County wil increase recenter fes begining on March 1

By Don Ireland

$9 and $10, depending on
the user’s age and whether
they live in the county.
The cost for one-month,
three-month and annual
passes also will increase for
the remainder of the year,
depending on the user’s age
and residency status.

the rec center’s website and
newsletter.

director said she sought rate
increases to help offset the
reduced income and make
the facility more “self-sus-
tainable.”

For 2024, Chisholm said
the center had eliminated
$100,00 in line-item pur-
chases, reduced its part-
time staff, and made other
cuts. She noted that utilities
for the building are estimat-
ed at $230,000 this year.
“It’s been really hard on us,”
she commented. “We’ve
been through a lot of ups
and downs. I don’t know
about the future.”

Senior Reporter

Originally, Chisholm
planned to discontinue sell-
ing annual passes. However,
she said she would follow
the commissioners’ recom-
mendations to continue the
program after they sug-
gested the passes should
contain a line, “hours and
days subject to change.”

The fees for some Gilpin
Community Center pro-
grams will rise by $1 or
more starting on March 1.

She noted that many
insurance providers sup-
port Silver Sneakers and
other programs that pay for
seniors to use the rec center.
In addition, the non-profit
Friends of Gilpin Com-
munity Center offers Heart
Fund “scholarships” to help
residents who can’t afford
to pay for rec center passes
and sports equipment.

By a 2-1 vote, the Gilpin
Board of County Commis-
sioners approved several
increases for the community
center at their meeting on
Tuesday, Feb. 13. The dis-
cussion brought on a larger
topic – the future of the rec
center in 2025 and beyond
– into the spotlight during
the meeting, too.

Prices for childcare for
kids graded K-5 also will
rise, depending on whether
the children are attending
full-day or after-school pro-
grams. The registration fee
for the program will be $30,
a $5 increase. Those partici-
pating in field trips will be
charged $66, compared to
the current $55. Parks and
Recreation Director Gabri-
elle Chisholm said the new
rates will be available on

Commissioner Marie
Mornis voted against the
increases after her motion
– to freeze the fees this year
– failed to get a second.

Hollingsworth said the old
mill levy means that casinos
will pay about $700,000
less this year than if the
property tax had remained
in effect. Currently, the cen-
ter will continue operating
for the remainder of 2024.
“I don’t have a crystal ball
[to predict the future],” said
the commissioner, who gave
Chisholm kudos for seeking
sponsorships and additional
funding for the facility.

Chisholm said Gilpin’s
rates continue to be lower
than those in other counties.
After county voters rejected
a special millage levy in
November to finance some
of the rec center’s costs, the

Mornis said county lead-
ers should discuss the rec
center beyond the current
year, noting the county’s
budget paid for the facil-
ity from when it opened in
2002 until the pandemic
struck in 2020. At that time,
the voters passed a three-
year 2.56\ mill levy to fund
the rec center. The money
comes from the county gen-
eral fund and user fees.

Commissioners Susan
Berumen and Sandy Hol-
lingsworth voted to increase
daily drop-in fees by $1 for
residents and non-residents.
Punch cards for 10 admis-
sions will increase between

Replied Mornis, “I’m a lot
more optimistic about the
future.” She recommended
that county leaders meet
to discuss the rec center
operations for its long-term
future.

Jefferson Academy
enrollment
With Jefferson County
Schools closing the Coal
Creek Canyon building
this year, parents have
organized a group that
will run the school as part
of the Jefferson Academy
system, a private academy
for preschool children and
those in grades kindergar-
ten through eighth.

This year, Gilpin County’s
budget has allocated ap-
proximately $2.7 million for
the rec center, including $1
million for capital repairs.
The recently ended mill levy
resulted in the center receiv-
ing $1.1 million less in 2024
compared to 2023. County
leaders said approximately
$600,000 remaining from
the rec center’s budget last
year will help defray the
costs this year. When ap-
proving the 2024 budget,
the county commissioners
reduced the operating days
for the rec center from five
to four days.

BRIEFS
BRIEFS

Berumen said the rec
center fees hadn’t increased
for more than three years,
adding many senior citizens
don’t have to pay for meals
and programs there. “I don’t
think there’s anything that’s
free,” she remarked.

The school is accept-
ing information from
parents who are interested
in enrolling children for
the upcoming year. It will
serve families in the Coal
Creek Canyon area and
beyond in Gilpin, Jefferson
and Boulder counties.

U.S. Forest Service continues pile burns
Seeing smoke in Gilpin County? The USFS is asking residents not to report it to
authorities because most of the smoke is coming from piles being burned north of
Central City and in the vicinity of the Gross Reservoir near Pinecliffe.

For information on the
rec center and Heart Fund
grants available through
the Friends of Gilpin Com-
munity Center, visit  www.
gilpincommunitycenter.
org.

The Forest Service said there has been an uptick in 911 calls to the Gilpin County
Sheriff’s Department. During burning, USFS partners from The Nature Conser-
vancy, Timberline Fire Protection District and Lefthand Fire Protection District
have been observing the burns. The service reports that the area has adequate snow
cover, and there are no holding concerns. Resources remain on scene until the piles
have burned down.

Gilpin says “no thanks” on $60,00 fod pantry grant

yield up to $600,000 for
the pantry with less strin-
gent requirements than the
Block Grant. Boyle said the
county also may request
a grant of up to $355,000
from the non-profit Colo-
rado Trust organization,
which gives money to
groups that help provide
food assistance in commu-
nities.

some Gilpin County Hu-
man Services Department
employees, who currently
share a building with the
public health department
and others along Highway
119. The kitchen could be
rented to outside orga-
nizations and companies
that need a place to pre-
pare many meals. County
Manager Ray Rears said
a similar kitchen-rental
operation in Nederland,
Boulder County, is usually
scheduled to capacity.

new food pantry has been
going on for more than six
years, and the new facility
could serve as a multi-pur-
pose building.

pin County to feed Gilpin
County,” she commented.

By Don Ireland
Senior Reporter
Gilpin County leaders
plan to build a new $1.3
million food pantry later
this year. However, what
the new pantry will look
like and how much grant
funding the new facility will
receive remains in limbo.

Berumen said there is a
difference between poverty
and food insecurity in the
state. “It is our responsibil-
ity. One in eight people are
food insecure in Colorado,”
she said. “Some people
could be one car repair
or one medical situation
away” from having enough
food.

Boyle noted that a study
conducted by the county
facilities department last
April said the current build-
ing, which has no founda-
tion, has a depreciated
value of $9,659 but would
cost $49,500 for repairs.

The Gilpin Board of
County Commissioners
decided at their meet-
ing Tuesday (Feb. 13) to
forego a chance to secure
a $600,000 grant toward
the pantry. Without a vote,
the commissioners said
the potential Community
Development Block Grant
for public facilities – a
federal program adminis-
tered through the Colorado
Department of Local Affairs
(DOLA) – had “too many
strings” attached. They also
said there might not be
sufficient time to conduct
a public hearing before the
grant application deadline
of Feb. 23.

The deadline to apply
for the DOLA-EMI grant
is March 23, while April 1
is the final date to request
the Colorado Trust funding,
according to Boyle.

She said the food pantry
served 2,092 households
and 4,295 individuals in
2022, which increased
to 3,958 households and
8,950 individuals last year.

Rears said the county
could conduct a future pub-
lic meeting about the new
food pantry to discuss the
potential design and other
aspects of the forthcoming
building. In the meantime,
the BoCC will be discuss-
ing the pantry during their
work session on Feb. 20.

According to Boyle, a
professional kitchen facil-
ity, apart from its use for
the food pantry, could be
rented out at a rate of $25
per hour or $250 per day,
which could help offset
operational costs for the
facility. Rears added that
organizations that provide
meals for first responders
could use the building, and
educational or nutrition
classes could be conducted
there.

As in past BoCC meet-
ings, a new food pantry
touched off some conten-
tious discussion among
the three commissioners.
Susan Berumen and Sandy
Hollingsworth, who voted
several months ago to hire
an architect to create plans
for the new pantry, said
they want the new facility
to have multiple potential
uses, including a meeting
room/dining hall, offices,
and a professional kitchen.
The new pantry would also
have freezers; the current
facility must store cold
goods at the Gilpin County
Justice Center.

Mornis said Gilpin
County has a poverty rate of
about 10 percent and ranks
among the lowest numbers
in Colorado. “I don’t think
it’s the responsibility of Gil-

Recaling R. Gradishar for al who mised him

Approximately 3.7 mil-
lion of Colorado’s nearly six
million current residents
are under age 45, i.e. born
in 1978 or after.

man has participated in
our athletic program,” said
OSU athletics director Ed
Weaver back then.

He’s also tied for seventh
all-time in fumble recover-
ies with 13. Two of the six
ahead of him are quarter-
backs, who were preventing
turnovers when they fell on
loose balls.

Heisman, a Super Bowl,
and a collegiate national
championship, and be
inducted into both the
College and Pro Football
Halls of Fame. In the book,
he relates a game against
Gradishar in 1980:

“Trainers and doctors
came running onto the
field. They thought I was
dead. Hey, I thought I was
dead, too.”

Sixth in Heisman Trophy
voting after his senior sea-
son (and the only defensive
player among the top six),
Gradishar was drafted 14th
by the Broncos. Only two

That means about two-
thirds of today’s Colora-
dans were either too young
to appreciate Randy Grad-
ishar’s play for the Broncos
or weren’t born
yet when his
10-year career
ended in 1983.

A year later, SPORT
magazine named Gradishar
one of the five hardest hit-
ters in the NFL.

Gradishar set the NFL re-
cord for tackles with 2,049
and was renowned as one
of the league’s hardest hit-
ters. No better testimony to
that exists than an account
from Tony Dorsett in the
book The Truly Great.

“I ran a pass pattern and
was wide open, but Danny
White did not see me. I go
back to the huddle and tell
Danny that I am wide open.

His Hall-ness is a mem-
ber of the College Football
Hall of Fame, the Ohio
State Varsity O Hall of
Fame, the Broncos Ring of
Fame, the Colorado Sports
Hall of Fame and the GTE
Academic Hall of Fame,
among countless honors.

players cho-
sen ahead of
him—No. 1,
defensive end
Ed “Too Tall”
Jones, and
fifth pick John
Dutton, a de-
fensive tackle,
played more
NFL games
than his 145.

“I ran the same route
again, but this time, I
was almost decapitated.
My eyes were only par-
tially open when I hit the
ground.

In addi-
tion, an un-
determined
number of the
remaining two
million-plus
state residents
over the age of
45 were living
somewhere else
when Gradishar
terrorized op-
ponents in the
National Foot-
ball League.

Dorsett rushed for more
than 1,000 yards in a
season eight times in his
12-year career and is one of
two players ever to win the

“Too Tall”
played the
most—224,
all for Dal-
las—and was
named to three
Pro Bowls (to
Gradishar’s
seven). He played for the
Cowboys when they beat
Gradishar and the Bron-
cos in Super Bowl XII.
Nonetheless, he hasn’t
been voted into the Hall of
Fame.

Do I ned to file a tax return this year?

in a Health Insur-
ance Marketplace
plan, you’ll need to
file.

Dear Savvy Senior,
What are the IRS income tax filing re-
quirements for retirees this tax season?
I didn’t file a tax return the past two
years because my income was below the
filing threshold, but I got a part-time
job late last year, so I’m wondering if
I’m required to file this year.

SAVVY SENIOR

And so, for
all who didn’t get to see
him lead Denver to its
first Super Bowl appear-
ance after the 1977 regular
season (including infants
who grew up to be ardent
Broncos fans and, presum-
ably, Gradishar admirers),
let me acquaint you with
the city’s newest member
of the Pro Football Hall of
Fame.

You’ll also need
to file if you’re
receiving Social
Security benefits,
and one-half of
your benefits plus
your other gross
income and any
tax-exempt interest
exceeds $25,000,
or $32,000 if you’re married and filing
jointly.

Retired Worker

Dear Retired,
Whether or not you are required to file
a federal income tax return this year will
depend on how much you earned last
year (in 2023), as well as the source of
the income, your age and filing status.

Five players from that ’74
draft preceded Gradishar
to Canton: Steelers Lynn
Swann, Jack Lambert,
John Stallworth and Mike
Webster (four HOFers in
one draft!), and Raiders
tormentor Dave Casper. All
were chosen after him.

BY JIM MILLER

Here’s a rundown of this tax season’s
IRS tax filing requirement thresholds.

Gradishar was a three-
year starter at linebacker
for the Ohio State Buckeyes
of coach Woody Hayes,
whose own gilded legacy
was tarnished by an unfor-
tunate sideline incident late
in his illustrious, if some-
times bombastic, career.

To figure all this out, the IRS offers
an online tax tool that asks a series of
questions that will help you determine
if you’re required to file or if you should
file because you’re due a refund. It takes
less than 15 minutes to complete.

For most people, this is pretty straight-
forward. If your 2023 gross income –
which includes all taxable income, not
counting your Social Security benefits,
unless you are married and filing sepa-
rately – was below the threshold for your
filing status and age, you probably won’t
have to file. But if it’s over, you will.

Gradishar joined the
Broncos following their
first winning season in his-
tory—7-5-2, good for third
place in their division, in
1973.

You can access this tool at  IRS.gov/
Help/ITA  – click on “Do I Need to File a
Tax Return?”  Or you can get assistance
over the phone by calling the IRS
helpline at 800-829-1040.

“The best linebacker I
ever coached,” Hayes once
said of his consensus first-
team All-America in 1972
and unanimous first-team
All-America in 1973. “No
more outstanding young

Single:  $13,850 ($15,700 if you’re 65
or older by Jan. 1, 2023).

He became a starter mid-
way through his rookie sea-
son and, by 1976, was the
centerpiece of what came
to be known as Denver’s
“Orange Crush” defense.

Married filing jointly:  $27,700
($29,200 if you or your spouse is 65 or
older; or $30,700 if you’re both over 65).

Check your state
Even if you’re not required to file a
federal tax return this year, don’t as-
sume that you’re also excused from filing
state income taxes. The rules for your
state might be very different. Check with
your state tax agency before concluding
that you’re entirely in the clear. For links
to state tax agencies, see  Taxadmin.org/
fta-members .

Married filing separately:  $5 at
any age.

During his
10 years in
orange and
blue, Den-
ver won 83,
lost 55 and
tied one,
and went to
the playoffs
four times.

Head of household:  $20,800
($22,650 if 65 or older).

Qualifying surviving
spouse:  $27,700 ($29,200 if 65 or
older).

To get a detailed breakdown on fed-
eral filing requirements, along with
information on taxable and nontaxable
income, call the IRS at 800-829-3676
and ask them to mail you a free copy of
the “1040 and 1040-SR Instructions for
Tax Year 2023,” or you can see it online
at  IRS.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040gi.pdf .

Tax preparation help
If you find that you do need to file a tax
return this year, you can free file through
the IRS at IRS.gov/FreeFile  if your
2023 adjusted gross income was below
$79,000.

Forty
years later
he remains
tied for 11th
in pass in-
terceptions,
all-time,
with 20. Of
note, the
10 players
ahead of
him all got
theirs as
either safe-
ties or cor-
nerbacks,
who are
expected to
rack up PIs.

Or, if you need some help, contact
the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (or
TCE) program. Sponsored by the IRS,
TCE provides free tax preparation and
counseling to middle and low-income
taxpayers, age 60 and older. Call 800-
906-9887 or visit  IRS.treasury.gov/
freetaxprep  to locate services near you.

Check here too
Be aware that there are other financial
situations that can require you to file
a tax return, even if your gross income
falls below the IRS filing requirements.
For example, if you earned more than
$400 from self-employment in 2023,
owe any taxes on an IRA, Health Savings
Account or an alternative minimum tax,
or get premium tax credits because you,
your spouse or a dependent is enrolled

You can also get tax preparation as-
sistance through the AARP Foundation
Tax-Aide service. Call 888-227-7669 or
visit  AARP.org/findtaxhelp  for more
information. You don’t have to be an
AARP member to use this service.

Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

n 1859, Jules Beni,
a French trader,
established Jules-
burg as a trading
post along the South
Platte River in the
northeastern corner
of Colorado. From the
beginning, this was an
important stop along
the Overland Trail,
although the trail only
crossed this small
section of what would
become Colorado. Yet
the north/south fork
of the Overland trail
occurred at Julesburg,
making it a strategic
supply point. The north
trail followed the North
Platte River through
Wyoming to South
Pass, on into Califor-
nia and Oregon. The
southern trail followed
the South Platte River
to the early settlement
of Denver City. As
traffic increased along the route Fort
Rankin was constructed nearby
to protect the travelers from the
often roaming Indian raids.

Warring Indians sacking Julesberg settlement.

Photo courtesy of Denver Public Library

at their leave to plunder the area. Barrels of flour,
sugar, and molasses were taken, as well as sacks of
cornmeal, beans, sides of bacon and canned goods.
Both Charles and George Bent, members of the
Cheyenne Dog Soldiers, and sons of the famed fort
owner, William Bent, participated in the raid.
George later recalled the plundering, saying
the Indians did not understand things in a can,
and were disgusted when George opened a can
of oysters and slurped down the contents. Bent
also recounted the discovery of green paper by
the Indians. Not knowing it was federal cur-
rency, they threw it aside, at which point Bent,
who knew all too well the value of the money,
scurried to scoop it up. George Bent also found
a new soldier’s uniform, which he took and
proudly wore in future Indian raids.

And for a time, the U.S. Army prevailed in raids
of their own, such as Summit Springs, and Beecher
Island. This did not end the Indian wars in Colo-
rado or the West until 1876, in Montana, at a place
known as the Battle of the Little Big Horn.

Following the brutal massa-
cre of innocent Cheyenne and
Arapaho Indians at the peaceful
Indian camp in southeastern Colorado known as
Sand Creek, in November 1864, the Plains Indians
formed an alliance for war and revenge, the likes of
which the western settlers had never experienced,
culminating with the 1876 massacre known as the
Battle of the Little Big Horn.

Following the Sand Creek massacre, Indian war
councils were held and concluded, preparations for
raids along the Platte River were made, including
a massive raid at the town of Julesburg, Colo. The
immediate concern was fortification of supplies.

A short time later the women, led by Mo-chi,
entered the fray with packhorses and began
loading the goods onto the animals. As the war-
riors began to leave the scene, Mo-chi busied
herself with herding the captured horses.

“The tradition of the war pipe, when necessary,
was sent out in the spring, but after the slaughter
at Sand Creek, the war pipe went out in the winter,
this was early December. To my knowledge, from
the old ones, never before had the war pipe been
sent in the time of winter until after Sand Creek,”
said John L. Sipes, Cheyenne Nation historian.

Meanwhile, with the plundering of Jules-
burg in progress, the pursuing soldiers who
had followed the decoys, amazingly (perhaps
in confusion,) had dismounted and staged a
counter fight. The warriors pounced on the
soldiers, killing 15, including a bugler, who
many warriors first counted coup on. When Old
Crow made the final attack of death, Cheyenne
warrior Medicine Water took the bugler’s horse
as his prize. The victorious warriors made their
way to the retreating group, where Medicine
Water turned his prize horse loose with Mo-
chi’s horse herd.

Following several small raids along the Platte
River, the massive Julesburg raid occurred in Jan-
uary 1865. More than 1,000 warriors of Cheyenne,
Sioux and Arapaho made the attack. Included in
this war party were the many women who traveled
with the group, herding the extra horses needed
to carry the supplies obtained back to their camp.
Among these women was Mo-chi, a survivor of
Sand Creek, who insisted on helping her people in
whatever way she could. She would prove herself
worthy.

The Indians retreated from Julesburg for a
time, and the U.S. Army responded. Within
30 days of the Julesburg attack, the U.S. Army
sent added troops to guard stage stops and
various trails, including the Overland Trail. The
Indians responded by simply changing tactics
and destinations; the raids continued. Jules-
burg was raided again, burned to the ground,
and the town relocated, two miles north of the
army post. The town of Julesburg would move
two more times, unprecedented in Colorado
history.

It was an incredible attack; thoughtfully planned
and executed brilliantly. The collective warriors,
led by the Cheyenne Dog Soldiers, approached the
bluff above Julesburg, hiding in the sand hills. It
was a crisp cold night, yet it mattered not. Most of
the warriors were deep in thought and prepara-
tion. The warriors readied their lances, shields,
bows and arrows. Only a few had firearms. At sun-
rise on Jan. 7, 1865, a separate group of warriors,
led by Big Crow, quietly approached Fort Rankin
and rushed the guards outside the fort walls. The
soldiers returned fire and then the gates of the
compound opened with over 40 mounted soldiers
in pursuit of the Indian war party. The decoy
worked perfectly.

The Indian raids continued along the vari-
ous overland stage routes, eventually forcing
famed overland stage owner, Ben Holladay to
near bankruptcy. By 1868, the U.S. government
became convinced that peace negotiations were
needed once again. Successful at first, Jules-
burg and most of Colorado Territory were spared
from further Indian raids.

Soon the Indian scouts sent the signal and the
hidden warriors converged upon the fort and
nearby settler quarters. With the soldiers away in
pursuit of the decoys, the remaining warriors were

This historical marker, highlighting the
history of Julesberg, was
erected in 1931.

Opera & its artists wil be inducted by Music HOF

By Don Ireland

nation’s
most
notable
opera
profes-
sionals,
including
fellow
inductees
Cynthia
Lawrence
and Keith
Miller.

Senior Reporter

When the Colorado Music Hall of
Fame conducts its first-ever “Opera
in the High County” this summer,
the spotlight won’t solely shine
on the historic Central City Opera
(CCO). The HOF will also induct
several of the opera’s singer-pro-
fessionals and its late conductor/
music director during the June 29
ceremonies.

The Hall event, at its first “des-
tination” induction, will celebrate
the CCO’s history and three indi-
viduals who have helped contribute
to the organization’s success over
the years. They include Cynthia
Lawrence, Keith Miller and the late
John Moriarty.

Moriar-
ty passed
on Jan.
5, 2022,
at the
age of 91.
“While
much of
his pro-
fessional
career
was spent
at Cen-
tral City
Opera, his
impact on
the opera
industry is
far-reach-
ing,” said General/Artistic Direc-
tor Pelham “Pat” Pearce. “He was
an exceptional teacher and helped
develop the careers of some of the
most renowned opera performers.”

This winter Central City Opera House in tranquil, but come June 29 it will be the
place to be, because the Opera will be inducted into the Colorado Music Hall of

bachelor’s degree and an honorary
doctor of music from the New Eng-
land Conservatory of Music, Mori-
arty has two named opera scholar-
ships at the Conservancy: The John
Moriarty Presidential Scholarship
and the John Moriarty Encourage-
ment Award. In his adopted town
of Central City, the John Moriarty
Award of the Central City Opera is
named after him. He was also the
recipient of the National Opera
Association Lifetime Achievement
Award.

Moriarty’s first professional
opera position was with Santa Fe
Opera, where he also founded an
artist training program. He also
worked as the training director and
conductor at Wolf Trap Opera, in
addition to several other notable
opera companies. He led the opera
departments at the Boston Con-
servatory of Music and the New
England Conservatory. Among his
publications is the widely assigned
education instruction manual  Dic-
tion . According to the CCO, train-
ing future opera stars was always
at the core of his work. Holding a

John Moriarty

Inductee photos courtesy CCO

John Moriarity
The late conductor/artistic direc-
tor for the CCO, Moriarty, created
the CCO’s Bonfils-Stanton Founda-
tion Artists Training Program in
1978. The program is considered a
national model for the professional
development of young singers. With
only 30 artists selected from 1,000
applicants yearly, the competitive
program has trained many of the

To honor his 30th anniversary
with Central City Opera, a street
next to the opera house in Central
City was renamed Moriarty Lane.

Keith Miller

Keith Miller
Miller is from one of Colorado’s
smallest towns, Ovid, with a
population of less than 300. A star
football player at the University of
Colorado Boulder, Miller went on
to play professional football before
shifting his career to opera. Once
an Apprentice Artist at Central City
Opera, Miller has had an impressive
musical career across the U.S., from
Colorado, where he served as the
Crested Butte Music Festival Opera
Director for six years to the iconic
Metropolitan Opera in New York
City. He performed in New York as
a principal artist for 18 years.

Cynthia Lawrence

Karen Radman, executive direc-
tor of the Hall, said, “Colorado
Music Hall of Fame is honored to
be presenting an opera-themed
induction class for the first time,
recognizing the important contribu-
tions that opera has made in music
while expanding to a new musical
genre for our inductees.  Opera in
the High Country , focused around
the impressive and historic Central
City Opera and those whose careers
were influenced by it, also expands
The Hall of Fame’s reach into the
Colorado mountains and out of the
metro area. This June 29 event in
Central City will be the first of many
destination inductions that The Hall
plans to host statewide. With all
it has to offer, we really hope that
folks from across the state and out-
of-state tourists come out and cel-
ebrate opera with us in Central City
for a summer weekend this year.”

Cynthia Lawrence
Lawrence serves as the Endowed
Chair for Voice and Opera at the
University of Kentucky School of
Music. An alumna of the University
of Colorado Boulder, the soprano
became a principal artist with doz-
ens of opera companies across the
globe and in Colorado, including
Central City Opera, Colorado Opera
Festival and the Fort Collins Opera.
Boasting over 70 performances with
Maestro Luciano Pavarotti, Law-
rence has taken on some of opera’s
most iconic parts. As a dedicated
music educator, Lawrence con-
ducts Master Classes and serves as
a judge for the Metropolitan Opera
National Council Auditions.