In January, the City of Black Hawk City Council approved the purchase of a new fire engine for about $1 million during a regular meeting at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, January 11, 2023. The Council also approved beginning-of-the-year business, including naming the Weekly Register-Call the newspaper of record for the City.

On January 25, the Council approved waiving water fees for the Rick Thomas Distillery for one year. The Council also approved a new subdivision and setback variance for Chase Street and the purchase of new vehicles.

On February 8, the Council approved the lease of the B&C convenience store. The Council also approved the Water Storage Agreement between Black Hawk and Golden, the purchase of one pickup truck, and waiving the payment of certain enumerated occupational taxes. Pizzeria design paves the way for construction.

On Wednesday, March 8, the City Council approved the design for a new pizzeria on Gregory Plaza. The Council also approved a new retail liquor store license for Peak to Peak Market, LLC, and an ordinance for a transportation grant.

The City Council approved the acquisition of properties for construction of roadways, and set hearings for annexing property, on Wednesday, April 12. The Council also approved the acquisition of Lots 6-12, Block 42.

On April 26, the Council approved adopting the three-mile annexation plan and set hearings for June 14. The Council approved design services on the Police Station Renovation Project, the grant to acquire a Narcotics Analyzer, parking fees and regulations, and providing funding for 2023 for the Gregory Street HARD District Business Marketing Association.

On May 10, the Council approved an outdoor event venue and beer garden and tastings at liquor stores. The Council also approved three leases for property at 221 Gregory Street. On May 24, the Council approved a site development plan for the Copper Kitchen Pizzeria. The Council approved a Site Development Plan for the City-owned properties at 200-496 Gregory Street.

The Council approved eight actions for land acquisition and two zoning changes during a regular meeting on June 14. The City of Black Hawk received petitions for annexation of property in unincorporated Gilpin County. The petitions are from the City of Black Hawk and Proximo Distillers, LLC, landowners, and covers about 7.88 acres of land north of Central City Parkway, south of Gregory Hill, and intersecting Lake Gulch Road.

Vincent Harris of Baseline said 11 acres of land are owned by the City and Proximo. He recommended approval, and the Council approved the resolution.

On June 28, the Council approved a water storage agreement with Golden. The Council also approved purchasing equipment for the police department, engineering services for the Elkhorn Tank, and concrete replacement.

The lights went out in the City Council chambers at the end of the July 26 meeting. During the meeting, loud claps of thunder could be heard, and then, finally and suddenly, the lights went out as the last action item was being approved.

The Council heard a request for land acquisitions on Bates Hill. The City is initiating annexation proceedings on parcels in unincorporated Gilpin County, according to the staff report. The proposed annexations include Annexation No. 1 through Annexation No. 6, all on Bates Hill in Section 12, Township 3 South, Range 73 West, 6th P.M.

All annexation areas are adjacent to the City of Black Hawk. All areas considered to be annexed are owned by the City and cover about 19.6 acres of land on Bates Hill. Annexation Nos. 1-6 will extend the City’s boundaries while remaining within the agreed upon Growth Area Boundary per the 2020 Amended and Restated Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with Central City.

On August 9, the Council approved water agreements and a transaction between Maverick Casino and Proximo Distillery. Bradley Dallam, Water Resource Engineer, introduced an ordinance approving a billing agreement for the Section 401 of the Clean Water Act, State Water Quality Certification, between Black Hawk and the State of Colorado; Department of Public Health and Environment.

City Manager Stephen Cole introduced an ordinance approving the property exchange agreement between Black Hawk, Maverick Gaming, LLC, and Proximo Distillers, LLC.

In 2016, Gold Mountain Development conveyed its holdings to RSM Partners. In 2020, RSM conveyed multiple properties to Proximo. During a subsequent title review, Proximo determined Maverick Gaming, LLC, has an ownership interest in the Denver Lode, St. Anthony Lode, and Government Lot 144.

Proximo wants full ownership of the parcels as the area is developed. The City offered to convey .08 acres located at 7315 Black Hawk Boulevard to Maverick in exchange for Maverick conveying their interest in the properties listed above to Proximo.

The exchange gives Proximo full ownership of the above properties along Lake Gulch Road, reducing potential access conflicts as Lake Gulch Road is improved. In addition, the conveyance of 7315 Black Hawk Boulevard to Maverick will consolidate all the property in the block, which will help Maverick sell the property and make it easier for any developer to use the entire site for development.

The City Council approved paving projects and also approved Great Plains Communications for Internet Access, reappointed two regular members to the City of Black Hawk Historic Preservation Commission, and appointed them to the Silver Dollar District . They also approved Christmas decorations for this year.

Steve Jackson and Tom Isbester introduced a resolution ratifying the agreement for the paving of various City-owned properties with Classic Asphalt Solutions, LLC, in an amount not to exceed $97,980. This will include paving Crooks, Cooper Street, and City Hall.

The City Council approved water system improvements and ratified three judges on October 11. Public Works introduced a resolution approving an amendment to the professional services agreement with ERO Resources Corporation for the City’s Water System Improvement Permit applications in an amount not to exceed $126,435.56.

In July of 2022, the Council approved a professional services agreement with ERO Resources for services related to obtaining all permits needed for Water System Improvements, including the studies and report preparation of the Environmental Impact Statements.

Since then, the Corps of Engineers has added items to be studied that were not envisioned in the approved contract. Specifically, they added a new raw water reservoir site for consideration in the Unnamed Gulch basin, which is now required for the final alternative analysis portion of the permitting process.

In addition, staff is now requesting that the Hidden Valley Infiltration Gallery be separated from the project as defined in the Water System Improvement Project. The Infiltration Gallery is projected to be needed sooner than the rest of the project.

On October 25, The Council approved purchasing mining claims. The Council also approved a change order to the Professional Services Agreement with LRE Water, Inc., and an agreement with Lumin8 Transportation Technologies for Annual On-Call Traffic Signal Maintenance.

City Manager Cole introduced a resolution approving the acquisition of certain real property known as the Washington 611, the Mountain Rose 598, and the Jenkins Mining Claims. He said it would cost $135,000 for property on Gregory Hill with four acres outside of the city and six acres inside the city.

Before the official meeting at 1:30 p.m. on November 8, the City Council heard special presentations regarding the Bobtail Mine and the Copper Kitchen.

Matt Collins, President, and Ed McGoldrick, Vice President, of Black Fox Mining proposed improvements to the Bobtail Mine in order to allow tourism of the mine. Peter E. Heinz with PEH architects, presented the Copper Kitchen Pizzeria updated plan for 307 Gregory Street in Black Hawk.

The Council approved exterior and interior designs for the Copper Kitchen and the demolition of a building at 271 Gregory Street during a special meeting on December 13 beginning at 2:30 p.m. The Council also approved the 2024 budget and pay schedule and an agreement for Tramway services.

For more information, go to https://www.cityofblackhawk.org/.