Treasurer Candidate: Brenda Diehl

Email Brenda at brenda@diehl4gctreasurer.com

How long, and where have you lived in Gilpin County? I have lived in mid-Gilpin County since July 1997.

What post-secondary schools have you attended? I studied accounting at Regis University.

What specific training or education have you received relevant to the position? I have worked in the financial industry for over 30 years.  My duties include corporate finance for publicly traded companies and government entities. I studied accounting at Regis University.

Briefly describe your current career and home life. I retired in February 2025.  It’s a wonderful life living in Mid-Gilpin County.

List the Peak to Peak boards and civic or volunteer activities in which you have been involved and the dates of service. I recently retired and plan to take on more community-focused volunteer opportunities.

I was honored to serve as secretary of the Gilpin County Republican Committee from 2022 to 2024, and I currently serve as a precinct committee person.

I currently serve as Republican Chair for Senate District 8, which includes 10 counties. Senate District 8 Covers most northwest Colorado counties, such as Moffat, Rio Blanco, Garfield, Routt, Eagle, Jackson, Grand, Summit, Clear Creek, and Gilpin counties.

Have you attended BoCC and/or local government meetings? Yes, I have attended BoCC meetings.

How would you enhance the experience of Gilpin County staff? If elected, my goals are transparent, trustworthy leadership; I would encourage staff to meet every client with a welcoming environment.  I would treat staff with understanding, encouragement, and respect.

What do you see as the major issues facing Gilpin County? How would you begin to address them? Transparency and communication are major issues facing Gilpin County.  I would provide opportunities for meetings that allow transparency and open discussion. During commissioner meetings, I would take additional opportunities to explain the monthly or quarterly Treasurer's reports, so the public better understands how funds are received and allocated.

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

Transparency, state law compliance, and a welcoming environment for the citizens. 

How would you collaborate with other Gilpin County departments and organizations? The Treasurer needs strong working relationships with all departments to ensure accurate and timely reporting.

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 am running for Treasurer because I enjoy the work and have over 30 years of experience in the financial industry.  Although I am the Republican candidate, I will work for all of Gilpin County's citizens.

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? I am currently retired. I have the available time to devote to the duties of the office of treasurer. I will not have other employment

How have you, and/or how will you, operate with transparency and honesty in your role? Many of my duties have included reporting for publicly traded companies and government entities; accuracy and transparency are a must.  Honesty and integrity are essential when working in finance and with the public.  

How will you handle conflict resolution within your office, if elected? If elected, I will always start by listening to all parties.  This would also apply to citizens with concerns.  We must listen to each other to better understand and unify our community.

Please disclose any current personal and/or professional relationships with the City of Black Hawk, City of Central, or Gilpin County. I worked for Gilpin County Public Works as a Heavy Equipment Operator in 2008.  I assisted in the administrative office, snow removal, and road maintenance.

If you could ask one other candidate one question, what would it be? I would ask Commissioner Susan Beruman what the cost to Gilpin County would be for an alternative to Charlie's Place. 

What kind of demonstrated accounting experience do you have that supports this position? Over 30 years in the financial industry, from corporate finance, encompassing budgeting, monthly reporting, accounts payable, underwriting, and processing mortgage loans, to preparing tax returns.