Charles Smith (known as Chip to his friends) is involved with many aspects of Gilpin County. He is a volunteer firefighter with Timberline Fire Protection District and is on the board of directors. He stays involved in church activities and runs the Peak to Peak Players, Most recently, Chip performed with the Central City Opera in the production of Carousel.

Chip and his wife Donna enjoy retirement in Gilpin County after a career as professors at the University of Nebraska. Chip holds doctorate degrees in vocal performance and the musical arts. Donna has degrees in music and applied voice. They both stay active in the community and do what they can to serve their community.

He hopes to get back into production of Puffs with the Peak to Peak Players in the Spring of 2022. They were in production in 2020 when the pandemic occurred and they were forced to shut down. They would like to use the Stables and connect with Gilpin School District where performances have been held in the past.

He also thinks the weather in the mountains is unbelievable with the drastic seasons. He thinks the summers are the best, but the winters can be a little challenging. He advises anyone to have a good vehicle, be self-sufficient and to build resources.

Chip has been delivering The Mountain-Ear to all of your favorite stores in Nederland and Gilpin County since August of 2016. While he has now retired from deliveries, he continues to write articles and contributes to The Mountain-Ear in many ways.