CENTRAL CITY — Some of the radios used by Gilpin County sheriff's deputies have seen better days. Sergeant Stephen Mathews even brought a few of the damaged ones to the November 10, 2026, commissioners' meeting to show just how badly they needed replacing.

By the end of the meeting, commissioners had agreed to spend up to $575,573.57 on new Motorola radios and equipment for the Gilpin Sheriff's Office. They also approved nearly $750,000 in changes to the county's 2026 budget.

The radios were purchased in 2020, but replacement parts are no longer available. The new ones should make it easier for deputies to communicate with neighboring agencies and offer better encryption and safety features.

The purchase includes 56 Motorola APX Next handheld radios, accessories, and software upgrades for radios already installed in patrol vehicles.

One useful feature, especially up here in the mountains, is that the radios can switch to cellular or Wi-Fi connections when the regular radio system isn't working.

Commissioners voted unanimously to approve Resolution 26-104. They also agreed to a zero-interest financing option, allowing the county to pay the full amount by the end of 2027.

More calls for the Sheriff's Office

Sheriff Kevin Armstrong had some numbers to share during his third-quarter report.

Computer-aided dispatch (CAD) calls were up 11% over the same quarter last year. These are the calls that come through the dispatch system and are assigned to deputies.

Patrol calls were also up 25% between 2025 and 2026.

"It continuously gets busier and busier for us over the course of the last several years. I wish I had an answer on why," Armstrong said.

One of the more unusual incidents involved a military helicopter that crashed on federal land in Gilpin County.

The crash came up again later in the meeting. County Manager Ray Rears explained that Gilpin County doesn't have jurisdiction over the incident, although the County is helping when asked. Questions about the crash need to go to the appropriate state and federal agencies, including the Department of Defense.

Commissioners also approved Resolution 26-105, allowing the Sheriff's Office to participate in the Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program.

The grant could reimburse up to $10,250 toward 20 bulletproof vests over two years. The County would pay the other half.

Changes to the 2026 budget

Finance Director Lorna Plamondon brought commissioners another item involving a sizable amount of money.

Resolution 26-103 added $749,028.19 in spending to the county's 2026 budget, covering expenses that weren't included when the budget was adopted last December.

Of that amount, $367,929 goes to Public Works. Most of it, $300,000, is for asphalt repairs on Crawford Gulch Road. Another $57,929 covers liability insurance, and $10,000 is for culverts.

The County also added $165,452 for cistern projects, paid through the lodging tax fund.

Another $191,035.80 covers grant-funded projects involving technology, community development, and opioid-related programs. Public Health received an additional $24,611.39 for a chronic disease prevention grant.

Plamondon explained that the grant money comes with matching revenue, so those expenses aren't simply coming out of the County's pocket.

Nobody spoke during the public hearing, and commissioners approved the amendments unanimously.

Public Health update

Some concerning numbers came out of the Public Health quarterly report. Just over 40% of the private wells tested in Gilpin County had PFAS levels above the recommended safety limit.

PFAS are chemicals that can remain in the environment and drinking water for years. The County is offering free water filters to residents whose wells test positive.

The department also reported on its investigation into possible mold at Gilpin Mountain Kids Early Learning Center. Public Health found no evidence of a health risk to children or staff.

Charlie's Place faces funding reduction

Gilpin County may be cutting back on what it pays to help operate Charlie's Place, the animal shelter shared with Clear Creek County.

County Manager Ray Rears said the County is planning to contribute $50,000 in 2027, down from the roughly $77,000 it currently pays each year.

Costs have been climbing, and Rears said the County needs to find a more workable arrangement. The proposed $50,000 is closer to what Gilpin has paid for shelter services in the past.

That doesn't mean Gilpin wants out of the agreement with Clear Creek County.

Rears said the hope is to work something out between the two counties, possibly with help from grants.

Commissioners agreed to send a letter explaining the County's position. Clear Creek will have to decide whether it can accept the lower contribution under the current agreement.

Veterans and election updates

Veterans Day was also on the agenda. Commissioners took time to recognize the roughly 412 veterans who call Gilpin County home.

The County has also been working to improve services for veterans, including more funding and a partnership with Clear Creek County to establish a full-time veterans service officer for both counties.

Clerk and Recorder Sahari McCormick gave an update on the recent election.

She said 112 people voted in person on Election Day, even with problems involving one of the voting machines.

The election canvass is expected during Thanksgiving week, when the results will become official.

There are also about 420 to 430 property owner ballots for the Timberline Fire Protection District ballot question that are expected to be counted Friday, November 13.

Other business

Commissioners worked through several more resolutions, all passing unanimously.

Resolution BLE 26-6 combined Lots 24 and 25 in K & K Ranch into a single parcel, now called Lot 24A. The house on the property crossed or touched the old property line, so combining the lots clears up that problem.

Resolution 26-108 updated the County's travel and per diem policy, including rules for meal reimbursements and receipts.

Two other resolutions involved the County's new Human Services Director, Rebecca Moreno.

Resolution 26-107 updated the County's list of official appointments, while Resolution 26-106 changed the voting membership of the Gateway to the Rockies Opioid Council, or GROC, to include Moreno as the Human Services representative.

Two new employees were introduced, Communications Officer Monica Mendoza and Human Services Director Rebecca Moreno.

The next regular Board of County Commissioners meeting will be on December 8. A work session is scheduled for November 17, with discussion planned on the Food Pantry nonprofit, policy collaboration, Colorado Open Records Act requests, and the proposed 2027 fee schedule.