“We either adapt to the change and control it … or it will change us for us."”

–  Clear Creek County Manager Colton Roloff

IDAHO SPRINGS — Community members, business owners, and elected officials gathered Thursday, February 26, at the historic Club Hotel for the Clear Creek Economic Development Corporation’s third annual Regional Resilience Mixer.

The event provided updates on the Region 3 Resilience Framework, a collaborative economic roadmap for Clear Creek and Gilpin counties and outlined next steps as the effort moves further into implementation.

“This year’s mixer is about showing how that framework is being used, where momentum is building, and how the community can continue to be part of the work ahead,” said Lindsey Valdez, president and CEO of the Clear Creek Economic Development Corporation. She is the sole employee of the CCEDC and was also recently elected as the County Appointee to the Central City Urban Renewal Authority.

Valdez said the framework was designed to consolidate years of economic development studies into a single, action-oriented plan. 

The resilience effort now includes 11 focus areas and a team of roughly 50 stakeholders from both counties.

What is 'economic resilience'?

Kelly Flenniken, board chair of the Clear Creek EDC, described resilience as a region’s ability “to really anticipate, withstand, adapt, and recover from disruption.” She said collaboration across jurisdictions is central to that work.

“We are better together,” she said.

Senator in attendance

State Senator Dylan Roberts addressed the crowd briefly about his ongoing work on mountain community priorities. He said he remains available to assist with state-level partnerships that support local housing, highway, and economic development efforts.

Gilpin County update

Gilpin County Manager Ray Rears outlined the County’s financial picture and recent projects.

About 45% of County revenue comes from gaming, totaling just over $15 million annually. The 2026 budget anticipates a 7.5% decline in gaming revenue, consistent with trends from the past six months.

Gilpin maintains one of the lowest combined county tax rates in the state and does not impose a county sales tax, Rears said.

The County has allocated $2 million to a water acquisition fund, $4 million for emergency reserves and more than $13 million for ongoing operations.

The Gilpin County manager also spoke of the wildfire mitigation work completed in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and an $800 million private investment planned for the Gregory Gulch area in Central City. The project includes a hotel tower, casino space, workforce housing, and parking.

A County-funded $2.45 million community annex project will replace a temporary food pantry structure and includes a commercial kitchen and emergency support space.

Clear Creek County update

Clear Creek County Manager Colton Roloff presented data on land use, visitation, and spending patterns in the county.

Clear Creek covers 396 square miles, he said, though mountainous terrain effectively expands that footprint. Approximately 75% of the land is public; when steep grades are factored in, about 11% is considered buildable.

The county has about 9,000 residents, a number that has declined slightly in recent years. At the same time, Roloff said an estimated 9 million visitors came through the county in 2025.

“For every resident of this county, we receive 1,000 out-of-market visitors,” he said, describing it as the highest ratio in the state.

Roloff said many visitors recreate locally but spend money elsewhere. “Without attracting one more person to the county, if we just cut the 45% of the leakage downhill to 25%, it’s $120 million to our GDP,” he said.

He said the County is reviewing land-use regulations, marketing, and economic development strategies to better capture spending from existing visitors.

“We either adapt to the change and control it … or it will change us for us,” he quipped.

Economic snapshot

Representatives from Colorado State University presented economic data for both counties, including analysis of retail sales, commuting patterns, and housing costs.

Economics professor Tim Komarek said Clear Creek has more residents commuting out of the county for work, while Gilpin sees more workers commuting in, particularly for hospitality and gaming jobs. Housing affordability remains a concern in both counties, with an increase in households spending more than 30% of their income on housing.

Dr. Flo Raitano (former Dillon mayor) of the Denver Regional Council of Governments reviewed the progress made since the resilience framework was introduced, noting that quarterly meetings helped narrow priorities into 11 focused initiatives. 

She encouraged continued collaboration between the two counties, saying mountain communities “have to stick together” to address shared challenges and opportunities.

Implementation phase

Consultants from the Antero Group provided an update on the transition from planning to implementation. The group is assisting the resilience team with refining goals, tracking progress, and identifying funding opportunities.

Organizers said many of the 11 focus teams have already met the initial three- and six-month goals.

The evening ended with networking and the presentation of a 2026 Region 3 Economic Leadership Award to Argo Mill and Tunnel owner Mary Jane Loevlie for her role in redeveloping the Idaho Springs landmark.

Loevlie said the project has brought $48 million in international investment to Idaho Springs and expects to create about 40 local jobs when it opens this spring.

“We are doing economic development and having fun doing it,” she said.

Organizers encouraged community members to participate in the resilience teams and in the newly formed Business Awards Committee.

By the end of the mixer, social connections were strengthened for those invested in the economic wellness of the Gilpin and Clear Creek communities.

For more information, visit Home | CCEDC.