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$2,500 in tools stolen from Boulder Habitat For Humanity work site

Posted at 4:27 PM, Dec 05, 2016
and last updated 2016-12-05 19:39:16-05

BOULDER, Colo. -- In a place where opportunity is built on the generosity of strangers, it's hard to believe greed still found a way in.

"It's disheartening," said Julie Baxter, Communications Director for Flatirons Habitat for Humanity.  "It's not debilitating, but it's frustrating."

Baxter said that's exactly what happened over their Thanksgiving break.  Sometime between Nov. 23 and Nov. 30, someone broke into the tool shed at their Wonderland Creek Project and stole 26 commercial grade tools, valued around $2,500.

"They broke into the lock box and got the key and opened it up.  As you can see, not everything is gone, but some pretty expensive equipment was taken," Baxter said.

Baxter said the thief got away with everything from saws to nail guns. The value of the tools is less than the non-profit's $5,000 deductible.

The theft hasn't stopped construction of the four homes being built on the property at 3680 Paseo Del Prado in Boulder.  Baxter said it could have an impact on the non-profit's next big project, a four-unit condo complex off Valmont Road.

"We're working very hard to provide affordable housing in Boulder and Broomfield and it sets us back a little bit," Baxter said.

That step back comes before Tuesday's Colorado Gives Day. Baxter hopes the generosity of strangers will once again help them prevail.

"That's really where we're putting our focus. We're not going to let this tool thief be our "Grinch" so to speak, but it's a little bit of money that can't go to that project as we replace these things," Baxter said.

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