Mindy Leary, Gilpin County. On Tuesday, May 19, 2020, the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners met for their regular meeting online at 9 a.m. Commissioners Gail Watson, Linda Isenhart and Ron Engels were in attendance, as were County Manager Abel Montoya and County Attorney Bradford Benning. Highlights included updates on Covid-19, from the committees working on casino re-opening and discussions on impact fees, short-term rentals and county road closures. 

Emergency Manager Nate Whittington and Public Health Coordinator Bonnie Albrecht presented the Covid-19 update saying that Gilpin County has two confirmed cases, one probable and one suspected of antibodies. The Health Communities Program funding has been cut all around the state and won’t be offered anymore.

Community testing in the form of a nasal swab is being prepared for anyone experiencing symptoms with or without a doctor’s note. The antibody test is available through Stride in Wheatridge for those that believe they have had the virus. 

Engels gave the update from the committees working on a variance request for casino re-openings, saying that they are working on the necessary protocols with representatives from the casinos. Museums are included in the county’s request because Gilpin’s is so small. 

The variance request would also include protocols in the jail to keep inmates safe due to the fact that 85% of the jail population comes from the casinos and that number would increase if casinos re-opened. Only two of the 28 current inmates in the jail population are county residents.

Chief Paul Ondr gave the third public discussion on the proposal for Timberline Fire Protection District Impact Fees. These fees will not backfill Timberline’s budget and there are a limited amount of buildable, commercial lots. 

The impact fee would be about $2,300 for residential constructions and $2.84 per foot for commercial construction. Chair Watson said that the real reason she is in favor is because of climate change and the warm weather which exacerbates the fire season. At first, the board thought the fees to be too high but after these discussions, the board approved Resolution #20-06 unanimously.

The board then recessed as the Board of County Commissioners and convened as the Board of Health. Currently, the Gilpin County Library is closed but is now seeking to offer computer services to those in need of this essential service. Keyboards will be consistently cleaned before and after use with disinfectant. The order was approved unanimously.

Short-term rentals (STRs), i.e. Air BnBs, are not allowed by the current state health order but the problem is enforcement and knowing all the locations of STRs. Noise and parking complaints have been made to the county and running an STR and staying in one could carry up to a $5,000 fine and 18 months in jail. A warning letter to manager/owners would most likely be sent to request compliance. 

The Board of Health then adjourned and the group reconvened as the Board of County Commissioners. A wedding at a residential property was requested of the county via letter and the board decided to allow it as long as there’s no more than 10 people.

More than 300 vehicles were turned away this past weekend on Tolland Road as county roads continue to be closed to non-county residents. The county foresees even more people attempting to recreate this upcoming Memorial Day weekend, and six tickets have been issued for violations against the state’s public health order. Bald Mountain is closed to non-residents in addition to Tolland, Apex, and Columbine Campground.

No public or press comment was given and the minutes from May 12 were approved. 

(Originally published in the May 21, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)