CENTRAL CITY — Affordable housing took up much of the Central City Council meeting on October 6, 2026, as the City looked ahead to its next three-year commitment under Proposition 123.

The Council unanimously approved Resolution 26-29, allowing the City to submit its affordable housing commitment to the Colorado Department of Local Affairs for 2027 through 2029. The City will also seek designation as a “rural resort community.”

Community Development Director Jeff Noffsinger gave some background.

Central City had committed to 13 affordable housing units through the end of 2026. None were actually built in Central City, but an agreement with Idaho Springs and other jurisdictions allowed the communities to share Proposition 123 credits. DOLA determined in September that Central City had met its commitment.

Now it is time for the next cycle. Based on DOLA calculations, Central City needs to commit to six affordable housing units over the next three years.

Mayor Jeremy Fey asked Noffsinger what advantages could come with being designated a rural resort community.

Noffsinger said it could give the City more flexibility when working with developers. The area median income threshold could go from 100% to 140% or more, opening affordable housing programs to more of the local workforce.

“If it’s capped at 100%, then you’re missing a lot of the workforce in our community that are earning higher incomes, but still can’t afford to get into a market-rate house,” Noffsinger said.

There could also be some grant money available. Noffsinger said an upcoming funding cycle could offer a subsidy of around $30,000 to $40,000 per unit for vertical construction.

The designation is meant for communities that deal with the effects of tourism, he said. Central City could qualify because it is a gaming community.

The resolution passed unanimously.

Matching county fire restrictions

City Manager Daniel Miera explained that when Gilpin County announces fire restrictions, they do not automatically apply inside Central City.

The City would like to make the rules more consistent.

“This is a change to the ordinance that would allow us to do just that,” Miera said.

The ordinance would allow the City Manager, or a designee, to mirror Stage 1 or Stage 2 restrictions put in place by Gilpin County.

Fey had some concerns about whether that would tie the hands of future city leaders if conditions were different in Central City.

“I don’t like obligating future councils or fire chiefs to do what the county does,” Fey said.

After some discussion, it was clarified that the City would still have flexibility based on local conditions. Miera said the idea is to keep Central City and the County on the same page as much as possible, making the rules easier for the public to understand and easier to enforce.

The Council unanimously approved the first reading. A second reading and public hearing are scheduled for October 20.

Sheriff’s office gives an update

Gilpin County Sheriff’s Office Division Chief Sean Wheeler came with some numbers from September.

Deputies conducted 227 area checks in Central City during the month. That included residential areas, the Parkway, apartments, and other parts of town.

They also made 191 casino checks and checked 54 Central City businesses.

Wheeler said the Gilpin County Sheriff’s Office assisted Black Hawk Police 26 times during the month and the Colorado Division of Gaming 21 times. Black Hawk officers also help Gilpin County deputies in Central City when needed.

Eighteen calls in Central City ended up becoming police reports in September. There were 61 countywide.

Wheeler called Central City “a fairly safe city.”

The reports included two thefts, two car accidents, welfare checks, two assaults in progress, a drug violation, a mental health case, and one sex crime.

Mayor Pro-Tem Chuck Spencer thanked Wheeler for the deputies who patrol through his business, the Central City KOA campground.

Fey brought up another concern. He said he has heard from some longtime residents who feel disconnected from deputies since Central City lost its own police department.

Wheeler said the Sheriff’s Office is trying to get out into the community more, including through "Coffee with a Cop" events at different places and times.

“It’s tough when a city loses a PD, and we’re doing our best to fill that void,” Wheeler said.

Creepy Crawl and other events

Gilpin Historical Society board member Deb Wray used public comment to talk about the annual Creepy Crawl, coming up October 23 and 24.

She thanked Century Casino for providing space for the event and Dostal Alley for offering participants a free beer after the tours.

Wray also said she feels the Historical Society sometimes gets overlooked. The Creepy Crawl alone brings hundreds of people into town, she said, along with visitors coming for the Cemetery Crawl, museum, and tours.

She would like the Historical Society to get more notice from the City.

Betty Mahaffey promoted the next Belvidere lecture, set for October 10 at 4 p.m. at Monte Lobo, 131 Main Street. The program will look at Confederate migration to Brazil.

John Kittredge will return October 24 at 4 p.m. to talk about women miners.

Affordable housing came up again during public comment when developer Dirk Larson told the Council he is working on a plan to help Gilpin County residents buy homes.

Larson said property he owns on Eureka Street could provide 28 building sites. He is looking at different ways to make the homes more affordable, including grants, water tap assistance, and down payment programs.

He expects to bring a proposal to the City before the end of the month.

Fey later encouraged City staff to work with Larson and other developers interested in affordable housing.

Fey also reminded everyone that the third annual Taste of Gilpin will take place on November 12.

A quick CCURA meeting

The Central City Urban Renewal Authority met before the regular Council meeting.

The Authority approved a revised agreement with the Central City Downtown Development Authority dealing with pledged tax increment financing revenue. 

Miera said the DDA wanted more flexibility in how some of the money could be used, while revenue from five mills would remain reserved for public improvements.

The Authority also presented its 2027 budget. The projected year-end balance is about $80,000. The budget will move forward to the City Council for approval.

The City Council ended its meeting in executive session for legal advice concerning issues involving the owners of 402 Stevens Street, commonly known as the Rittenhouse House, and to discuss negotiations involving the shuttle service intergovernmental agreement.

The Central City Council will meet again on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 6 p.m. at Central City Hall.