The Gilpin County Board The Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) called their regular meeting to order at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. In attendance were Commissioners Marie A. Mornis, Susan Berumen, and Sandy Hollingsworth; County Manager Ray Rears, and County Attorney Brad Benning.

Colorado Parks & Wildlife, Wolf Reintroduction Update: Tim Woodward, Wildlife Officer and Mark Lamb, Wildlife Supervisor, indicated information from the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website:

Proposition 114 - State statute 33-2-105.8 called for the reintroduction of gray wolves on designated lands west of the Continental Divide. Statute directed the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission to:

“Develop a plan to reintroduce and manage gray wolves in Colorado no later than December 31, 2023, on designated lands west of the Continental Divide …. There is no wolf population objective in the final management and restoration plan…. Wolves will be delisted from the State Threatened and Endangered species list … when a minimum count of at least 150 wolves anywhere in Colorado is observed for two successive years, or a minimum count of at least 200 wolves anywhere in Colorado is observed, with no temporal requirement….

“The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has designated the wolf population in Colorado as “Experimental” which relaxes take prohibitions. As a federally listed species, there is a strict prohibition against regulated hunting and other forms of take.”

Lamb said they released wolves in December 2023. Woodward said no wolves have traveled south of I-70. In the interest of protecting private landowners, the DOW does not share the location of the wolves.

Berumen asked how long it will take for the wolves to reach a healthy population. Lamb said it is an experiment, but they are theorizing it will possibly occur when the population reaches 200.

The group discussed how people have been confusing dogs with wolves.

The wolves have only been released on the Western Slope in Grand, Summit, and Eagle counties.

The Board thanked the officers for the update.

State Park Local Access Funding Study for SB23-059: Jake Jorgenson, Project Manager, RRC Associates, said SB23 was passed in May of 2023. The bill allows for local governments to apply up to a $2 daily fee on daily vehicle passes at State Parks and that fee will be applied to local access route funding.

RRC Associates have been working with Golden Gate Canyon State Park, discussing the various roads into the park. Public Works Director John Combs said the County dusts Gap Road twice annually at a cost of $35,753 per year.

Hollingsworth said that if CPW (Colorado Parks and Wildlife) reaches their anticipated goal, then the County can collect funds for road maintenance, bike paths, and other access points into state parks.

This bill only applies to counties with state parks and roads that access state parks. The criteria to apply will be adjudicated this June and the fees could be collected as early as January of 2025. Hollingsworth noted that “This could be a potential source of revenue for the County.”

PUBLIC HEARING – Resolution 24-49, PUD Rezoning for 5312 CO Hwy 119: Rob

Gutierrez, Community Development Director led the discussion, based on this information:

“The applicant, Gilpin County, is seeking a rezone to allow for multifamily residential use at 5312 Colorado Highway 119, also known as the Coyote Motel West. The parcel subject to the rezone is known as Parcel B, which was created by Boundary Line Adjustment 15-04A. Both Parcels A and B from BLA 15-04A are currently zoned as the Wild Rose Planned Unit Development (PUD), which allows for light commercial uses.

“Approval of this rezone request would create a new PUD for Parcel B that would add multifamily residential as a permitted use, subject to recording a deed restriction that requires that all residential units would qualify as affordable rentals as defined by Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.) 29-32-101(2).”

Gutierrez said the rezoning comes with a positive recommendation from the Zoning Commission.

At 10:05 a.m., Berumen opened the public comment section.

Kathleen Balfour asked for more information on the wastewater and available wells. She also said she does not understand how $125,000 per year in income defines eligibility for affordable housing or why they would take the Boulder County median numbers.

She said the community needs more information on who is going to pay for the Coyote Motel.

At 10:08 a.m., public comment was closed.

Referring to the Affordable Housing commitment that the Board adopted last year, Gutierrez said they used the Boulder County AMI instead of Clear Creek’s because that is closer to Gilpin’s numbers. Berumen said the rents will relate to a percentage of the AMI, more like 60%, which brings those numbers down.

DOLA does not want the project submitted if the land use is not permitted.

Gutierrez said there are a lot of unknowns still because the land entitlement comes first for DOLA. Nothing will change on the property in the short term until feasibility is determined.

Mornis moved to adopt the resolution, Hollingsworth seconded, and all were in favor.

Public hearing was closed at 10:20 a.m.

Resolution 24-64, Authorizing the Submission of Requests for Congressionally Directed Spending and Community Project Funding for Fiscal Year 2025: Ryan Keenan, Facilities Director; Melissa Lewis, Emergency Manager; and Jamie Boyle, Grants Manager & Writer had presented three potential project ideas to the BoCC at a regular meeting on February 27, and requested direction on which project to submit for initial consideration and discussion with congressional staffers.

The three projects included improvements at the Dakota Hill Tower site, replacement of the generator at the Justice Center, and general roadway safety improvements throughout the county. The BoCC directed staff to submit an initial letter of interest for the Dakota Hill Tower project.

A letter of interest has been submitted for Dakota Hill but the chance of funding is slim, said Boyle.

The second choice for funding is the Justice Center backup generator. Staff have tried to find funding unsuccessfully in the past, but have been told the project is highly eligible. Boyle and Keenan requested permission to apply for funding, which would be over $1 million.

Boyle offered the board an updated budget for the project if they do receive approval. The application is due on March 29. Rears said he believes the project application will be successful.

Mornis asked what the match would be for the County. Boyle said she estimates the match requirement would be about 20% of $1.1 million, or $250,000.

All were in favor of adopting the resolution.

Benning delivered the County Attorney’s Report, saying that a utility truck was damaged and they are working on a replacement. He has also been helping Alisa Witt with the Gilpin County Community Health Improvement Plan.

He attended a meeting of a Gilpin County Competency Court proceeding, which serves to determine if certain currently incarcerated inmates are determined to be eligible for this supervised release program that provides assistance for these individuals.

The objective, he continued, is to free up resources and help with drug rehabilitation.

Benning has also been reviewing how best to work with the local fire districts and authorities; state, federal, and local governments; the Colorado Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire Suppression and Control; the Colorado Division of Water Resources and the public to identify qualifying fire suppression ponds in Gilpin County through historic maps or other documentation.

Rears presented the County Manager’s Report with possible topics for the Board to discuss at the April 16 work session:

• South Beaver Creek Road Improvement – Status

• Public Works Call Schedule / Plow Roadway Classification

• Community Center Annex – Design

• 2024 Budget Update / 2025 Budget Process Discussion

• Rollinsville (Train, cistern/fire protection, parking, development, and infrastructure)

• Noxious Weed Ordinance

• Policies (TBD)

Hollingsworth suggested that the Rollinsville topic be discussed in Rollinsville. She said that Toss Pizza offered to host the event.

The Board discussed having a meeting on the evening of April 16 at the Fritz Peak Timberline Station 3. Rears said he would check with the Observatory for the date.

Future work session dates will be May 21, June 4, July 30, August 20, September 17, October 1, November 5, and December 1.

The Community Engagement Report showed that more of the community is engaging with County efforts.

Rears said the food pantry served 292 households and 8,950 individuals last year. He said the information will be shared publicly later today on social media.

Berumen said this confirms that use of the pantry is increasing. Rears said there will be an article showing how there is a need for a new building and will provide clarification of the building costs, which should only require about $300,000 from the County.

During Public Comment, one resident said the numbers for the food pantry were surprising and that these numbers solidify the need for the food pantry. She also asked if renewable energy has been looked at as an option for the backup generator.

Another resident said she volunteers at the food pantry and that it is a really important place for those who live in isolated areas, and for making sure people have food security.

Hollingsworth thanked her for volunteering.

The Board recessed into Executive Session at 11:08 a.m. and reconvened at 1:05 p.m. Berumen said the Executive Session was concerned with an offer from the City of Black Hawk for money dedicated to Parks and Recreation. She said they appreciate the offer and look forward to negotiating the proposed terms in the future.

The meeting adjourned at 1:07 p.m.

The next regular meeting of the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners is scheduled for April 9, 2024, at 9 a.m. and will be held in person at the Historic Courthouse located at 203 Eureka Street in Central City and online via Zoom.