The Gilpin County Arts Association (GCAA) was abuzz with political fervor on August 13, 2023, as it hosted the Gilpin County Democratic Fundraiser. This event brought together a constellation of local and state Democratic leaders, offering attendees a unique opportunity to engage with their elected representatives while bidding on items for a silent auction.

GCAA is located in Central City at 117 Eureka Street and has been celebrating and showcasing artists of the Rocky Mountain Region for 76 years.

The gallery is located inside historic Washington Hall, originally built in 1862 as the First District Courthouse in the Territory of Colorado. Washington Hall is the oldest continuously used public building in Colorado.

The gallery and art association were established in 1947. The upstairs area has a rock floor, skylights, and an open design that is very inviting. A band played jazz and rock classics and Augustina’s Winery had wine available for purchase.

The fundraiser featured an impressive lineup of speakers and activists, each lending their voices to the issues that matter most to the residents of Gilpin County. Among the notable speakers was Representative Joe Neguse, who passionately discussed his work in Congress and the importance of protecting our State’s most precious resource: water.

Gilpin Democrats Vice Chair Phillip Gibbs, in introducing the speakers, said that this event is an important part of fundraising for Democratic candidates going forward. He noted that Democrats in Gilpin support public health care, keeping kids safe, upholding the Community Center and the Library, maintaining secure elections, and preventing the petroleum industry from polluting the watershed.

Notable among the attendees were Tami Velasquez, candidate for the Gilpin County School Board, Clerk and Recorder Sahari McCormick, Assessor April Nielsen, Coroner Zane Laubhan, Commissioners Susan Berumen and Sandy Hollingsworth, and former Commissioner Gail Watson.

State Senator Dylan Roberts took the stage, greeting and thanking the Gilpin County Democrats. Roberts said that last year the State Senate’s majority was on the line and that Colorado faced a choice: to protect democracy by gaining a majority. They were successful.

Roberts spoke about building affordable housing, protecting reproductive rights, investing in K-12, and safeguarding voting rights. The Democratic party has continued majorities as they head into their next legislative session.

State Representative Judy Amabile proudly represents District 49 including Boulder, Clear Creek, Gilpin, and Larimer Counties in the House and is running for Colorado Senate District 18 in 2024. Lesley Smith is running to replace Amabile in District 49.

Amabile expressed thanks for having Roberts in the Senate. Amabile’s passion lies in improving mental health access and services for those with the most severe disease. She said the current system ignores those most in need who end up homeless and/or using drugs. She is working on criminal recidivism and raising the bar for treatment in county jails.

She is a prime sponsor of a bill that invokes a three-day hold to purchase a firearm, which typically prevents gun-related suicide. She has also worked on outlawing “ghost guns,” a gang-related problem where individuals buy and assemble guns from the internet.

Joyful hoots and rounds of applause preceded Neguse’s entry to the fundraiser. Neguse represents Colorado’s 2nd District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

He was elected to his first term in November, 2018, becoming the first Black Member of Congress in Colorado history. In December 2022, Rep. Neguse was elected by his colleagues to serve as Chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC), becoming the first Coloradan to serve in a senior elected leadership role in the House in over 85 years.

Neguse gave a nod to Amabile, saying that while she has represented the District for eight years, the District’s loss will be the State Senate’s gain.

Neguse says serving the House these past seven months has been “rough” in Washington D.C. He believes the Republican priorities are deeply divorced from the values of the American People, demonstrated by a policy proposal for defunding the Department of Justice.

He believes, “While fear can be contagious, so can hope. And while there is a lot to be fearful about, the Democratic Party is the party of hope, holding the belief that by working together we can solve big problems.”

He thanked the Gilpin Democrats and stayed to listen to the next speakers.

Lesley Smith, who holds the position of University of Colorado (CU) Regent, seized the stage to emphasize the significance of climate change like damaging floods and crippling fires.

Earlier in the month, she announced she’s launching a campaign for the open House District 49 seat rather than seeking reelection next year to a second term as regent. Smith is a retired CU scientist and will fight to hold oil and gas responsible for greenhouse emissions.

She is passionate about higher education funding and the need for an educated workforce to drive the state’s economy. As a breast cancer survivor, Smith will work to get universal health care in Colorado.

Smith spoke to former Senator Nicholson about the crime that arises from the gaming industry in Gilpin County and is interested in learning more. She encourages residents to learn more about her at lesleyforco.com. If elected she guarantees that “this scientist and progressive Democrat will be data-focused but heart-driven.”

Elliot Hood is running for Smith’s seat as CU Regent and thanked Amabile and Roberts for their political courage in endorsing him. Hood is a former public school teacher and is an attorney who represents public school districts across the State.

When asked by a friend what the Board of Regents does, Hood replied that the Board has an annual budget of about $6 billion and is by far the largest higher education institution in the state. The Board of Regents oversees and passes the budget, hires and fires the President, determines tenure, and passes all policy and laws across the University system.

As the afternoon progressed, attendees mingled and engaged with the speakers, fostering a sense of camaraderie and unity among like-minded individuals. The atmosphere was charged with enthusiasm as people from all walks of life came together to support the Democratic Party’s vision for the county and the state.

Around 45 people turned out for the event, including Clear Creek Democratic counterparts. The group auctioned off about 40 donated items to raise money for party efforts.

The silent auction raised nearly $4,000 this year with the highest-bid item being a culinary experience: dinner at the Treasurer’s house for $400 which will include several chef-inspired courses.

The Gilpin County Democratic Fundraiser was not only a showcase of the party’s leaders but also a celebration of the community’s art, history, and aspirations. The event demonstrated the power of grassroots activism and local engagement in shaping Gilpin’s political landscape.

The Gilpin County Democratic Party informally gathers from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month at Howlin Winds Brewery located at 51A Main Street in Rollinsville. On September 9, there will be a picnic from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with Senator Dylan Roberts at William Russell Park in Central City. Access the park by traveling northwest on Eureka Street to Upper Apex Road and keeping left at the fork to continue on Bald Mountain Road for about 0.2 miles.