Gilpin Commissioner Chair Susan Berumen began the August 13 BOCC meeting with a moment of silence for Undersheriff Tonia Kapke, who recently lost her battle with cancer. In her memory, several County offices will be closed on Wednesday, August 14, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Kurt Kionka, CDOT Floyd Hill Project Director, along with Stasia Sellers and Crystal Armendariz, provided an update on the I-70 Floyd Hill Construction Project.

The project aims to improve eight miles of the I-70 Mountain Corridor from west of Evergreen to eastern Idaho Springs. Key improvements include addressing the bottleneck at Floyd Hill, rebuilding bridges, and constructing a frontage road between US 6 and Hidden Valley/Central City Parkway.

Work on Early Projects began in fall 2022, including roundabouts on US 40, a wildlife underpass at I-70 and Genesee, and a wildlife overpass at US 40 at Empire. Major project improvements will add a third westbound lane on I-70, rebuild worn bridges, and extend the on-ramp from US 6 to eastbound I-70, among other improvements. Environmental mitigation efforts will enhance wildlife connectivity, air and water quality, and recreation.

Commissioner Sandy Hollingsworth confirmed that the new frontage road would be permanent, with plans for a roundabout.

As part of The Colorado Department of Transportation’s I-70 Floyd Hill Project, rock scaling and blasting will be necessary in the West and Central Sections (between the middle of Floyd Hill to Idaho Springs) of the Project to widen I-70, rebuild and replace bridges over I-70, and flatten I-70 curves to improve safety. Rock scaling is estimated to begin in the West Section after Labor Day. Rock blasting in the West and Central Sections is expected to begin in fall 2024 after the completion of rock scaling.

The Floyd Hill Project’s public information team will ensure the scaling schedule is available to the public. In addition to overhead message boards, here is how you can stay informed.

• Visit the Project website: codot.gov/ projects/i70floydhill

• Call the hotline: 720-994-2368 (CDOT)

• Email The Project and receive email updates at cdot_ floydhillproject@state.co.us

• Sign Up For text alerts: Text floydhill to 21000

• Real-time traffic information: Visit COtrip.org

• Check NextDoor before you hit the road

• Follow CDOT on Facebook and Twitter

Kionka said they will be mindful of timed tickets to events like the opera and that they may put ads on the hotel televisions to keep casino guests informed. The commissioners listened intently.

It is important to note that there will be traffic holds of up to 45 minutes during the off-peak hours, which are Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon. Travel is encouraged outside of these hours; or alternate routes are suggested, such as Highway 119 to Highway 6 or Highway 46.

A public hearing was held with the board sitting as the Local Liquor Licensing Authority about the Special Event Liquor License permit for First Responders Day.

Krystal Meyer filed an application for a Special Event Liquor License for Gilpin County First Responders Day to be held at the fairgrounds on September 7, 2024. Public Notice will appear in The Mountain-Ear on August 1 and a public hearing sign will be posted at 250 Norton Drive on or before August 1.

Meyer said there will be a charge to watch the bull-riding event, which will go towards the donations for first responders.

The public hearing was closed at 9:45 a.m. and all were in favor of approving the permit.

Sheriff Kevin Armstrong presented Resolution 24-111, Imposing Temporary Stage 2 Fire Restrictions in Gilpin County. This move comes after a conflagration of fires around the US and Canada that are spreading resources thin.

A Stage 2 Fire Ban means no open fires, no shooting except with a valid hunting license, no smoking unless in a vehicle or building, and no chainsaws without the necessary fire prevention methods.

Commissioner Marie Mornis asked whether the Board would have to rescind the motion when the fire ban is lifted. Armstrong replied in the affirmative. All were in favor of approving the restrictions.

The Gilpin County Community Center has gained two new employees, one of whom, Halle Peiffer, will now be the first third-generation Gilpin employee. Congratulations to the Peiffer family for their legacy of service to the community.

Other items covered included the Consent Agenda (with minor edits), a liquor license renewal for Coyote Liquors, approving Intergovernmental Agreements for the November 5, 2024, Coordinated Election with the City of Central and Special Election with City of Black Hawk, a gaming impact grant application, an approved field worker safety policy, and an updated IGA with Gilpin Ambulance Authority.

During the County Manager’s Report, Ray Rears reminded everyone of the next work session, scheduled for August 20 at 9 a.m., during which the Board plans to cover several topics, including but not limited to:

• CTSI 5-year loss analysis

• Office of Emergency Management

• OWTS Regulations – Public Health

• Digital Content Policy (Accessibility Policy / Updated Website Policy / social media policy)

• Digital Accessibility Coordinators

There was also a significant discussion regarding the next steps to be taken about establishing childcare in Gilpin, namely approving a lease with a new organization, Mountain Kids, which is in the process of getting their IRS approval. Rears said he will bring them before the Board for a formal introduction in the coming months.

The meeting adjourned into Executive Session at approximately 11:50 p.m.

The next regular meeting of the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners is scheduled for August 27, 2024, at 9 a.m. and will be held in person at the Historic Courthouse, 203 Eureka Street, Central City and online via Zoom.