GILPIN COUNTY — The Gilpin County Community Center was packed Saturday, May 9, as residents moved between fitness demonstrations, wellness booths, health screenings, and the Spring Wined-Up 5K during the annual Gilpin County Health and Wellness Fair.

The day began with the Spring Wined-Up 5K run and walk fundraiser, which benefited the Friends of the Gilpin County Community Center. Thirty-three runners signed up for the race, which followed a three-loop course around the Community Center trails. 

Local runner Jack Forrest took first place. David Femmer finished second, and Barbara Goranson placed third. Michelle Martin finished seventh, while Gabriel Chisholm placed eleventh.

“It’s a lot of fun,” Forrest said after crossing the finish line. 

The race included prizes donated by Mountain Poppy Boutique and Wine Bar, Hi-Heat and Sweets, the Market at Nederland, and Toss Wood-Fired Pizza in Rollinsville. Tracy Eliasson and Kelly Ragland also donated wine for the event.

Inside the Community Center, booths and demonstrations focused on physical health, mental health, recovery resources, wildfire mitigation, senior services, and youth programs. 

Free screenings included blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, and blood oxygen testing through Gilpin County Public Health. A STOP THE BLEED class, martial arts demonstrations, and wellness presentations filled the afternoon schedule.

Gilpin County Public Health Director Alisa Witt performs a blood screening during the free health testing portion of the fair.

Photo by Mindy Leary

One of the most talked-about services at the fair was free blood lead testing for children and pregnant women.

Gilpin County Public Health Director Alisa Witt explained the testing was connected to the region’s long history of mining contamination tied to the Central City/Clear Creek Superfund Site. 

The Central City/Clear Creek Superfund Site stretches across a 400-square-mile watershed from the Continental Divide to near Golden and includes communities such as Central City, Black Hawk, Idaho Springs, Georgetown, Empire, and Silver Plume. The site was added to the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Priorities List in 1983 because of contamination from historic mining and milling activities.

Runners, walkers, and even firefighters in full gear take part in the Spring Wined-Up 5K fundraiser at the Gilpin County Community Center on May 9.

Photo by Mindy Leary

According to the EPA and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, cleanup efforts include treatment plants for contaminated mine drainage, capping and stabilizing mine waste piles, runoff controls, wetlands treatment systems, and ongoing investigations into lead and arsenic exposure risks in residential areas.

Witt said many homes in the mountains were built near or on historic mining areas where tailings remain. The ground was often flat and already deforested.

“Whenever you see the light-colored dirt like the light, light brown- and beige-colored dirt just piled on the ground, that’s historic mining waste,” Witt said. “That does have lead dust, cadmium, arsenic, and other natural contaminants.” 

She explained that lead contamination can enter homes through dust tracked in on shoes or pets.

“It’s a much, much bigger problem for children because it affects your neurological system,” Witt said. “It can cause permanent learning disabilities in children.” 

Because of that risk, Witt said, Gilpin County Public Health is primarily encouraging testing for young children, pregnant women, and people considering pregnancy.

“There’s not enough blood lead testing for those people in our community,” she said. 

Witt also said property owners concerned about mine tailings on their land can contact Gilpin County Public Health for help connecting with the EPA and CDPHE for testing and possible mitigation assistance. 

Throughout the fair, residents browsed booths from organizations including Timberline Fire Protection District, Gilpin Senior Services, Gilpin Mountain Kids, Resilience1220, Jefferson Center for Mental Health, CSU Extension, and Advocates for Recovery.

Advocates for Recovery promoted new all-recovery meetings tentatively planned for Thursdays (5:30 - 7 p.m.) at the Community Center. The organization offers support for people in recovery, those seeking recovery, and family members or friends supporting loved ones through addiction and mental health challenges.

A participant and her dog make their way along the Community Center trail during the Spring Wined-Up 5K.

Photo by Mindy Leary

Resilience1220 shared information about counseling and youth outreach programs for teens in Gilpin and Clear Creek counties. 

Gilpin Mountain Kids promoted its expanding childcare programs serving infants through pre-kindergarten. Timberline Fire staff discussed wildfire mitigation projects and upcoming community chipping events. 

Fitness classes were also a major focus. Jessica with Wow Yourself! Wellness promoted Fit4Life HIIT classes held regularly at the Community Center.

“High Intensity Interval Training,” she explained, while describing the classes offered Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. 

The event was a mix of serious public health education with a casual community atmosphere. Participants moved between booths carrying screening results, fitness flyers, snacks, and race prizes while neighbors caught up over coffee, fruit, and post-race mimosas.

Information about the Central City/Clear Creek Superfund Site was provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and Clear Creek County.