Reach Tara by email at tara.gillivan@gmail.com

How long, and where have you lived in Gilpin County? 11 years

What post-secondary schools have you attended? None

What specific training or education have you received relevant to the position? My professional training and education in Human Resources have provided me with skills directly relevant to the Clerk & Recorder position, including records management, regulatory compliance, confidentiality, policy and procedure implementation, investigations, and accurate documentation. My HR experience has also developed strong skills in organization, attention to detail, communication, conflict resolution, employee leadership, and applying policies fairly and consistently. These skills are transferable to managing county records, supporting elections and licensing functions, supervising staff, protecting sensitive information, and providing accurate and professional service to the public.

Briefly describe your current career and home life. I currently serve as an HR Manager, where I work with employees and leadership to support a positive, fair, and compliant workplace. Outside of work, my greatest role is being a mom to two elementary school-aged children. We are active in our community, and raising my children here has deepened my appreciation for Gilpin County and my commitment to helping make it a great place for families to live and grow.

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

Have you attended BoCC and/or local government meetings? I have not.

How would you enhance the experience of Gilpin County staff? I’d focus on creating a consistent, welcoming, and service-oriented culture for both employees and the residents they serve. My HR experience has given me a strong understanding of employee retention, engagement, communication, and recognition. I would work to ensure staff have the training, resources, and support they need to provide excellent guest service. I believe that when employees feel valued, informed, and empowered, they are more likely to stay engaged and provide the level of service Gilpin County residents deserve.

What do you see as the major issues facing Gilpin County? How would you begin to address them? One of my major concerns for Gilpin County is protecting the resources available to our local schools and families. Proposed changes to education funding could have a significant impact on a small district like ours, where every dollar matters. As a parent and community member, I believe maintaining a strong local school system is essential to the future of Gilpin County. I would begin by staying informed on legislation affecting our community, working collaboratively with county leaders and school officials, advocating for Gilpin County’s interests, and ensuring residents have clear information about how these decisions may affect them. I believe our county government should be proactive, transparent, and a strong voice for our community.

As an elected official, what would be your top three goals for the county in the next year? 

My top three goals would be:

1. Improve customer and guest service. I would work to create a welcoming, knowledgeable, and consistent experience for every resident who interacts with the county, while ensuring staff have the training and resources to serve the public effectively.

2. Strengthen employee retention and engagement. My HR experience has shown me that retaining good employees starts with communication, recognition, accountability, and making sure employees feel valued and supported. I would work to build a workplace where talented people want to stay.

3. Protect transparency, efficiency, and local resources. I would focus on making county processes easier to understand, improving efficiency, and ensuring residents have access to clear information about decisions affecting our community—including issues such as education funding and other resources important to Gilpin County families.

How would you collaborate with other Gilpin County departments and organizations? I would collaborate through open communication, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to serving Gilpin County residents. My HR experience has taught me the importance of building strong relationships, listening to different perspectives, and bringing people together to solve problems. I would work closely with county departments, elected officials, schools, community organizations, and local partners to share information, identify opportunities to improve services, and avoid duplication of efforts. I believe effective collaboration starts with being approachable and willing to listen. My goal would be to build strong working relationships across the county so we can work together efficiently, support our employees, and provide residents with a consistent and positive experience.

Why do you want to hold the office for which you are running? Have you run for/held political office before? If so, where and when? I want to serve as Gilpin County Clerk & Recorder because I care deeply about this community and want to use the skills I have developed throughout my career to make a positive difference. As a Colorado native who has called Gilpin County home for over a decade, I am raising my children here and want to help ensure our community continues to thrive..

I want to bring a focus on transparency, accountability, efficiency, and exceptional customer service while supporting the employees who serve our community. I believe government should be approachable, organized, and trustworthy, and I would be honored to bring those values to the office and serve the residents of Gilpin County.

Will you be able to meet the time requirements of the office?  Do you, or will you, have another job as well as the position you are running for? Yes. I am fully prepared to meet the time and responsibilities required of the Clerk & Recorder position. If elected, serving Gilpin County Clerk & Recorder would be my sole professional position and my primary commitment. I understand the importance of being accessible, engaged, and available to county staff, residents, and the community, and I am prepared to dedicate the time necessary to effectively fulfill the responsibilities of the office.

How have you, and/or how will you, operate with transparency and honesty in your role? Throughout my career, I have learned that trust is built through clear communication, consistency, and accountability. I believe an elected official should be honest even when the answer is difficult, communicate decisions clearly, and take responsibility for mistakes. In the Clerk & Recorder’s office, I would prioritize open communication with residents and staff, provide accurate and accessible information, and follow established laws and procedures consistently. I would also be transparent about challenges and decisions while respecting the confidentiality of information that must be protected. My goal would be to create an office where residents know they will receive honest answers, understand how decisions are made, and can trust that their county government is working in their best interest.

How will you handle conflict resolution within your office, if elected? I would handle conflict with fairness, professionalism, and open communication. I would listen to all perspectives, focus on the facts, and address concerns promptly and respectfully. My goal would be to resolve issues constructively while maintaining accountability, confidentiality, and a positive work environment.

Please disclose any current personal and/or professional relationships with the City of Black Hawk, City of Central, or Gilpin County. None.

If you could ask one other candidate one question, what would it be? What specific changes would you make to improve the Clerk & Recorder’s Office for Gilpin County residents,  and what would you do differently from the current administration?

Clerk & Recorder only

What do you see as the biggest challenge the Clerk & Recorder office faces? How would you remedy this? I believe one of the biggest challenges is maintaining consistent, knowledgeable, and responsive service while retaining experienced staff. I would focus on employee training, clear procedures, cross-training, and creating a positive workplace where employees feel valued and want to stay. By investing in both staff and efficient processes, the office can provide residents with a more consistent, welcoming, and reliable experience.

What experience do you have running elections? I do not currently have experience running elections.