Blog

  • A burro walked into a bar…

    A burro walked into a bar…

    Leadville Boom Day Burro Racing

    By Dave TenEyck

    We used to have a burro race in Central City many years ago. I participated several times there. One year a racer was kicked in the chest by his burro, rupturing one lung. (more…)

  • Communion jazz quintet expresses “who I am”

    Communion jazz quintet expresses “who I am”

    Evolutionary Jazz at the Gilpin Library Summer Concert Series

    by Jane Wyss

    We love our jazz in Gilpin County. The Central City Jazz Festival in June hosted two dancin’-in-the-street days of spirited New Orleans funk and liberated jamming. By contrast, the jazz ensemble Communion who performed at the Gilpin Library on July 31 is on a different musical evolutionary path. (more…)

  • Growing up with Colorado Parks and Wildlife

    Growing up with Colorado Parks and Wildlife

    Bet your mom never brought a snake to school for show and tell!

    By Darcy Mount

    My daughter Jenna was 10 when I became a Park Ranger; she is now 21. Early on, I would come home and describe some crazy interaction I had with wildlife, campers, (more…)

  • Peak to Peak Car Show

    Peak to Peak Car Show

    Car Shows to Go and Gilpin County Senior Living

    By Randy Beaudette

    On Saturday, July 27, the Gilpin County Seniors held their first annual car show and swap meet sponsored by Cars Shows to Go and Gilpin Senior Services. About 50 plus proud owners and their snazzy vehicles along with 10 vendors gathered at the Gilpin County School parking lot to strut their stuff or to sell their wares. The Car Show and Swap Meet benefited the Gilpin County Senior Program through car entry fees, vendor fees, and raffle ticket sales. (more…)

  • Shrektacular performance!

    Shrektacular performance!

    Presented by Peak to Peak Players at Gilpin School

    By Trystin Swan

    Peak to Peak Players put on one “Shrektacular” show with their performance of Shrek the Musical that ran from July 26th-28th and to the first weekend in August at Gilpin County School. It was show for all ages to laugh, dance and even sing along with. (more…)

  • Leslie Green remembered

    Leslie Green remembered

    June 2, 1955 – July 23, 2019

    Leslie Green, of Gilpin County, died last week. Leslie was born in Lakeview, New York on June 2, 1955. She moved to Colorado in 1980, where she had two children and attended college. Leslie worked for the U.S. Postal Service for over 20 years.

    Leslie is survived by her mother; Joan Nowland; her daughter, Leah Green of Boise, ID; her son Gabriel Green of Houston, TX; and three brothers, along with other extended family members. (more…)

  • Those amazing Westernaires!

    Those amazing Westernaires!

    Much more that showing off equestrian skills at rodeo events

    By Jaclyn Schrock

    The Westernaires are the fast-paced horse drill team comprised of “the most tenacious youth in America,” that performed at our Gilpin County Arena Sunday, July 14th to close out our 2019 fair. The teams perform all over Colorado, nation and even internationally. We may be most familiar with their incredible equestrian skills and performances in parades, the Western National Stock Show, Cheyenne Frontier Days, and many others. (more…)

  • Black Hawk investing in resort destination goal with Hidden Treasure Trail project

    Black Hawk investing in resort destination goal with Hidden Treasure Trail project

    Council approves trailhead bridge project for October installation

    By Randy Beaudette

    Last Wednesday, July 24, 2019, Black Hawk City Council regular meeting highlights include a Special Election Agreement and a Change Order for the Hidden Treasure Trailhead. Isle of Capri General Manager Rodney Turlan rang the bell to kick off the session that was called to order promptly at 3:00 p.m. Mayor Spellman called the Black Hawk City Council to order followed by Roll Call, then led in the Pledge of Allegiance. (more…)

  • The Gilpin community welcomes Rev. Dr. Scott

    The Gilpin community welcomes Rev. Dr. Scott

    New Pastor at St. James United Methodist Church

    By Jaclyn Schrock

    St. James United Methodist Church in Central City has officially welcomed Reverend Dr. Scott J. Schiesswohl as their new pastor. He is happy to be back in the Evergreen area where his roots run deep and his great-great- grandparents homesteaded. He also has some dear family and friends nearby, including those who have left their (more…)

  • Bulls and Beads Gilpin County Rodeo!

    Bulls and Beads Gilpin County Rodeo!

    What it takes to put on a good show

    By Jaclyn Schrock

    Oh the thrills of muttons, broncs and bulls at our very own free Bulls and Beads Gilpin County Rodeo! 2019 We had better weather than some of the previous bull riding going back to the 1990’s. Moving the fair and rodeo to mid-July this year, rather than mid-August may have helped avoid the heavier rains often found later in summer. Rain or shine, Gilpin packs the stands to watch the ones who take great care to stay on for the 8 second ride of the feisty bulls and bucking horses, as well as quick out of the gate sheep with young’uns’ holding on a best they can. (more…)

  • Powerful “Billy Budd” amazes Central City audience

    Powerful “Billy Budd” amazes Central City audience

    Amanda Tipton PhotographyOne of Benjamin Britten’s Grandest Operas

    By Kelly Dean Hansen, Ph.D.

    The operas of Benjamin Britten are strange. They are powerful, emotional, musically sophisticated, profound, and culturally relevant, but they are also strange. The characters in Britten operas tend to be almost allegorical, only coming into their own as real humans as the plot develops. (more…)

  • Shoot-outs on Main Street in Nevadaville!

    Shoot-outs on Main Street in Nevadaville!

    Masonic Lodge Open House, Pancake Breakfast, and Antique Gun Demo

    By Jaclyn Schrock

    Nevadaville may be considered a ghost town, but those are not ghosts who live there and keep its recollections alive. Real people have brought back to us, with much restoration work, the Nevadaville Masonic Lodge No. 4 completed in 1879 on Main Street, across from the original City Hall. With improvements to the building in the last few years, the continuing members have had an annual fund raising pancake breakfast. (more…)

  • Colorado teen vaping has reached epidemic proportions

    Colorado teen vaping has reached epidemic proportions

    Gilpin County to receive $32K reimbursement from state for Human Services

    By Randy Beaudette

    The Gilpin County 2018 Tobacco and Health Survey results and the 2020 Cost Allocation Plan dominated the conversation at the Gilpin County Commissioners (BoCC) regular meeting held on Tuesday July 23, 2019 at the Gilpin County Courthouse. (more…)

  • Kathryn Harms, harpist

    Kathryn Harms, harpist

    Presents “A Weekend in New York”

    by Jane Wyss

    In these tumultuous political times and sweltering weather, it was a pleasure to gather Wednesday evening at the Gilpin Library, where harpist Kathryn Harms treated the assembled group to “A Weekend in New York.” First stop was afternoon tea at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. The soothing sound of the harp is perfect classy background music (high tea costs $68, but our refreshments were free). In a medley of romantic and (more…)

  • Russell Gulch Cemetery historical mapping project

    Russell Gulch Cemetery historical mapping project

    Volunteer opportunity on August 3 & 4

    By Michelle Slaughter

    Volunteers are needed to help the historical project archaeologists from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday & Sunday, August 3 & 4, at the Russell Gulch Cemetery, located SW of Central City, record graves and headstones, complete site forms and take photos, and assist as needed each day. Volunteers may participate one or both days but will need to commit to one or the other—or both—by July 29. (more…)

  • Mutton Bustin’ and Bull Riding!

    Mutton Bustin’ and Bull Riding!

    Saturday at the Gilpin County Fair

    By Jaclyn Schrock

    Scheduled events

      Free Ameristar Casino & Hotel Breakfast from 9-11 a.m. in the food court, offered meat or vegetarian breakfast burritos, beverages, and bananas – thanks! Nederland School Orchestra presented their joy of music, horseshoe registration began, and the staging area for the parade was set behind the Community Center. (more…)