CENTRAL CITY - The Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) convened a work session on Thursday, June 5, 2025, starting at 9 a.m. in the Board of County Commissioners Meeting Room in the Old Courthouse to discuss two topics with numerous subtopics, including:

1. County roads presentation and discussion

• Introduction- County Road designations/status /regulations

• Road Designation resolution / Road maintenance agreement

• Roadway Hazards ordinance (snow & ice)

• Non-truck route ordinance / Weight Limits

Presenters included

• Public Works: John Combs, Public Works Director; and Andrew Decker, Right of Way Specialist

• Legal: Todd Messenger, County Attorney; and Sarah Baciak, Paralegal

• Sheriff’s Department: Sean Wheeler, Division Chief- Patrol

• County Manager’s Office: Ray Rears, County Manager

• Community Development: Rachel Vigil, Planner

2. Lodging tax options

Presenters included 

• Ray Rears, County Manager 

• Jamie Boyle, Interim Finance Director

• Sarah Baciak, Paralegal

County roads

Decker and Combs explained how county roads are classified. There are four levels, with level 1 denoting the main roads leading into and out of the county. Level 2 roads lead from Level 1 roads into residential areas. 

Level 3 and 4 roads are tertiary and quaternary to Level 1 and 2, representing minor routes within remote areas.

Level 1 roads are prioritized during a snow event to allow access for emergency services. 

Decker said it usually takes 12 hours to clear all the roads, though it took 24 hours during 2024’s five-foot snowstorm.

There are 148 miles of County-maintained roads. Public Works is responsible for grading them, which includes ensuring proper drainage. Combs said they are looking for culvert workers. 

Messenger introduced the Road Designation Resolution. This resolution affirms the collection of roads in a road map. It also designates the status of the roads and their carrying capacity according to CDOT.

The resolution establishes the snow removal classification system previously discussed. It also sets forth the 60-foot right-of-way on all the main roads, with varying ROWs on secondary roads. 

A map is included in the resolution and utilizes the County’s GIS system. 

Chair Sandy Hollingsworth asked about the timeline. She was concerned that they may not have time to study the materials before the next meeting on Tuesday, June 10. 

Messenger responded that the issue is not that pressing; that it can wait until a subsequent meeting. 

Wheeler and Baciak discussed the Roadway Hazards ordinance and how certain private snow plow contractors have moved snow incorrectly. They proposed warning residents of a possible citation for moving snow into the road, hoping that the trickle-down effect will work to alert contractors.

The non-truck ordinance intends to restrict heavy vehicles (over 26,000 lbs. dry) from using the three major dirt roads in the county. The commissioners have the authority to designate a “non-truck route” without the authority of CDOT.

Those three roads are Dory Hill, South Beaver Creek, and Gap Road. Baciak said the ordinance will include mile markers.

Heavy trucks can damage these roads, and the ordinance seeks to prevent this. Common service vehicles, like propane trucks, school buses, waste trucks, and septic trucks, will be exempt as long as they are servicing a property along each route. Fines could be up to $2,500, and the commissioners hope the fine warning will deter heavy trucks from using the dirt road shortcuts. 

More information and notices on county road ordinances may be posted as soon as July in The Mountain-Ear, the official newspaper of record for Gilpin County.

Lodging tax

Baciak said that in November 2022, the County passed a 2% lodging tax, which serves to enhance the visitor experience. 

Now, new legislation allows the County to impose a total 6% lodging tax in unincorporated Gilpin County, and 4% of these proceeds can support public infrastructure not specifically related to tourism. 

Additionally, the County can now reallocate the previous 2% for more general purposes, given voter approval. Baciak said the issue can be rolled into one ballot issue. 

After discussion, Rears clarified the Board’s sentiment, saying they will leave the current 2% tax as it is, and will refine the uses for the 4% tax in the ballot language. 

The commissioners discussed making the spending of the tax revenue flexible for different uses. 

The ballot language must be confirmed via resolution by August 26, 2025.

The next regular BoCC meeting will be held on June 10, 2025, at the Old Courthouse in Central City.