BLACK HAWK – The Black Hawk City Council meeting on February 12 opened with an air of solemnity as Mayor David Spellman addressed the early morning fire at Central City's Gold Mountain Village Apartments. 

The blaze, which erupted at approximately 3:15 a.m., resulted in the loss of one life and revealed both the bravery of first responders and concerns over emergency response coordination.

“We were the first fire department to show up on scene; we were the only ones to lay hose, to extinguish the fire,” Spellman said, spotlighting the crucial role Black Hawk’s first responders played. He also called for “a true accounting of what took place” and a deeper examination of response protocols.

Police officers risked their lives

Black Hawk Police Chief Michelle Moriarty praised two officers, Sergeant Levi Martson and Officer Sean Webb, who arrived first and risked their lives attempting a rescue.

“They tried to make efforts to rescue, to the point of crawling into the apartment on the floor in a smoke-filled room, smoke-filled hallways,” Moriarty recounted. 

“And when that was unfortunately unsuccessful, they evacuated the entire side of that building amongst the two of them as they fought through the smoke all the way till the end.”

Both officers sustained smoke inhalation and were treated at the hospital before being released to recover at home. 

Moriarty extended condolences to the family of the deceased, stating, “We are saddened by the loss of a community member today and we hold their family and friends in our thoughts.”

Fire department outpaced mutual aid

Black Hawk Fire Chief Christopher Woolley echoed the sentiment, commending the coordinated efforts of his department and the police.

“This is a fire that five people handled within less than five minutes from arrival,” Woolley said, contrasting Black Hawk’s response with what might have been expected in a larger city, where more firefighters would typically have been dispatched to a multi-family dwelling.

“They take their job very seriously, both law enforcement and fire, and I'm very proud of the efforts that everyone had put into this call,” said Woolley.

“It is an incident that could have been far more catastrophic had it not been for the efforts of the Black Hawk Police Department and the Black Hawk Fire Department,” Spellman said.

Questions linger over response coordination

Spellman was direct in his criticism of the broader emergency response system. “I don’t think the press release by Gilpin County Sheriff’s Office fully acknowledges that,” he said, implying that Black Hawk’s role in containing the fire had been understated. 

He also questioned a “huge delay” in Black Hawk’s fire department being toned out to respond and whether they were called for aid in a timely manner. 

Councilman Paul Bennett jokingly remarked that Central City “always thinks Black Hawk is trying to screw them,” referring to the longstanding friction between the two municipalities.

Spellman countered that this incident serves as evidence to the contrary, demonstrating Black Hawk’s commitment to aiding their neighbors in times of crisis.

Despite these frustrations, Spellman announced plans to formally recognize the heroism of both police officers and firefighters at an upcoming council meeting. 

“At the next meeting or shortly after, we’ll probably recognize the two officers and the fire department members as well,” he said.

Investigation underway

While the cause of the fire remains under investigation, early indications suggest that an oxygen concentrator may have played a role. Officials cautioned against speculation, but promised to share details as they emerge.

The meeting continued with routine council business, including discussions on a biennial liquor license renewal ordinance, approval of a construction agreement for a historic preservation project, and the purchase of essential City vehicles. 

Councilman Jim Johnson cast a nay vote on the construction agreement, citing ongoing issues with White Construction. 

Johnson, who lives next to the construction site, voiced concerns about the project’s impact on his property and the contractor's lack of responsiveness. 

“White Construction is not doing a good job,” Johnson said, expressing frustration over debris in his yard, an absentee project manager, and the company’s failure to pay for the electricity they have used. 

During the City Manager's report, concerns were raised about multiple residents experiencing sewage issues following underground utility work on Chase Street. 

The City proposed scoping the affected lines to determine whether the problems were related to the construction, a move seen as a goodwill gesture to address growing complaints.

However, the weight of the early morning tragedy lingered. The actions of Black Hawk’s first responders ensured that the fire did not claim more lives, and the City now turns its attention to ensuring such heroism does not go unnoticed or unsupported in the future. 

The next Black Hawk City Council meeting is scheduled for February 26, 2025, and can be attended in-person at 211 Church Street.