BLACK HAWK — Emotion filled the Black Hawk City Council chambers on January 28 as council members learned that Police Chief Michelle Moriarty plans to retire after only five years of service.

City Manager Stephen Cole shared the news with the board, saying he reluctantly accepted the letter Moriarty sent earlier in the week requesting to step down on March 1. 

As the Chief addressed the council, her voice wavered while she reflected on her time in Black Hawk.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here. I couldn't have asked for a better place to end my law enforcement career,” Moriarty said. “I'm so grateful, so thank you for everything.”

Mayor David Spellman praised Moriarty’s impact on both the department and the city. “Michelle, you've been a true asset for the Department, but also for the City overall,” Spellman said. “So I know I speak for the entire Board when I say we hate to see you leave the City.”

Twenty-year council veteran Paul Bennett chimed in. “It doesn't seem to me that she's been here five years,” he said in his gruff tone, triggering boisterous laughter from around the room. (Bennett is known for teasing new employees that they need to stay with the city for six, seven years, if not ten.)

With emotion still in her voice, Moriarty shared that she is proud of her 31 years in law enforcement and grateful for the chance to serve as Black Hawk’s police chief for the past five years.

Bennett then grumbled, asking if she was even old enough to retire, which sparked another round of light-hearted laughter.

Before the farewell discussion, the group addressed several routine but important action items and unanimously approved all three resolutions on the agenda.

The council heard Resolution 6-2026, which establishes maintenance responsibilities for a detention pond associated with development on Gregory Hill.

Cole explained that Club Vista Properties entered into a subdivision agreement in 2021 to create nine lots on Gregory Hill and that the new easement agreement clarifies who is responsible for maintaining the drainage facility.

“It’s on Club Vista’s property, but because we all have property that drains into that basin, we just want to make sure that it's covered and it's maintained,” Cole said.

Council also approved Resolution 7-2026, authorizing the mayor to execute a quitclaim deed to seat a new board member for the Silver Dollar Metropolitan District. The district nominated J.J. Garcia to replace John East as the registered elector representing The Lodge Casino.

The board then approved Resolution 8-2026, authorizing a tenth addendum to the City’s professional services agreement with LRE Water, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $150,000 for water rights engineering and well design services.

Staff told council that LRE has provided similar services to the city for more than a decade, including work to maintain conditional water rights and protect the city’s interests in water court.

Earlier in the meeting, the council also recognized long-serving members of the Historic Preservation Commission for their years of service: Chair Lynnette Hailey (10 years), Vice-Chair Tonya Cadena-Barnett (5 years), and Commissioner Curtis Linder (15 years).

Following the regular business meeting, the council voted to enter an executive session to receive legal advice regarding public infrastructure and potential legislation, and to discuss personnel matters related to the City Manager. 

The next meeting is scheduled for February 11, 2026, and will be held in the Council Chambers at 211 Church Street.