GILPIN COUNTY — Pharrell Williams' "Happy" could have been the theme song for the Friends of Gilpin County Community Center (FGCCC) awards ceremony on June 11, 2026, at the Gilpin County Community Center. The community room that night was awash with happiness and celebration.

 The 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation and Colorado Charitable Corporation presented their 2026 Heart of the Community Volunteers Awards at their annual meeting.

2026 Heart of the Community award given to Megan Goldkamp. The custom wooden plaque was created and donated by FGCCC board secretary Jess Tuton.

Photo by Wes Isenhart

FGCC Board President Carolyn Petersen talked about the origins of the group and their volunteer efforts to assist the Gilpin County Parks and Recreation Department (GCPRD) in keeping the Community Center open and accessible to county residents.

Petersen highlighted the flag football program in May that was possible because of a grant from the Denver Broncos Foundation.

In the business part of the meeting, Treasurer Susan Yeck gave the status of the group’s finances which supports their Heart of the Community Fund. The fund is set up to help residents young and old with fees to access the Community Center.

The Director of GCPRD, Gabrielle Chisholm, thanked the volunteers of FGCCC for all their efforts acting as an auxiliary for the center. Based on several years of working together on a variety of projects like the County Fair, Chisholm felt the staff and volunteers were able to strengthen trust with each other and develop procedures for better outcomes.

Gilpin County Parks and Recreation Department Director Gabrielle Chisholm speaking during the 2026 Heart of the Community volunteer awards ceremony by Friends of Gilpin County Community Center on June 11, 2026.

Photo Courtesy of Carolyn Peterson

Chisholm gave an update on the current status of the Community Center and ongoing programs and maintenance projects.  In 2025, the Community Center had the highest number of visits ever. There are 24 On-Going, Special, and Session programs operating out of the Community Center, along with a constant stream of special events.

Maintenance projects that the County funded and completed in 2025 included resufacing the parking and the front area to seal against leaks. Chisholm also announced that the County will move and connect the Justice Center generator after their new one arrives and is installed so that the Community Center can be designated a Red Cross emergency shelter.

In the press release announcing the Heart of the Community awards, FGCCC Volunteer Chair Karen Eye stated that “the awards are given to honor individuals who have made an outstanding contribution of volunteer time and talent to support the mission of Gilpin County Parks and Recreation and the community center.”

This year’s awards were given to Megan Goldkamp, Tony Thorpe, and Derek Blake. Goldkamp developed a new swimming team program. Thorpe has been an influential soccer coach for club and school programs and was voted “Coach of the Year” in 2025. Blake started a mining competition at the County Fair, built the competition area and secured sponsorships to cover the costs and prizes for the competition.

The board also recognized individuals who have made significant contributions to the Community Center community over the years.

Harry Nimrod was given a Certificate of Appreciation and a gift card for his popular fly building class and his leadership for the County Fair parking. Managing Fair parking is a complex task and Nimrod has donated many hours to keep the parking areas organized.

Eric Douglas was also given a Certificate of Appreciation for being a volunteer board member of FGCCC for the last two years.

Steve Biggs who is one of the founders of the Gilpin Clay Studio and Linza Douglas who has led the Senior Fitness for several years, were recognized for their important contributions to the Community Center even though they are instructors and not volunteers.

Steve Biggs accepts a Certificate of Apprection from FGCCC Volunteer Chair Karen Eye at the 2026 Heart of the Community awards ceremony. Biggs helped develop the Gilpin Clay Studio pottery program and has been an instructor since the beginning.

Photo by Wes Isenhart

Community Center Recreational Director, Shaun Wicen, was recognized for his work on the FGCCC flag football program.

Finally, the Board recognized three volunteers who put out notifications of events at the Community Center through a combination of posters and social media communications. In addition to their certificates and personal posters, Karen Eye, Patty Hunter, and Mary Lorenz received in their gift bags a big box of push tacks and six yards of Scotch tape.

 After the ceremony, the audience was invited to stay for snacks and conversation. It was a night of celebration and happiness by the friends of the Gilpin County Community Center.

FGCCC maintains a website at gilpincommunitycenter.org. Click on the Heart Fund to find the application form for help with access fees. There is link on the home page for donations. The website for the Parks and Recreation Department is gilpincounty.colorado.gov/parks-rec. Center hours of operation and upcoming events are on the home page.