Town of Ward Government
The Town of Ward itself is one of the few home-rule direct democracies left in the US today. Its system is similar to the Town Hall Meeting governments of early New England where all citizens vote at Town Meetings. Ward has an elected Mayor, Town Clerk and town council, but all legislative issues deemed controversial by any one member of the electorate at a Town Meeting are sent to referendum and mailed to each voter. Voting occurs by confidential, written ballots.
Ward Water
The Ward Water Department delivers pure water, gravity-fed, from the glacial spring above town. It often comes out of the tap at 33 degrees.
Ward Library/Artist-in-Residence
The Ward Town Library operates on a volunteer honor-system. It began with a donation of hundreds of books from someone who had passed through. The library interior was hand-crafted from Aspen wood by early town residents, and is frequently used by town children and for Ward Poetry Readings.
The Ward Library sponsors the "Ward Artist-in-Residence" program which provides up to two years of housing in Dos y Media, the artist's cabin, to a local artist. Artist housing is provided as a recognition of the importance of the arts to the Ward community and in exchange for valuable artistic contributions to the town. In the past, artists-in-residence have created stained-glass windows for the town church, organized poetry readings, and given violin lessons to local children.
Ward Town Marshall and Fire Department
The volunteer Town Marshals and volunteer Indian Peaks Fire Department members serve as first responders to auto accidents, house fires, forest fires, and reports of lost hikers, or people who suffer broken bones/heart attacks in the Brainard Lake and Indian Peaks areas. They frequently hike miles to rescue the injured.
In the United States in 2005 an estimated 786,545 persons were arrested for marijuana violations, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's annual Uniform Crime Report. Approximately 30% were under the age of 19. Of those charged, 88% or 694,074 were charged with possession only.
The total number of marijuana arrests in the U.S. for 2005 far exceeded the total number of arrests in the U.S. for all violent crimes combined, including murder, manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery and aggravated assault.
The Ward Marshall's Department reported no arrests for marijuana violations in 2005.
According to the Boulder Daily Camera, January 17, 2007, Boulder County Jail records show "only three people have been brought there (from Ward) over the past 23 years."
**The Town Marshal resigned as of January, 2006; two local residents remain in the Marshal's Department.
Ward and Boulder County
The Town of Ward works closely with Boulder County and the National Forest Service to insure the protection of environmentally sensitive lands, including the closing and clean-up of old mine sites, protection of beaver ponds within the town limits, and by acquiring property for wildlife conservation. The town participates in wildfire mitigation and works for the protection of the water in Left Hand Creek.
Ward Town Meadow
The Town Meadow frequently serves as the site of weddings as well as memorial services for community members who die. A large rock with miner's drill holes outside of the Town Hall stands as a memorial to local residents who have passed away.
View from the Ward Town Meadow
Historic Properties in Ward
Four Ward area properties have been named as landmarks to the National Register of Historic Properties, including the Town Hall, Congregational Church, Modoc Mill, and the Denver, Boulder, and Western Historic Railway District (Switzerland Trail).
Ward School (now Post Office/Town Hall), J.B. Sturdevant, 1880-1890
Ward Town Hall 2007 (old school with belltower and additions)
James Creek, painting by Ann Gillis
Summer Poppies, pastel painting by Carol Jenkins
Map of Ward
Ward business
In 2007 local Ward businesses consist of the U.S. Post Office, Marrocco's Restaurant Utica Street, the Ward General Store, and the Millsite Inn (restaurant and bar) on the Peak-to-Peak Highway. Gold Lake Resort (restaurant, spa and lodging) is nearby. Many other business operate on line.
No gasoline is available in Ward. Closest gas stations are in Nederland, Boulder, and Ferncliff (Allens Park).
Locals shop in Estes Park, Nederland, Boulder and Longmont. Students attend Nederland Elementary, Gold Hill Elementary, Jamestown Elementary and Nederland Jr/Sr High School.
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Black and white photos from Carnegie Branch Library for Local History, Boulder Historical Society Collection