The Gilpin County Commissioners approved the first reading of a revised parking ordinance during a regular meeting at 9 a.m. on November 1, 2022. It was a virtual meeting only, as a result of preparations for elections at the courthouse in Central City.

The Board also approved an Intergovernmental Agreement for a refresh of the child welfare computer system, a letter of support for the Central City Opera Enterprise Zone Contribution Project, and two appointments for the County Attorney.

County Attorney Brad Benning introduced the first reading of an updated ordinance regulating parking on Gilpin County public rights of way. He said the law has changed, now placing parking under traffic infractions.

This ordinance gets the County up to speed with current law by calling parking violations traffic infractions instead of petty offenses. It updates the language on special events. It is proposed that the ordinance would state that no parking will be allowed unless signs are posted allowing parking.

The ordinance allows parking in certain areas, such as 10 feet from the center line of a road, but the county has narrow roads. County staff will designate certain locations like trailheads for parking, and will work with Public Works to identify parking for those who want to park near access to a trailhead or U.S. Forest Service access.

The ordinance provides for a lesser penalty than before, which is less onerous for the courts and jails. Fines are $10 for the first offense, $55 for the second, and $105 for the third. There will be a 10 percent surcharge for the courts.

Board Chair Sandy Hollingsworth said the ordinance prohibits parking that will interfere with snow removal, and she suggested adding a prohibition for interfering with traffic flow. Benning added that to the proposal, saying that it makes sense.

Funds from parking violations will go to a special fund. Benning said the next step is to approve this going forward and set the second reading for December 6. The Board approved the first reading.

Human Services Director Laura Solomon requested approval of an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) for a child welfare computer refresh funded by the State of Colorado. She said the State formerly just provided equipment, but now they are giving the County an allotment for the equipment for three years for about $19,300, so that they can purchase whichever systems and equipment work best for the County.

According to background, Gilpin County Department of Human Services agrees in the IGA to participate in the County Leased Computer Program under the agreement with the Colorado Department of Human Services. The Gilpin County Department of Human Services will receive an allocation of $19,503 for the three-year lease cycle starting in State fiscal year 2022-23.

This IGA establishes a consistent procedure giving counties more control over their finances regarding the lease of computing equipment, software, service, and accessories through the Colorado Department of Human Services and the Department of Personnel and Administration. The agreement establishes an understanding of the processes the parties will engage in to lease, maintain, dispose of, and buy out leased computing assets. The Board approved the IGA.

County Manager Ray Rears proposed a letter of support for the Central City Opera Enterprise Zone Contribution Project through the Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado.

According to the letter, “I am writing to you to offer my enthusiastic support for Central City Opera’s (CCO) request to continue to be an Enterprise Zone Contribution Project. This project will strengthen CCO’s investment in Gilpin County as it will contribute to further economic development in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This project is of the utmost importance to CCO as it is a destination opera company, heavily dependent upon the economic revitalization of Gilpin County. CCO is dedicated to diversifying the revenue of Central City and their organization by offering more productions outside of the Summer Opera Festival and creating additional venues to stage new productions throughout the county.”

Hollingsworth said she is pleased to see additional venues for the Opera throughout the county, which could include the library or community center and a venue in Rollinsville.

The Board approved the letter of support.

Benning announced that he has been selected as the 2023 Chair of the Upper Clear Creek Watershed Association and also was appointed to the Colorado County Attorneys Association’s Nominating Committee. He said he served as interim chair for the Upper Clear Creek Watershed Association and will be chair again next year.

Benning said “We’re charged by the state to keep waters clean and clear,” so he has been working in that role and meeting with the State. Commissioner Web Sill said it is important to maintain knowledge of the state of the area’s water. “It flows to the benefit of Gilpin County,” he said.

The Board approved Benning’s appointments to the Watershed Association and to the Colorado County Attorneys Association’s Nominating Committee

The next regular meeting of the Gilpin County Commissioners will be on November 15, 2022. For more information, go to https://gilpincounty. colorado.gov/public-meetings/boardof county- commissioners- boccmeetings.