Mindy Leary, Gilpin County. On November 19, 2019, the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners met at the Gilpin County Courthouse for their regular meeting. Highlights include the Commissioners’ Letter to the FAA regarding Denver Metroplex Flight Paths over Gilpin County, an Agreement for Cooperative Wildfire Protection and a Letter of Support for City of Central’s DOLA Grant Application for the Belvidere Theater. Commissioner Ron Engels, Madam Chair Commissioner Linda Isenhart and Commissioner Gail Watson were present.

A letter sent by the board to David Suomi, Administrator of the NW Mountain Region expressed concerns about the Denver Metroplex Project and the lack of notification and involvement in our county. “There was no public meeting held nor posting about the comment period in our newspaper of record,” stated the letter.

The letter went on to say that community concerns are not only about increased jet traffic and the attendant noise in our subdivisions but the impacts increased traffic will have on public lands such as Golden Gate Canyon State Park and the James Peak Wilderness Area.

The Commissioners request to enter comments into public record and to host a “roundtable meeting with the board and Gilpin County residents for a question and answer session regarding current flight paths and the Denver Metroplex flight paths and attendant noise impacts.” 

The Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) is designated the lead Colorado State Agency for Wildland Fire Suppression and provides technical assistance, upon request, to the County, the Sheriff and Fire Departments on local fire safety matters such as fire prevention, fire protection, fire investigation and emergency medical services. 

Emergency Preparedness Manager Nate Whittington presented the agreement which outlines responsibilities of the county, state and the DFPC. “In accordance with C.R.S 29-22.5-103(2)(a), the Sheriff is the fire warden of the county and is responsible for the planning for, and the coordination of, efforts to suppress County Responsibility Fires,” states the agreement.

The Sheriff is also responsible for appointing a Local Incident Management Team to provide the command and control infrastructure for a County Responsibility Fire and for assuming financial responsibility for the Wildland Firefighting efforts on behalf of the county.

In the case of a wildland fire that exceeds the capability of the county to control or extinguish, the division may assist the sheriff and may assume command of such incidents with the concurrence of the sheriff under a unified command structure.

In the case of a State Responsibility Fire, the sheriff and the DFPC are required to enter into an agreement concerning the transfer of authority and responsibility for fire suppression and the retention of responsibilities under a unified command structure. The agreement was approved by the board. 

The City of Central is applying for an Energy/Mineral Impact Assistance Fund Grant for the rehabilitation of the historic Belvidere Theatre. 

At their meeting November 12, 2019, the Historic Preservation Advisory Committee (HAC) unanimously voted to send a letter of support to the Colorado Department of Local Affairs in support of this grant application and requested that staff provide a copy of the letter to the Gilpin Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) to make them aware of HAC’s support.

The county was originally involved with this project when it received the building for back taxes, and undertook the assessment report prior to transferring the building to the city. The City’s intent to provide a community space, local arts venue, and commercial space will serve several critical needs in the county. 

Furthermore, the rehabilitation of this nationally historic structure will serve as a showcase for proper preservation practices, and how they fit in with the goals of a Main Street community.  The letter, sent by Bret Johnson to the Colorado Department of Local Affairs was approved by the BoCC.

(Originally published in the December 5, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)