Mindy Leary, Gilpin County. On June 1, 2020, at 6 p.m. Gilpin County held a virtual town hall using Zoom. Commissioners Ron Engels, Gail Watson and Linda Isenhart were present. About 116 people attended this town hall. County Manager Abel Montoya led the discussion and introduced the speakers.

Today, the State Public Health Order transitioned into what’s called “Safer at Home and in the Vast, Great Outdoors,” Watson said. The expiration of the County’s Public Health Order concerning county roads coordinates with that. 

While Gilpin County has been fortunate enough to have no Covid-19 related deaths and only three known cases, the economic cost has been high. The county submitted a variance request to the state to open the casinos and museums and are still awaiting a reply which could take up to two weeks. CDPHE and the Governor’s Office require counties to have the ability to do contact tracing, adequate testing and a declining number of cases to consider a variance. 

Public Health Representative Bonnie Albrecht said drive-up community testing will begin Saturday, June 6 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Tuesday, June 9 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Public Health Building at 101 Norton Drive. You must be symptomatic, wear a mask and register for an appointment. You can register by calling 303-582-5803 or by emailing jrink@jeffco.us providing your name, contact info and preferred date/time. You will need to bring proof that you are a resident of Gilpin County such as a driver’s license or utility bill. If you test positive, you will receive instructions from public health to self-isolate for ten days since symptoms started. 

Sheriff Kevin Armstrong reminded everyone of the Stage 1 Fire Ban which will last through the summer because of depleted resources to fight fires, which includes shooting on private or public lands. Watson said they are hoping to create a regional shooting range in Dumont in Clear Creek County. The Forest Service requires 25 public lanes and a rangemaster if the counties work together. Chainsaws must be USDA approved with a smart arrester properly installed along with a fire extinguisher and round shovel present.

Xcel Energy is commencing the Wildfire Protection Plan Update to make sure the areas around transmission lines are safe and will be having virtual meetings on June 3 and June 8 from 6 - 7 p.m.

Library Director Michael Carlson gave a status update on the library: the pickup service is going strong and computer reservations are at about five residents per day. Once the governor releases guidelines on libraries they will allow a limited number of people inside.

Nancy Larson announced the free Paint Recycling Program for residents or non-residents to bring in old paint on July 30 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. as long as you have a reservation and wear a mask.

The Community Center will be closed until July 10. Kelly Dahl Campground opened today but Columbine and Cold Spring Campground will open June 10. 

County Attorney Brad Benning reminded everyone that with the current fire ban, anyone who starts a fire is liable for the cost of suppression which is about one million per day in addition to jail time and a $500,000 fine. 

The Governor released some information on short-term rentals allowing them to operate with suggestions such as cleaning, distancing and a 24-hour wait between guests. 

Stephen Strohminger announced that the next Community Workshop will be June 23 from 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. virtually and can be accessed through the Comprehensive Plan link on the county website. 

(Originally published in the June 4, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)