On Saturday June 15, 2024, the Republican candidates for the Gilpin County Commissioner District 1 nomination held a friendly roundtable discussion at Roy’s Last Shot to share their ideas on the future of Gilpin County.

Barbara Hardt, the managing editor of The Mountain-Ear, organized the roundtable discussion and acted as the moderator. The format allowed both candidates to reply to questions which were submitted by the public prior to the gathering. Five questions were selected for the discussion.

Candidates Jessica Kays and Marie Mornis were each given five minutes to make opening statements. Each spoke about their connections to Gilpin County and their qualifications for the position.

The first question was a combination question regarding funding for the Parks and Recreation Department, and using grants to supplement County revenue. Kays said that there would be future funding available after the new Human Services Annex is built since it is a one-time cost. She said that grants should only be pursued when needed.

Mornis supported the Black Hawk proposal to partially fund the department in exchange for financial restrictions on the County government. She thought that grants were for some capital improvements rather than for operations.

The second question concerned cooperation, since being a commissioner involves working with others. Mornis stated that she often opposes issues supported by the other commissioners since she has policy differences with them, but said that she gets along with them personally.

Kays thought cooperation, compromise, and being civil with one another were important in order to get things done for the county.

The third question was specifically for Republicans. Republican State Party Chair Dave Williams had sent out an email urging all Republicans to burn LTGBQ pride flags. The question was whether the candidates supported this directive from the state party.

Kays didn’t think it was appropriate to burn anyone’s flag. Mornis said she hadn’t seen the email, so she didn’t want to comment on it, but she believed that the Republican Party was an inclusive organization and a “big tent.”

The fourth question pertained to the local race, asking if either candidate had engaged in or supported negative campaigning against their opponent. Both candidates said that they personally rejected negative campaigning and advertising and had instructed their supporters to do likewise.

The last question was the classic “What question would you ask your opponent?”

Kays asked Mornis if being a commissioner was what she had expected it to be. Mornis replied that she didn’t have a strong opinion as to what a commissioner’s responsibilities were, but she has found that it is even more than she thought it would be because of the expanse of responsibilities.

Mornis asked Kays what she thought of the new shooting range being built in Clear Creek County that will result, when it is operational, in restrictions on recreational sport shooting in areas of the national forests in Gilpin County. Kays questioned the expense, timeline, and proximity to Gilpin of the shooting range.

The final question reflected a national issue about reproductive rights. Kays said it was a complex issue that couldn’t be addressed in 30 seconds and that her views would probably be unsatisfactory to both sides of the issue. Mornis said that she considers herself “pro-life,” but is concerned for those who find themselves in difficult circumstances.

After the meeting both candidates remained in order to have one-on-one conversations with anyone who wanted to speak with them personally.

Hardt summed up the Roundtable by saying, “I want to personally thank everyone that showed up Saturday afternoon for our first Gilpin roundtable discussion. I especially want to thank Marie Mornis and Jessica Kays for participating, as well as the people that submitted questions to be asked. And John Dunham for streaming the event.

“I am also so thankful to Michelle Sally and Roy’s Last Shot for offering us the space to gather. I learned a lot and had awesome feedback on how to improve the process next time. Keep an eye out for details about a Gilpin candidates forum on September 28, 2024.”