CENTRAL CITY — Gilpin County voters could be asked this November whether the County should be allowed to keep money that would otherwise be returned to taxpayers under Colorado's Taxpayer's Bill of Rights.

But commissioners are not quite ready to put the question on the ballot.

During their Tuesday, August 11, 2026, meeting, the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners spent considerable time working through the wording of a proposed "de-Brucing" measure. 

Rather than approve the ballot referral Tuesday, commissioners agreed to bring it back on August 25, giving residents another two weeks to weigh in.

The basic idea is fairly simple, even if the ballot language is not. Under TABOR, governments are limited as to how much revenue they can retain and spend. When revenue exceeds those limits, the excess generally must be returned to the residents unless voters give the government permission to keep it.

Gilpin County is considering asking for that permission on an ongoing basis. The proposal would not raise the county's tax rate or mill levy.

County Manager Ray Rears told commissioners the estimated TABOR-related property tax credit works out to around $20 per residential property this year. Next year's estimate is about $13.27, although Rears stressed that both numbers could change as property values, assessment rates, and other figures are finalized.

Commissioner Sandy Hollingsworth summed up the choice more simply after the meeting: Would residents rather have an extra $15 in their pockets, or put that money toward fixing infrastructure, like roads and bridges?

An earlier draft included core infrastructure, roads, bridges, wildfire and flood mitigation and response, public safety, and "any other lawful public purpose of the county." The board was uncomfortable with that last phrase and ultimately favored a much narrower list.

Under the direction given Tuesday, the next version will focus on core infrastructure and maintenance, including roads and bridges, along with wildfire and flood mitigation and response. Commissioners agreed to remove public safety and the broad reference to any other lawful county purpose.

The commissioners said some of those priorities came directly from residents. Previous public comments included concerns about roads, emergency egress, aging septic systems, water, and wildfire mitigation.

"I'd like to wait and do it at the next meeting to allow two more weeks of comments if there are any," one commissioner said during the discussion.

Waiting also gives County staff more time to explain the proposal before a formal ballot referral. Once the measure is officially referred, County employees face restrictions on advocating for it.

The revised resolution is expected to return on August 25. If approved then, the question would go before Gilpin County voters in the November 3 coordinated election.

De-Brucing could affect the County's ability to pursue some grants. During the discussion, commissioners noted that retaining revenue could give the County more flexibility when applying for outside money or providing required matching funds for projects such as watershed and mitigation work.

Sheriff's office sees increase in summer workload 

Earlier in the meeting, the Gilpin County Sheriff's Office presented its second-quarter report, with summer visitors contributing to a noticeable jump in activity.

Dispatch received 12,908 incoming calls during the quarter, up 14% from the same period last year. The number of computer-aided dispatch calls rose from 1,465 in April to more than 2,000 in June as warmer weather brought more people into the county.

Deputies handled 8,786 calls for service during the quarter, a 12% increase from last year. Those included 353 gaming-related calls, 125 suspicious events, 97 welfare checks, 79 motorist assists, and 28 calls involving suicidal people.

The Sheriff's Office also recorded 5,774 proactive deputy actions, including patrols, business checks, and other contacts initiated by deputies rather than calls from the public.

One unusual call tied up emergency crews for about three hours.

Undersheriff Greg Demo said the Sheriff's Office, Gilpin Ambulance Authority, and Timberline Fire Protection District responded to a report that a person had poured an accelerant on himself and set himself on fire. After investigating, responders determined the call was a "SWATting" incident, meaning someone had made a false emergency report intended to provoke a major response.

Demo said identifying whoever made the call can be difficult because of technology and limited investigative resources.

The department is also dealing with aging communications equipment. Its VHF system went down over the weekend, affecting the ability to page Timberline firefighters who still use that system.

Demo said some of the County's radio equipment is outdated, unsupported, or no longer repairable. The Gilpin County Sheriff's Office has sought grant money for communications upgrades and other needs.

County gets a clean audit

Gilpin County received good news on its finances. Hinkle & Company presented the County's 2025 financial audit and issued what auditors call an unmodified opinion, essentially a clean audit. 

Auditors found no significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the County's internal financial controls and reported no problems with the federal programs tested.

The County ended 2025 with about $66.5 million in net position and no long-term debt owed to outside creditors. Gaming remained its largest revenue source, bringing in about $16.2 million in 2025.

The audit showed the County's continued dependence on gaming revenue, which can rise and fall more quickly with the economy than property tax revenue.

Food inspections returning to Gilpin County

The County's Public Health Agency is preparing to take retail food inspections back in-house after roughly a year and a half of having the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment handle the work.

The program will receive about $21,000 from CDPHE to help cover overhead. License fees are expected to bring in another $48,688 for the 2027 calendar year.

Commissioners also approved $18,529 in state funding for the County's immunization program. Vaccine clinics have been drawing more residents, including 83 people at last year's largest clinic at the Gilpin County Public Library.

Senior programs continue

The board unanimously renewed Gilpin County's agreement with Volunteers of America for senior services.

The arrangement helps support Meals on Wheels, senior lunches, and transportation for seniors. Volunteers of America also provides two vehicles and covers their fuel and maintenance.

County staff said Meals on Wheels generally serves about 10 to 15 clients, while participation in senior lunches has increased. The County currently offers lunches three days a week and Meals on Wheels three days a week.

Commissioners also learned that Senior Services Director Johana Bravo, who marked her one-year anniversary Tuesday, will leave the County August 25 because she is moving out of the country.

People's Fest returns

The board unanimously approved a special-event liquor license for the second annual Peak to Peak People's Fest, scheduled for September 19 at the Gilpin County recreation complex.

Organizer Greg Petty said the event will include four bands, more than 40 vendors, two food trucks, an ice cream truck, children's activities, a dog park, local alcohol vendors, mocktails, and a food drive for the Gilpin County Food Pantry.

And Murray the Yak is expected to be back.

Road standards headed to public hearing

Commissioners continued their review of a major update to the County's Roadway Design and Construction Manual.

The existing document dates to 2000, and Public Works staff said the proposed overhaul is intended to bring county road standards up to date. Commissioners reviewed a red-lined version Tuesday and discussed several technical changes.

A public hearing on the new manual is planned for the August 25 meeting.

The board also authorized the County to apply for $42,300 from the state's Local Victim Assistance and Law Enforcement grant program. There is no County match required. The money helps support Gilpin County Victim Services and its 24-hour crisis response for victims of crime and traumatic incidents.

What’s next

The next work session is scheduled for August 18, beginning at 9 a.m. Topics are expected to include County facilities, the five-year capital improvement plan, Parks and Recreation fees and equipment, code enforcement, and findings from the County's compensation study.

Commissioners are also expected to travel to Georgetown that afternoon at 2 p.m. for a joint work session with Clear Creek County on veterans services, mountain biking, regional child care, and the Clear Creek County animal shelter, Charlie’s Place.

The next regular Gilpin County commissioners meeting is August 25.