Jacqueline Hart Gibson, Black Hawk. The Black Hawk City Council was called to order on March 24, 2020, at 3 p.m. through a Zoom virtual meeting. City council meetings will be conducted through this service for the foreseeable future in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and resulting stay-at-home orders in Colorado. The Aldermen, Mayor Spellman, City Attorney Hoffman and City Manager Cole, were all in attendance. The pledge of allegiance was observed, and no conflicts of interest were reported. The minutes from the regular meeting held March 11, 2020, and the special meeting held March 18, 2020, were both approved unanimously. 

In public hearings, nine resolutions pertaining to the Lake Gulch Whiskey Resort, a resort currently in the planning and development stages, all carried unanimously. The 50 million dollar Lake Gulch Whiskey Resort project has the support of Gilpin County commissioners and the Gilpin County School District. Central City does not support the project and has filed a lawsuit against the city of Black Hawk in an effort to derail the project. Central City’s lawsuit was filed at 2 p.m., March 24, 2020, the day Black Hawk’s council would meet to zone property for the Whiskey Resort. Mayor Spellman spoke to the lawsuit, seemingly holding nothing back as he tore into Central City’s leadership, in his closing remarks. 

“Central City’s opposition to a project that will benefit all of Gilpin County demonstrates a decisive lack of leadership and failure to look out for their residents and businesses or their city by squandering precious revenue at a time like this, on a frivolous lawsuit. Instead of waiving their casinos device fees at a time like this to give relief, they would rather line the pockets of their city attorney and outside legal counsel. These actions are shameful. The council’s actions amount to intellectual bankruptcy and they are devoid of how to better their city without resorting to extortion.” 

Mayor Spellman continued, directing his comments squarely at the city whose leadership he was scorching. “Central City, you cannot extort your way to success. You cannot extort your way to prosperity. It will only bring further ruin to your city which you can ill afford. It appears this may also be rooted in jealousy, envy and spitefulness, which will only bring more doom and gloom to the city you claim to love and represent. This is beyond shameful. This is pathetic and irresponsible.” 

The Mayor ended his remarks by referencing the city’s seal, stating its meaning was as relevant today as it had been in 1863. “Black Hawk will continue to persevere and push ahead. (Our city’s seal) has always been an admonishment and a warning to those who would somehow try to interfere with Black Hawk’s goals.” 

Two resolutions approving lots and renovations at 211 - 221 Gregory Street were continued until May 13, 2020. In action items a resolution extending the order declaring a local disaster emergency in and for the city of Black Hawk, and a resolution approving the 2020 fireworks production contract between the city of Black Hawk and Western Enterprises, both carried unanimously. 

City Manager Cole did not have anything to add in his report and the meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m. for an executive session called by City Attorney Hoffman. 

The next meeting of the Black Hawk City Council is scheduled at 3 p.m., April 8, 2020. Anyone interested in attending can get information to log in on the Black Hawk website at www.cityofblackhawk.org.

(Originally published in the April 2, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)