CENTRAL CITY - On Tuesday, August 12, the Gilpin County Commissioners unanimously adopted Stage 1 fire restrictions for unincorporated areas after a weekend wildfire and weeks of heightened danger conditions.

The board includes Chair Sandy Hollingsworth, District 3; Jeff Aiken, District 1; and Susan Berumen, District 2. 

Hollingsworth asked Sheriff Kevin Armstrong about the difference between a one-day fire restriction and Stage 1 fire restrictions.

Referring to the one-day restriction, Armstrong told the commissioners “That was on a Red Flag Day. And the Red Flags are different than the fire restrictions. Red Flags are temporary in nature, whereas the fire bans are for longer periods of time.” 

The Stage 1 fire restrictions took effect on August 12 at 12:01 a.m. 

Armstrong described a smoke sighting on Saturday afternoon, August 9, that brought Timberline Fire, the U.S. Forest Service and Golden Gate Fire to the scene. 

The fire involved about 0.2 of an acre, and crews “put a line around it, and it was not going to increase at all,” he said.

Armstrong noted only one aerial firefighting apparatus was available in the county at the time and that the cause is still under investigation.

County Manager Ray Rears announced that the Forest Service had issued a special use permit under the 1897 Organic Administration Act to allow Timberline Fire Protection District discretion to conduct roadside mitigation without the lengthy environmental review process. 

Commissioners voted 3-0 to execute the permit.

Public comment addresses Russell Gulch water, short-term rentals

Central City Alderman Zane Plsek, speaking on Russell Gulch’s water issues, told the board, “I think it would be everybody’s best benefit to get the concerned parties all in a room together to figure out how we’re going to address this problem.” He said Central City is willing to participate in discussions but lacks the financial means to contribute to a solution.

Russell Gulch resident Susan Thayer asked the County to limit the number of short-term rentals in neighborhoods. 

She said there are “four in my neighborhood of 12 houses, one more being built specifically just for short term rentals.” Commissioners confirmed there is a licensing ordinance and wait list but no cap per neighborhood.

Resolutions approved

The board approved an amended consent agenda that included quarterly departmental reports, the Treasurer’s June report, the Clerk and Recorder’s July report, and the following measures:

Resolution 25-080 Updates the County’s official appointment list to add Emergency Manager Steven Mingura, Commissioner Aiken to the Limited Gaming Impact Funds Advisory Committee, and authorizes Budget Officer Lorna Plamondon to use facsimile signatures.

Resolution 25-095 Authorizes an additional $2,407.36 to pay the final trial invoice from special counsel Dagner, Schluter, and Werber LLC.

Resolution 25-098 Appoints Community Health Specialist Marie Larson as Gilpin’s public health voting member on the Gateway to the Rockies Opioid Council, with Public Health Director Alisa Witt as alternate.

New hires introduced

Human Resources Director Chanda Johnson, dressed in 1890s period attire for “Decades Day” as part of Spirit Week, introduced several new employees.

In Human Services, Paige Sons, Child and Adult Protection Program Manager, presented Megan Thompson, Caseworker II – Prevention Specialist; Sydney Castaneda, Caseworker II; and Marie Cosby, Caseworker III. Johana Bravo was introduced as the new Senior Services/Transportation Supervisor.

Rears introduced Jaime Boyle as the new Community Development Director. 

Boyle, dressed in 1940s garb, told the board, “I’ve had the pleasure of working with you all for a few years now as the grant manager, and I’m very excited to serve the county in this new capacity.”

Enterprise Zone support

The board voted unanimously to send a letter supporting the Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado (AGNC) as administrator of the Northwest Colorado Enterprise Zone. 

Executive Director Tiffany Dickensen said she will request that the state include all of Gilpin County in the zone during the 2026 redesignation.

Snow and ice ordinance adopted

Following a public hearing, commissioners unanimously approved Ordinance 25-01 prohibiting the depositing of snow and ice on County-maintained roadways. The adoption includes a typographical correction before publication.

Sheriff’s second-quarter report

Armstrong and Undersheriff Greg Demo reported increases in calls for service, including disturbances, trespassing, shooting complaints and dog complaints. Gaming-related jail bookings rose by 12 compared to the prior quarter.

Mingura, hired in May, has been organizing the Emergency Operations Center, updating plans and conducting community outreach. A community meeting is planned for September.

Other board actions

Resolution 25-097 Commissioners discussed opting out of state graywater legislation. Wording will be clarified before adoption on August 26 to specify “graywater systems.”

Resolution 25-096 Approved revisions to the travel and per diem policy, raising authorization thresholds, extending reimbursement timelines, adopting GSA per diem rates, and prohibiting certain expenses.

2024 audit Jim Hinkle of Hinkle & Company presented a clean audit opinion for the County’s financial statements and federal program compliance, finding no deficiencies or material weaknesses in internal controls.

Meeting minutes Commissioners discussed how AI-generated meeting minutes were missing details such as formal titles and specifics on motions, and will revisit the July 22 minutes after corrections.

Next meetings

The board will hold a work session on August 19 at 9 a.m. to discuss housing needs, septic system updates, and a possible lodging tax ballot measure.

The next regular meeting will be on August 26 at 9 a.m. 

Gilpin County Commission meetings are held at the Historic Courthouse, 203 Eureka Street, Central City. Members of the public can attend in person or watch online at tinyurl.com/GilpinCommissioners.