ROLLINSVILLE — “It's about getting together, having a beer, talking a little shit, and having a good time,” said Phil Gibbs at the Liberal Drinking with the Dems gathering on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at Howlin Wind Brewing in Rollinsville.

And that's pretty much what everyone was doing. Around 50 to 100 people came through, some dressed in costumes, and many drinking liberally.

Gilpin County Assessor April Nielsen showed up dressed as a member of the Donner Party, complete with a necklace of fingers that she occasionally pretended to chew on. Lynn Gibbs came dressed as a frontier woman.

Commissioners Sandy Hollingsworth and Susan Berumen were among the familiar faces, along with several other County officials.

At one point, I was surprised to see so many Republicans wandering in. Were they coming over to the other side, or were they just lost?

Turns out, Republican sheriff candidate Zach Meyer had arranged his own gathering in north Gilpin County at the same brewery. Neither group had planned on sharing the evening.

Meyer said he had no idea the Democrats would be there, but thought it was a good thing, considering how divided politics has become. Maybe it was the spirit of the season, or the beer, but everyone got along just fine.

Gibbs said the idea behind these gatherings isn't to give speeches or hold another political meeting. It's simply to get people together, laugh, and enjoy themselves.

The Gilpin County Democrats hold their Liberal Drinking gatherings on the second Wednesday of each month, alternating between Howlin Wind and Very Nice Brewing. Everyone is welcome, and drinking alcohol is optional.

The party's next event is its Central Committee meeting on Thursday, October 29, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Gilpin County Public Library. The next Liberal Drinking gathering is November 11 at Very Nice Brewing Gilpin, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. More information is available at gilpincountydems.org.