GILPIN COUNTY - The Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) convened Tuesday morning, March 18, for a work session to discuss cost adjustments for the Community Annex, a multi-use building that will house the County food pantry, a commercial kitchen, and offices. 

Commissioners Sandy Hollingsworth, Susan Berumen, and Jeff Aiken were present, along with County Manager Ray Rears, Human Services Director Janey Barker, Facilities Manager Ryan Keenan, and Finance Specialist Jennifer Josselyn.

The project has been in the works for several years as the County sought a long-term solution for the food pantry, which currently operates out of a 25-year-old work trailer. 

The trailer was originally purchased in 2004 as a temporary office during the construction of the Community Center. 

It is valued between $5,000 and $8,000, and would require at least $76,364 in repairs over the next three years to meet codes and continue safe operations. Over the next 20 years, projected maintenance costs total approximately $313,000—far exceeding the trailer’s value.

Recognizing the need for a permanent facility, the County contracted with CSHQA Architects to develop design plans and construction drawings for a new building. The site and floor plans were completed on March 6, 2024, and presented at a work session on March 19, 2024. 

Some of the planned features include a road designed to accommodate semi-truck deliveries, separate entrances for each user group (food pantry, commercial kitchen, and offices), and a vestibule to welcome visitors. The food pantry will also have a separate entry and exit to improve shopping flow.

To help fund the project, the County applied for a grant from the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Fund (EIAF).

Last year, $650,000 was awarded to assist with construction costs. The EIAF grant program supports communities impacted by mineral and energy production, with funds derived from state severance taxes and federal royalties from mining and drilling on public lands.

The request for proposals (RFP) for construction was released in January 2025, and proposals were reviewed the week of February 24. However, the bids received came in higher than anticipated, averaging around $3.3 million—well above the County’s initial $1.8 million budget. 

With that in mind, the purpose of Tuesday’s work session was to identify potential cost-saving measures ahead of a formal discussion at the March 25 meeting of the Board of County Commissioners.

One of the most significant potential savings discussed involved relocating the building closer to the existing food pantry site. 

“I’m inclined to move it close to the old site and get the price down as much as possible,” Aiken remarked. Berumen agreed, noting that moving it would not require removing trails or trees and could significantly cut excavation costs.

Rears confirmed that excavation and hauling were among the largest expenses. “If we can store excavation material on County property rather than paying to haul it away, that alone results in a substantial reduction in costs,” he explained. 

Keenan noted they would work with County staff to determine whether the material could be used by Public Works for berms or other projects.

A discussion on roofing material followed, with some commissioners preferring a standing-seam metal roof for durability, while others considered asphalt shingles as a cost-saving alternative. 

“My concern is the wind coming through and lifting shingles,” said Hollingsworth. “I’ve seen new roofs ripped right off in that area.” The decision will factor in potential maintenance costs over time.

The commercial kitchen was another focal point. The Board considered whether it could generate revenue by renting it out to caterers and small food businesses. 

“Will we recoup some money through the commercial kitchen?”Aiken asked. Josselyn confirmed that there would be rental income, and Hollingsworth mentioned additional community benefits. 

“There are many benefits to having the commercial kitchen, including its role in emergency food preparation,” Hollingsworth said.

Gilpin County’s Community Center is Red Cross-certified as an emergency shelter, but lacks kitchen facilities. The new commercial kitchen could help provide meals for evacuees during emergencies and serve as a hub for food-based community programs. Additionally, it could support small businesses under Colorado’s cottage food laws.

The Board also debated the viability of a walk-in freezer versus standalone commercial freezers. Pantry staff emphasized that freezer space is a persistent issue. 

“We never have enough freezer room,” one volunteer noted, citing instances where food donations had to be declined due to lack of storage. The discussion leaned toward keeping the walk-in freezer, with a possible reduction in custom shelving to offset costs.

Other cost-saving suggestions included switching to a stick-frame structure rather than concrete masonry, which could reduce expenses by $835,000. 

“In a perfect world, I’d go for masonry,” said Keenan, “but with budget constraints, we can still build a durable structure that meets our needs.”

By the end of the session, proposed adjustments had reduced the estimated cost from $3.3 million to approximately $2.46 million. County staff will continue refining figures ahead of the Board’s formal contract review at the next regular meeting on March 25. 

“We’ll work to keep costs down as much as possible while ensuring the building serves its purpose for decades to come,” Keenan assured the commissioners.

While no final decisions were made, the work session set the stage for a more financially feasible path forward.

The County will post updates on the Community Annex project, including final contract details, on its website at https://gilpincounty.colorado.gov/departments-offices/county-manager/community-annex.

In the article, "Bocc work to lower cost for new food pantry," it was Commissioner Berumen, not Commissioner Hollingsworth, who expressed concern for the wind lifting shingles of an asphalt roof. Commissioner Berumen advocated for a metal roof. Additionally, it was Hollingsworth, not Berumen, who prompted moving the project closer to the current food pantry site for a cost savings.

The Mountain-Ear regrets making that switch, and apologizes to both commissioners.