The Gilpin County Republicans and the Democrats have each held a Caucus for the 2022 elections. The Republicans met on March 3, and the Democrats on Saturday, March 5.

Democratic Committee Chair Eric Douglas said they combined the Gilpin County Democratic Caucus and Assembly into one meeting via Zoom. He said that 47 people attended the Caucus, and 28 were then delegates to the Assembly.

At the Caucus, they filled all of the 12 Precinct Organizer positions. These are the key people who drive the “Get Out the Vote” effort.

They also enrolled 16 Election Judges to work with the Clerk and Recorder on the actual mechanics of the Primary and General Elections. “These are the people who make the Elections work so flawlessly,” Douglas said.

After the Caucus and Assembly, they selected the following individuals for the Primary Election on June 28, 2022.

Assessor: Ashley Martin, a first-time candidate, said she is running for County Assessor. She is a third-generation Coloradan and is proud to live in Russell Gulch with her husband, two children and their rabbits.

“I have worked for the Clerk and Recorder for almost two years, and I would be honored to lead the already incredible Assessor Team. I will bring to this team a huge amount of energy and passion for getting the job done and getting the most for our residents.

“I believe that education is key to understanding and clearly communicating to our residents the process in which property is assessed. With hard work, training, and networking, I will make sure the county gets the services and standards of government they expect and deserve.”

Commissioner, District 2: Susan Berumen, a first-time candidate, said she has lived in Gilpin County since 1994 and raised her family here. She has 20 years of accounting and management experience in the private sector, and eight years of government accounting experience.

Susan currently works in the Finance Department of Central City. She has been active at her children’s schools and been on the Mountain Medical Task Force helping to bring a medical clinic to Gilpin County.

Susan is currently on the Gilpin County Library Board of Trustees. She was president of the Board for three years, overseeing the library’s transition to being a financially independent special district.

As County Commissioner, Susan will ensure that Gilpin County wisely uses its resources to move forward and that all residents feel represented and heard.

Current Clerk and Recorder: Sahari McCormick said on March 5 that she was nominated for Clerk and Recorder to the June 28 primary ballot at the Gilpin County Democratic Assembly. If reelected, this will be McCormick’s second term in office.

McCormick moved to Black Hawk in 2010 and loves serving the people of Gilpin County. She brings more than 30 years of managerial and business experience to the position, and she is excited at the prospect of continuing the work she started when she took office.

For Coroner, the Assembly voted for Zane Laubhan, the long-time Coroner.

The Assembly also elected five delegates each to the higher-level Assemblies for Colorado Senate District 8, Colorado House District 49, U.S. Congressional District 2, and the State Assembly.

Marie Mornis, vice chair with the Gilpin County Republican Party, said the March 3 Caucus was attended by 67 people. Guests included two candidates for State-wide office. They had no endorsements or straw polls.

The election of candidates for County offices will be conducted at the Republican County Assembly on March 16. They did elect Precinct representatives.

For Precinct #1, Diann Sill, Mary Haus, Gary Kragenbrink, Venette Kragenbrink and

Web Sill (at large). For Precinct #2, Cathy Hartman, Casey Weaver, Misti Hopson, Bruce Hartman, Diane Stundon, David Galanski, Lewis Weaver, and Scott Hopson.

For Precinct #3, Travis McLain, Diane Stundon, Mathew Marr, Kristen Marr, James Crawford, Robert Pries, Marie Mornis (at large).

For Precinct #4, Brenda Diehl, Amanda Skeen, Chris Patrick and Paul Ondr. For Precinct #5, Layton Kasch and Becky Shirey. For Precinct #6, Doug Lupo.

Now that both the Republicans and Democrats have held their caucuses they will be moving forward to the November elections.