Mindy Leary, Gilpin County. On Tuesday, January 5, 2021, the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners met online at 9 a.m. for a regular meeting that lasted nearly five hours. Commissioners Gail Watson, Linda Isenhart and Ron Engels were present, as were County Attorney Brad Benning and County Manager Abel Montoya. Highlights included a Covid-19 update, public hearings and multiple votes on various issues. 

Emergency Manager Nate Whittington and Public Health Coordinator Bonnie Albrecht presented the Covid-19 update. There are now 130 cases in Gilpin County with a 4.6 positivity rate. 

Vaccinations began last Monday and so far, 168 people have been vaccinated. Currently the county is in Phase 1, A and B, which include high-risk individuals, health care workers and first responders. These individuals can get prioritized for the vaccine with an eventual appointment by calling 303-515-4342 Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Next on the agenda, Montoya discussed CDPHE’s 5-Star Program which means businesses could submit applications to double the current mandated capacity. The application process would include inspections and enhanced day-to-day safety procedures for respective sectors, like outdoor events, restaurants and personal services. Submitting an application for 5-Star is also an application for a variance, which could help casinos possibly have table games.

Engels said that he has mixed feelings about going forward with offering the program, despite his prior and continued support of casino operations. The county is currently very busy with testing and vaccinations and may not have the bandwidth for the program. The newly appointed board will be the decider of this issue.

The board then conducted a public hearing for amendments to the Gilpin County Zoning Regulations presented by Senior Planner Stephen Strohminger. The county received a grant from DOLA in the fall of 2019 for a Comprehensive Plan and, as part of the grant, the county is required to do a zoning code review and amendments to make sure they tie to the Comprehensive Plan.

The hearing was opened to public comment. One resident talked about light trespass between neighbors and that the current code does nothing to prevent it. Another resident voiced concern over inconsistencies in the document pertaining to driveways.

Watson said, “We’re being asked to approve this today, and it doesn’t seem quite ready.”

Engels made a motion to approve with a direction to staff to engage the planning commission and bring changes as they see appropriate. Motion passed 2-1.

The Active Net Software contract was approved unanimously. The contract replaces outdated, expired technology with a more robust software.

The Central City Opera has applied for a temporary use permit to use the Community Center barn and the lobby for ten weeks next summer to conduct outdoor shows. A public hearing was held for Permit 20-05. 

Commissioner-elect Web Sill asked Casey Newman to share her opinions on the permit which included concerns of sound pollution, weather, comfort and availability for other organizations like GCART and 4H.

The Opera company said they sought a flat space with electricity and their biggest concern was making space for GCART should an emergency arise.

Friends of the Community Center supported the proposed use pending final approvals. 

Central City Mayor Jeremy Fey was in favor with one contention: that all avenues to host the event in Central City be exhausted.

Isenhart mentioned that the county would have to be in the “Green Covid Zone” as well as gain approval from Timberline and Public Health, and suggested the football field instead. 

 Much discussion was had from both citizens and commissioners and finally a decision was reached to deny the permit, 2-1. Public hearing was closed at 11:45 a.m.

Montoya and Parks and Recreation Director Gabrielle Chisholm presented the continuation of the DOLA CARES Act reimbursement requests list. The county received some money from the act and wants to submit requests for future reimbursements, including vaccinations.

B. Travis Wright, a historical advisory commissioner, presented on the potential USFS Land Exchange and possible effect on Rollins Pass. Critical issues affect the historic integrity of Rollins Pass, particularly the west side of the pass. Grand County is looking to develop real estate and inroads to the area, which would compound problems like parking, littering, historical degradation and erosion.

The CPACE (Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy) Program was presented by Tracy Philips. “CPACE is a statewide program designed to help finance energy efficiency, renewable energy, and conservation improvements and to finance efficient design for new construction projects,” said Philips. 

A motion was made to approve Staff moving forward with CPACE, and all were in favor.  

Lisa Leben, Special Projects Manager for Clear Creek County (CCC), presented the potential joint shooting sports park with CCC. Twenty-five lanes with varying specs are required for the partnership and Leben sought support in this effort which would probably require about $400,000 from Gilpin. 

The motion was made to partner with CCC to move forward the development of the range in that amount. All were in favor.

 The Legal Status Report included updates on IGAs with the Library District, Central City, and Tolland Open Space/Boulder County. Boulder County wants to build, maintain and police nature trails in Gilpin’s Tolland Open Space as a part of a conservation easement that creates access but prohibits parking.

Benning then spoke about the enforcement of the ordinance on county roads. Currently there’s a $50 fee for the first penalty, $200 for the second and $1000 for the third. The ordinance will be county-wide and a posted regulation. 

Commissioners Watson and Isenhart opted for lower fees but also questioned administration costs.

The County Manager Status Report included a vote on the contract of employment between Gabrielle Chisholm as Parks and Recreation Director and Gilpin County. 

Inmate numbers are significantly less than in past years due to less people coming up because of gaming restrictions.

The Highway Users Tax Fund report was approved with all in favor.

The Gilpin County Commissioners Report noted that Commissioner-elect Sandy Hollingsworth will be sworn in for District 3 at the next meeting on January 12. The board approved tentative meeting dates for 2021. Commissioner-elect Web Sill will be sworn in Friday effective next Tuesday, as well, replacing Engels. 

Consideration of meeting minutes were held for December 8 and 15 and both were approved. 

Sill commented that he would not be present for the January 12 meeting but for the other commissioners to carry on business without him.

(Originally published in the January 7, 2021, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)