Black Hawk Council plans development of Miner’s Mesa
By Randy Beaudette
Highlights of the Black Hawk City Council Regular online meeting includes an Inter-governmental Agreement concerning the distribution of CARES funds, matters that concern the Miner’s Mesa T-Mobile cell tower, and the planning contract to construct the road over Miner’s Mesa that will connect Black Hawk to Lake Gulch/ Whiskey Resort. (more…)
Celebrating from Central City to Georgetown
By Mary Peery
1890 was a good year for the mining towns. Populations increased. Shops and saloons were busy. This resulted in more fees paid to the town’s coffers, giving town leaders the ability to fund large Fourth of July (more…)
Commissioners terminate 79 positions to try to balance the budget
By Randy Beaudette
An emotional reorganization and reduction in work force discussion was the highlight (or lowlight) of the June 30, 2020 meeting of the Gilpin County Board of (more…)
Looking back to the origins of this mining community
By Mary Peery
The miners of Russell Gulch and Gregory Gulch observed the Fourth of July, which occurred weeks after gold was discovered and the mining districts were formed. According to the late editor and proprietor of the Colorado Mining Journal, Ovando J. Hollister, in his 1867 book The Mines of Colorado: “In the first days of June (1859) Green Russell had discovered and commenced operations in the gulch that bears his name, a tributary of north Clear Creek, a little south (more…)
February 27, 1961 – June 17, 2020
Thomas James Gish, 59, of Black Hawk, passed away suddenly on June 17, 2020, at home. Tommy had lived in Black Hawk and Gilpin County for over 30 years. Tommy loved life and flamboyantly charged through it without remorse. Tommy was always capturing hearts along the way with his easy laughter and fast wit. He saw beauty in everything he encountered and loved to spend time during the summer in his garden filled with flowers. (more…)
This is the Price They Paid
By Michael W Smith
Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence? Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons in the revolutionary army, another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the revolutionary war. They signed and they pledged their (more…)
Casino restaurants, bars, pools, and health clubs can now open
By Randy Beaudette
On June 23, 2020 the Gilpin Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) held a special online meeting that featured topics such as an update on the Land Use Comprehensive Plan, Cares Act IGA and submission, and Public Health order amendment. (more…)
Proxima Distillers to compensate Central for increased traffic impacts
By Randy Beaudette
On June 17, an amendment to the 1999 growth area Intergovernmental Agreement (more…)
June 15, 2020
It is with a great deal of sadness that we announce that Judy Grant, our Board Chair, passed away on June 15, 2020. Judy served on the Central City Opera Board of Directors since 2002 and assumed the Chairmanship in 2018. She was a gracious representative of the organization in all she did. She loved to show off all that Central City Opera had to offer and we were lucky to have her dedication and commitment guiding this organization. She was a dear friend who will be greatly missed. You can (more…)
Gilpin Elementary teachers ready to try new adventures
By Esmee Halsted
With Gilpin school year 2019-2020 officially over, teachers are making future plans. While many teachers are staying at Gilpin schools, Monica Rhul and Chloe Devore are unfortunately leaving. Both elementary teachers, Rhul taught Montessori 1st-3rd grades and Devore taught 1st grade. Rhul started working at Gilpin as a full-time teacher in August of 2015. Devore began working August of 2019. (more…)
New Book Highlights Golden Gate Canyon State Park as a Top Hiking Destination
By Ryan Jacobson
In her new book, 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Denver and Boulder (June 2020, Menasha Ridge Press), local area author Mindy Sink features her choices for the area’s 60 best hiking trails. Golden Gate Canyon State Park is featured among them. Mindy grew up in Boulder and has spent most of her adult life in Denver. For the third edition of this popular guidebook, her assignment was to select 60 (more…)
Council supports letting voters choose whether to increase betting limits and add games
By Randy Beaudette
The online Black Hawk City Council meeting covered topics such as the Special Use Review for the Golden Gilpin Mill, a stealth telecommunications tower, and a certain devise tax forgiveness for the month of May. (more…)
Council happy to see casinos open again!
By David Josselyn
Work Session
Council met for an Executive Session at 1:05 pm just prior to their regular meeting to develop strategy for negotiations and to instruct negotiators regarding case number 2020CV3000009. (more…)
Commissioners recognize Mountain Mask Project
By Randy Beaudette
Board-chair Gail Watson called to order the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) online meeting on June 16, 2020 promptly at 9:00 am. Joining her were Commissioners Ron Engels and Linda Isenhart to discuss items such as the Mountain Mask Project Proclamation, a renewal to the Colorado Communities for Climate Change coalition, and Volunteers of America Service Agreement renewal. (more…)
As their choice for a local COVID-19 relief recipient
By Stacie Smith
Colorado Natural Gas (CNG) will donate $1,000 to Gilpin County Food Bank as part of the company’s COVID-19 relief efforts. The organization will use the donation to (more…)
Saving a girl from an overdose of Laudanum in 1882
By Mary Peery
Ada Branch was a Madam, who ran a respectable parlor house, prior to Lou Bunch’s arrival in Central City. Ada, known as “Big Swede,” ran her business from the same house that Lou Bunch would one day occupy. The following Weekly Register-Call article from 1882, describes an attempted (more…)