GILPIN COUNTY – The Gilpin County Board of Commissioners held its regular meeting Tuesday, June 24, at 9 a.m. at the Historic Courthouse with Commissioners Jeff Aiken, Susan Berumen, and Sandy Hollingsworth all present.

The meeting covered a range of topics, including a temporary use permit for the annual Cemetery Crawl, updated recording fees, and a presentation on climate policy from Colorado Communities for Climate Action (CC4CA).

No changes or conflicts were noted in the agenda review. During public comment, a resident of Lodge Pole Drive returned to speak on the ongoing issue of open burning at a nearby short-term rental.

“I have been following proper protocol,” she said, describing repeated calls to non-emergency dispatch and subsequent visits from Timberline Fire. “But the tenants are always different, the issue comes up over and over and over again.”

She urged the board to follow up on a Planning Commission recommendation that fire pits at short-term rentals have shut-off mechanisms.

Commissioners approved the consent agenda, which included a letter to the Colorado Congressional Delegation regarding FEMA assistance, the appointment of Alex Corren to the Planning Commission through 2026, and minutes from four previous meetings.

Colorado Communities for Climate Action

Anita Seitz, advocacy director for CC4CA, presented a comprehensive overview of the coalition’s work at the state and federal levels.

Gilpin County has been a member since 2020, and Aiken currently serves on the board.

Seitz described the organization as “fundamentally a local government organization, not an environmental organization.”

CC4CA engaged with 88 pieces of legislation last year, actively supporting or opposing 51 of them.

“Success doesn’t always mean passing a bill,” Seitz said. “Sometimes success is amending problematic pieces out of a bill.” She also invited commissioners to join a working group studying nuclear energy policy.

Hollingsworth mentioned the County’s new electric vehicle chargers, expected to be the first high-speed chargers between Ward and Idaho Springs.

Berumen expressed interest in joining the nuclear working group, citing local and family ties to the energy sector.

Cemetery Crawl

At 9:46 a.m., the board opened a public hearing for Resolution TUP 25-3, approving a temporary use permit for the Gilpin Historical Society’s Cemetery Crawl, scheduled for August 23.

Planner Rachel Vigil explained the event would take place at the Catholic Cemetery and feature guided group tours. She confirmed that volunteers would manage parking and that all necessary insurance had been secured.

One public comment, submitted via email by Peter Droege, raised concern about the need for permission from the Archdiocese of Denver.

County Manager Ray Rears noted that while the archdiocese is technically the surface user of the land, ownership is layered and often difficult to verify due to historical mining claims.

Furthermore, Vigil confirmed that the code does not require owner permission to apply for a TUP.

Rears noted that in past years, staff have attempted to contact the Archdiocese of Denver for approval but often received little or no response despite multiple efforts.

Hollingsworth remarked that the Cemetery Crawl has been held respectfully for decades, suggesting the longstanding tradition speaks for itself.

The board unanimously approved the resolution without attaching any new conditions.

Resolutions and other business

Next, the board passed Resolution 25-083, which allows a property owner to move a building envelope on Lot 16A of Prospect Pointe.

Vigil explained the change would preserve trees, improve views, and provide greater distance from a neighboring home without expanding the envelope. A correction to a typo in the resolution, changing “22 parcels” to “5 parcels,” was noted and amended.

Resolution 25-078 was also approved, authorizing a time extension for the 2024 audit. Interim Finance Director Jamie Boyle said the request is a precaution in case delays occur, though auditors are on track to present findings at the August 12 meeting.

The board approved Resolution 25-079, authorizing a $30,000 one-time purchase of a permanent easement to the Dakota Hill communications site. The site currently costs the county $3,500 annually to access.

“This saves money in the long run and ensures we don’t lose access,” said Rears.

In Resolution 25-081, the board adopted a new comprehensive fee schedule. Recording fees will shift to a flat rate of $43 beginning July 1. The Clerk and Recorder’s Office will close early at 2:30 p.m. on June 30 to accommodate the change.

Acting County Attorney Jack Reutzel reviewed ongoing legal work, including contracts for upcoming elections, a snow and ice ordinance, and the Corvinus contract for work outside the Justice Center.

A discussion followed regarding public confusion over the proposed lodging tax. Commissioners clarified that tax funds will support childcare, including infant and toddler care, and infrastructure improvements in unincorporated Gilpin County.

County Manager’s report

Rears provided a wide-ranging County Manager’s report. He confirmed the next work session, set for July 15, will include updates on senior and workforce housing, the Rollinsville survey, and future community conversations.

He also announced his resignation from the Clear Creek Economic Development Corporation board.

Staffing

Staffing updates included interviews this week for a Community Development Director and Permit Tech and plans to hire a temporary paralegal due to an upcoming extended leave. Commissioners voiced support for hiring a temporary on-site replacement.

The County is working with Charles Abbott & Associates to bring in remote permitting support on a short-term contract.

Rears noted that while the position isn’t formally budgeted, salary savings from vacancies will be used to cover the costs.

Hollingsworth was concerned about the slow posting of the combined Assistant County Manager/Finance Director position. The board urged Rears to prioritize that process since Boyle, typically the County Grant Writer, is serving as Interim Financial Director right now.

The board briefly discussed salary concerns raised by Sheriff's Office employees and others. Aiken and Berumen favored addressing issues during next year’s budget process, while Hollingsworth noted the risk of losing staff to better-paying jurisdictions. The board agreed to revisit the topic on July 8.

Rears also announced upcoming courthouse closures and limited staffing due to the Fourth of July holiday and staffing shortages in Community Development. Building inspections will continue through the online system, but the office will be closed July 7, 8, and 10.

Commissioner reports

During commissioner reports, Aiken promoted a noxious weed presentation scheduled for July 2 at Very Nice Brewing. He also reminded residents of a July 1 town hall at the courthouse featuring Sen. Dylan Roberts and Rep. Leslie Smith.

Hollingsworth reported that the Gilpin shooting range may not open until September and shared updates from a recent Mountain Rail town hall, including a planned expansion of passenger service between Granby and Denver.

Berumen updated the board on the Opioid Council's tentative allocation of $6.6 million in grant funding across Gilpin, Jefferson, and Clear Creek counties.

She also clarified that the upcoming resolution related to the Gilpin County Animal Response Team (GCART) will focus on adopting policy and procedures, not determining how funds are spent.

The meeting adjourned at 11:03 a.m.

In the article "Gilpin commissioners approve Cemetery Crawl," published in the June 26, 2025, edition, a correction is needed to the statement: "Berumen updated the board on the Opioid Council's tentative allocation of $6.6 million in grant funding across Gilpin, Jefferson, and Clear Creek counties." It was actually Commissioner Hollingsworth who updated the board, not Berumen.