The Gilpin County Planning Commission opened their monthly meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, at the Gilpin County Courthouse.

Chair Laura Jeney, Chair Pro-Tem Bob Haxel, Jeffrey Green, Melissa Harless, Roxann Goss, Analiese Hock, Andrea Wrobel, and Won Cho attended the meeting. Community Development Director Rob Gutierrez and Planner James Shrout attended the meeting as well.

Staff updates included Gutierrez informing the board that they will hear back soon regarding their DOLA application for the Strong Communities Planning Grant.

The Planning Commission has a vacancy and is interested in finding its final member. Gilpin County residents can submit a letter of interest and/or resume to Gutierrez at: rgutierrez@gilpincounty.org. Additionally, the terms of Wrobel, Goss, and Cho will expire at the end of this year.

Special Use Review 23-3 required a public hearing, which began at 7:08 p.m. Chantelle Shoaee is applying for a special use permit for a recreational off-grid education campground for individuals of all abilities.

Always Choose Adventures is a nonprofit whose mission is simple: to help people of all ages, backgrounds, skill levels, and physical abilities access the outdoors, get off the couch and disconnect from technology, while connecting with others. They offer programs to teach at-risk youth and disabled individuals to gain access to outdoor sports and activities.

During the public meeting, Gutierrez said that he has been in communication with the applicant since the beginning of 2023 to address questions and concerns about her submission. Gutierrez suggested a continuance to iron out details in the hopes of submitting a concrete recommendation to the County Commissioners. He advised the Planning Commission to record their concerns for follow-up at the next meeting.

Hock inquired about the change from staff’s recommending approval to requesting a continuance. Shrout responded that quite a few documents have been received since the initial report, such as an emergency evacuation plan, expected last week, that was submitted that morning.

Shoaee is the Founder and Executive Director of Camp ACA, which provides a safe haven for at-risk youth, people with chronic illness, and disabilities. The members of her group have wilderness first-responder training, additional training and certification in outdoor education, first aid, CPR, and certifications such as CNA and special needs.

“We are anxiously awaiting for Camp ACA to get its approval for a special use permit to help operate our programs and clinics,” their documentation states. “We have worked on this dream for seven years. This venue is in a perfect location. ACA has the opportunity to be the nation’s first off-grid outdoor recreational training facility.”

She said she understands there are a few local neighbors who are concerned about wildlife, recreational shooting, and off-road safety. They have met with Colorado Parks and Wildlife and have developed relationships with the recreation centers at Idaho Springs, Gilpin County, and Clear Creek County.

They have removed long-standing hazardous materials and installed gates and fences to insure the safety of their attendees, residents, and wildlife. They also have donated to a fund which will help grade and maintain York Gulch.

She said they weren’t aware that turning in those documents that morning was a fault, and apologized.

This is their seventh year in operation; they have performed the exact same functions on other people’s property.

Concerns for the rough road were presented, especially in regard to emergency access and evacuation. The board recommended that the applicant consult with Timberline Fire Protection District and Gilpin Ambulance Authority.

Shoaee responded that they have a game plan to fix the road and to keep it maintained. The school buses and vans would park in the “Squid” area of York Gulch. They have been working with the forest service on their plan. She added that they will be spending six hours on Saturday to fix a 0.3 mile stretch of the road from the “Squid” to the property.

Harless noted that the primary access would be through the Idaho Springs side rather than the Central City side, and inquired how that would bring business to Central.

Shoaee said there would be snowshoeing from the Central City side of the property at the OHV lot, and that winter activities will bring business to Central City. She added that the activities will vary, including mental health therapy, snowshoe clinics, and local history instruction.

ACA has partnered with both Gilpin County’s and Idaho Springs’ recreation centers to provide a gear library, and has a third location on-site for essential camping gear.

Harless asked if Shoaee had thought about putting in bear-proof bins. Shoaee replied that Parks and Wildlife is willing to install animal-safe bins, but not until the permit is approved.

The location is in a residential area and there was concern for noise levels. Shoaee assured the board that noise would be kept at a reasonable level since there will be quiet hours.

The camp will have some all-terrain wheelchairs, called the Extreme Motus, which will allow travel around the property for those with mobility issues.

Shoaee has a day job as a caregiver, providing care for stroke survivors and those with autism, and has experience working with disabled individuals. She is also a wilderness first responder and has served on the Colorado Search and Rescue Board.

One Idaho Springs resident commented that he has maintained the Upper York Gulch Road and that the commissioners need to see it for themselves before issuing a permit. He warned that many vehicles have rolled off the road, which is a natural watershed. He persisted in stressing that emergency access must come from Central City/Black Hawk and not the Idaho Springs side.

A Leadville resident accentuated the benefits of the program and how many people it will help.

Another Idaho Springs resident said that the local residents in the area support the business, especially since ACA made a donation to maintain the road. There are 35 households that live above the end of county maintenance, and they all work to maintain the roads with plows and graders.

Fire Chief Paul Ondr said they have no ability to get an ambulance to the site. “It can’t come from the east and it can’t come from the west,” he said, and he needs more time, since he only received notice of the application earlier that day.

A member of ACA explained that the location does need work but is inspired by how it can change those who engage with the program.

An alternative high school teacher from Highlands Ranch who once taught Shoaee, said that ACA has safely executed several events like hiking, paddleboarding, and adventuring. She spoke to the safety and professionalism of the program, during both day and overnight trips.

Another member of ACA from Castle Rock pleaded for the camp since it allows those with disabilities to get outside with Motus wheelchairs and accessible toilets.

An ACA volunteer talked about the validity of Shoaee’s vision and her ability to overcome obstacles.

An Evergreen resident who has been involved with ACA for about a year believes the camp will change lives and that Shoaee will be a good neighbor. He said York Gulch didn’t seem that big of a problem since they will be grading the road on Saturday and that it would be a great addition to Gilpin County.

Another supporter said Shoaee brings people together and is excited to spend more time in Gilpin County. She shared that she has trusted Shoaee with her nonverbal daughter and she firmly believes in the program.

A member since 2017, one speaker with autism said the camping program is beneficial for all ages and has changed his life.

ACA’s grant manager said she would translate the concerns presented into actionable items and that she will research how to make emergency access possible.

Public comments ended at 8:09 p.m. and the commissioners resumed discussion. Gutierrez suggested a meeting with various officials and more time to formally review the application and to communicate with Clear Creek on the matter.

Shrout said there are concerns about the adequacy of the emergency evacuation plan, medical access, and water delivery.

Shoaee said they have taken two small school buses over the route, and that they were able to turn around.

Harless said she loved the idea but that Ondr’s concerns are valid. Haxel said he needs confirmation from Ondr and emergency services that access is possible.

Hock said the application process should be improved and that there were communication gaps.

Gutierrez responded that the Code does not provide a lot of guidance on the matter and that they will continue to work on meeting preparation as well as communicating with Clear Creek on the subject. He said that as part of the draft resolution to the Board of County Commissioners, they will require an annual review of the road condition.

Green is concerned about emergency evacuation and would approve the permit if Ondr gives it a green light. He said that conceptually everyone is totally on Shoaee’s side, “It’s really just about getting people out of there in an emergency.”

All were in favor of a continuance until the next meeting in November.

Members of the public can participate during the public comment period via Teams by utilizing the raised hand feature. For technical assistance with the broadcast, please contact the Community Development Department at 303-582-5831.

Reasonable accommodation will be provided upon request for persons with disabilities. If you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation to participate in a meeting, please contact Rob Gutierrez with Community Development at 303-582-5831.

The next meeting will be held in person on Tuesday, November 14, in the Commissioner’s Meeting Room on the second level of the Old Gilpin County Courthouse at 203 Eureka Street, Central City, Colorado.