Dear Editor,

Gilpin County invites residents and community partners to celebrate the official opening of the new Community Annex during a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at 101 Norton Drive, Black Hawk, Colorado.

The Community Annex represents a significant investment in community services, providing a permanent home for the Gilpin County Food Pantry while creating flexible space to support additional programs and services. The new facility includes an expanded food pantry designed to improve accessibility and the client shopping experience, a commercial kitchen to support senior meal programs, community education, emergency response, and entrepreneurship, as well as office and community support space.

"This project reflects Gilpin County's commitment to investing in facilities that meet the needs of our residents today while preparing for the future," said Chair Berumen, Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners. "The Community Annex will strengthen essential services, expand opportunities for community partnerships, and provide resources that will benefit residents for years to come."

The need for a permanent food pantry has grown over several years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for food assistance increased significantly, leading the County to relocate the pantry to a modular trailer in 2021. While the trailer allowed the pantry to transition from pre-packed food boxes to a client-choice shopping model, a 2023 facility assessment determined that continued investment in the aging structure was not a viable long-term solution.

Following community input, facility planning, and grant funding, the Board of County Commissioners approved construction of the modern, environmentally sensitive Community Annex in 2025. Throughout the project, the Board adopted approximately $835,000 in cost-saving measures, allowing the County to preserve key community benefits—including a commercial kitchen—while completing the project slightly under budget.

"I was glad to have played a role in this project and once the dust has settled many will see this as a great benefit to our county," said Commissioner Aiken.

Construction of the Community Annex was made possible through a combination of county funding and grant support. Gilpin County invested approximately $1.815 million in the project, complemented by a $650,000 grant from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Fund, resulting in a long-term investment in facilities and services that will benefit residents for decades to come.

"Thank you to DOLA for its generous grant, which helped make this project possible," said Commissioner Hollingsworth. "Co-locating senior services and the Food Pantry expands access to important resources for Gilpin County's aging residents."

Today, the completed Community Annex stands as a long-term investment in the health, well-being, and resilience of the Gilpin County community. 

The ribbon cutting celebration will include remarks from County officials and DOLA representatives, an official ribbon cutting, and opportunities for attendees to tour the new facility and learn more about the services it will provide.

The event is free and open to the public.

Melanie Bleyler

Gilpin County Communications Officer