town of Berthoud, Board meeting summaries
OPEN

McCarty property matter

The September 22 minutes record a 7-0 vote to go into executive session on the potential acquisition of the McCarty property. The minutes record no public action on the matter.

Still unresolved: Any later public action or disclosed disposition.

Next checkpoint: Public minutes or subsequent Board action.

The September 22 minutes record the executive session and no public action.

Sources: September 22 Board of Trustees agenda; Town of Berthoud, September 22 Board of Trustees minutes
OPENUNCONFIRMED

Engineering Supervisor hiring

Not confirmed against the source as of November 14, 2026: the October 14, 5 p.m. application closing time (the posting is no longer on the Town's jobs page). Check the source before relying on it.

Applications for the development-review supervisor position closed October 14 at 5 p.m. The position no longer appears among the Town's open full-time jobs, and no hire has been announced.

Still unresolved: The hiring outcome.

Next checkpoint: A Town announcement of the hire.

Applications closed October 14.

Source: Town jobs
AWAITING RECORDS

September 29 Board study session

The Town streamed the September 29 study session live on its YouTube channel. Town Administrator Chris Kirk's October 20 memo says work is underway to update the Board's Rules of Order and Procedure Manual to incorporate the procedures discussed at the Board's recent study session, including use of study sessions, standard time allocations for agenda items and Robert's Rules of Order.

Still unresolved: Written minutes of the session and the updated Board procedures manual.

Next checkpoint: Minutes, the updated procedures manual or a future action agenda.

The Town's October 20 memo describes follow-up from the session.

Sources: Town of Berthoud YouTube, September 29 study session recording; Town of Berthoud, Board update memo (October 20)

About CogniLocal

CogniLocal is human-led community information supported by AI-assisted research, source discovery, verification and story tracking. Editorial judgment and final publication decisions remain human. Meet the publisher and read the editorial standards.

News tips and corrections: editor@cognilocal.com.