Mindy Leary, Gilpin County. On May 4, 2020, at 6 p.m. Gilpin County held a virtual town hall using Zoom. Commissioner Ron Engels opened the meeting, speaking for commissioners Gail Watson and Linda Isenhart. About 140 people visited this town hall. 

Bonnie Albrecht, Public Health Coordinator, spoke about Gilpin entering the “Safer at Home” guidelines on May 9. Every business that opens can only have 50% capacity. Symptom monitoring and PPE must be in use at workplaces. 

Long-term traumatic events like what is happening now, can cause anxiety, stress, sleep disturbances, etc. Jefferson Center for Mental Health is offering appointments by phone. Call 303-425-0300 or visit JCMH.org. 

Sheriff Kevin Armstrong spoke next about scammers sending emails and making phone calls. Additionally, Armstrong encourages residents to report suspicious activity in their neighborhoods to the Sheriff’s Office at 303-582-5500. 

Emergency Manager Nate Whittington talked about procuring PPE for first responders and county employees and eventually getting a testing site in the county through CDPHE. 

 County Manager Abel Montoya talked about the fourth federal stimulus package that might allow the community center to reopen. Events like the county fair and barn dance are unfortunately cancelled. 

The phased reopening of county buildings will include the first floor of the courthouse for appointments only will starting May 11. Parking spaces should alternate and face masks will be required. The second phase of reopening will be May 18 which includes Human Services.

Library Director Michael Carlson said that the library had to furlough four employees. The library will have a soft opening on May 11 for computer reservations. There are seven public computers that can allow social distancing between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Opening doors to the general public probably will not happen to at least June 1. The public will be required to wear masks and have a library card. 

Montoya said the earliest the state would reopen casinos would be the middle of July. The county might apply for a variance to the governor for a safe reopening. 

Community Development Director Stephen Strohminger presented information on the first community workshop which will be held via Zoom meeting on May 5, 2020.   

Jennifer Cook, CSU Extension Agent for Gilpin, said they are now accepting applications for the community garden and can be reached by email at extension@gilpincounty.org.

Montoya fielded questions ranging from antibody testing to short-term rentals. Currently there are no antibody tests available for the whole county. Short-term rentals are actually not allowed to operate right now because it’s considered leisure outside of your county or 10-mile radius.

Public Works operations will reopen Wednesday May 6. The transfer station should be fully open again May 18.  

The next Gilpin County Town Hall will be held on Monday, May 18, 2020, at 6 p.m. virtually and can be accessed by following the instructions on Gilpin County’s website.

(Originally published in the May 7, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)