The Central City Main Street Commission met for their monthly meeting at 6 p.m. on September 20, 2023. Main Street Central City is a City commission and part of the Colorado Main Street Program, which is dedicated to revitalizing traditional downtown districts within the context of historic preservation.

The Commission consists of Barbara Thielemann, Chair; Jeremy Kaiser, Vice Chair; Peter Droege, Secretary; Deborah M. Wightman, Treasurer; Shirley Voorhies; and Maryann Yuthas, alternate. Meetings are held the third Wednesday of each month in the City Council Chambers at 141 Nevada Street in Central City. Joe Loyet, Community Development Project Manager, also attended.

Thielemann called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.

During the Treasurer’s Report, Wightman said, “We are at $11,479.57. We have lots of money.” Droege moved to approve the Treasurer’s report, Kaiser seconded, and all were in favor.

Old Business included a discussion on the Community Event Calendar. Yuthas said it would cost about $25 to print some flyers with QR codes. Kaiser suggested putting them in small business windows and storefronts.

Kaiser said that the “Business Get Together” event was a huge success, with close to 20 people attending. He said, “A lot of connections were made and information gathered from everyone. Everyone I’ve talked to and shown the ‘Visit Central City’ website and the new ‘At-a-Glance Event Calendar’ has been all about it.”

The Commission discussed the use of QR codes on advertising, especially given the rural, more antiquated, quality of the mountain community. In an effort to reach the widest audience, the discussion leaned towards having both a QR code and written word on advertising for Main Street.

Yuthas talked about joining an organization in Denver called “Let’s Visit Denver,” which receives a lot of online traffic and costs about $250 per year. She suggested getting the membership for the remainder of this year and all of 2024; prorated it would cost $312.50.

Yuthas said that 36.3 million people visited Denver in the past year, exceeding pre-Covid numbers, and that the Commission would like to see some of that tourism in Central City. She said Central City would have a presence on their website and participate in events. Kaiser said it would be good exposure.

Droege moved to secure a membership for the requested amount of $312.50. Kaiser seconded, and all were in favor.

The Commission talked about their upcoming Fall Foliage Fest, formerly known as the Pumpkin Patch Festival, scheduled for Saturday, October 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, October 8, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. They looked at how to best advertise.

The Festival is looking for volunteers to help with the event and contribute their vehicle to the “Trick or Trunk.” For those who are unfamiliar, a “trick or trunk” is an event where decorated cars or trucks are set up for trick or treating in a parking lot to give out Halloween candy to children.

Costumes are encouraged. The discussion on the need for supplies and volunteers turned to the use of the “Home Sweet Home Gilpin County” Facebook page. Kaiser said, “We have a great community to pull from.” The Commission is looking for straw or hay bales to be used for two days and any volunteers who can help.

The Fest will be happening in the Big T Lot in Central City and will feature exciting games, prizes, a pumpkin patch, pumpkin decorating, vendors, a food truck, and family fun. Wightman will be making Halloween cookies for the kids.

Anyone interested in helping or vending (for no cost) can reach out to Deborah Wightman at 720-934-6222 or email at dmwightman@yahoo.com.

The Commission discussed the advertising designer Pickaxe concerning the Main Street logo. They will revisit the discussion at the next meeting.

The Commission is thinking of replacing the rope lighting on Main Street as part of the downtown beautification project. Commission members think the rope lighting makes Main Street look more festive.

Kaiser commented that several of the Central City street lights are out and wondered what could be done to remedy the situation. Thielmann suggested talking to someone from Public Works.

During Staff Comments, Yuthas said that 5280 Magazine named the Central City Cemetery as one of the best Fall walks within an hour from Denver, one of nine mentioned.

Thielemann discussed the Tommyknocker event, saying that $1,480 will soon be deposited into the Tommyknocker fund from vendor fees and donations. Thielemann is still seeking vendors for the event.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:15 p.m.

The next Main Street Commission meeting is scheduled for October 18, 2023, and will be held in the Council Chambers at 141 Nevada Street, Central City.