CENTRAL CITY - The Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners met on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at 1 p.m. following an executive session on water rights. Commissioners Sandy Hollingsworth and Jeff Aiken were present; Commissioner Susan Berumen was absent.

Lodging tax ballot measure 

The board unanimously approved Resolution 25-100, placing a lodging tax increase on the November 4, 2025, ballot. If passed, the measure would raise the county’s current 2% lodging tax by an additional 4%, bringing the total to 6%.

County Attorney Todd Messenger explained that the change was made possible after the passage of HB 25-047, which expanded both the allowable tax rate and the range of revenue uses.

Under the proposal, 10% of revenue must go to advertising and marketing local tourism, as required by statute. The remaining 90% would be dedicated to public infrastructure improvements, housing, and childcare for the tourism-related workforce and other local workers. As discussed in the board’s earlier work sessions, the increase would apply only in unincorporated Gilpin County, not within Central City or Black Hawk.

The County has used the existing 2% tax to help open the Gilpin Mountain Kids Early Learning Center and cover costs for the Gilpin County Fair. If approved, the new levy is projected to raise an estimated $522,750 annually.

The motion passed 2-0.

Employee benefits renewal 

The board also passed Resolution 25-103, approving the County’s 2026 employee benefits renewal. 

Human Resources Director Chanda Johnson presented the proposal, noting that while Gilpin County has realized savings since joining the Colorado Employer Benefit Trust (CEBT) in 2023, rising medical costs continue to impact rates.

The 2026 renewal includes these cost changes:

Medical: +20%

Dental: +15%

Vision: –10%

Johnson and consultants explained that high claims in recent years, a growing employee base, and a trend of price increases everywhere contributed to the changes. The board agreed that CEBT remains a cost-effective option compared to alternatives.

The renewal was approved unanimously.

Legal agreements

Clerk and Recorder Sahari McCormick presented Resolution 25-102, approving intergovernmental agreements for the upcoming election. Four districts will coordinate with the county: Coal Creek Canyon Fire Protection District, RE-2 Boulder Valley School District, Gilpin RE-1 School District, and the City of Central. The resolution passed 2-0.

Commissioners also adopted Resolution 25-104, authorizing an engagement letter with Bishop, Brogden & Associates, Inc. for water engineering services. The contract is capped at $154,000 over 2025–2026. Hollingsworth noted that the County budgets annually for such services “to keep our water portfolio in good shape.”

Quality of life survey results

Community Engagement Officer Melanie Bleyler presented results from the county’s June–July 2025 Quality of Life and Communications Survey, which had 260 responses.

Key findings included:

1. Residents value the natural environment and community spirit.

2. Concerns centered on road conditions, healthcare access, communication, and transparency.

3. Strong support exists for wildfire mitigation and local business development.

4. While communication has improved, residents want more consistency, multi-platform outreach, and a more user-friendly County website.

5. Survey demographics skewed toward higher-income households, with more than 60% of respondents reporting an annual income of over $100,000, compared to 46% in the Census data.

Hollingsworth wanted the public to know that the survey was conducted in-house and did not incur any additional cost. 

Consent agenda and proclamations

Commissioners approved the consent agenda, which included:

• Semi-annual Treasurer’s report through June 30, 2025

• Treasurer’s July 2025 report

• Letter of support for Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Tolland Ranch acquisition

• Letter of support for the NoCo Places Vision Implementation Project

• Resolution 25-105: Opting into the Denver Regional Council of Governments’ Regional Housing Needs Assessment and submitting comments under SB 24-174

• Approval of minutes from July 22 and August 12 meetings

Suicide Prevention Month

The board also approved a proclamation declaring September 2025 as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, presented by Jefferson Center for Mental Health. The measure acknowledged the disproportionate risks faced by rural residents, veterans, and youth, while urging community support and reducing stigma.

Policy discussions

Trina Griego, West Metro Regional Director for U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper, introduced herself and updated the board on federal initiatives, including legislation to reinstate certain tax credits for energy efficiency projects and a program to expand wildland firefighter training.

Later, commissioners reviewed interim policy priorities for state legislation, discussing topics such as adjustments to Proposition 123 housing implementation, school property land-use bills, local control in zoning, taxation options for recreation services, and wildfire insurance access.

Reports and adjournment

County Attorney Todd Messenger and County Manager Ray Rears provided updates, including:

1. Progress on hazardous property enforcement and land use code work.

2. South Beaver Creek project design timelines.

3. Newly operational EV charging stations at the County campus.

4. Ongoing budget preparations, with tentative adoption scheduled for December 15, 2025.

Commissioners reported on their attendance at recent regional meetings and the groundbreaking ceremony for Timberline Fire Station 3. They are also preparing for First Responders Day, also known as Fairgrounds Frenzy, which will feature the High Country Auxiliary Flea Market, Buck for the Badge, and other events at the Gilpin County Fairgrounds on September 6.

At 2:46 p.m., the board adjourned as commissioners and reconvened briefly as the Board of Equalization, approving minutes from the August 5 BOE hearing. That session closed at 2:48 p.m.

The next regular meeting of the Gilpin County Commissioners is scheduled for September 9, 2025, at the Historic Courthouse, 203 Eureka Street, Central City. Members of the public can attend in person or watch online at tinyurl.com/GilpinCommissioners.