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.’
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.’
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.
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.
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
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
A badge was given to Central City Fire Chief Linold Begg, who later presented it to Jack Dempsey,
making him an honorary fireman after the fighter visited the city in 1940.
Colorado Native William Harrison “Jack” Dempsey rose to become a global boxing star a century ago
and developed an interesting tie with Central City. Born in Manassa (south of Alamosa in the San Luis
Valley), he was nicknamed Kid Blackie and the Manassa Mauler. He competed from 1914 to 1927 and
was the world heavyweight champion from 1919 to 1926.
Dempsey is ranked No. 6 on The Ring magazine’s list of
all-time heavyweights and is fourth among its Top 100
Greatest Punchers, and in 1950 the Associated Press
voted him the greatest fighter of the past 50 years.
Later, Sam Cocks (right) handed Fire Chief Linold
Begg a badge to present to Dempsey, making him
an honorary Central City volunteer fireman following
his visit to Central City.
Jack Dempsey, the “Manassa Mauler”
The City of Central has filed a lawsuit against RCI Hospitality
Holdings, asking the Gilpin Country District Court to shut down
the company’s Rick’s Cabaret and Steakhouse at 130 Main Street
in downtown Central City.
–
ually Oriented Business in Central City,” according to the city’s
lawsuit, which asked the court to issue a preliminary injunction
to shutter the operation until it complies with local regulations
and obtains an SOB license from the city.
–
eral city regulations, including:
At the time, Langan said he
planned to open a casino with
a nightclub and steakhouse in
the three-story building that
once housed Joey Scarlett’s
Casino and, before that, a
Bullwhackers Casino. How
ever, in June 2024, Langan
announced that he had with
drawn his application for a ca
sino license with the Colorado
Division of Revenue.
ments for any Sexually
Oriented Business that
wanted to open.
Continued from page 1
kind of sexually oriented busi
ness, that regularly violates
the licensing requirement, the
hours regulation, and conduct
restrictions.” It also cites com
pany advertising, in which
“Rick’s Cabaret describes
itself as “a premier three-
story destination combining
upscale dining and world-
class adult entertainment.”
Additional documentation on
the local businesses’ website
describes the place as the
“Strip Club in Central City.”
In the past two years,
RCI has been the sub
ject of several lawsuits
involving its nightclubs
in Texas, Denver and
New York. The larg
est of these occurred in
September 2025, when
New York Attorney Gen
eral Letitia James filed
a lawsuit that indicted
Langan and four other
RCI executives. James
and a grand jury con
cluded that RCI engaged
in a “multimillion-dollar
criminal tax fraud and
bribery scheme … to
avoid paying over $8
million in sales taxes to
the state and New York
City between 2010 and
2024.”
Mayor Jeremy Fey is the
only remaining city alderman
in office who voted to sell the
building. He later came under
public scrutiny after accepting
a free trip with Langan aboard
RCI’s jet to the company’s
headquarters in Houston.
The two, who acknowledged
a friendship, also attended an
NFL game between the Hous
ton Texans and the Denver
Broncos in RCI’s private box.
Langan also provided Fey
with a sales-based lease for a
storefront purchased by RCI
at 127 Main St.
Because the entertainers
inside the building “regularly
expose their buttocks, bare
female breasts, and often their
pubic regions, both on and
off-stage,” Rick’s Cabaret is
considered a “Sexually Ori
ented Business” under Central
City’s Land Development
Code, the lawsuit alleges. “Yet,
defendants [RCI] violate the
SOB Code by allowing enter
tainers to expose specified
anatomical areas when they
are not on a permanent and
non-movable stage. Defen
dants’ entertainers regularly
engage in the “fondling or
other erotic touching of hu
man genitals, buttocks, anus
or female breasts” (a specified
sexual activity) with other en
tertainers as well as patrons.”
The lawsuits are be
lieved to have prompted
Langan to step down
from his role as RCI’s
CEO and President in
November.
Following the initial pub
lic complaints in 2024, Fey
recused himself from all
council discussions related to
RCI. However, in 2025, Fey
changed his mind and again
began participating in RCI-
related discussions.
Last summer, several
Central City residents
and council members
continued to oppose
Rick’s Cabaret, saying
it didn’t meet zoning
regulations and raised
concerns about morality
and safety, including the
type of clientele it would
attract to the city, which
relies on Gilpin County
for sheriff’s patrol deputies
since the city disbanded its
police department nearly a
decade ago.
After RCI purchased 130
Main Street and several ad
ditional buildings in Central’s
History Downtown Gaming
district, Langan and Reese be
came regulars and frequently
attended community events.
The Council appointed Lan
gan to a seat on the Central
City Downtown Development
Authority. Around the same
time, Reese was elected to the
board of the Central City Busi
ness Improvement District.
The corner of Spring and Main streets and the Central City Parkway
has been the site of controversy in Central City for three years
after RCI and Eric Langan bought the property from the city and
announced it would be a casino with a nightclub and steakhouse.
RCI and its related compa
nies, along with Langan and
Reese, are required to re
spond to the lawsuit within 21
days if they are in Colorado;
within 35 days if they are out
of state.
litigation related to the RCI
situation.
and December. The lawsuit
was filed one week after coun
cil’s final meeting of 2025 on
Dec. 16.
On Nov. 4, Central voters
delivered council a clear mes
sage against changing the city
code, voting 153-113 to keep
existing regulations in place.
Since then, council hasn’t
publicly discussed the issue at
its meetings in late November
A court date will be sched
uled after the defendants
respond to the lawsuit.
(Editor’s note: RCI In
terim President Travis Reese
didn’t respond to the Weekly
Register-Call’s request for
comment or a response to the
lawsuit.)
However, in September,
Fey succeeded in winning a
3-2 council decision to place
a referendum on the Nov. 4
ballot, asking voters whether
the council should change
the city code to allow Sexu
ally Oriented Businesses to
operate on Main Street.
* * *
Despite the city’s lawsuit,
Rick’s Cabaret continued to
advertise its Christmas Day
hours and New Year’s Eve
events on its local website and
Facebook pages. The business
describes itself as “Central
City’s top-rated gentlemen’s
club,” open from 6 p.m. to 4
a.m. Thursday through Sun
day. It also advertises on three
city-owned billboards along
the Central City Parkway.
In August 2024, RCI sued
Central City in a federal court
in Denver after the council
upheld an administrator’s
decision regarding the Rick’s
building. The company
dropped the lawsuit a year
later, after Rick’s Cabaret and
Steakhouse opened in late
June.
What if you woke up one morning and
learned you couldn’t buy a new TV, a cell
phone, or car parts because they were made
in China?
agencies that rely on them as part of their jobs.
the Black Hawk Police Department, and the Black
Hawk Fire Department all own legally compliant
drone models. However, purchasing accessories
for them could be difficult in the future. Plus, if one
of their drones were to crash or break, it may be
difficult to find a repair shop that has the necessary
parts in stock.
Drones
Drones
Unthinkable? For most of the estimated
480,000 drone pilots in this country, the
situation was similar as of Dec. 23, 2025.
That day was the final one for federal regula-
of Chinese-made drones, primarily from DJI
and Autel Robotics, to be sold in the U.S.
Regulators didn’t act, so the “new drone
ban” went into effect.
state and local law enforcement and emergency
response agencies that operate drone programs use
DJI technology; these programs will be at immedi-
ate risk if they no longer have access to the most
cost-effective and efficient drone technology avail-
able,” DJI wrote in a letter to Homeland Security
Secretary Kristi Noem in early December.
approvals for drones from foreign-made en-
tities, primarily because they aren’t exempt
from the government’s “covered list” – a list
of countries that manufacture drones that
forward.
The“Age of Drones”
column is a 3-time
Colorado Press Assn.
“Better Newspaper Award”
winner, 2022, 2023 & 2024
FAA-
Certified
Part 107
Drone Pilot
As a professional drone pilot who shoots photos
and videos for clients, I also face the same chal
lenges as first responders in Gilpin County. If any
of my four DJI drones needs repair, I might find my
self up a creek without a paddle. However, while I
in comparison to what Gilpin’s law enforcement
officers and firefighters are doing with their drones.
They fly drones to help protect the public and assist
officers in avoiding the potential perils of their jobs.
On Dec. 23, 2025, the FCC reiterated a long-
standing concern among U.S. officials—that Chi-
national security of the United States and to the
safety and security of U.S. persons.” The govern-
ment decision came after hearing unconfirmed
reports that foreign-made drones could contain
technology that the Chinese government might
obtain to spy on the U.S. whenever a drone is in the
air. Thousands of U.S. drone pilots sent
protests to their government leaders
opposing such a ban. However, their
protests were ignored.
• If you own or fly a drone manufactured by DJI or
Autel, it’s still perfectly legal to own and operate it
regulations.
• U.S. retailers can continue to sell DJI and Autel
models, provided they received FCC approval before
Dec. 23. It’s perfectly legal to purchase several of
Mini 4 Pro, Mini 3 and Mini 3 Pro, Avata 2, Air 3S,
Last week, The Wall Street Journal reported that
the Pilot Institute, which trains drone pilots to pass
the FAA Part 107 Certification test, surveyed about
8,000 pilots about the FCC’s ban. About 43 percent
said they expect an “extremely negative” or “poten-
tially business-ending impact” on their operations.
business within two years. The Journal also reported
that many U.S. pilots had been hoarding Chinese-
made equipment in anticipation of the ban.
Neo 2, DJI Flip and the
Matrice 350 RTK enter
prise drone. However, it’s
difficult to find a retailer
or online store with any
models in stock, due to
stringent import restric
tions currently in place
by the U.S. Customs and
While the legal aspects of what hap-
pened on Dec. 23, 2025, are rather
technical, the decision made by federal
regulators boils down to several key
points that affect anyone who owns or
which manufacture 77 to 90 percent of
all drones purchased in the U.S.
On the other hand, many people believe that ban-
ning the sale of future foreign-made drone models
in the U.S. could help spark the development of new
While the majority of new drone start-ups will focus
on larger, enterprise models for use by those in
construction, mapping, agriculture, infrastructure
inspection and law enforcement, the “little guy” who
wants a small, inexpensive drone for themselves or
their kids may be left out in the woods for a while.
• The “covered list”
will also make it difficult
to purchase drone add-
on supplies such as new
propellers, batteries and
for those models still
considered legal in this
country.
They include:
In the meantime, U.S. drone pilots have their
fingers crossed, hoping a homegrown drone manu-
technological sophistication – and affordable prices
– they’ve seen over the past decade from China.
• If DJI releases any
new models, such as a DJI Mini 6 Pro or Mavic 5,
they won’t be allowed to be sold or flown in the U.S.
However, they will be available elsewhere in the
world, as no other countries have restricted Chi-
nese-made drones.
So, if you woke up tomorrow and had to buy a new
like China – what would you do? It’s a question
worth pondering.
The U.S. “ban” prohibiting the sale of new DJI and
Autel models poses challenges for individuals and
When you are handling a deceased
person’s final affairs, it is possible
that you may encounter one or more
firearms owned by the decedent at
the time of death. Such firearms
standard shotguns that are obviously
hunting firearms. Others may be
military-style firearms with pistol
grips and mounting rails. Some fire-
arms may have a selector switch near
the trigger. What is the best way to
deal with such firearms?
take appropriate steps to obtain and
occupied house, and are not already stored in a
strong gun safe that cannot be carried away, you
should make appropriate arrangements to secure
place the guns in the custody of an individual or
entity that holds a Federal Firearms License until
it can be determined whether and how to dis-
tribute the firearms to the heirs or beneficiaries.
Individuals with a Federal Firearms License can
legally take possession of a wide variety of fire-
arms, including guns that are not typical hunting
firearms, such as machine guns and short bar
rel rifles and shotguns. Such licensees have the
proper authority to possess the guns and perform
necessary background checks before any transfer.
The licensees are also likely to have proper storage
and insurance that will protect the Personal Rep-
resentative or trustee during the administration
of the estate/trust if something should happen to
the firearms during that time. Licensees holding
a Local Federal Firearms License can be found
through websites such as FFLGunDealers.net and
Gunbroker.com.
2. Determine how the
firearms are owned.
The person nominated in the estate
–
er ownership of the firearms has been
transferred to the trust by the one
making the trust, or are owned only
in the name of the deceased person.
the one making the trust typically
signs an assignment of personal
property that transfers ownership of
such property, including firearms, to the trust. If so,
legal authority to take possession of the firearms for
safekeeping and ultimate distribution.
1. Determine who has
legal authority to handle the
firearms.
You should first determine if the deceased person
had a will or trust which nominates or appoints
someone to be in charge of the decedent’s estate. If
such documents exist, obtain them and determine
who is nominated as the Personal Representative, or
appointed as the trustee, or successor trustee of the
trust. You should then contact that person to advise
3. Make arrangements to properly secure
Particularly where the firearms are in an un-
SAVE OVER
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Senior Reporter
– Dec. 19, 2025 — Coloradans have purchased
almost $1 billion of regulated marijuana, generating almost
$200 million of tax and fee revenue in calendar year 2025,
according to new monthly data published today by the Colo-
rado Department of Revenue (DOR).
will no longer take some of the
money you won from a slot
machine jackpot.
President Donald Trump’s
“One Big Beautiful Bill Act,”
which passed in 2025, raised
the Internal Revenue Service’s minimum
$2,000 in 2026.
It was expected that Colorado would likely surpass $1 bil
lion in sales and $200 million in tax revenue by the end of
last year, according to the Colorado Department of Revenue
figures from September.
particularly on modern machines where wins
above $1,200 are common.
The November figures will be published in January, with
complete data for 2025 becoming available in mid-February.
According to researchers at TurboTax, “You
can write off your gambling losses in some cas-
es, but there are limitations. For tax year 2025,
you can write off losses up to the amount of your
winnings. Let’s say you win $4,500 and lose
$5,000; your net result is a loss of $500. Even if
your losses exceed your winnings, your deduc-
tion is capped at the total amount won ($4,500).
any tax on the $4,500 of winnings because you
can deduct the full $4,500 against your win-
nings, resulting in $0 gambling income.”
Under the previous law, which expired on
Dec. 31, 2025, casinos were required to issue
a Form W-2G to slot players who won $1,200
Congress addressed the issue by raising the
information-reporting threshold under two
Internal Revenue Code sections, 6041 and
6041A.
“Colorado’s world-class marijuana industry drives out
criminals and cartels and is supporting Colorado businesses
and jobs while driving revenue for school construction. This
important milestone is one that our state can continue to
build on,” said Gov. Jared Polis.
In its monthly marijuana sales and tax revenue report,
over$19 million, while September marijuana sales figures
were
Casino industry groups and some lawmak
ers argued that the $1,200 threshold no longer
reflects modern gambling or inflation. Gam-
ing industry advocates have said raising the
–
tem and reduce operational friction on casino
floors. As a result, effective Jan. 1, the change
is expected to reduce the number of midlevel
slot jackpots that trigger mandatory reporting,
Meanwhile, Colorado hasn’t announced
–
ing slot machine winnings in 2026. The issue
is expected to be discussed when lawmakers
return to the state capital in Denver later this
Marijuana tax and fee
$19,165,884
(Sept. 2025: $20,040,828)
2025 Calendar Year Total
$199,019,628
(Since January 2014)
$3,072,538,063
October 2025
statements for
jackpots of $1,200
or more were taxed
percent rate.
Date
Marijuana sales
An IRS spokes-
–
tional updates will
–
tions are finalized
$105,334,650
(Aug. 2025: $115,362,506)
$995,357,169
To Date Total
$17,898,291,163
September 2025
(Editor’s note:
The Weekly
Register-Call isn’t
qualified to pro-
Please consult your
accountant, CPA,
or tax advisor for
information on
gambling win-
nings and how
they affect your
taxes.)
by medical and retail marijuana stores monthly by county.
The Marijuana Tax Reports show state tax and fee revenue
collected monthly as posted in the Colorado state account-
ing system. Tax revenue comes from the state sales tax (2.9
percent) on marijuana sold in stores, the state retail mari-
juana sales tax (15 percent), and the state retail marijuana
excise tax (15 percent) on wholesale sales/transfers of retail
marijuana. Marijuana license and application fees generate
the fee revenue.
Council Amends Manufactured Homes Municipal Code
By Randy Beaudette
The bell was rung by Brett Hahnenkamp from Peak Value LLC to announce the regular meeting of the Black Hawk City Council. The meeting was called to order on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at 3 pm by Mayor David Spellman. (more…)
Public Works Reorganization
By Randy Beaudette
Two amendments to Black Hawk’s Pay Plan and the license agreement with the Monarch Growth Inc., and an annexation protest from Central City were the highlights from the Black Hawk City Council regular meeting held on February 26, 2020. (more…)
G3 Gaming plan going before council
Tuesday By Don Ireland Senior Reporter A long and potentially spirited session could be ahead for Central City residents and their elected leaders when the alder- men and Mayor Jeremy Fey hold their
meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 7, in
City Hall. The topic of G3 Gamings proposed Gregory Gulch Gaming Resort (GGGR)
is expected to draw a packed crowd,
many of whom will likely have opinions
on the proposed $600-900 million
luxury casino planned between lower
Lawrence and Gregory Streets, near the
Grand Z Casino and Hotel. The proposed GGGR Planned Unit De- velopment includes a 100,000-square-
foot casino, a 600-room hotel, outdoor
pool and hot tubs, restaurants, retail
shops, a multi-purpose event center, and
a parking garage with space for 2,000
vehicles. will hear the presentation for the GGGR.
However, it was discussed at two public
meetings in July and before the Central
City Planning Commission on Sept. 3
Gaming revenues increased in August in Colorado’s three gaming cities, according to a new report from the Colorado Division of Gaming. Black Hawk saw a 3.61 percent increase in August compared to the same month in 2024, resulting in an overall 4.41 percent rise since the fiscal year started on July 1, amounting to $6.531 million. Neighboring Central City saw its long-struggling gaming revenues rise during August. The city’s six casinos reported a 3.03 percent (or $207,135) increase compared to the same month in 2024.