CENTRAL CITY — The room erupted in applause upon hearing the proclamation that September 15, 2026, would be named Barbara Thielemann Day.

Thielemann is a well-known and respected longtime resident of Central City, whose civic service shines. She has called Central City home since the mid-1990s.

Her contributions include serving on the Central City Planning Commission, founding the Peak to Peak Rotary Club in 2000, serving as a founding member of the Belvidere Foundation Board of Directors, and serving as longtime board chair of Main Street Central City. She has also served with St. James Church, the Gilpin Arts Association, and the Gilpin History Museum.

“There’s not a single brick in town or activity in town that Barbara hasn’t had her fingerprints on,” Mayor Jeremy Fey said during council comments. He said he plans to look into statewide or national volunteerism awards for Thielemann.

Thielemann, who said this was her first time out in eight weeks except for doctor visits, thanked the community for the food, cards, phone calls, and support she has received.

She also had a message for those gathered at City Hall.

“But all of you should look at your community and find something that you can volunteer in,” Thielemann said. “And I’m only sorry that I can’t do it anymore.”

Later, she drove the point home with a little humor.

“Those people sitting here better choose to volunteer for some of our organizations, because younger people need to step in when this old lady steps out.”

The council also awarded Central City resident Roy Adler $5,000 through the Central City Promise Program to attend Sheridan College in Wyoming, where he plans to study construction technology. The program helps Central City residents pay for university, community college, or trade school and allows up to $20,000 or four years of assistance per recipient.

Alderman Zane Plsek praised Adler for choosing the trades and Alderwoman Kathy Walker encouraged him to eventually bring those skills back home. The award was approved unanimously.

Council unanimously approved Resolution 26-28, ratifying temporary fire restrictions and directing staff to prepare an ordinance that would generally allow Central City to mirror Gilpin County’s Stage 1 and Stage 2 fire restrictions. The goal is to make the rules more consistent across city and county boundaries and reduce confusion.

Undersheriff Greg Demo said Gilpin County generally tries to coordinate fire restrictions with neighboring jurisdictions, although conditions can vary between counties. He said Gilpin, Jefferson, and Clear Creek counties, and the US Forest Service coordinated during the recent move from Stage 2 to Stage 1 restrictions.

During the final public comment period, Famous Bonanza and Easy Street Casinos' representative Jeff Hentschel asked the City for clarity on the transportation device fee that has been helping pay for the Black Hawk-Central City shuttle.

Hentschel said casino operators had understood that if the shuttle agreement ended, collection of the fee would also end on January 1. With budget season underway, he said operators need to know whether the City intends to eliminate the fee, continue collecting it, or collect some portion of it.

Karen and Joe Rittenhouse also returned to council with concerns about access to their property and the unresolved status of Stevens Street. Karen Rittenhouse said the family recently had a vehicle break down and was unable to get another vehicle out without crossing property they did not have permission to use. She said they are still hoping the City will help resolve the situation.

The council ended its public meeting by entering executive session to receive legal advice concerning Gilpin County District Court Case No. 2025CV30039, a case in which the trial concluded on September 3. No action was expected following the executive session.

The next Central City Council meeting is Tuesday, October 6, 2026.