The Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) called a work session to order at approximately 4 p.m. on Monday, January 29, 2024, exclusively online via Microsoft Teams. The highlight of the meeting was Legislative Priorities and BC Public Affairs, presented by lobbyists Ed Bowditch and Jennifer Cassell.

Cassell reported that debates at the House of Representatives are “heating up.” She explained that the bills they will review with the commissioners may have operational or fiscal impacts.

She said they will focus on bills that affect County administration and will start with the House bills, followed by the Senate bills.

HB24-1006 would essentially create a position within the Governor’s Economic Development Office to assist rural communities to apply for wildfire grants and get wildfire resources. Realtors and homebuilders support the bill, and so far, Cassell does not see anyone against the bill.

Hollingsworth said she is fine to support the bill since wildfire is such a high risk in the area.

HB24-1016 Defined Personnel for Emergency Telephone Services. Bowditch explained that this bill defines the Emergency Communication Specialist as a first responder and clarifies that the 911 surcharge revenue can be used for training and services.

He shared that currently several county sheriffs, the City of Aurora and the Chiefs of Police in Boulder County have all weighed in with support of the bill. All the commissioners stated they support the bill.

HB24-1038 concerns addressing the high-acuity crisis for children and youth in need of residential behavioral health care.

Bowditch said a number of counties in addition to the Children’s Hospital and Mental Health Colorado are all in support.

Berumen said she strongly supports the bill. Mornis said she is hesitant to support a bill that the County may not have a need for. Hollingsworth said that at the very least it will support our state’s youth, who have had a shortage of beds.

HB24-1046 concerns measures to enhance child welfare system tools in requiring a mandatory reporter to report any evidence of known or suspected domestic violence in the child’s home.

Bowditch said it has bipartisan support and Arapaho and Weld Counties are on board. The lobbyists and commissioners were in support.

HB24-1054 concerning implementation of jail standards in Colorado. Bowditch said that a lot of counties are not jumping on this bill because it is a mandate and is not guaranteed to pass.

The commissioners agreed to monitor the bill since it could stand to benefit smaller jails.

SB24-002 is a CCI priority bill that would allow local governments to give property tax rebates. Cassell said the idea came from Summit County as a way to incentivize homeowners to rent their properties over a long term.

Cassell remarked on the flexibility of the bill: for example, the County could incentivize a childcare facility to come to the area. The commissioners decided to monitor the bill.

SB24-004 changes procedures for the Division of Veterans Affairs’ payment to counties for the performance of certain veterans’ services. Cassell explained that it would give more authority to counties and a change in reimbursement.

Hollingsworth raised the issue that it could actually harm smaller counties, so the Board decided to take the position of amending the bill.

SB24-022 would give counties the authority to regulate tobacco products. The commissioners decided to monitor the bill.

SB24-040 increases State funding for Senior Services so the elderly can stay in their own homes, explained Bowditch.

AARP, Boulder County, DRCOG, Jefferson County, and Mental Health Colorado are all in support of this bill. The commissioners agreed to be in support.

Hollingsworth mentioned SB24-033, which has to do with taxation of short-term rentals. She raised the concern that all STRs will switch to commercial taxation, unless they are owner-occupied. She said she has heard from residents that such a move would be detrimental to them.

Bowditch said there are lots of people fighting the bill and he guesses it will not make it out of the first committee. He recommended watching it.

The work session concluded at approximately 2 p.m.

The lobbyists said they hoped to meet with the commissioners every other Monday at 4 p.m. The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for February 12, 2024, via Microsoft Teams.