Motorists should expect another round of Exit 6 closures on eastbound I-70 this week and potentially next week as part of the ongoing $700 million Floyd Hill reconstruction project at the Memorial Tunnels.
Drivers should expect 20-minute traffic delays, though traffic may vary.
Important reminders for drivers:
‘Do It Yourself Survival During a Power Outage’ will explore ways to stay warm, fed, and feeling safe when there’s no power.
The workshop will provide practical tips for handling winter emergencies and staying safe during extended power outages.
A change to the amount of trash that can be discarded at the county’s waste-collection sites has sparked criticism from residents.
According to Gilpin County, the yards total, with an estimated savings of $68,000.
One resident commented on social media: ‘That’s a significant cost. Lost revenue? There will be more trash around our National Forests. Nicely done, Gilpin County.’
The Gilpin Eagles faced the visiting West Grand Mustangs on Jan. 20, with the boys’ record at 4-12 and the girls’ at 2-13.
The Lady Eagles basketball team continued their momentum from their past four wins.
Forget about ‘Love and Marriage.’ Gilpin Historical Society is planning a first-of-its-kind event that some would consider a ‘Love and Death’ extravaganza.
The event poster notes, ‘Not all love stories have a happy ending.’
Given the recent weather, the Valentine’s event may span multiple days. Dr. Forsyth noted, ‘Monte Lobo has very kindly let us use the stage on the top floor of their building for it.’
In a year when the histories of the United States and Colorado are front and center, Central City’s Belvidere Foundation will host a fundraising event.
Retired Judge Gary Jackson will discuss the history and significance of Historic Lincoln Hills in northeast Gilpin County. The 124-year-old neighborhood is considered one of the most important in African American history.
For the first time in 12 years, there will be competition for Black Hawk aldermen seats this spring.
Cherokee Blake, who recently retired after 28 years as the Gilpin County Sheriff’s Office administrative manager and Public Information Officer, entered the race for one of the Black Hawk alderman’s terms this month.
The political newcomer will compete for one of three four-year council seats up for election. Voters will select the winners during the city’s biennial municipal election on Tuesday, April 7.
Blake will face incumbents Jim Johnson, Hal Midcap, and Lorraine (Rene) Wiley, who have also filed for the three seats. Johnson has served on council since first being elected in April 2010. Midcap served as an alderman from July 1995 to April 2000. He was elected again in April 2014 and has remained on council for the past 12 years. Wiley was appointed earlier this month to fill the late Linda Armbright’s term following the councilwoman’s death in November.
Cindy Linker, the former Black Hawk Community Development and Planning Director who was appointed to fill the late Greg Moates’ seat, is the only candidate who filed to seek an available two-year council term this spring. Moates’ term wasn’t scheduled to end until 2028. However, he passed unexpectedly in late October – creating a vacancy for the remaining two years.
Currently, 73 residents are listed as ‘active’ Black Hawk voters because they voted in the prior two elections. Except for absentee ballots, registered Black Hawk residents who plan to vote in the biennial election can do so by visiting the City Annex, 211 Church St. (next to the Black Hawk Police Department), between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on April 7.
During recent biennial elections, there haven’t been an abundance of candidates in the small city of about 100 residents. Typically, aldermen whose terms are expiring file to seek re-election, though they are rarely challenged. As a result, the city council has voted to cancel the planned elections – to save money and paperwork – and declared the candidates re-elected in 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022 and 2024.
The last time there were contested races in Black Hawk was in 2014. At the time, Armbright, Johnson, Midcap and Leon Pohl sought the three available four-year terms. Johnson, Midcap and Armbright were elected.
Undersheriff Greg Demo, who holds the No. 2 law enforcement position in Gilpin County, has entered the race to become the next sheriff.
Demo, who has filed to seek the Democratic nomination in the June 30 primary, currently faces no other competition for the party nod. He likely will face Zachary Meyer, a 10-year Gilpin County Sheriff’s Office sergeant who is yet unchallenged for the Republican nomination, in the General Election on Nov. 3.
The county will be seeking a new sheriff because two-term Sheriff Kevin Armstrong announced his retirement at the end of his term next January.
When announcing his candidacy to the Weekly Register-Call this week, Demo said he has worked with both Hartman and Armstrong. He added, ‘In recent years, the sheriff’s office and Colorado law enforcement have faced a plethora of changes approved by Colorado lawmakers.’ Said Demo, ‘Our combined years of dedication and experience will be necessary to keep our organization moving forward.’
A century-old New York business group is considering working with G3 Gaming Group on its proposed $800-900 million Gregory Gulch Gaming Resort in Central City, the Weekly Register-Call has learned.
This month, the Buffalo-based Delaware North Gaming Company listed a job on its employment page. The new listing is for a project coordinator for its design and construction team. The position is specifically listed as Central City, with a salary of $60,406 for the person selected for the job.
According to the Delaware North website, the company is hiring a project coordinator for a ‘gaming and hospitality project near Denver.’ The job description states, ‘…with exciting projects like this, you never have to gamble on a dull day at work. As a Project Coordinator, you will be responsible for facilitating project logistics, preparing various financial forms, coordinating project scheduling, and tracking client approval to ensure regulatory compliance.’
Neither G3 Gaming nor Delaware North Gaming responded to the Weekly Register-Call’s request for comment on a possible partnership between the two companies.
2026 LOCAL ELECTIONS
2026 LOCAL ELECTIONS
PART ONE
PART ONE
Senior Reporter
After serving for eight years as Gilpin Coun-
ty’s Clerk and Recorder, Sahari McCormick (D)
won’t seek a third term, she told the Weekly
Register-Call in an exclusive interview Monday.
However, McCormick’s right-hand man, Chief
Deputy Clerk Joe Self, plans to take over the
position if he wins the Nov. 3 General Election.
Self has filed to run for the position and will
seek the Democratic nomination in the June
recorder since February 2023.
“However,” continued McCormick, “I did
what I set out to do, which is serving two terms.
The ability to run elections has been such an
honor. I think I’ve made some good changes
in this department. It’s been great to meet so
many people in the county over the past eight
years. I’m not sure what I’m going to do in the
future. Hopefully, it will be something that’s
Susan Berumen will serve as the chair of the all Democrat
Gilpin Board of County Commissioners this year. She was
elected to the role during the commissioners’ meeting at the
county courthouse on Tuesday morning, Jan. 13.
Commissioner Jeff Aiken was named chair pro tem during
the session and will preside over the meetings if Berumen is
absent.
the only commissioner up for re-election this year.
Aiken joined the board last year after winning the District 1
seat in November 2024. During Tuesday’s meeting, when an-
other commissioner asked if he wanted to be chair, he replied,
Traditionally, commissioners take turns serving as chair
annually. Berumen stepped in on Tuesday, following District
3 Commissioner Sandy Hollingsworth, who replaced Berumen
two years ago. A representative from District 1, the southern
part of Gilpin County, last served as chair in 2023, when Marie
Mornis (R) was appointed.
For more than 90 minutes, speaker after speaker
praised Cherokee Blake for her selfless 28 years of
service to Gilpin County during her retirement party
last week.
Undersheriff Greg Demo
they often think of the uniform, badge, and patrol
car. For those of us who truly understand how this
times than we can count. This office remains strong
achievements made by Cherokee. We are all better
for having worked alongside her. Thank you for 28
years of commitment, integrity, and service. You
will be greatly missed and never forgotten. Happy
retirement.”
Among them were:
on the street, every case file, every sched-
ule, every budget, and every smoothly
run operation is a strong administrative
foundation that holds it all together. For
the cornerstone of our foundation.”
Central City
Central City’s fall election
could be pivotal because three
of the five aldermen’s seats
will be up for grabs in the
Nov. 3 General Election.
to the council in December
following the passing of Linda
Armbright, who served for 19
years as a city alderman, is
seeking a four-year term.
Senior Reporter
Four Black Hawk and three
Central City aldermen seats,
including one held by Mayor
Jeremy Fey, will be up for
election this year, although
both cities will use different
methods to conduct their elec
tions.
Black Hawk’s election will
use traditional paper bal
lots and will be conducted
between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on
Tuesday, April 7. The polling
place for voters will be in the
City of Black Hawk council
chambers, 211 Church St.,
next door to the Black Hawk
Police Department.
Fey, in the eighth and
final year of two consecutive
terms, is not permitted to seek
re-election under the city’s
regulations. Four years ago,
alderman Jeff Aiken lost his
bid for the mayoral position to
Fey. However, Aiken defeated
Fey and incumbent Marie
Mornis when he ran for the
District 1 seat on the Gilpin
Board of County Commission
ers in November 2024.
By Becky Osterwald
Managing Editor
Gilpin County Sheriff Kevin Armstrong confirmed dur
ing the Board of County Commissioners meeting on Jan.
13 that he had implemented a Stage 1 fire ban on Dec. 23,
2025.
Black Hawk
The city of Black Hawk’s
biennial election will be held
on the first Tuesday in April,
which is April 7.
“This was shortly after the wind event that we had …
and then we saw no relief [in the weather pattern] what
soever,” Armstrong added. He noted the forecast did not
include any chance of snow — just low humidity and high
winds — which would increase the chance of a wildfire.
There are fewer than 90
residents of voting age within
the city’s boundaries. Any
resident considering running
for one of the four council
seats can pick up a candidate
nominating petition and
information packet from the
Black Hawk City Clerk’s office
at 201 Selak St. Petitions must
be returned to the clerk’s
office no later than 5 p.m. on
Monday, Jan. 26.
Four of the six aldermen’s
seats will be up for election
in 2026. They are currently
held by council veterans Hal
Midcap and Jim Johnson,
along with recent newcomers
Cynthia (Cindy) Linker and
Lorraine (Rene) Wiley.
“As you well know, we have had little or no snow, and
what little snow we have had has been blown into Kansas.
We need to be mindful of the use of fire in our county,”
he stated. “We don’t want a Marshall fire. That would be
catastrophic because of the winds that we’ve had.”
The four-year terms of Cen
tral aldermen Todd Williams
and Marcia Enloe, who were
elected in 2022, also will be
available on the five-member
Board of Alderman, which in
cludes the mayor’s seat. Enloe
said she’s considering seek
ing another term. Williams,
who became engaged several
months ago, said he doesn’t
plan to seek re-election be
cause he hopes to move to the
East Coast during 2026.
Because of the high winds last month, Armstrong said
trees were blown over and could become fuel if a wildfire
starts.
Johnson has served on
council for 16 years since his
first election in April 2010.
Midcap was an alderman
from July 1995 to April 2000.
He was elected again in April
2014 and has remained on
council for the past 12 years.
With limited resources available to Gilpin County, the
sheriff said the fire ban will remain in place until signifi
cant snow falls. Residents need to be mindful of those
restrictions and the danger of wildfire. This includes
ensuring that counties surrounding Gilpin are also at the
same stage of a fire ban because visitors to the mountain
communities are unaware of county boundaries.
Potential candidates must
be a U.S. citizen and at least
18 years old at the time of
the election. They must also
be a registered elector who
has been a city resident for at
least 12 months preceding the
date of the election. In addi
tion, state law prohibits Black
Hawk’s elected officials from
holding a gaming license.
Linker, Black Hawk’s
former Department of Com
munity Development director,
retired from her city position
in October. However, she
was appointed to the council
in December following the
Oct. 31 death of Greg Moates.
If she wins on April 7, her
two-year term will be up for
election again in 2028 be
cause Moates was re-elected
in 2024.
Residents who plan to run
for mayor or alderman can
pick up nominating paper
work in early August and will
have 20 days to complete and
return it to the city clerk’s of
fice in city hall, 141 Nevada St.
Armstrong is sure no one would question using water
from Missouri Lakes to fight a wildfire by air. However,
because the “fire season” runs from April through Oc
tober, there are limited air resources available in Colo
rado for the rest of the year, even though the state is in a
drought.
Not up for election this year
are Mayor David Spellman
and aldermen Paul Bennett
and Benito Torres. They and
the late Moates were re-elect
ed without opposition in early
2024.
Armstrong plans to hold more community meetings to
urge residents to take responsibility for their own public
safety during major events.
The seats held by Alder
men Chuck Spenser and
Zane Plsek won’t expire until
2028. However, it is unknown
whether either is considering
a run for mayor this fall.
It’s important that if a resident receives a reverse 911
call or a HyperReach message, they take action because
there is an emergency and “they need to pay close atten
tion.”
Wiley, who was appointed
Be sure to thank these
businesses for supporting
Gilpin County School.
Call Becky at 303-906-9902
to become a sponsor
the Month for 2025 were
middle school student Ella
Spooky Stroll,
Interact Club
and MathCounts.
Eagle Eye Reporter
Albrecht and high
school student Makae-
la Johnson. Both stu-
dents perform acts of
in the community.
Johnson is an
Interact Club and
helped lead efforts
–
tary and Secondary
School to make
Christmas orna-
to unhoused people.
Staff and teachers
“always serves with
a grateful heart and
never draws atten-
is an example of
what service looks
like at Gilpin.”
Gilpin, Clear Creek,
Nederland Students:
Got good grades?
We want you!!
Bring in your report
card and receive:
$10 for every A
$5 for every B
Gilpin County teach-
ers said Albrecht is
“a great student who
participates in many
activities in addition
to her academic work.”
She helps her peers
during class time and
assists teachers when
needed. Albrecht is
also active in the com-
munity, volunteering
with the Gilpin County
MONTE
MONTE
Stay in touch
I’ll be at the Capitol work-
ing for smart solutions,
outcomes that make Colora-
do stronger, safer, and more
affordable for everyone. My
work is driven by the needs
of the communities I serve,
and I want to hear from you.
Every
January,
the Colora-
do General
Assembly
returns to
the Capitol
with a mix
of urgency
and oppor-
year will be
no different.
After an-
other year
of economic
uncertainty
at both the
national
and state
levels,
Coloradans
are look-
ing to their
legislature to answer some
big questions: How do we
live within our means while
protecting what matters most?
How do we make life more af-
fordable for working families?
And how do we keep our com-
thriving?
for educa-
tion and
public
safety.
Now it’s
the leg-
islature’s
job to
shape the
final plan.
panding attainable housing op-
tions, reducing home and auto
insurance costs, stepping in
has failed to rein in health
insurance prices and pursu
ing other policies to lower the
overall cost of living.
My legislative agenda:
focused on results
I’m
confident
we can
make re-
sponsible
choices
that pro-
tect full
funding
for K–12
educa-
tion and
criti-
cal health services as much
as possible. But there’s no
sugarcoating it: this session
will require plain talk about
priorities, tradeoffs, and what
we can realistically afford. I’ll
and mountain communities —
which too often feel overlooked
— have a strong voice in those
decisions.
Attend a town hall (virtu-
ally or in person), follow the
legislature’s work, read local
anytime. You can contact me at
SenatorDylanRoberts@gmail.
com or on my cell at (970) 846-
3054.
I’ve spent months traveling
across SD8, meeting with resi-
dents, nonprofit leaders, law
enforcement, business owners
conversations, several clear
priorities have emerged – all
rooted in the real challenges
and mountain communities.
Here are a few of the bills I’ll
The session ahead won’t be
easy. But with clear priorities,
open dialogue, and a commit-
ment to practical solutions, I’m
optimistic about what we can
State Sen. Dylan Roberts
State Senator for Clear Creek,
Eagle, Garfield, Gilpin, Grand,
Jackson, Moffat, Rio Blanco,
Routt, and Summit counties
Cutting red tape for
attainable housing
—Mondays: Jan. 5 – Feb. 2 (No class Jan. 19), 6 p.m.-
7 p.m. Wednesdays: Jan. 7-Feb. 4 (No class Jan. 21), 5 p.m.-6 p.m.
Fridays: Jan. 9-Jan. 30, 7:30-8:30 a.m., $50/four-week session or
$15/drop-in. Strength, resistance and cardio hiit/circuit class for all
levels! Motivating music, high energy, plenty of encouragement and
fun!
Colorado’s housing crisis is
about supply as much as it is
about price. I’ll introduce leg-
islation to remove unnecessary
regulatory barriers so local com-
munities can unlock financing
for attainable housing and build
more of the homes our work-
Drop-In Child Care – Jan. 12 & 26, 9 a.m. – noon, ages 2-12. $10
Res / $12 Non-Res (per three hour session) – or – Punch Card
Option: $30 Res / $36 Non-Res 10 Punch Card, $60 Res/ $72
Non-Res 20 Punch Card. Punch Card Usage: 1 punch = 1 hr of
care (per child). Punch cards can be shared with children in the
same household. Just pack a water bottle and a snack and enjoy a
workout, walk the trail or even go for a swim while we watch your
center or on the trail and be available upon request while your
child is in our care. Limit is three hours per session, but you may
bring your child anytime between 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Limited to eight
children per session.
The budget
Let’s start with the numbers
because this year they matter
more than ever. Colorado’s
budget is under real pressure.
Unlike Congress in Washing-
ton, which continues to run
–
stitution requires a balanced
budget. That means when costs
rise and revenues slow, we
have to make tough decisions.
Improving road safety
In rural Colorado, safe roads
aren’t a convenience — they’re
a necessity. I’ve worked for
years to improve winter driving
highways. Now we need to
address dangerous driving be-
haviors that have led to tragic
accidents across our region.
Law enforcement and first re-
sponders agree: cracking down
on excessive speeding and ille-
gal passing will save lives, and
one of my bills will do exactly
that. We’ll also work to im
prove crash investigations and
secure long-term investment
in wildlife crossing and fencing
infrastructure that saves lives –
both animals and humans – by
significantly reducing crashes.
Bringing down the cost
of living
Affordability is the number-
one issue I hear about ev-
erywhere in Senate District
8. Housing costs, insurance
premiums, groceries, and
gas — too many families feel
squeezed. While many of these
pressures stem from national
and global forces, the state
legislature has tools to help.
Tiger Tots Martial Arts – Jan. 5-March 19 (No class: Jan. 19, Feb.
16, Feb. 26), ages 4-7 years old, 11 weeks, $130/session (optional
uniform fee is $30). !e Tiger Tot program is designed to help
little ones grow stronger, be more focused and confident. Learn
the fundamental elements of martial arts before graduating to our
advanced program.
This year, rising health care
costs, inflation and reduced
federal support mean we’ll face
significant cuts again. Gov.
Jared Polis has proposed a
and other large programs while
attempting to preserve funding
During this session, expect
major debates on ways to lower
everyday costs while keeping
–
lies, workers, and businesses
–
–Started Jan. 12 – Feb. 28, practice one to two
nights/week starting Jan.12. 7U (K – 1ST Grade); 9U (2ND – 3RD
Grade); 11U (4TH – 5TH Grade); 14U (6TH – 8TH Grade). Games
on Saturday afernoons at Gilpin County Community Center and
Nederland Middle School. $75 for Gilpin residents or $89 for non-
residents.
Tai Chi –Every Wednesday 6:15-7:15 p.m., $12 drop in or
$144/ 12 Punch Card. Ages 16+ years old. A gentle mind-body
practice combining clow, $owing movements, deep breathing,and
meditation.
Protecting children
As a father, nothing matters
kids safe. I’m working with
on legislation to strengthen
human trafficking laws, protect
children from online preda-
tors, and ensure that social
media platforms comply with
safety standards. Technology
shouldn’t come at the expense
Saturday Clay with Steve –Jan. 17 – March 7, 9:30 a.m. – noon,
ages 14+, $200/session. Experience: intermediate to advanced.
Join us for a class on painting and making pots that benefit from
brushing our own glazes! We will also be creating underglazes and
exploring new materials, and new approaches and directions in our
individual pottery making.
IT SAYS : If no newspaper is
qualified as a Newspaper of
notices may be published in a
county.
January Parents Night Out –Jan. 23, 4-8:30 p.m., $25/per kid, $15
if enrolled in camp on Jan. 23. Join us for a night the kids won’t
forget while you get a break. Plus, we’ll provide dinner. Swimming,
games, and creative crafs! Bring a towel and Swimsuit and wear
your PJ’s too.
IT DOES NOT ALLOW :
Counties to skip over an
established local newspaper
and print notices in a paper
located elsewhere— especially
not in a county two or three
jurisdictions away.
Adult Coed Volleyball League –Join our longest league ever. 10
week adult coed volleyball league, Wednesday Nights starting Feb.
4 thru April 15 (no games March 18), 6-8 p.m. Register by Feb. 2.
$200/team. Must have one woman per team. Ages 14+, 4-on-4.
Playoff format for the top for teams.
Supporting coal
transition communities
Northwest Colorado com
munities facing the economic
transition away from coal de-
serve real support — not empty
promises. I’ll introduce legisla-
tion to help these communities
maximize settlement funds
that will be vital to replacing
the lost tax base, attracting
new industries, and supporting
workers.
THE PURPOSE: To keep
legal notices visible to the
public in the communities they
affect. Without this protection,
governments could easily
residents won’t see them.
Gilpin County Fair Ambassador Scholarship Opportunity –
Open to Gilpin County Residents in grades 11 and 12. Application
accepted through Jan. 23. Selection based on community
involvement, public speaking and well-rounded academic
performance. !e Fair is July 17- 19.
Drop In Sunday Basketball –Come join us every week on Sundays.
Bring your friends and family. Every Sunday starting Nov. 2, noon
to 5 p.m. Drop-In Rates apply. All ages and skill levels welcome. We
will play two courts if we have more than 20 players.
Standing up for
agriculture and water
Eagles Teen Program – Afer School Monday-!ursday 4:15-
7:15 p.m. Eagles is an out-of-school program at the Gilpin County
Community Center. We provide&free&extracurricular opportunities
and a space to hang out for youth ages 12 and up through high
school graduation. All activities and field trips are planned by
our youth program assistants and youth leadership team with
the support of our adult program coordinator. We’ll be providing
transportation from Gilpin County school and will be running an
afer-school program from 4 – 7:15 p.m., Mondays – !ursdays.
!e program is free afer a $25/annual registration fee.
As Chair of the Senate Agri-
culture and Natural Resources
Committee, I’ll continue
fighting for smart investments
in the Colorado Water Plan,
strong support for Western
Slope farmers and ranchers,
issues, including Colorado
River negotiations and wolf
reintroduction.
Provided as a PUBLIC SERVICE from the
