CENTRAL CITY - The Central City Council on August 5, 2025, unanimously approved conveying City-owned property to the Colorado Department of Transportation for the I-70 Floyd Hill to Veterans Memorial Tunnels project.

They also expanded the Central City Business Improvement District boundaries and ratified the use of eminent domain by the City’s Urban Renewal Authority.

Mayor Jeremy Fey and council members voted unanimously in favor of all measures.

Eminent domain ratification

Resolution 25-08 ratified the Urban Renewal Authority’s use of eminent domain to acquire three parcels needed for the Gregory Gulch Resort Planned Unit Development.

Two parcels are owned by Colorado MG 1031 LLC and one by CGP LLC. The developer will cover acquisition costs.

CDOT property transfer

The council adopted Ordinance 25-05 on second reading, authorizing the transfer of 0.406 acres of right-of-way near Central City Parkway to CDOT for interchange improvements at Exit 243. 

CDOT will pay the city $248,780, a figure based on an appraisal by Pinnacle Valuation and Consulting LLC. Funds will be deposited in the Public Property Development Trust Fund, which currently holds just over $2.5 million.

Business Improvement District inclusion

Ordinance 25-06 adds 103 Eureka Street back into the Central City Business Improvement District, making it subject to BID taxation. The property had been removed from the District in 2018.

The move satisfies an intergovernmental agreement requiring that inclusion before any long-term lease or sale of City-owned property.

Lease agreement delayed

Then the council considered Ordinance 25-07, which would approve the lease of 103 Eureka Street for RM Central City LLC. At the tenant’s request, the Right of First Option to Purchase will be replaced with a direct purchase option.

Staff will bring a revised ordinance for first reading to the meeting on August 19, with a possible second reading on September 2.

Staff updates and fire hydrants

Public Works Director Marc Johns reported that most of the city’s fire hydrants are operational, but two on Eureka Street are temporarily out of service pending repairs.

Council members pressed for details as to how firefighting would be handled if inoperable hydrants were needed before repairs were completed.

Fire Chief Gary Allen said the Fire Department would either connect to the nearest functioning hydrant using a large-diameter hose, or use tender trucks to bring in water, ensuring there would be no loss of service.

The Department is also preparing for winter operations, addressing sidewalk concerns, and completing infrastructure projects, including stormwater design, trail work, and noxious weed control.

Public comments

Jim Crawford of the Gilpin Historical Society invited the public to the 36th Annual Cemetery Crawl on August 23 at the Catholic Cemetery. 

Christopher Otten of Superior expressed concerns about eminent domain and property rights related to the Gregory Gulch project. 

“I'm a little concerned,” he said, “that your eminent domain is going to become really powerful and it's going to take the rights of a lot of property owners away without much of a voice.”

The council assured him that his properties would not be affected.

Fey encouraged everyone to attend the second annual Taste of Gilpin on November 13. Ten restaurants from all over Gilpin County will be involved in offering tastes from their menus. 

The next regular council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, August 19, in City Hall’s Council Chambers.