Reach Kathy by phone at 720-373-8084

How long have you lived in Central City? I bought my home here in 2020. As a Colorado native, I have great childhood memories of seeing the “Face on the Barroom Floor.”

What post-secondary schools have you attended? I’m a graduate of Colorado State University-Pueblo.I majored in Mass Communications with a minor in Business.

What specific training or education have you received relevant to the position? A friend likes to say that as a veteran journalist, I’ve written the first draft of history. I’ve spent much of my career as a newsroom leader, journalist, radio news anchor and reporter.In June of 2025, I retired as Regional News Director for IHeartMedia in Denver. As a reporter, I attended hours of City Council meetings, County Commission meetings, school board meetings and legislative sessions across Montana, New Mexico and Colorado. Prior to that I worked as a marketing director for a shopping center developer.  With this skill set, I’ve learned about listening and about government and business. I’ve also learned about rules of procedure for all types of non-profit and governmental boards.

Briefly describe your current career and home life. In May, I was sworn-in as an alderman to the Central City Council to fill a vacant seat. I’m blessed to have a wonderful extended family and many friends. I volunteer and stay active in this community. I like to hike and travel, read and write. I’m also a fan of live music and theatre. I enjoy attending the Central City Opera, eating Pizza at Dostal Alley and can’t resist finding a deal at Ermel’s Emporium.

List the local boards and civic or volunteer activities in which you have been involved and the dates of service. Since 2024, I’ve served as the Secretary of the Belvidere Foundation Board of Directors. We continue our vital work to preserve and protect the landmark building and theater in Central City. At church, I’m a member of the Tri-Parish Finance Council which includes St. Mary’s in Central City. I also briefly served as an alternate member of Central City’s planning commission.

Have you attended Central City Council and/or other local government meetings? I have been following City Council activities for ten years. I attended City Council meetings both virtually and in-person in the past. Since my appointment to council, I have perfect attendance at meetings. In addition, I’ve helped with a presentation before the Gilpin County Commissioners in my role with the Belvidere Foundation and have met all members of the County Commission.

How would you improve the professional experience of Central City staff? The staff of the city show their dedication and professionalism every day. I’m grateful for their hard work.

What do you see as the major issues facing Central City? How would you begin to address them?  We need to continually promote why Central City is a great place to live, do business and spend time as a tourist. We need our infrastructure, especially water and roads, to be priorities for the city’s capital improvements. By working with the BID and DDA, we need to develop rental assistance or a support plan for new businesses. We must get empty storefronts filled, especially seasonally. The city would benefit from incremental growth from new residents. We need to do all we can to encourage families and workers to move to our community. Finally, we all need to be part of the solution in welcoming tourism and expanding tourism offerings.

As an elected official, what would be your top three goals for the city and county in the next year? I want to do all I can to encourage tourism and compatible business development in Central City and beyond. When it comes to the city and county, I want to be of service when it matters most. Emergency preparedness and emergency communications are very important to me. Finally, I support welcoming new residents to our community. I believe that making decisions which are in line with the City’s updated Comprehensive Plan will help us get there.

What would you prefer regarding the location of sexually oriented businesses in Central City – Main Street, or presently zoned Industrial area? Other suggestions? Based on the results of the vote last November on 2A, our citizens have spoken. They want sexually oriented businesses off Main Street.There is a zoned industrial section of town where sexually oriented businesses are allowed. I will always prefer to honor the wishes of our fine citizens.

What is your opinion on G3 gaming development in Central City? So far, I’ve been very impressed with their planning and professionalism. The architects have responded to community concerns. I am optimistic about the development, and the future promise it represents for Central City. Like most projects of this size, there are still many decisions to come and details to be worked out to ensure our quality of life in Central City.

How would you collaborate with other Central City or Gilpin County departments and organizations? In my career as a Colorado radio news director, I had vast experience in crisis and emergency communications. I’d like to lend that experience to both the city and the county to assist with information dissemination during emergency situations. On a broader level, I’m a collaborator at heart. Conflict resolution and information-gathering and analysis are among my strengths. I also have great interest in tourism promotion for our region. I very much enjoy brainstorming about business and marketing strategy. 

Why do you want to hold the office for which you are running? Have you run for/held political office before? If so, where and when? I want to help Central City in any way I can. I’m now in a position where I have the time and energy to devote to public office. During my long career as a reporter, I’ve interacted with many politicians. I’ve seen functional and visionary government decision-making at its best and have witnessed moments of decisive leadership for the good of all, not personal gain. I want to follow in those footsteps. My appointment to City Council earlier this year marks the first time I’ve ever held public office.

Will you be able to meet the time requirements of the office? Absolutely!  I’m so very fortunate to be able to have the time to commit to Central City and residents. While I stay active and busy, Central City and its people are my priority.

How have you, and/or how will you, operate with transparency and honesty in your role? I’ve spent my career working to ensure First Amendment freedoms. My career and national RTDNA board leadership have been focused on freedom of speech and asking good questions of our leaders to get to the truth. I believe that transparency is key to good government. There is nothing more important to me than my ethics and values. I understand and support Freedom of Information at all levels of government. My phone number will always be available to city residents.

How will you handle conflict resolution, if elected? Job one is to listen. I pride myself on being able to listen and ask questions to shed more light on situations which create conflict. By nature, I’m a peacemaker and diplomat. But that said, I know how to stand up for my core beliefs around ethics and fairness.

Please disclose any current personal and/or professional relationships with the City of Black Hawk, City of Central, or Gilpin County. I’m not personally or professionally connected to anyone working for or doing business with our governments.

If you could ask one other candidate one question, who is it and what would it be? For Mr. Langan, if elected, would you commit to recusing yourself from all council decisions regarding your legal, private and business ventures in Central City?