CENTRAL CITY – The Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) held a work session on March 4, 2025, to discuss critical issues, including an urgent need to expand the County’s ordinance on drug-affected properties.

Public Health Director Alisa Witt said that the current ordinance only addresses methamphetamine contamination, leaving a gap in handling properties affected by other drugs such as heroin. A recent case involving a death at a heroin-contaminated residence raised concerns, as the family sought entry before proper remediation.

Coroner Zane Laubhan had told Witt that such properties should remain off-limits until hazardous material cleanup is completed. 

The discussion revealed a broader concern: properties exposed to drugs often require fencing to prevent public access, especially when needles or other biohazards are found on the premises.

Sheriff Kevin Armstrong questioned enforcement procedures, particularly if property owners refuse cleanup. 

County Attorney Todd Messenger recommended aligning local procedures with state-enforced industrial hygienist regulations to manage hazardous properties effectively. 

The Board also debated financial implications, with County Manager Ray Rears noting that while property owners would be given notice to remediate contamination, the County could step in, front the cleanup costs, and later place a lien on the property to recover expenses.

The ordinance would apply to all physical properties, including RVs, sheds, and vehicles. In multi-family dwellings, industrial hygienists would determine whether adjacent units were impacted. 

Landlords could also be required to provide temporary housing for displaced tenants. Witt, who has dealt with biohazardous properties in the past, urged the Board to establish clear procedures for such cases and proposed drafting an ordinance for better enforcement.

Future budget issues

The commissioners also reviewed budgetary concerns, with Rears reassuring them that the County remains financially strong due to prudent decisions made over the past three years. 

Finance Director Joe Allaire estimated a revenue cushion of $24 million, easing fears of immediate funding cuts.

However, Chair Sandy Hollingsworth stressed the importance of planning for potential shortfalls, noting that the County will receive official gaming revenue figures by September. 

The discussion centered on whether to pause funding for certain projects, with Commissioner Jeff Aiken suggesting a “wait and see” approach, particularly regarding the impact study on sexually oriented businesses.

Rears recommended holding off on the campus plan, which would assess the feasibility of whether to relocate administrative offices to Central City or near the Justice Center in mid-county. 

Allaire advised against unnecessary budget freezes, stating that project evaluations should be deferred until next year.

Commissioner Susan Berumen echoed a cautious approach, urging vigilance in 2025 and 2026 as the County awaits finalized state revenue figures in May. 

Hollingsworth anticipated reductions in human services funding but maintained that forward planning could mitigate potential budget constraints.

County broadband

Another pressing issue was Gilpin County’s broadband infrastructure, with concerns that its rural nature is causing it to fall behind in connectivity advancements. 

The Board agreed to draft a letter to Attorney General Phil Weiser, advocating for greater support in expanding broadband access.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 11:30 a.m. The next regular session of the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners is scheduled for March 11, 2025, at 9 a.m., at the Historic Courthouse in Central City, and accessible via Zoom.