CENTRAL CITY — The Gregory Gulch gaming project took another step forward Tuesday, July 7, 2026, after the Central City Council approved two measures designed to keep the long-awaited development moving.

The Gregory Gulch project, handled by G3 Gaming, is a resort and casino development that would bring a hotel, casino, parking garage, and workforce housing to the east side of Central City, making it one of the city's largest private developments in years.

One vote allowed City staff to handle more of the day-to-day agreements tied to the project without repeatedly returning to the council.

The second let the developer begin excavation and site preparation before every agreement is finalized, with the financial risk remaining entirely on the developer if the project doesn't move forward. 

Community Development Director Jeff Noffsinger said excavation and blasting could begin as early as the end of August.

Mayor Jeremy Fey recused himself from both Gregory Gulch agenda items because of a conflict of interest, and Mayor Pro-tem Chuck Spencer chaired that portion of the meeting. Both resolutions passed unanimously.

Earlier in the evening, the council filled a vacancy on the Downtown Development Authority by appointing Jonathan Hays, owner of Eureka Street Popcorn.

Hays told council he first came to Central City in 1994 as an apprentice with the Central City Opera and has lived in town ever since.

"Thirty-two years," he said. "I have been in 13 of their productions to date."

The appointment came just after Fey announced the City had received Eric Langan's resignation from the DDA.

That led into a longer discussion over who should have the authority to appoint DDA board members in the future.

Council approved the first reading of an ordinance changing the appointment process from one controlled by the mayor to one requiring a majority vote of the full council. The measure passed 4 - 1, with Fey casting the only no vote.

While Fey acknowledged why the proposal was brought forward, he warned against changing city code because of disagreements over a single appointment.

"I would caution the council to be thoughtful before making too many of these types of amendments," he said. "I think there's value to having a structure where there is someone at the helm."

Council also unanimously approved the first reading of updated short-term rental regulations.

The changes would allow short-term rentals in medium-density residential neighborhoods under certain conditions and in some upper-floor spaces within the historic downtown gaming district.

Most of the conversation centered on parking.

Alderman Zane Plsek said he likes seeing vacant homes occupied instead of sitting empty but expects residents to have concerns about losing already limited street parking.

Noffsinger said the City still regulates short-term rentals through its permitting process, while City Manager Daniel Miera noted the City can only charge fees that cover the actual cost of administering the program, not use them to generate revenue.

During staff updates, Public Works Director Marc Johns said crews started repairs this week on the Central City Parkway lighting system. New breaker panels will divide the lights into smaller sections, making future electrical problems much easier to find and repair. Johns said most of the lights should be back on once the current work is finished in about two weeks.

Council members wrapped up the meeting with community updates, including congratulations to organizers of Stills in the Hills and a welcome to a new business in town, which Plsek described as an oddities shop on Eureka Street.

Fey also spoke emotionally about returning from a 25-day work trip to Texas, where he followed the FIFA World Cup while watching news of Colorado's wildfires from afar. He said hearing about the deaths of three firefighters hit him especially hard.

"We need to be careful with our actions out here," Fey said. "That 100-year fire that Gilpin hasn't had yet—we need to make sure it doesn't happen on our watch."

Following public comments, the council entered executive session to receive legal advice regarding enforcement actions involving 130 Main Street (Rick's Cabaret and Steakhouse).

The Central City Council is scheduled to meet again Tuesday, July 21, at 6 p.m. in City Hall.