CENTRAL CITY - At their May 13 meeting, the Gilpin County Planning Commission moved to recommend a temporary use permit for the Fjällraven Classic, a 30.5-mile backpacking trek through the Arapaho Roosevelt National Forest. 

A temporary use permit allows structures or areas to be used for a limited period as long as the land is not permanently altered. Given that the Classic had been held in Gilpin County in the past and that it is explicitly a “Leave No Trace” event, the Planning Commission agreed to move the permit request forward. 

The only stipulation the Commission made was for a sign to be put on the road to Rollins Pass to allow other area visitors to know that the event is taking place. The Classic is scheduled to take place July 21-25.

This will mark almost a decade that Colorado has hosted a Fjällraven trekking event, according to the Fjällraven website (www.fjallraven.com/us/en-us/nature-is-waiting/history-of-classic/). The event will bring a total of 250 hikers to Gilpin County, who will split into two groups, according to statements made at the meeting. 

The Planning Commission does not have final say on granting or denying a temporary use permit. Rather, the Commission makes a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners based on land use, zoning, and the 2020 Gilpin County Comprehensive Plan. The Board of County Commissioners will hold a hearing on this issue on May 27.

Mountain rail

The commission briefly mentioned a site visit to the location that the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) plans for a Mountain Rail line. The proposed railway intends to “enhance transportation options” by developing a network of passenger trains across the state, according to the CDOT website. The railroad would create a passenger rail from Denver to Craig, with a possible station in Rollinsville. 

Gilpin County officials heard a presentation on the potential station in October of last year. Links to the presentation and to the Mountain Rail Project can be found on the Gilpin County Website. 

Rollinsville water

The commission also heard staff updates on Rollinsville water infrastructure based on a site visit earlier this month. The site visit included the length of Main Street to Tolland Road. There are proposals for new culverts, water systems, and water storage. 

Local Planning Capacity Grant

The commissioners also hear an update on the Local Planning Capacity Grant from the Peak to Peak Housing Authority. The Local Planning Capacity Grant is intended to support “local governments’ capacity to increase affordable housing,” according to the Department of Local Affairs website. 

Gilpin County was awarded $104,000 to establish a regional housing authority to begin the process of creating affordable housing in Nederland. Bi-weekly meetings are established with planners in Lyons, Black Hawk, Nederland, and Central City. 

The commissioners gave the consultant a list of stakeholders in each community for interviews and a list of people who should receive monthly updates. The commissioners and planners are looking at examples of other projects across the state for reference. 

Legal questions

At the end of the working session, Todd Messenger, Gilpin County Attorney, introduced himself to the members and fielded questions on definitions of conflicts of interest, due process and code of conduct. The commissioners and Messenger discussed several legal precedents and clarified their understanding of zoning laws and decrees. 

The Gilpin County Planning Commission meets at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month. The meeting room is on the second floor at the Historic Gilpin Courthouse at 203 Eureka Street in Central City. The meetings are also accessible on Zoom.