October 9, 2025

Good evening readers,

I don’t usually make my morning commute to Nederland at 4 a.m., but today was different—special circumstances had me on the road early. Little did I know how drastically the day would change, how the course of local history would shift in an instant, and how deeply a community would be shaken.

I was traveling with Barbara Hardt, our managing editor, when she received a call just as we passed through Rollinsville: there was a fire in Nederland. As we descended into town, the horizon lit up—flames glowing from every direction. It became immediately clear that this wasn’t a small blaze. As we approached the source, we saw that the entire Caribou Village strip mall was engulfed in flames. This was the heart of Nederland’s small business community—nearly half of its beloved local shops were housed there.

Thankfully, the fire had not spread to neighboring buildings, including The Market, the Carousel of Happiness, and Train Cars Coffee & Kava, but the scene was heartbreaking.

We arrived around 4:15 a.m., stunned by what we saw. The fire was raging, consuming everything in its path. Pops echoed through the air, followed by two massive explosions. The Nederland Fire Department was already on the scene, and before long, support from Boulder County and other nearby departments began to arrive.

I left town around 5:30 a.m. to head home, where I continued following updates throughout the day. What struck me most—beyond the devastation—was the incredible outpouring of support. The Nederland community, and many from beyond, quickly mobilized to help those affected by the disaster.

Thanks to the tireless work of first responders, the fire was contained by about 7:40 a.m., though smoke and smoldering continued well after.

It was a day that changed Nederland forever—and a reminder of the strength and resilience of a close-knit mountain town.

-Jessica LaFone

Creative Director

The Mountain-Ear

Fire Ravages Businesses in Ned Area

NEDERLAND- At some time between 3:30 and 4 a.m. on Thursday October 9, 2025, a fire broke out at the Caribou Village Shopping Center. The cause of the fire as-of-yet unknown, though it quickly spread throughout the entire center, affecting all businesses within. Nederland Fire Protection District and other nearby response agencies assisted in containing the fire and protecting nearby buildings, including The Market and the Carousel of Happiness. An emergency evacuation order was placed by Boulder County Sheriff’s Office for parts of Nederland east of the fire. The fire was mostly contained but still smoldering as of 6:30 a.m.

To help support victims of the “Lakeview Fire” visit:

Fundraiser by Cliff Armitage : Help Brightwood Music After Fire

Wild Bear’s Fire Relief Fund with $150K Match

Help Spinning Silica & the Rashbaums Recover from the Fire

Aid Nederland Shops and Employees Post-Fire

Help Feed Nederland: Free Kitchen for Fire Victims

Support Kay O’Neil After Devastating Fire

Support Very Nice as they sort out next steps

Reopening the Nederland Health Center

NFPD responds to fire at Caribou Village Shopping Center

NEDERLAND FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT RESPONDS TO LARGE COMMERCIAL STRUCTURE FIRE AT THE CARIBOU VILLAGE SHOPPING CENTER

Nederland, CO – October 9, 2025 – Nederland Fire Protection District (NFPD) responded to a report of a commercial structure fire located at 20 Lakeview Dr. known as the Caribou Village Shopping Center at approximately 3:40AM. The initial call came into dispatch through a deputy with Boulder County Sheriff’s Office.

The first unit to arrive was Command 5650 at 3:48AM at which time it was confirmed the 2nd floor was fully involved and a request to drop second tones and begin evacuations was made. As part of an auto-aid agreement with the district, Sugarloaf Fire Protection District, Timberline Fire Protection District, Boulder Emergency Squad, AMR Ambulance and Gilpin County Sheriff Office were automatically notified. Black Hawk Fire Department and Central City Fire Department were also requested to respond per command on scene.

Shortly after the arrival of the command unit, an engine and ladder truck from the NFPD—staffed by volunteers and career firefighters—arrived on scene. Defensive operations were initiated immediately to prevent the fire from spreading. Fortunately, due to low winds, mild temperatures, and the rapid response from all departments involved, the fire was successfully contained to the commercial structure. Unfortunately, the building is considered a total loss.

The fire was declared under control at approximately 7:11AM with no reported injuries at that time. An investigation into the cause of the fire is currently underway by the NFPD’s Fire Marshal, the Multi-Agency Fire Investigation Team (MAFIT), Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Evacuation orders have been lifted but access to Big Springs Dr. is limited and the area around Caribou Village is closed. The public is reminded to stay clear of the area while operations continue.

“Our department couldn’t be more appreciative of all the help and support we received from the public, our members and our neighboring agencies and our thoughts are with those in our community that were affected by this incident” said Charlie Schmidtmann, NFPD Fire Chief.

Nederland Fire Protection District is dedicated to serving all who call upon us with proficiency, integrity and compassionate response

For Immediate Release
October 9, 2025

Media Contact
SheriffPIO@nullbouldercounty.gov

303-441-1500

Structure Fire at Caribou Village Shopping Center in Nederland

Boulder County, Colo. – The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fire that broke out on Oct. 9, at approximately 3:41 a.m., in the Town of Nederland. A Boulder County Sheriff’s Deputy on routine patrol observed an active structure fire at the Caribou Village Shopping Center, located at 20 Lakeview Drive. The deputy immediately notified dispatch. Nederland Fire Rescue, along with multiple assisting agencies, responded to the scene.

At 4:28 a.m., an evacuation order was issued for residents and businesses along the southern and western portions of Barker Reservoir. At 9:47 a.m., an all-clear message, allowing residents to return to their homes, was issued.

Residents of the Big Springs area are reminded to access their subdivision via Peakview Road near the Sundance Cafe off State Highway 119.

The two-story structure of businesses along the south side of the shopping center was fully engulfed in flames and sustained the most significant damage. The Carousel of Happiness, located on the west side of the property, sustained only minor damage. Nearby businesses, including Train Cars Coffee and Kava and B&F Mountain Market were also spared from major damage.

Responding agencies included Nederland Fire Rescue, Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, Timberline Fire Protection District, Sugarloaf Fire Protection District, American Medical Response, and the Boulder Emergency Squad.

The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and the Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC), are working jointly to determine the origin and cause of the fire.

At the time of this release, no injuries have been reported. The Town of Nederland asks community members to conserve water where possible, as a significant amount has been utilized in firefighting operations, which continue as crews work to extinguish remaining hot spots.

If you have information about the fire that may help with the investigation, please contact the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office tip line at: BCSOtips@nullbouldercounty.gov or 303-441-3674.

If you were in the area before, during or after the fire started, and have any photographs or video of the fire or the immediate surrounding areas, we request the public upload them to the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office – Evidence Submission Portal.

Road Closures:

• The closure at Conger and Lakeview Drive has been lifted.
• The closure at eastbound Lakeview Drive and State Highway 119 will be lifted at 6:00 p.m. on Oct 9.
• All other closures, including eastbound Big Springs Drive from State Highway 119, and westbound Big Springs from Conger, remain in effect until further notice.
• State Highway 119 remains open in both directions through Nederland.

This investigation is documented under Sheriff’s Office case report 25-04929.

###

/s/ V. Montez, Public Information Officer  

View as a webpage / Share

Subscribe