CENTRAL CITY — The Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) met on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, to receive a presentation regarding the timeline for the 2027 Draft Budget process, and to continue their discussion on repealing and replacing the County’s Short-Term Rental (STR) regulations. 

Commissioners heard from Jamie Boyle, the Director of Community Development, and County Attorney Todd Messenger regarding a public hearing and second reading of Ordinance 26-01, the ordinance intended to repeal and replace the County’s original STR licensing program ordinance put in place in 2022. 

County staff claim that the changes, though based on providing operational and administrative efficiency, legal clarity, and on compliance with the County’s fire regulations, will not affect the “basic structure” of the County's STR licensing program.

Those changes include breaking down the three existing tiers for STR licenses into just two tiers (long-term occupancy for a $500 fee, and commercial STR for a $1,200 fee); requiring renewal applications to be submitted 45 days before expiration; requiring a site inspection every two years; prohibiting ember-producing fuels; implementing additional fire restrictions when under high wildfire risk; and further clarifying some requirements related to “occupancy, parking, wastewater systems, garbage, shared driveways, and license transfers.” 

After the BOCC’s first reading of the ordinance on August 25, County staff made revisions based on the Commissioners’ feedback, which included capping commercial STR licenses at roughly 155 total; establishing rules for STR guests as to having “informal, non-commercial visitors” not to exceed the permitted overnight occupancy and not to stay overnight; making STR standards compliant with the County's building code; and requiring STR hosts to post information for guests about local fire restrictions. 

Much of the public hearing had Commissioners listening to the public comment gathered since the first reading of the ordinance, as well as to the public comment in the room. Both residents and STR license holders held strong opinions about the updated regulations. 

While there was a lot of support from the community for more regulations to reduce “nuisance” and alleged illegal party venues, there were also those who were incensed by the County’s perceived overreach and overtaxing of self-described small business owners. 

Though Commissioners had some clarifying questions and suggestions regarding specific details in the language and data points included in the ordinance, ultimately the Board voted to approve Ordinance 26-01 with a few amendments, including restricting residents from holding more than two Tier 2 licenses, and requiring smoke detectors to be no older than 10 years old and carbon monoxide detectors to be no older than seven years old.

Budget discussion

County Manager Ray Rears and Finance Director Lorna Plamondon led the BOCC through a presentation on the proposed 2027 Draft Budget, with a budgetary process timeline that will involve five work sessions scheduled throughout October.   

Plamondon began the presentation by stating that the proposed budget will be made available for public view on the County website so that the community is fully informed for the October meetings. 

In projected 2027 expenditures, Human Services was shown at a higher percentage, 8% of the total expenditures budget, because their service operates with a big revenue offset.

The County Manager’s Office’s expenditures budget was noted as being slightly higher due to handling gaming revenue, resulting in certain County-wide expenditures.

The Sheriff’s Office expenditures made up 32% of total expenditures as a result of the cost of salaries and detention, while Public Works accounted for 18% of the total budget, due to the expense of maintaining public infrastructure and facilities. 

Planned for 2027: over $3 million for capital projects, including the South Beaver Creek restructure repair project, the Gilpin County annual road resurfacing program, and the Pete Gomes Park sprinkler replacement. 

It was noted that the County’s equipment and vehicles also need designated funding for repairs. The County’s fuel station kiosks, enclosed cargo trailer, and Human Services generator were all listed as issues to be addressed, and $270,000 was designated for the replacement of two Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicles and one Facilities work truck.

The first of the five work sessions on the 2027 Draft Budget is scheduled for October 7, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Meetings follow on October 8, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; October 14, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.; and October 21 and October 22, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Wildfire mitigation

Resolution 26-094 was also adopted, which committed the County to providing a $51,000 match to a Wildfire Risk Mitigation Capacity Grant in support of the Clear Creek Watershed & Forest Health Partnership, which plans to fund a Forest and Mitigation Program Manager.

The position is described in the resolution as being meant to provide “dedicated capacity for developing, coordinating, and implementing forest health and wildfire mitigation projects across Gilpin County and the Clear Creek Watershed.” 

Though the grant could award up to $408,000, it would require a total match of $102,000. Both Gilpin County and its participating partner, the City of Golden, committed to providing $51,000 each towards the match, to be paid over the course of three years. 

Additionally, the BoCC approved a letter of support for the Boulder Valley & Longmont Conservation Districts’ application for funding through the Colorado State Forest Service’s Forest Restoration and Wildfire Risk Mitigation program. The funding would help the Robinson Hill Road Wildfire Risk Reduction Project  with the needed mitigation of more than 60 acres of dense property. 

According to the letter, the project would “reduce overall forest density through variable retention harvest and patch cuts, address conifer encroachment in established aspen stands, improve wildlife habitat, and promote greater forest resilience to drought, mountain pine beetle, and other forest health threats.” 

Other business

At the top of their meeting, Commissioners quickly approved Resolution 26-093, adopting an updated Comprehensive Fee Schedule to correspond with amendments to the Right of Way Permit and the creation of the Road Construction Permit.

Following the approval of the resolutions, Commissioners officially proclaimed September as National Recovery Month in Gilpin County, formally recognizing substance use disorder’s impact on the County, and how, in turn, the County provides programs and services for the “safety, health, and wellbeing of our entire mountain community.” 

The Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month at 9 a.m. Meetings can be attended either in person at 203 Eureka Street in Central City, or virtually via Zoom. Their next meeting will be held on October 13, 2026, at 9 a.m. 

For more information go to:  bit.ly/gilpinbocc