The Gilpin County Commissioners convened for their regular meeting on Tuesday, July 9, 2024. All commissioners – Susan Berumen (Chair), Marie Mornis, and Sandy Hollingsworth – were in attendance. Key officials including County Attorney Brad Benning, County Clerk Melanie Bleyler, and County Manager Ray Rears were also present.

Mountain Rail Coalition Appointment:

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the Mountain Rail Coalition. The commissioners approved Resolution 24-104, amending the list of official committee and board appointments to include the Mountain Rail Coalition.

The commissioners are in agreement that the residents of Gilpin County want a passenger railway; the argument is about which commissioner will have the most involvement if that eventually comes to pass.

Rears explained the importance of the coalition, stating, “The Mountain Rail Coalition Kick-Off meeting highlighted next steps for the formation of the broad Mountain Rail Coalition. This formation included creating a stakeholder working group made up of elected officials from communities along the mountain rail corridor.”

Hollingsworth and Berumen had previously been involved in related activities, with Hollingsworth having established contacts since 2021. Berumen has worked on the Moffat Lease Tunnel Agreement. However, a disagreement arose over the appointment.

Mornis proposed a delay in the decision until Routt County Commissioner Macys returns from out of town, suggesting two commissioners could attend the meetings.

Hollingsworth countered, saying Macys did not wish the meetings to be made public, emphasizing compliance with the Open Meeting Law, which restricts such attendance to one commissioner.

“These are not our meetings, we are being invited to participate in these meetings,” Hollingsworth said.

The debate continued with Mornis nominating herself and Hollingsworth as alternate. The motion died without a second.

Mornis voiced concerns about communication and representation, prompting Hollingsworth to assure the Board of her commitment to transparency and information sharing.

The discussion took a contentious turn when Mornis questioned Hollingsworth’s negotiation skills and business experience, referencing a past negotiation with the Forest Service over a shooting range.

Hollingsworth responded by saying, “Now you want to go into attack mode.” She defended her record, clarifying her limited involvement in that negotiation and stressing that the shooting range issue was unrelated to the railway.

“I don’t appreciate your accusations that I’m not able to negotiate,” said Hollingsworth. She then defended her business experience saying that she has managed a restaurant before her election as commissioner.

Berumen offered a compromise, suggesting Hollingsworth amend the motion to appoint Mornis as the alternate. This motion passed 2-1, with Mornis opposed.

Hollingsworth concluded with a call for cooperation, stating, “I think it’s really unfortunate that we have a commissioner that feels like they need to go to negativity to try to make a point. Our goal is to work in cooperation with respect to each other as parts of the Board.”

Public comment from Corey Marshall echoed this sentiment, encouraging full involvement and communication among the commissioners.

On whether more than one commissioner can attend the meetings, he said, “Is that a real requirement for a third-party meeting where we have a lot of government entities involved? It would seem we have got an Open Records issue already, and simply having another commissioner [there], does it really change the dynamic of a meeting like that?”

He also said that citizens might question whether “this is the first time this was discussed. Let’s make sure all things are discussed here in an open forum and everyone is included in the decision-making.”

Gilpin Ambulance Authority:

The commissioners unanimously approved Resolution 24-94, authorizing ambulance services and mutual aid agreements. This resolution allows the Gilpin Ambulance Authority to operate within the county and collaborate with other jurisdictions and providers.

Timberline Fire Protection District Variance:

The Board also approved Resolution BOA-24-4, granting a variance to Timberline Fire Protection District. The variance allows a 13-foot setback from the front property line, facilitating the construction of an addition to an existing non-conforming structure.

Rob Gutierrez, Community Development Director, explained the need for the variance, citing exceptional topography and slope challenges that would otherwise require extensive excavation. A letter from Timberline Fire highlighted the increased costs and logistical difficulties of relocating the addition.

Stage 1 Fire Ban:

In response to dry conditions and heightened fire risk, the commissioners approved Resolution 24-101, imposing temporary Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. Division Chief Greg Demo and Sheriff Kevin Armstrong presented data from the Northern Front Range Wildland Fire Cooperators, supporting the decision.

Prohibited activities under the Stage 1 Fire Ban include open fires, charcoal barbecues in dispersed camping areas, and use of fireworks. Allowed activities include recreational fires in permanent pits, hunting with a valid license, and using mechanical stoves with control valves.

Other Approvals and Reports:

Clerk & Recorder’s June 2024 Report; 2024 Valuation Assessment Report; Resolution 24-100, continuing Secure Rural Schools funding allocation; approval of meeting minutes from June 25, 2024; Resolution 24-102, designating the Historic Courthouse as the Voting Service and Polling Center for the November 5, 2024 General Election.

New Hires:

Mason Wittenbaugh has been brought on as equipment operator in the solid waste division. Sara Osteboe is a new Prevention Specialist in Human Services. There are four new hires in the Sheriff’s Office: Molly McMahon, Taylor Hoffman, Drew Oliver, and Kyla Crawford.

During the County Manager’s Report, Rears reminded everyone there will be a joint meeting on July 16, 2024, between the County and the Cities, though Black Hawk has declined to join, to be held at the Historic Courthouse at 3 p.m. The meeting will be preceded with a tour of Roworth Heights in Central City at 2 p.m.

He also said that Gilpin County residents will have access to the Clear Creek Shooting Range but the County is waiting for a concessionaire to get on board and finalize the details.

The meeting adjourned at 11:04 a.m.

The next regular meeting of the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners is scheduled for July 23, 2024, at 9 a.m. and will be held in person at the Historic Courthouse, 203 Eureka Street, Central City and online via Zoom.