Retirement Celebration Jim Ford and his wife, Nancy, enjoy cheesecake in celebration of Water Manager Jim Ford’s retirement. PHOTO BY JOHN SCARFFE[/caption]

The Black Hawk City Council approved sign plans for Bally’s East, North, and West casinos during a regular meeting at 3 p.m. on May 11, 2022, at 211 Church Street in Black Hawk. The Council also approved a license agreement with the Boulder Mountainbike Alliance, celebrated the retirement of Water Manager Jim Ford, and heard the introduction of new employees.

On January 14, 2022, the City of Black Hawk received an application from Chuck Boncordo, YESCO, requesting approval for a Certificate of Architectural Compatibility. The casino is rebranding from the Golden Gulch Casino (321 Main St), Mardi Gras Casino (300 Main St) and the Golden Gates Casino (261 Main St), into one Bally’s identity, according to the staff report.

Julie Esterl with Baseline Corporation introduced three resolutions conditionally approving a Certificate of Architectural Compatibility for an Amendment to the Comprehensive Sign Plans for the Bally’s East Casino (Golden Gulch), the Bally’s North Casino (Mardi Gras), and the Bally’s West Casino (Golden Gates).

The three locations will be identified as Bally’s East, Bally’s North, and Bally’s West. The application proposes an amendment to existing Comprehensive Sign Plans (CSP) for all three properties.

The CSP proposes to remove all existing Golden Gulch, Mardi Gras, and Golden Gates signage, and replace it with new Bally’s signage with similar square footage. The total allowed and proposed sign area for each property is as follows: Bally’s East (Formerly Golden Gulch): 172.8 square feet allowed, 73.25 square feet proposed; Bally’s North (Formerly Mardi Gras): 1,499.4 square feet allowed, 605.20 square feet proposed; Bally’s West (Formerly Golden Gates): 1,135 square feet allowed, 541.50 square feet proposed

Overall, the three CSPs propose 1,219.95 square feet of sign area. Overall, the proposed CSP complies with the total allowed sign area for each building.

Staff recommended approval with four conditions, and the Council approved the sign plans.

Michelle Martin, Deputy City Clerk, introduced a resolution approving the License Agreement between Black Hawk and Boulder Mountainbike Alliance for an event at the Hidden Treasure trailhead on June 4, 2022. On April 25, the City Clerk’s office received a Special Event application from the Boulder Mountainbike Alliance for an E-Mountainbike Demo with morning and afternoon rides of 10-12 people at Hidden Treasure Trailhead and on Maryland Mountain trails, plus a tent at the trailhead.

The event is planned for June 4, with a rain or snow date of June 11, between 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Since the City owns this property, a License Agreement is required. City departments have already reviewed the application, and staff recommended approval

Mayor David Spellman said that is also the grand opening of Crook’s Palace and the Gregory Street Plaza. The Council approved the license agreement.

The Council celebrated the retirement of Jim Ford, Water Manager in Public Works. Mayor Spellman presented Ford with a plaque and said he has been with Public Works since 2008. “You have done a tremendous job and helped Black be the city it is today,” Spellman said. “Enjoy your retirement.” After the introduction of new employees, the Council and guests enjoyed cheesecake.

Police Chief Michelle Moriarty introduced two new officers:

Nate Geerdes, Police Officer, went to the University of Northern Iowa and graduated with a degree in nonprofit organization administration. He worked in the non-profit field for several years before deciding to go back to school to become a police officer.

He has been in law enforcement for more than ten years. He grew up in Iowa but moved to Colorado in 2007. He lives in Arvada with his wife and five-year-old son.

Sheyla Romero, Police Officer, was born in El Paso, Texas, and raised in Denver. She graduated from Denver North High School, where she enjoyed playing soccer and basketball.

Romero was in culinary arts school part-time and graduated from dental assisting school in 2016. She was a dental assistant for three years. Before joining the Black Hawk Police Department, she was a security officer and dispatcher for the Monarch Casino. She learned more about the city every day and decided to pursue her Law Enforcement career.

The City of Black Hawk sponsored her to attend the Red Rocks Community College Law Enforcement program, where she graduated in December and began the Field Training Program in January. “I plan to grow with this department and make a lasting career in the City of Black Hawk,” she said.

Fire Chief Christopher Wooley introduced three of four new firefighters:

This is a very important position, he said, because they take care of the citizens and visitors in Black Hawk. They have a variety of experiences, but the one thing they have in common is the importance of family, and Black Hawk will welcome them into the fold.

Scott Brooks, Firefighter, has been in the fire service for 13 years. Most recently, he spent the last eight years with the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control as a lead firefighter and engine boss. He grew up in New Jersey and moved to Colorado in 2008. He lives in Denver with his wife Tonia and daughter Emma, who is six. ”I plan to be with the City until I retire and I look forward to meeting everyone.”

Steven Roybal, Firefighter, was born and raised in Lakewood, Colorado, and currently resides in Westminster. “I am very fortunate to come from a large family that has most of their roots planted in Denver.”

Growing up, he never thought about the idea of becoming a Firefighter and really discovered his passion for the Fire Service about seven years ago while working in Law Enforcement. For the past two years, he has been a Volunteer Firefighter for Timberline Fire Protection District, and has grown to love the community. “I am definitely blessed to be a part of a second family here with the City of Black Hawk.”

Lindsey Sweeney, Firefighter, grew up in the mountains of Evergreen, Colorado, playing sports, skiing, and mountain biking. She studied exercise physiology and business at the University of Colorado Boulder, where she also started racing mountain, track, and road bikes.

After graduating, Sweeney moved to Nederland and started with the ski patrol at Eldora while also working in sales. She has been a volunteer for the Nederland Fire Protection District for the past five years.

“I am very excited about my new position as a firefighter for Black Hawk to serve this mountain community and be a part of a strong team,” she said.

The next Black Hawk City Council meeting will be at 211 Church Street in Black Hawk on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, at 3 p.m. For more information go to https://site.cityofblackhawk.org/.