Berumen elected BoC chair for 2026

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.