BLACK HAWK — The Black Hawk City Council welcomed a new police chief, approved repairs to aging storm culverts beneath Highway 119, and appointed a new member to the Silver Dollar Metropolitan District board during a brief meeting on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.

Mayor David Spellman introduced new Police Chief Ely Reyes, who most recently served as police chief in Cedar Hill, Texas, after more than 20 years with the Austin Police Department. Spellman said Reyes is under contract to buy a home on Chase Street and hopes to become a full-time Black Hawk resident.

During his introduction, Alderman Paul Bennett continued his longtime running joke (or is it?) with new hires, reminding Reyes that firefighters and police officers are expected to stick around for at least five years. Reyes laughed and replied, "Got it, sir."

The council also welcomed Firefighter III Chris Lovato, formerly of the Timberline Fire Protection District. Lovato served in the U.S. Marine Corps, which included a deployment to Afghanistan, before beginning his firefighting career.

Council unanimously approved a $56,280 agreement with Insituform Technologies, doing business as C&L Water Solutions, to repair two deteriorating storm culverts beneath Highway 119. 

Public Works Director Tom Isbester said inspections following a previous culvert failure at Gregory Street found two more culverts that had lost their bottoms. 

"If you remember, several years ago we had a hole open up in the middle of 119 at Gregory Street due to a failed culvert,” Isbester said.

Rather than excavating beneath the highway, the City will use a slip-lining process that installs a new liner inside the existing pipes with little disruption to traffic.

The council also approved a quitclaim deed allowing Francesca Hocker to qualify as a registered elector and serve on the Silver Dollar Metropolitan District board, as required under the District's service plan.

City Manager Lance Hillis reported that Black Hawk has implemented local fire restrictions to match those already in effect in Gilpin County, which will help reduce confusion for residents and visitors.

The meeting lasted about 10 minutes, with all agenda items approved unanimously. 

After the meeting, Reyes said he's looking forward to calling Black Hawk home. He said that living close to work was important to him. 

Originally from Texas, he said he's already enjoying the cooler mountain weather and likes being able to walk around town instead of driving everywhere. 

When he's not working, Reyes said he enjoys skiing, mountain biking, and hiking with his family. He and his wife have two children, a daughter attending the University of North Texas and a son who will be a junior in high school this fall.

The Black Hawk City Council is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, July 22, at 3 p.m. at City Hall.