CENTRAL CITY - On May 20, commissioners from Gilpin and Clear Creek counties came together at the Historic Courthouse for their first joint work session in a long time.

It was a lengthy meeting, with both boards covering updates on the regional shooting range, forest management, off-highway vehicle (OHV) traffic, and the shared animal shelter, Charlie’s Place.

Those attending the joint session included Gilpin County Commissioners Jeff Aiken (District 1), Susan Berumen (District 2), and Sandy Hollingsworth (District 3). Representing Clear Creek County were Commissioners George Marlin (District 1), Rebecca Lloyd (District 2), and Jodie Hartman-Ball (District 3). Their presence marked a rare opportunity for both boards to align on shared priorities and revisit ongoing regional efforts.

Shooting park

One of the key updates was the delay in opening the Clear Creek Shooting Park in Dumont. Originally scheduled for July, the opening is now pushed to September. 

The $2.8 million facility has been in the works for years, with financial backing from several sources, including $400,000 from Gilpin County’s ARPA funds. 

That donation stirred debate at the time, with some locals unhappy about funds leaving the county. The park will offer discounted memberships for Gilpin residents, and though it's named for Clear Creek, officials said signage might acknowledge Gilpin’s role.

The park will have 24 shooting lanes, a classroom, and a small shop. USFS officials also mentioned that the Devil’s Nose Target Range near Mount Blue Sky is set to open in July.

The U.S. Forest Service noted that once the new range opens, areas in Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests, particularly north of I-70, will be closed to unsupervised shooting, especially where homes are nearby. They are working on clearer signs, maps, and public materials to help spread the word.

OHV traffic

The commissioners also discussed OHV activity. USFS rangers reported a recent unsanctioned event that led to traffic and noise issues in both counties. Officials are working on better signage and routing to manage future incidents.

Charlie’s Place

Charlie’s Place, the no-kill animal shelter that serves both counties, was another focus. Director Amy Saxton asked commissioners to consider increasing support in their 2026 budgets. While Gilpin currently allocates around $56,000 annually, the true cost to run the shelter exceeds $300,000. 

The major funding gap is filled by Friends of Charlie’s Place, a nonprofit that covers critical expenses like veterinary care, contributing more than $60,000 not currently reflected in the budget. Saxton encouraged both boards to formalize their partnership with the nonprofit for greater transparency.

Collaboration

Forest management and wildfire preparedness rounded out the session. The group discussed better collaboration on mitigation, emergency planning, and timber use, especially in fire-prone areas. Concerns about staffing shortages, OHV trail access, and firewood permits were also raised.

The next Gilpin BoCC work session will take place on June 5 at 9 a.m. in Central City and is open for in-person attendance only.