The Gilpin County School District was one of a number of Colorado schools that received an unsubstantiated threat of school violence on Wednesday, February 22, 2023. The school was locked down later that day and was closed on Thursday. All preschool through grade 12 students and staff returned to school on Monday, February 27.

Sheriff Kevin Armstrong hosted an in-person meeting for school parents, students, and staff members on Monday, February 27, at 5:30 p.m. in the school auditorium to review the event at the school. A link for virtual meeting attendees was sent to students, staff, and parents by email on Monday.

Sheriff Armstrong also updated the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners on the event at the regular Board meeting on February 28. The commissioners thanked the staff for their quick response.

Attending the Monday evening meeting were representatives from Timberline Fire, Black Hawk police and Colorado State Patrol. Armstrong reported that on February 22 at 8:49 a.m. the Gilpin County Sheriff’s dispatcher received a call that a person with an AR15 rifle and a pipe bomb was at the school.

The dispatcher could hear a gun shot. The caller hung up, but the dispatcher heard screaming and another gun shot ring out. Meanwhile, the County’s fiberoptic line was cut, so they were not able to communicate with the school. It turned out that everybody was fine.

Black Hawk Police Department had six officers who were the first to respond, so Black Hawk Police Chief Michelle Moriarty took command, and they shut down the school.

Gilpin County Sheriff’s Officers responded shortly thereafter. The Gilpin County and Clear Creek SWAT team had training that day, so they were available to respond. Also responding were the Division of Gaming, Parks and Wildlife, Gilpin Ambulance, and Colorado State Patrol.

Armstrong said they had a traffic plan to close Highway 119. They worked to clear the school’s halls, all the cars in the parking lot, and the outbuildings including the Eagle’s Nest preschool buildings. Then they received a Safe to Tell notification that a student had a rifle in a locker. Nothing was in his locker, and the student was not in school.

Next, a group of cars passed the roadblock and six people came to the school and put themselves in danger. Armstrong made the decision to vacate the students, and at that time, no messaging was available inside the school.

By 1:13 p.m., the building was all clear, and at 2:43 p.m. students were reunited with parents at the Recreation Center. Armstrong said it was his responsibility to make sure every student and staff member was accounted for.

Armstrong said there needs to be a Public Information Officer (PIO) in the school and a cell tower or operational tower at the school. Existing resources got students to the Gilpin County Recreation Center in an hour. It was done well, and they took care of students and staff, but they were short of personnel, Armstrong said.

He met with division chiefs to be frank about what worked, and some things that didn’t. Any type of active shooting in the County would have the same type of response.

During reunification at the Recreation Center, there was no ability to communicate, Armstrong said. They have identified issues and concerns. No-one was hurt.

The Sheriff’s Office is working with the FBI investigating a person overseas who may have made the calls. This is the first time this has happened here, Armstrong said.

“I want to educate the community. They don’t have to come to the school. This was a perfect storm with the snowy weather and the cable cut.

“I need to account for every student and staff member,” he said. Teachers are required to stay with students and parents have to show positive identification in order to reunite with their children. Armstrong will have a protocol meeting with teachers on March 31.

Armstrong said he will make the call to shut down much sooner, but dispatch received 16 calls for other services during the event. The County doesn’t shut down. “I’m very proud of the responders.”

Gilpin County Commission Board Chair Marie Mornis said she is very proud of everyone. The students and teachers were well behaved, but there is some concern about the behavior of parents.

During public comment at the Monday evening meeting, parents and teachers expressed concern about the time it took for the evacuation and the fact that students didn’t have food or water. Several students seemed to be alone in the Recreation Center parking lot.

Sheriff Armstrong said parents should go to https://iloveuguys.org/ to see the protocol they follow and suggested the information should be in packets when students register.