Treasurer Candidate: Mary R Lorenz

Address:  PO Box 798 Black Hawk, CO 80422

Cell Phone:  303-570-0772

E-Mail: ML62559@msn.com

How long, and where, have you lived in Gilpin County? My husband and I live in Mid-Gilpin County near the Library. We have lived in our house since 1994. Before moving to Mid-Gilpin County, I lived in Central City. I grew up in Central City in the 1970’s. I have had the opportunity to live, work, volunteer, and raise my family here. Over the years, I have developed strong relationships throughout the community and have seen many changes in our county. My long history here has given me a deep appreciation for the people who make Gilpin County such a special place to live.

What post-secondary schools have you attended? I attended Parks Business College in Denver and the University of Phoenix.

What specific training or education have you received relevant to the position? I have worked in the Gilpin County Treasurer’s Office since 2002, giving me more than two decades of experience in the office and its responsibilities. I have served as the Gilpin County Treasurer since January 2019. My experience working in the Treasurer’s Office has provided me with a thorough understanding of county finances, property taxes, taxpayer accounts, collections, distributions, and the responsibilities of the Treasurer’s Office. I have also gained experience working with county departments, elected officials, residents, property owners, and other governmental entities. I believe this combination of hands-on experience and my years of service to Gilpin County has prepared me well to continue serving as Treasurer.

Briefly describe your current career and home life. I am currently serving as the Gilpin County Treasurer, a position I have held since January 2019. Serving the residents and property owners of Gilpin County has been an important part of my life for many years. 

At home, I live with my husband, Tony. Our youngest son recently graduated from college and has moved back home with his dog, Grizzly. We have a son who lives in Arvada, a son who lives in Wyoming with his wife and three children and a daughter who lives in Grand Junction with her husband and two children. Family and community are both very important to me. I enjoy being involved in Gilpin County and supporting the organizations and activities that help make our community a strong and welcoming place.

List the Peak to Peak boards and civic or volunteer activities in which you have been involved and the dates of service. 

Peak to Peak Rotary — member since 2018; past president and current treasurer.

St. James UMC Conservation Fund Board — member since April 2023; current president.

Friends of Gilpin County Community Center — member since 2025.

Alan Green Memorial Foundation — member and treasurer since 2011.

Gilpin County Food Pantry — occasional volunteer during the past five years; also assist with the community gardens for the pantry.

Gilpin County Booster Club — member from 1997–2020; treasurer from 2015–2020.

Ermel’s Thrift Store — previously volunteered helping run the store.

Gilpin County School District Accountability Committee — member from 2007–2020; chair from 2010–2014.

Gilpin County Fair Committee — member from 2006–2015; responsible for the baking contest during those years.

Gilpin County Little League — secretary from 2011–2013.

Have you attended BoCC and/or local government meetings? Yes. I have attended Board of County Commissioners and other local government meetings both in my capacity as County Treasurer and as a Gilpin County resident. I believe attending these meetings is an important part of understanding the issues facing our community, listening to residents, and working collaboratively with other county officials and departments.

How would you enhance the experience of Gilpin County staff? I believe staff do their best work when they have the support, communication, training, and resources they need to perform their jobs effectively. In the Treasurer’s Office, I have focused on cross-training staff so that knowledge and responsibilities are shared and the office can continue to provide consistent service when someone is absent or responsibilities change.

I would continue encouraging open communication, respectful working relationships, and opportunities for staff to learn and develop their skills. I also believe it is important to recognize the work county employees do for our residents. County staff interact with the public every day and are an important part of the experience residents have with their local government. A positive, professional workplace benefits both employees and the people they serve.

What do you see as the major issues facing Gilpin County? How would you begin to address them? I see maintenance - of county-owned property and of county buildings, county roads, and sources of revenue as important issues facing Gilpin County. These are issues that affect residents, county employees, and the county’s ability to provide services.

The responsibility for addressing all of these issues does not fall directly under the duties of the County Treasurer. However, as an elected official and county resident, I believe I have a responsibility to work cooperatively with the Board of County Commissioners, other elected officials, department heads, and staff. Each office has a different role, but we all share the goal of serving Gilpin County residents responsibly and effectively.

From the Treasurer’s perspective, I will continue to focus on sound financial practices, accurate and accessible records, efficient operations, and being a responsible steward of the public funds entrusted to my office.

As an elected official, what would be your top three goals for the county in the next year?  Preserve our historical records. I would continue working toward getting the Treasurer’s historical records scanned and digitally preserved. These records are an important part of Gilpin County’s history and need to be protected for future generations.

Continue cross-training staff. Cross-training helps ensure that the office can continue operating effectively when employees are absent or responsibilities change. It also helps strengthen the knowledge and capabilities of our staff.

Continue improving efficiency and accessibility. I want the Treasurer’s Office to continue looking for ways to make our processes more efficient while making information and services easier for residents and property owners to access.

How would you collaborate with other Gilpin County departments and organizations? 

I believe collaboration between county officials and department heads is extremely important. Every department has different responsibilities, knowledge, and resources, and we can learn from one another and work together to better serve our residents. I have worked with all of the county departments and value those relationships.

It is also important to maintain good working relationships with organizations within Gilpin County and with neighboring communities and counties. I have developed good relationships with the cities of Black Hawk and Central City, as well as with the Treasurer in Clear Creek County. Maintaining these relationships allows us to communicate effectively, share information, and work together when issues cross departmental or jurisdictional boundaries. Ultimately, collaboration helps us provide better service to the people who live and work in our communities.

Why do you want to hold the office for which you are running?  Gilpin County has been my home for an exceptionally long time, and I care deeply about this community and the people who live here. I have had the privilege of working for Gilpin County residents and property owners for many years, first as an employee in the Treasurer’s Office and now as County Treasurer.

I enjoy serving the public and helping residents with questions and concerns involving the responsibilities of the Treasurer’s Office. I believe my experience, knowledge of the office, and long history in the community allow me to continue providing dependable and responsible service.

This county is more than just where I work; it is my home. I want to continue serving the residents and property owners of Gilpin County and helping ensure the Treasurer’s Office remains accessible, efficient, and accountable.

Have you run for/held political office before? If so, where and when? Yes I ran in the 2018 county election and was elected County Treasurer.  I also ran in the 2022 county election and was elected County Treasurer.

Will you be able to meet the time requirements of the office?    Yes 

Do you, or will you, have another job as well as the position you are running for?  No

How have you, and/or how will you, operate with transparency and honesty in your role?

Transparency and honesty are essential to serving as an elected official. My door is always open, and I believe residents should be able to ask questions and receive straightforward answers about the work of the Treasurer’s Office.

County records are available for public review, and I believe in providing information in a clear and accessible manner. The Treasurer’s Office has an important responsibility because we collect, distribute, and safeguard taxpayers’ money. I take that responsibility seriously.

Ultimately, I work for the residents and property owners of Gilpin County. My goal is to conduct the business of the Treasurer’s Office accurately, responsibly, and openly while treating everyone with respect. I believe that maintaining public trust requires consistency, accountability, and a willingness to listen to the people we serve.

How will you handle conflict resolution within your office, if elected? I believe conflicts are best handled by addressing them promptly, respectfully, and directly. I would listen to all sides, make sure everyone has an opportunity to be heard, and work toward a fair resolution based on county policies and the responsibilities of the office.

My goal would be to maintain a professional and respectful workplace where employees feel comfortable communicating concerns. Not every disagreement can be avoided, but disagreements can be handled constructively when people communicate openly and treat one another with respect.

As Treasurer, I would keep the focus on finding practical solutions while maintaining the standards and responsibilities of the Treasurer’s Office. Ultimately, the office needs to function effectively and provide reliable service to Gilpin County residents and property owners. A respectful workplace and good communication among staff are important parts of accomplishing that goal.

Please disclose any current personal and/or professional relationships with the City of Black Hawk, City of Central, or Gilpin County. I have lived in Gilpin County for more than 30 years and have many personal and professional relationships throughout the community. 

Through my work as County Treasurer and through my volunteer activities, I have developed relationships with people who live and work throughout Gilpin County, including in the City of Black Hawk and Central City.

Professionally, I regularly work with county departments and have established working relationships with the cities of Black Hawk and Central City, as well as with the Treasurer in neighboring Clear Creek County. Personally, many of my friends live and work in Gilpin County.

These relationships are a natural result of living in and serving this community for many years. I believe maintaining respectful and professional relationships with local governments, county employees, organizations, businesses, and residents is important to effectively serving the public.

If you could ask one other candidate one question, what would it be? Brady Fowler — No matter the outcome of this election, I hope the people who step up to run for office continue to be part of the conversation and the work of making our community better. If you don’t win, what would staying involved and serving our community look like for you?

What kind of demonstrated accounting experience do you have that supports this position? I have worked in the Gilpin County Treasurer’s office since 2002.

I worked for the Gilpin County School District as the Business Manager from August 1992 until September 2002

I worked for the Steamboat Ski Resort in the accounting department processing A/P from approximately November 1987 until approximately April 2000.

I worked for Structure-Tech Inc. from 1983 to 1987, starting in accounts receivable and later serving as the full-charge bookkeeper.