Mindy Leary, Gilpin County. On July 28, 2020, the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners met online at 9 a.m. for their regular weekly meeting. Commissioners Gail Watson, Linda Isenhart, and Ron Engels were present as were County Attorney Brad Benning and County Manager Abel Montoya. Highlights included a Covid-19 update, consideration of furniture and interior finishes for the new Human Services building and a vote on the use of the arena at the Community Center. 

Public Health Coordinator Bonnie Albrecht reported that there are still only 13 cases in the county with a few more tests scheduled today. Casinos are all achieving compliance as well.

The consideration of furniture specifications and interior finishes consisted of a discussion of fixtures, furniture and appropriate colors for the new Human Services building.

Next on the agenda was a discussion on Mounted Thunder’s application to use the arena at the Gilpin County Fairgrounds.

The use of the Gilpin County Community Center Campus was discussed. Master gardeners and BMXers have been using the space and Watson said as long as they’re obeying the distance and mask requirement they should be allowed.

Engels said, “Any of those outdoor uses are okay.” 4H is allowed to use the exhibit barn. A motion was made to allow Gilpin residents to use the campus, arena and exhibit barn. All were in favor.

GCART’s commander Larry Sterling suggested raising the allowance of horses to four and the board approved. Signage of the inherent risk are present, and users will have access to everything first come, first serve.

The Gilpin Sheriff’s Office has received a grant for $785,956. Gilpin County Sheriff Kevin Armstrong said, “This will cover about 10 positions in the Sheriff’s Office for about a year. This will give us a little time to find any alternative funding resources, so we don’t lose any of our authorized staff. There is no cost match to the county for this grant. The Sheriff’s Office is always looking for alternative funding resource to maintain the safety and security of our community and its residents. There are some unfunded mandates that came out of the 2020 Legislature that will have a large financial impact on the county starting within a year. Great work by Undersheriff Tonia Kapke, Victim Services Director Shannon Arrington and Deputies Sean Stanfield and Amy North-Skeleton.”  

A discussion on items that will be on the ballot concerned adding a vote for a mill levy increase, equaling 9 mills, on property taxes that would go to the Sheriff’s Office and the Community Center. Sales Tax will not be on the ballot.

A six-month moratorium on the transfer of minor subdivision exemptions, Resolution #20-13, was passed.    

To fight climate change the board supports the 30x30 campaign to protect 30 percent of lands and ocean by 2030, Resolution #20-14.

Attorney Brad Benning reported on the National and Colorado Opioid litigation and Purdue Pharmaceutical bankruptcy proceeding. The county’s settlement could be up to $8,000 with the state’s settlement being unknown but most likely larger.

Columbus Day has now been changed to the first Monday in October and has been renamed Francis Xavier Cabrini Day with the county to issue a proclamation for Indigenous People’s Day that coincides with that day. A motion was made and all were in favor. December 4, 2020, was voted to be Employee Appreciation Day but will not renew in subsequent years.

There will be no meeting on August 11 and no work session on August 13. 

Consideration was given to the approval for the meeting minutes for July 21 and 24 with minor changes and was approved. The meeting was adjourned, and the commissioners went into executive session.  

Meetings are being held weekly on Tuesdays during the pandemic. The next meeting for the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners will be held on Tuesday, August 4, 2020, at 9 a.m. virtually and can be accessed by following the instructions on the current agenda on the Gilpin County Commissioners website at http://www.gilpincounty.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=9285259&pageId=11072364

(Originally published in the July 30, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)