Dear Editor,

In November, 2020, the residents of Gilpin County passed a 2.57 mill levy to reopen the Community Center with limited services and days during Covid. This tax was to sunset/expire - GO AWAY - at the end of 2023.

In the last two years, Gilpin County has bounced back from reduced gaming taxes, and is debt free, in fact, wealthy. They received record-breaking revenues from the casinos in just the past two years - $31,353,597.00!

It is now time for the general fund of the county to do its job in keeping our community center open - seven days a week, which it fully funded for 17 years, with less money.

Since the 2020 mill levy passed, the County has given substantial salary increases in pay to its employees, have hired additional personnel, and created new jobs for people in many areas.

This new tax never ends! And by the way, can be moved to any project the commissioners choose after voter approval - not just the rec center. Believe it or not, the commissioners voted to spend $1.1 million to build a new food pantry at the same meeting they voted to draw up ballot language for THIS TAX INCREASE!

The taxpayers will be paying huge increases in property taxes next year. When is enough ENOUGH?

I will be voting NO on 1A!

Jane Sterling

41-year-resident of Gilpin County

Supporter of Community Center but…opposed to new tax.