“It seems like many of our meetings recently have had technology challenges, and it’s a lesson in patience for us.””

Sandy Hollingsworth

GILPIN COUNTY — If you followed the Gilpin County commissioners this year, you probably noticed a pattern. They would address the big headlines, then return to the nuts-and-bolts, moving through the year's priorities fairly swiftly.

A board of three elected commissioners governs Gilpin County, each representing a distinct district, though elected at-large. The district map is available on the County website.

The board includes:

1. Jeff Aiken, District 1 (South), elected in 2024 and serving a first term through 2029;

2. Susan Berumen, District 2 (Central), elected in 2022 and serving through 2027; and

3. Sandy Hollingsworth (Chair), District 3 (North), who was re-elected in 2024 and is serving a second term through 2029.

Often, meetings focused on the budget, capital improvements, and the long list of County services that must continue whether the room is full or the power is out.

By year’s end, the themes were clear. Planning for growth in Rollinsville kept coming up. So did emergency readiness, public safety costs tied to gaming, and the basic question of how to keep staff in place. 

Commissioners also faced uncertainty, including questions about federal funding and changing state rules that affect local programs.

January opens with reports and planning

Commissioners started the year with routine reports, grant work, and public comment about septic inspection issues. The Sheriff’s Office gave its year-end report, with commissioners asking questions about jail operations and public safety needs. The board also approved appointments and medical officer designations for public health.

Berumen focused on public health and human services, asking clarifying questions about medical oversight and how programs reach residents in remote parts of the county. She was focused on making sure services remain accessible as costs rise.

County Manager Ray Rears laid out a calendar of work sessions and regional meetings that would shape the rest of the year.

February concerns: wildfire, legislation, and uncertainty

Wildfire planning and state policy took up much of February.

At the February 11 regular meeting, commissioners approved the lower-cost option for the restoration of South Beaver Creek Road after discussing whether federal funding could be affected by changing conditions.

Rears said, “We don’t know what the future holds. The uncertainty of federal funding is a new variable.”

Hollingsworth added, “It’s not that we won’t ever receive federal funding, but the uncertainty now looms over us.”

The board approved the Community Wildfire Protection Plan and took positions on a long list of bills at the statehouse.

During February’s legislative review, Berumen weighed in on bills affecting early childhood programs and wildfire mitigation, noting how state-level decisions often land hardest in small counties like Gilpin.

At a February 18 work session, the board reviewed historic preservation spending, wildfire building code implications, and changes to employee leave policies. As the discussion grew, Hollingsworth summed up the moment with, “So many moving parts.”

March spotlights the annex and county priorities

March brought the year’s most public, most emotional debates.

Early in the month, commissioners held a work session on the Community Annex project, a proposed building meant to replace the food pantry’s aging trailer while adding a commercial kitchen and offices. The question was how to cut costs without cutting the service.

Aiken said, “I’m inclined to move it close to the old site and get the price down as much as possible.”

Hollingsworth raised concerns about wind and durability, saying, “I’ve seen new roofs ripped right off in that area.”

As debate continued over the Community Annex, Berumen framed the project through the lens of service delivery, stressing the need for a facility that supports food access, emergency response, and long-term community stability.

On March 25, the board held a full-day meeting that included extensive public comment and a series of votes on long-range planning and funding. 

April turns to land use and Rollinsville access

April carried the land use and planning threads forward.

At an April 1 work session, commissioners reviewed expected cost growth for the state childcare assistance program and discussed security improvements at the Justice Center tied to grant funds.

On April 22, commissioners approved the Russell Gulch Reclamation Project, which will process old mine tailings under strict environmental limits.

Rollinsville roadway vacations drew the most careful discussion. Public Works Director John Combs warned, “Once ROW is given up, you may never get it back.” Commissioners continued both vacation requests indefinitely while staff researched survey conflicts, infrastructure needs, and future public access tied to rail planning.

May’s position on iGaming and regional issues

May brought a clear stance against online gambling.

On May 13, commissioners unanimously approved Resolution 25-056 opposing iGaming in Colorado, joining other gaming jurisdictions that said online gambling could harm local economies and bring wider impacts.

The board also handled budget fixes and major infrastructure contracts.

At a May 20 joint work session with Clear Creek County, both boards discussed the regional shooting park, forest management, OHV impacts, and Charlie’s Place. The shooting park opening was pushed back, and the animal shelter funding gap was laid out plainly.

On May 25, commissioners approved the Fjällräven Classic permit, adopted a Pride Month proclamation, and accepted youth mental health funding. Rears also announced that Community Development Director Rob Gutierrez would resign effective June 5, a staffing shift that would echo into the summer.

June is nuts-and-bolts work, road rules, fees, and staffing

June was the grind month. It was also one of the clearest looks at how the county actually functions.

At the June 5 work session, commissioners reviewed road classifications, snow response priorities, and proposed ordinances meant to stop heavy trucks from using dirt roads as shortcuts. Staff said the County maintains 148 miles of county roads. Decker said it usually takes 12 hours to clear roads after a snow event, but the 2024 five-foot snowstorm pushed that to 24 hours.

Lodging tax options were discussed under newer state rules, with the board leaning toward keeping the existing 2% lodging tax in place while refining any future ballot language for an additional tax question.

Berumen focused on public understanding, stressing that any new revenue from the lodging tax should clearly benefit residents with childcare, infrastructure, and essential services.

At the June 24 regular meeting, the board heard again about open burning at a short-term rental. A resident told commissioners, “I have been following proper protocol,” but added that the issue persisted with perpetually revolving tenants.

The meeting also included a presentation from Colorado Communities for Climate Action. The coalition was described as “fundamentally a local government organization, not an environmental organization.”

During the same meeting, commissioners approved the purchase of a permanent easement for the Dakota Hill communications site.

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

July brings gaming impact money and Rollinsville planning

July was a mix of money, staffing structure, and planning for what comes next.

On July 8, commissioners approved Resolution 25-089, which submitted a $2.8 million request to the Limited Gaming Impact Fund and publicly ranked priorities as required. Staff noted gaming-related jail stays cost $77.16 per day.

The board also adopted Resolution 25-088, creating a Finance Director/Assistant County Manager role, and continued talks about a new compensation study.

Housing and Rollinsville dominated the July 15 work session, with early planning numbers presented for water, sewer, and parking tied to a possible future rail station. 

At the July 22 regular meeting, commissioners heard mid-year reports from nonprofits funded by the County and approved a contract for a full zoning code rewrite. They also promoted community conversations, “Cookies with Commissioners,” with Hollingsworth adding, “Everyone likes cookies.”

Berumen shared updates on early childhood initiatives and senior services, including outside funding and donations that help stretch local dollars and keep programs running.

August stays focused on planning and public input

August meetings continued the summer focus on planning, with fewer headline votes and more groundwork.

The board reviewed updates tied to Rollinsville infrastructure, housing surveys, and long-range planning tied to a possible rail station. Staff and consultants refined early estimates for water, sewer, parking, and fire protection needs, while commissioners stressed the importance of getting accurate numbers before committing to future development paths.

The county switched on its first public electric vehicle chargers at the Gilpin County Library, ending months of delays tied to inspections and approvals. The site includes high-speed chargers designed to ease range anxiety in the mountains and support both residents and visitors.

Much of August reflected a pause between big decisions, with the board using the time to gather data, hear from residents, and prepare for heavier policy work later in the fall.

September brings budget work and steady operations

September marked the start of serious budget season, to track progress on the Community Annex, records scanning, and planning initiatives.

Commissioners reviewed early department requests and continued discussions about staffing levels, compensation pressures, and the rising cost of providing core services. Gaming revenue projections remained a recurring topic, with the board again looking at conservative budgeting given recent fluctuations.

Routine land-use items, liquor licenses, and operational approvals moved steadily through the agenda. The board also continued tracking progress on the Community Annex, records scanning, and planning initiatives that had been set in motion earlier in the year.

September meetings reflected the reality of County government settling into the details, making sure projects already approved stayed on track while preparing for year-end financial decisions.

October blends policy cleanup with forward planning

October meetings mixed policy cleanup with forward-looking decisions.

Commissioners handled zoning and land-use items, clarified procedures, and continued work on road designations and infrastructure planning. Housing discussions remained active, particularly around workforce and senior housing needs, though no final commitments were made.

The board also continued reviewing staffing structures and workload pressures, setting the stage for November’s more formal decisions on hiring controls and organizational changes.

October served as a bridge month, tying together summer planning efforts with the tighter policy and budget actions that followed late in the year.

November tightens hiring rules and hears a plea on mail theft

By November, commissioners were tightening policies and trying to control staffing churn.

On November 18, the board adopted Resolution 25-123, requiring justification and board approval before filling vacant or soon-to-be-vacant County positions.

The meeting also included a resident presentation on widespread mail theft.

“Mail has been stolen at least once a week for most of the summer, which is a huge increase from last winter,” resident Elizabeth Penrose said.

Commissioners expressed concern but did not create the County steering committee she requested. They said they would help share information and connect residents with federal offices.

The commissioners acknowledged residents' frustration and the need to help people navigate federal systems, even when solutions fall outside the County's authority.

Road policy returned to the stage again. Commissioners adopted an ordinance designating South Beaver Creek Road, Gap Road, and Dory Hill Road as non-truck routes for heavy commercial vehicles. The board also discussed South Beaver Creek Road design options, with Aiken saying he was “leaning toward asphalt.”

December ends with wind, dimly lit meetings, and year-end votes

On December 9, strong winds knocked out power across parts of Central City, and commissioners met in a dim room with limited equipment. They moved through consent items, leases, and hearings anyway, and power returned near the end.

On December 15, commissioners held a special meeting to wrap up key year-end decisions. They selected Jefferson County Public Health as the region’s Early Childhood Council provider and adopted the 2026 County budget and the 2025 property tax levy for the 2026 budget year.

The tech problems were even part of the story.

Hollingsworth said, “It seems like many of our meetings recently have had technology challenges, and it’s a lesson in patience for us.”

Commissioners also reaffirmed a $2 million water rights reserve and returned to a familiar phrase: “water is life.”

Staff told the board that gaming accounts for about 45% of County revenue and projected next year's revenue is just over $33.4 million. They also said, “We absolutely hope that we’ll receive more than that, but obviously, we budget conservatively through the process.”

The board approved the property tax levy at 10.173 mills and closed the year with gratitude and holiday wishes.

The board’s work this year was guided by a set of 2025 strategic goals focused on maintaining steady County services while protecting Gilpin’s history, landscape, and rural character. At the core are practical values: working together, treating people fairly, using resources wisely, and planning ahead instead of reacting later.

Those goals show up again and again in the year’s decisions, from staffing and budgeting to roads, housing, and emergency services. Commissioners often discussed balancing what the county needs now with what it will need in the years ahead, especially in a place where growth, funding, gaming revenue, and geography impose limits.

A comprehensive breakdown of the 2025 Strategic Goals for Gilpin County is available here: Gilpin County, 2025 Strategic Goals.

Correction

The Mountain-Ear would like to make a correction to an article in our January 1 edition, "Gilpin commissioners' year moved fast." The attribution of the quote in this sentence is incorrect: “Hollingsworth raised concerns about wind and durability, saying, 'I’ve seen new roofs ripped right off in that area.'” Commissioner Susan Berumen stated this, not Commissioner Sandy Hollingsworth. We apologize for the mistake.