NEDERLAND — The Nederland Downtown Development Authority (NDDA) met on Wednesday, November 12 to give a final vote on their bylaws and Memorandum of Understanding with the Town of Nederland.

2026 Summer Concert Series

First, the Authority undertook the task of interviewing and hiring a production company to develop and manage the 2026 Summer Concert Series. 

The Request For Proposal (RFP) was released after the NDDA’s last meeting on October 8, and was posted on the Town of Nederland’s website, on Facebook, and on the popular network for business requests, BidNet. 

“2026 is the third year for the Nederland Summer Concert Series,” the RFP states. “Last year, the concerts regularly drew at least 200 people. This project is intended to stimulate the local economy as well as help build community by providing a free and fun local event ideal for all ages.”

The organization to be hired will be responsible for curating and presenting musicians for up to six events to take place from May to September, with the expectation of collaboration with the NDDA on cementing the musicians and program schedule. 

Musicians are to have their accommodations covered by the hired organization, which includes refreshments, extra equipment, and stage coverings.

Board members heard presentations from three different organizations: Adelska Events, based in Denver; Louisvlle-based Pulse Event Management, and Sweetwave Audio, which has produced the concert series for the past two years.

Each organization was given three minutes to respond to Board Members’ questions regarding the organization, their experience, a proposed breakdown of the $60,000 budget for the series of events, their approach to managing the event, and any foreseen issues.  

Those interviewed had their proposals scored based on experience, organization, budget, their team, and their marketing plan. The Authority also stated in the RFP a preference for local organizations. 

Given the company's track record in Nederland, the Authority voted once again to contract with Sweetwave Audio for the 2026 events.  Sweetwave has produced Nedfest and Frozen Dead Guy Days, as well as numerous festivals along the Front Range. 

The production of the 2026 series will look very similar to the previous two years, as Sweetwave will be “using all of the same audio equipment and staging, mobile professional stage, a truss lifted roof, as well as outdoor infrastructure,” which includes “pop up tents, power distribution, trash and recycling stations, and traffic cones.” 

On top of the awarded $60,000 budget, Sweetwave Audio expects to secure additional funds from the NDDA’s offered marketing grants. They also stated that, in order to meet the NDDA’s new requirement of making the Summer Concert Series a ticketed event, there may be additional costs on top of the awarded budget for hiring Box Office staff, additional security, and procuring a third party ticketing agency.   

Bylaws and MOU

Board members were tasked with giving their final vote on their updated bylaws and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Authority and the Town of Nederland, which have been discussed and revised—in collaboration with the Nederland Board of Trustees (BOT)— since March of this year. 

 The bylaws guide the Authority through the collaborative processes set by the Town and the BOT, including the NDDA’s audit, budgetary, and project planning processes.

The MOU specifies the Town’s role in overseeing the financial and administrative management of the Authority, as well as outlines the best practices for collaboration between the two entities, particular on capital projects.

Over the last few months, clarification was added within the MOU regarding when and how the Authority’s Plan of Development will be assessed by the BOT. The NDDA voted to adopt the Downtown Subarea Plan, devised over 2024 as part of the Town’s Comprehensive Plan update, as their Plan of Development during their October meeting. 

“The NDDA shall conduct an annual review of its Plan of Development at a regular meeting of the BOT,” The MOU reads. “This review shall include a summary of completed projects, planned projects for the coming year, any proposed amendments to the Plan and review of alignment with the Comprehensive Plan and Strategic Plan.

“The Plan of Development must comply with Colorado law and should include a list of proposed projects and a financing strategy for each of the projects.”

The Plan of Development is required to be approved by the BOT in a public hearing, and any future amendments to the plan proposed by the NDDA must also go before the BOT in a public hearing for final approval. The Plan of Development, as well as the MOU, will be reviewed annually. 

Additionally, the MOU requires the NDDA Executive Director to notify Town staff whenever there is a decision by the Authority to deviate from an established plan or direction on a project. The Authority must receive pre-approval from the Town Manager on any project that “impacts Town-owned property or right-of-way.”

After spending nearly the entire year working on this issue, the Authority voted unanimously to approve their updated bylaws and the MOU with The Town of Nederland and BOT. 

The Nederland Downtown Development Authority meets the second Wednesday of every month. Their next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at 6 p.m. It will be held online and in person at the Nederland Community Center. 

For more information go to: townofnederland.colorado.gov/downtown-development-authority.