The Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners postponed approving an outdoor lighting proposal during a regular virtual meeting at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, December 7, 2021. The Board did approve a grant application for a weed reduction program, as well as personnel items including implementing the Graves Study for the employee pay schedule.

Board Chair Linda Isenhart continued the public hearing for resolution 21-1 regarding County lighting to get input on revisions of zoning regulations. County Planner Tammy Archer said that after this public hearing, the Commissioners can approve the resolution, approve it with changes, or send it back to the planning commission.

The Gilpin County Planning Commission had several meetings, a work session, and a public hearing with the goal of improving outdoor lighting regulations. The lighting regulations adopted in February were confusing and not enforceable, so the Planning Commission addressed these items to simplify the existing regulations and make them more easily understood. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the revised Section 4.12-Outdoor Lighting Regulations to the Board of County Commissioners.

According to the proposed regulations, fully shielded fixtures should be constructed so that all light emitted by the fixture is projected below the horizontal. Lights below 100 lumens (10-watt incandescent bulb equivalent) such as pathway lights are exempt from shielding requirements.

All outdoor lighting with lumens greater than 100 must be installed with an on/off switch or motion sensor. Lighting cannot be on for longer than 20 minutes. Security lighting must not exceed 3,000 lumens and cannot be on for longer than 20 minutes at a time. Lighting not on a motion sensor, and greater than 100 lumens, is not allowed to be on from dusk to dawn in RS and RR Zones.

For commercial zones, the maximum total outdoor light output should not exceed 10 lumens per square foot of ground level floor area. Outdoor canopy lighting, like that for a gas station canopy, should not exceed 15 lumens per square foot.

During public comment, Barbara David, president of Coal Creek Canyon Skywatchers, said she has about 200 people on their mailing list. Gilpin County has one of the best opportunities for dark skies, she said. “If you will consider doing something on this, it’s so important,” she said.

Bill Merline on Spruce Way said the new regulations will make it easier to enforce. It will not allow bright lights to be on all night.

Commissioner Web Sill asked if a 100 lumen light can stay on all night. Merline said they don’t need to be shielded. Sills said exceptions were made for the County, and the Sheriff’s Department can be lit up all night. Health and Human Services wants their lights on all night.

Sill said he is concerned about the average citizens who leave the porch light on so they can see a bear or intruder. This code prevents that.

Merline suggested people change their way of thinking. If you have a motion sensor, he pointed out, the light will go on if a bear comes by. There are times when “things come up,” Sill said. “I want the right for someone to leave a light on their porch. I’m asking for situational changes for a small security light they leave on,” Sill said.

Commissioner Sandy Hollingsworth reiterated that the intent is to revise what exists. The dark sky initiative was passed to allow shielding lighting and reduce lights left on all night. She has talked to livestock owners, and some feel like they are safer if they can see the animals all night, but some think if they leave their lights off, that is safer. “I know that I would like to have the planning commission address this.”

Chair Isenhart said they should have the planning commission deal with these concerns, and the Board approved a motion to send this back to the planning commission.

CSU Extension Director Jennifer Cook requested a Colorado Department of Agriculture Noxious Weed matching grant for $3,985. Jefferson County Conservation District is administering the grant, and Gilpin County is also partnering with Black Hawk and Central City on this proposal. Funds will be reimbursed in December 2022 after all receipts and reports are provided to the Colorado Department of Agriculture.

County Attorney Brad Bennings introduced the request and said Jennifer Cook is on vacation. Cook works with Central City and Black Hawk to get weeds under control. Cook will be teaching representatives from the cities and will be reimbursed by them.

The Board approved the cash match for the noxious weed program.

Interim Human Resources Director Susie Allen introduced proposed Gilpin County Compensation Guidelines, an amendment to the Gilpin County Compensation Plan Guidelines and the proposed Graves Study Implementation Criteria. The Graves Study included a comprehensive review of the County’s current pay structure and compensation program as well as a review of benefit plans and pay practices.

The Commissioners approved the 2022 pay and step plans and associated job titles, including a hiring range for new employees. The next step in the process is to approve the compensation guidelines. The following step is implementation criteria to move employees into their pay ranges. It’s a very long process.

Commissioners said they have seen this many times now and approved the resolution effective January 1, 2022.

The next meeting of the Gilpin County Commission will be on December 14, 2021, at 9 a.m. The December 20 meeting has been canceled.