Mindy Leary, Gilpin County. On Friday, October 23, 2020, the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners met online at 11 a.m. for a special meeting. Commissioners Gail Watson, Linda Isenhart and Ron Engels were present, as were County Attorney Brad Benning and County Manager Abel Montoya. Highlights included a Covid update, an approval of health order and a drafted letter to the State requesting State Parks in the county be closed.

Public Health Coordinator Bonnie Albrecht says she is working on getting rapid result tests since the ones Gilpin is using can take eight days. 

Emergency Manager Nate Whittington says most evacuees have been able to go home from the Isle of Capri and Ameristar. GCART (Gilpin County Animal Rescue) currently has 177 animals but lost two animals to stress. 

A motion was made to recess the BoCC Board and convene as the Board of Health. Commissioner Engels says the state is very interested with what’s going on with the casinos and what can be done to suppress the transmission of the virus.

Benning said the only thing additional in the proposed health order (3.2) will be new casino protocols with very little changes to the language on group gatherings for up to ten people or two households. 

Watson said that some people at the larger casino who were waiting to get into players’ clubs were not socially distanced, and that it should be addressed. Outdoor events will be limited to 250 people with six feet separation. 

A motion was made to approve the first amended Public Health Order 2013 including appendix 1, which closes craps and roulette tables and reduces maximum capacity in casino to the lesser of 250 people or 50% of the fire capacity and stopping alcohol service at 11 p.m. Isenhart seconded and all were in favor.

The Board then adjourned as Board of Health and reconvened as Board of County Commissioners. 

Watson presented a letter she has been drafting to the State about closing State Parks in Gilpin County due to the increase in wildfires and the pandemic. All were in favor.

Watson proposed an employee newsletter right after the election to share news about government, budget and employee appreciation and all were on board.

No public or press comments were made and the meeting was adjourned.

(Originally published in the November 5, 2020, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)