Gilpin Historical Society
By Dave Forsyth, PhD
After the Central City Opera House’s grand opening on March 3 and 4, 1878, the Pueblo Democrat wrote that while the Opera House was grand, it would be more impressed when Central City and Black Hawk built equally grand schools and churches. With town rivalries alive and well, Central City’s Evening Call responded with the following editorial on March 11, 1878: …is it possible that a gentleman of your (more…)
Voters could determine via a property mil levy tax increase
By Jaclyn Schrock
When Gilpin County Commissioners were advised that their $11.6 million annual September tax payment from the gaming industry would be only $6 million because (more…)
Uproot volunteers put in a little sweat equity to pick a hill of beans for the Food Bank
By Jaclyn Schrock
Last week the Weld County Food Bank received at least 2,000 pounds of fresh green beans. Only eight Uproot volunteers showed up in northeastern Colorado beyond Greeley, last Thursday. We gleaned a small portion of the 50 rows designated to be given to the Food Bank. The eight volunteers picking beans (more…)
President Trump suspends collection of Social Security payroll taxes through end of year
By Randy Beaudette
On September 1, 2020 Gilpin Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) held a special online meeting that discussed topics such as ballot questions for the upcoming election, and some very disappointing news concerning revenue losses experienced by the County recently. (more…)
Tuesday, September 1 – a few tense moments
By Aaron Storms
The month of September got off to an interesting start with an early morning lightning strike to a transformer on Main Street at Gregory Street in Black Hawk. When the Black Hawk Police Department dispatched the call-out to the Black Hawk Fire Department around 6:15 am, power was out for a larger part of the city, but primarily (more…)
Expanded gaming options to be decided by voters
By David Josselyn
Work Session
Council met with Staff for a work session prior to the regular meeting. The topics of discussion were the upcoming budget calendar and gaming device fees. The City reduced the 2020 Budget by 70 percent already so far. Gaming revenues have decreased by 41 percent this year. (more…)
To replace county funding lost due to the Coronavirus pandemic
By Michael Carlson
The Gilpin County Library District Board of Trustees unanimously voted on August 13 to place a funding measure on the November ballot. This is the Library’s first ballot request for additional funding in over 25 years. The proposed ballot measure is expected to be an (more…)
Gilpin Historical Society
By David Forsyth, PhD
As 1940 began, the great political question was whether or not President Franklin D. Roosevelt would seek a third term with a probable world war on the horizon. Lawyer and business executive Wendell Willkie was frequently mention as a possible successor if FDR retired, but unlike most people, Willkie, who was a registered Democrat, believed that the president would seek a third term. Willkie decided the only way (more…)
Film on the Rocks Drive-in presented by the Denver Film Festival
By Aaron Storms
A couple of our friends, Richard and Amy, invited us on a double-date to the Field of Dreams movie, so we went early and were (more…)
$7.7 million needed to run the Sheriff’s Office and Rec Center
By Randy Beaudette
On August 25, 2020 Gilpin Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) held a long and disorganized online regular meeting that discussed topics such as an update on the Comprehensive Land Use Plan, a discussion concerning the Sheriff’s Office and Parks and Recreation Capital Expenditures, and a discussion on possible November Ballot questions. (more…)
Citizens voice concerns over what is and is not allowed
By David Josselyn
Special Council Meeting
Mayor Jeremy Fey convened a special meeting of the Central City Council at 2:05 (more…)
The saga of Lilly Belle’s Casino in Black Hawk
By David Forsyth, PhD
As the gambling industry took off in Black Hawk and Central City in the early 1990s, it attracted a great deal of attention from outside investors and from some of the larger casinos companies based in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. One of those investors was talk show host and game show inventor Merv Griffin. (more…)
From serious accident to serving his community in three years
By Jennifer Hinderman
Many of you may remember on September 3rd, 2017, Jimi King, one of Timberline’s firefighters, was in a serious motorcycle accident. The community support was incredible, including several fund raisers one of which was held at Roy’s Last Shot. Jimi spent four months in the ICU at Saint Anthony’s Hospital, followed by six months of learning to walk, talk, drive, and care for himself at Craig Hospital. (more…)
Nevadaville history – Part 1
By Mary Peery
Edith James came to Nevadaville as a child. She eventually became the first woman city clerk and treasurer of Nevadaville. Her husband passed, while their children were relatively young. Edith raised her children, as a single mother in Nevadaville. In this article, two of Edith’s children tell the story of growing up in Nevadaville, during the early 1900’s. A minimal amount of editing was used, to preserve her children’s (more…)
August 18th Land & Facility Use Comprehensive Plan discussion
By Jaclyn Schrock
Abel Montoya, Gilpin County Manager, opened the third Town Hall (TH3) meeting following the closing of the Gilpin County Community Center (GCCC) or Recreation Center, cuts in county staff, and cuts to the Gilpin County Sheriff’s Office (SO). A $2 million budget cut resulted from COVID-19 lockdown March-June, 2020. (more…)
What happens when Grandpa Bredo thaws out?
By Jaclyn Schrock
When there is such a limited range of entertainment possibilities during our current COVID-19 pandemic, a local outdoor melodrama with social distancing is ideal. Saturdays, August 22 and 29th in Central City the musical melodrama “Call Me Ned” is presented outdoors. The quirky “frozen dead-guy” stored in a Tuff Shed near Nederland is the reason Nederland has celebrated Frozen Dead Guy Days since 2002. But, what happens if the monthly ice delivery is interrupted? (more…)