Patrice LeBlanc, Gilpin County. Gilpin County personnel and Commissioners held a town hall meeting on March 23, 2020, via teleconferencing. There were 141 participants. The meeting focused on the Coronavirus pandemic and updates from the county concerning services and enforcements. Residents listened to the officials, then were able to ask questions at the end of the meeting. 

A state of emergency was declared on March 13, 2020, by Governor Polis in an effort to stop the spread of the virus. A Shelter in Place mandate was not ordered but was strongly encouraged. It is recommended that you save your work often if applying for unemployment as the system keeps crashing due to the high demand. July 15, 2020, is the new State and Federal tax deadline. Gilpin County has requested funds through the Federal government and a Stimulus package is being voted on by Congress. Closures include parks and recreation centers and all county and city offices. The Motor Vehicle Department is closed, and all temporary license plate registrations have been extended. Recreational marijuana shops are closed, medical marijuana shops are open. The transfer station is open for regular business hours, however a resident sticker is needed to use the station. The Assessor’s office is open, and licenses are being issued. The Sheriff’s office and Emergency office is open. The jail is taking precautions, but no early release has been initiated. A drop off box is available outside the County building for ballots and taxes. Some of the hours are different and it is recommended all residents contact specific departments regarding hours and procedures if they need a service. All casinos are closed until April 30 and restaurants may operate with take or delivery orders. 

Gilpin County has no recorded cases of Covid 19, however there have been no tests reported through the County. The Public Health department is working with the State to obtain testing kits and advised residents to only call 911 if it an emergency and to call ahead to a doctor or emergency room if showing symptoms. Every medical worker wears protective gear including ambulance workers who make house calls. Gilpin Commissioners are scheduling emergency meetings as things progress and they are consulting with Jefferson County Public Health for updates. It is important to take care of stress levels and residents are encouraged to contact the State Mental Health Hotline at 844-493-8255 or text 38255 for support. 

The food bank is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2-4 p.m. Only one box per household is being given out. Non-perishable food items can be donated to Human Services. Meals on Wheels is operating Monday – Friday 8:30- noon. The senior Grab and Go is suspended. The Holistic Homestead is operating and in need of volunteers and donations. 

Suggestions to the residents to support the community are: grocery shopping for the elderly and quarantined neighbors, offering to take their dogs for a walk, staying vigilant with social distancing staying six feet apart from each other, volunteering at a government or non-profit. A fundraiser is being set up through the county for residents in dire circumstances. 

The meeting ended on a suggestion from County Manager Abel Montoya, to Stay Gilpin Strong. 

(Originally published in the March 26, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)