Tag: Central City

Central City Has Never Been Afraid of Big Moments. Until Now.

EDITORIAL

Central City Has Never Been Afraid of Big Moments. Until Now.

A unanimous vote by the county’s three sitting commissioners turns away an $8 million opportunity—and raises hard questions about leadership, legacy, and the town’s future.

Central City, Colorado — where constitutional history was written and economic futures are now rejected. [Photo credit TK]

The desk on which Colorado’s Constitution was drafted still sits in Central City.

That matters, because this town has never been a footnote. It has always been a starting point.

Central City exists because John H. Gregory struck gold in Gregory Gulch in 1859 and ignited a chain reaction of risk, investment, and ambition that built the Rocky Mountains’ first great boomtown. This place was not preserved into existence. It was built—forcefully, deliberately, and at great personal cost.

Last week, that legacy was set aside.

In a unanimous vote by the three current sitting county commissioners, a development proposal was rejected that would have increased local economic activity from roughly $1 million annually to an estimated $8 million, while restoring Central City’s standing as the only authentic mountain gaming town in the region.

That decision will linger.

This was not speculative growth. It was a targeted reinvestment aligned with the town’s identity, its economic reality, and its history. Gaming is not incidental here; it is the modern continuation of the same risk-based enterprise that built Central City in the first place.

Instead, the vote ensured that the mountain gaming spotlight remains fixed on outside corporate ownership groups operating elsewhere—Monarch, Ameristar—entities with capital and scale, but no roots in the canyon and no connection to the town’s founding values.

They did not build Central City.
They did not carve Gregory Gulch.
They did not rebuild after fire reduced the town to ash—twice.

Yet through caution and inaction, they have been left as the stewards of Colorado’s mountain gaming identity, while the town that created that identity is asked to accept permanent second-tier status.

That is not preservation. It is abdication.

The Economic Math

The economic math alone should have settled the matter. An $8 million impact in a town this size is not upside—it is oxygen. Jobs, infrastructure, secondary business activity, tax base, visibility. These are not luxuries for Central City. They are the difference between circulation and stagnation.

Central City is not a museum accidentally left outdoors. It is a living town that has reinvented itself repeatedly—from mining camp, to cultural center, to gaming town—each time through investment, not retreat.

Every historic building standing today was once a controversial new development. The opera house was audacious. The grand hotels were excessive. Ambition offended those who preferred smaller horizons. And yet those choices are exactly why Central City mattered then—and why it still should.

“The commissioners failed to grasp a basic mountain truth: when opportunity is blocked upstream, consequences flow downhill.”

Businesses close. Workers leave. Identity erodes.

A Call for Accountability

This vote stands as one of the most consequential political miscalculations in recent memory—not because it was bold, but because it was unnecessary. It turned away growth that honored the town’s past by extending it forward.

Leadership is stewardship, not paralysis. When elected officials fail to act in defense of a town’s survival, accountability follows.

This paper stands opposed to the commissioners’ decision and calls for new leadership—leaders who understand that Central City’s future is not something to defer, and that history is respected by building, not by standing still.

The creek keeps flowing.
History keeps moving.
Central City should too.

SIDEBAR | Central City: Built by Risk, Sustained by Investment

1859 — Gregory Gulch
John H. Gregory’s discovery ignites the Colorado Gold Rush.

1860s–1870s — Boomtown
Opera houses, mills, hotels, and civic buildings rise in extreme terrain.

1874 & 1877 — The Great Fires
The town burns—twice—and rebuilds each time with greater ambition.

Early 1900s — Decline and Endurance
Mining slows, but Central City survives through adaptation.

1990s — Limited-Stakes Gaming
Gaming restores economic life and preserves historic structures through use.

Today — A Crossroads
A decisive investment is rejected, placing the town’s future in question.

Patrick Henry Sweeney is Publisher and Editor of the Weekly Register-Call, Colorado’s oldest newspaper (est. 1862), and operates under the Robert F. Sweeney Foundation for Excellence in Journalism. The Register-Call has won 27 Colorado Press Association awards in three years. Contact: admin@registercall.com

December 12, 2025
RCI Executives Indicted in New York as Central City Ties Raise Questions

The Weekly Register-Call’s latest issue reports that several executives from the company RCI have been indicted by a New York grand jury on charges linked to financial misconduct and fraud. The indictments came after a multi-year investigation into the company’s operations in New York. According to court documents, the executives allegedly misappropriated funds and engaged in fraudulent schemes tied to their casino holdings. What has locals talking is that many of the same executives have been active in Central City’s gaming and real estate scene, raising concern over potential impacts on local development projects. City leaders say they are monitoring the situation closely and will cooperate with any authorities as needed.

A companion analysis column questions how the indictment might affect the company’s ongoing projects and whether it will prompt calls for greater oversight of outside investors. Community members are urged to stay informed as the legal case unfolds.

Another story in the issue examines Gilpin County’s preliminary 2026 budget. Officials report that the proposed budget preserves essential staff positions despite a decline in gaming tax revenue. The slump in gaming collections follows a year of slower tourism and increased competition from neighboring jurisdictions. To offset this decline, the county is exploring cost-saving measures and seeking alternative revenue streams while striving to maintain services.

In the editorial section, columnist Barb-Wire-Bob reflects on the concept of divine providence and resilience in uncertain times, drawing parallels between community perseverance and larger economic forces.

Stay tuned to the Weekly Register-Call for continuing coverage of these stories and other news from Central City, Black Hawk, and Gilpin County.

November 3, 2025
Weekly Brief: RCI Indictment Shakes Central City, Gilpin County Budget Outlook & More

RCI executives face indictment in New York, raising questions about their Central City connections and potential impacts on local gaming and real‑estate projects. Our issue brief examines how these charges emerged, what local officials are saying, and what it could mean for the community going forward.

We also look at Gilpin County’s preliminary 2026 budget, which preserves essential staffing levels despite a notable decline in gaming‑tax revenue. The slump follows a year of slower tourism and increased competition, prompting county leaders to explore cost‑saving measures and alternative revenue streams to maintain services.

In our analysis and editorial section, we highlight a thought‑provoking column on the theme of divine providence and resilience in uncertain times. The piece invites readers to consider how communities can draw on shared values and history to navigate economic challenges and social change.

Beyond the major stories, this week’s issue features community announcements, events calendars, public notices and advertising. From upcoming festivals in Central City and Black Hawk to local government notices, there’s plenty to keep readers informed.

For the full scoop on these stories and more, read the complete Weekly Register‑Call issue and stay tuned for future updates.

November 3, 2025
Gaming Revenues Increased in August

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.

October 31, 2025
A Timeless Legacy in Central City

Peter Gottesleben was born on Dec. 31, 1834, in the Rhine Province, Germany. Today, 190 years later, his legacy endures in the Teller House lobby in Central City, where an impressive eight-foot George A. Jones Walnut Parlor Clock stands. The clock, inscribed with “Hense Gottesleben,” tells a rich historical and roman- tic story.

The “Hense” refers to Peter’s brother-in-law. After im- migrating to Quincy, Ill., and living there for two years, Peter and his wife, Elizabeth Hense, traveled to Denver in 1857 by covered wagon pulled by an ox team. Upon ar- rival, they opened a jewelry store on Larimer Street near the original May Company building that was constructed by Frank Kirchhof, another German immigrant who was influential in Denver’s early development. He built landmark structures like the Albany and Oxford Hotels and founded the Kirchhof Lumber Company, amassing considerable wealth.

While there is no direct evidence that Gottesleben and Kirchhof knew each other, they likely crossed paths through church or Denver’s growing business networks. Their connection is further underscored by Kirchhof pur- chasing the walnut parlor clock in the mid to late 1860s from Hense Gottesleben’s jewelry store on Larimer Street. The clock was likely a centerpiece in Kirchhof’s opulent home.

Manufactured by the George A. Jones & Company in New York during the early 1860s, the Teller House clock is one of the finest of its era. In a time when most clocks were imported from England, owning a precision-made American clock was a symbol of status. The George A. Jones & Company also imported the finest clocks and bronzes from France, Germany, Prussia and England and was renowned in New York City for its quality.

Legacy in timekeeping at Teller House

Members of the National Association of Watch and Collectors Chapter 21 from Denver recently balanced the Teller House clock.

The Teller House clock is particularly special because of the engraving on its pendulum, which identifies both George A. Jones as the manufacturer and Hense Gottesleben as the retailer. Another fascinating feature is the pendulum’s mercury component.

Mercury was used in clocks of this period to improve timekeeping accuracy by compensating for temperature-induced changes in the pendulum’s length. As temperature rises and the pendulum rod expands, the mercury in the bob also expands, adjusting the clock’s center of mass to maintain consistent time- keeping.

As we welcome 2025 in, we honor pioneers like Peter Gottesleben and Frank Kirchhof, along with generations of entrepreneurs who contrib- uted to the growth of Colorado. Frank Kirchhof’s daughter, Bernadine Kirchhof, donated the valuable clock to the Teller House in the 1930s and stands proudly in the first-floor lobby. Its inscrip- tion commemo- rates the long journey to Denver by a covered wagon pulled by the ox team—a tribute to the Gottesleben- Hense family’s 1857 Westward migration.

Today, the clock continues to tick 165 years later, thanks to the dedicated efforts of Eric Chinn, Central City Op- era’s director of Historic Proper- ties, who winds it regularly, and the volunteers from Denver Chapter 21 of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors. Special thanks go to Chapter 21’s Randy Schnei- der, Charles Daldry, Mike Korn, Jane and Steve Stap, David Gies, and others who help maintain and adjust historic clocks, including the tower clocks at two high schools in Denver. The Chapter also maintains a list of clock repair professionals on its website for anyone needing repairs at nawcc21.com/business-directory

Central City Teller House was donated by Frank Kirchhof’s daughter, Bernadine Kirchhof in the 1930s.

The engraving on its pendulum, that identifies George A. Jones as the manufacturer and Hense Gottesle- ben as the retailer.

October 23, 2025
Three new politicians to take office this month

One new Gilpin County commissioner and two new Central City aldermen will take their respective oaths of office and step into their newly elected roles during the next two weeks. Jeff Aiken, a nine-year Central Council member, will become the new District 1 representative on the Gilpin Board of County Commissioners when he takes office on Tuesday, Jan. 14, in the county’s historic courthouse adminis-trative offices.

Jeff Aiken

In addition, incum- bent Sandy Hol- lingsworth will begin her second four-year term that day. Once Hollingsworth and Aiken take their seats alongside Susan Beru-
men, they will select a commission chair vfor 2025. It is widely

expected that Holling sworth will be nominated since Berumen held the spot last year, and the newly elected Aiken has no experience in such a leadership role.

Aiken, to prepare for his new role and familiarize himself with the duties and responsibilities of a county commissioner, has been attending training workshops in Denver hosted by
Colorado Counties Inc., a non-profit governmental-related organization that assists commissioners in the 64 counties in the Centennial State.

Aiken, Spencer and Plsek to take offices this month

The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to be conducted by Judge Timothy Lane at 8 a.m., which will be followed by the commissioners’ first meeting of 2025 at 9 a.m. The newly-sworn-in commissioners are scheduled to be paid $93,397 annually, based on state-approved salaries Two new council members will be sworn into office in Central City on Tuesday, Jan. 7. Judge Jack Berryhill will preside over the ceremony. Residents Chuck Spencer and Zane Plsek were elected to four-year terms on Nov. 5. They will take the seats previously held by local businesswoman Kara Tinucci, who didn’t seek re-election, and Aiken, who was term limited. Each council member will be paid $965 per month for their work.

Spencer and Plzek told the Weekly Register-Call they’ve been trying to get a feel for the pulse of the city. They’ve been meeting with casino operators, business people and residents to hear their opinions on what they’d like for Central City’s future.

Said Plzek, “I’ve also sat down with [Central City Manager] Daniel Miera for three meetings and one with Mayor Jeremy Fey. They
were productive. I met with RCI Hospitality Holdings and that was eye-opening. I also spent about two hours last week with Jeff Hentschel of GF Gaming [owners of the Bonanza and Easy Street casinos] as well, too. I told Jeff that I’d like to meet with all the casino operators at least once monthly to get their opinions. Chuck and I also have sat down together to discuss
various topics.”

Zane Plsek

Chuck Spencer

“I’m not a politician or held public office before, so I want to know how the city functions. I want to know what the various departments do and how the city operates,”
continued Plsek. “I ran on the premise of listening to residents and business owners. That’s what I want to do. Added Spencer, “I’ve tried to talk with as many local business owners and residents
that I have been able to. I’ve tried to listen to what they’ve said and have been trying to educate myself on the subjects they’re brought up – and their concerns. I haven’t met with any city officials yet. I want to understand the direction they think the city should take and what they want to see. I don’t have an agenda, but I want to get all of the input I can. Of course, I’ve also talked with Zane because he’s talked with a lot of business owners that I haven’t.”

Spencer owns and has operated the Denver West-Central City KOA Holiday Campground on Lake Gulch Road with his family for 15 years. He has also been a member of the Central City Downtown Development Authority since last year. Plsek, who is retired, has been active with the Central City Elks Lodge No. 557 and the Black Hawk-Central City Sanitation District Board of Directors. He also was an alternate on the Gilpin Historical Society, although he recently left the post because of his upcoming council responsibilities.

Politics in 2025
Politics in Gilpin County, Central City and Black Hawk are expected to be relatively uneventful in the new year compared to 2024. There won’t be any council or county commissioner seats up for election this year. The only races will be in the fall when voters in the southern portion of Gilpin select two people to serve on the Gilpin County School District RE-1 school board.

Terms for Kirsten Goodlett, the board’s secretary/treasurer, and Board President Sarah Swanson will expire at the end of this year. Swanson is termlimited from seeking re-election since she’s served on the board for two consecutive, fouryear terms. Single election This year, the only election planned will be the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 4. It will include the Gilpin RE-1 school board for the southern part of the county.

There won’t be any race for the Boulder Valley RE-2 School District board seat, District C, which includes northern Gilpin County. The Nov. 4 ballot also could include any ballot questions, should any be brought before Colorado voters.

During 2024, there were three municipal elections, including the March presidential primary, the June 25 general primary and the Nov. 5 general election, in which voters cast ballots for the U.S. President, one Colorado U.S. Senator, congressional and state legislative and senate candidates.

October 23, 2025
$250K, not love, in cozy Black Hawk leter to Central

$250K, not love, in cozy Black Hawk leter to Central

By Don Ireland

Senior Reporter

While Valentine’s Day cards and roses have been
abundant lately, City of Black Hawk leaders are hand-
delivering a “warm and friendly letter” to neighboring
Central City officials this week.

It is expected to convey some goodwill toward
Central and include what some call a generous “sweet-
heart offer” of $250,000 and some free land from the
neighboring city.

For years, Black Hawk has owned and maintained
the Briggs Lot across Gregory Street from Gregory
Point (formerly Mountain City) and very close to
Gregory Plaza. The 3.49-acre lot and surrounding
cliff-rock wall, however, lie within the official bound-
ary line of Central City.

Black Hawk leaders are hoping to spruce up the
mostly unused parking lot this year and use it to ex-
tend its recreational trail system from the Maryland
Mountain/Quartz Valley area into the Briggs Lot. To
avoid having the plans going back and forth between
the two neighboring cities, Black Hawk has an idea:
Ask Central City to formally allow Black Hawk to an-
nex the little parking lot.

Black Hawk wants to give Central City $250,000 to annex the Briggs Lot (at left) into Black
Hawk’s city limits. The lot, which Black Hawk owns, adjoins High Street. It is across from the
Gregory Point Victorian historic homes and a dozen yards uphill from the west end of Gregory
Plaza.

Black Hawk Council and Mayor David Spellman
were scheduled to vote at yesterday’s (Feb. 14) meet-
ing to formally request Central’s okay to annex the lot

Drone photo by Don Ireland

into its jurisdiction. All six aldermen and the
mayor were scheduled to sign the request letter,
hoping Central City leaders would accept it as a
friendship request.

February 15, 2024
Black Hawk ofers $$ to Central City for parking lot

Black Hawk ofers $$ to Central City for parking lot

Continued from previous page

all the council members, a
symbolic expression we do
not often do. After the Black
Hawk Council meeting on
February 14, City Manager
Cole and I will hand-deliver
the letter to Mayor Fey and
City Manager Miera.”

from the City Council of
Central.”

(Editor’s note: The Weekly
Register-Call was unable to
reach Sen. Nicholson for ad-
ditional information regarding
the future of Gilpin Senior Liv-
ing at our deadline on Tues-
day. There was no information
regarding the decision on the
organization’s website.)

Black Hawk also said it
will give a Quit Claim deed
for a 5.75-acre mining claim
near the KOA Campground
and Gold Mountain Vil-
lage Apartments in Central
City. According to the Black
Hawk letter, the lot could
be a potential site for a one
million-gallon water stor-
age tank for Central City’s
municipal water system.
“Based on Black Hawk’s
acquisition of these and
other mining claims, we
believe this land convey-
ance to Central is valued at
approximately $115,000,”
the offer said.

According to the offer,
Black Hawk would relieve
Central from cleaning and
maintaining the grizzly
screen and flume running
for the stream beneath the
Briggs lot. The city also
would agree to Central’s
architectural and light-
ing guidelines should city
leaders allow Black Hawk to
annex the property.

In addition, the lease re-
quired Senior Living to provide
proof that the buildings and the
property were insured and that
no explosive items would be
kept there.

When contacted, Fey said
he was aware of the forth-
coming offer but declined
to comment. “I can’t talk
about it. They haven’t
presented anything to [the]
council yet. Until [the]
council sees it and con-
solidates an opinion, I can’t
talk about it,” according to
Fey. “If I were going to give
an opinion on this [today],
it would disqualify me from
giving one later.”

Nicholson, who has been
pursuing senior citizen hous-

Black Hawk also said it
wouldn’t excavate any of the
land adjoining the Briggs
lot beyond the 8,200-foot
elevation contour line on
the property. The city said
the conversion of the lot to
a trailhead for its Maryland
Mountain/Quartz Valley
would require Black Hawk
to install a 28-foot-long
footbridge and set of stairs
over part of the property to
connect with the forthcom-
ing trail system.

Spellman and City Man-
ager Stephen Cole were
scheduled to present the
letter to Central City Man-
ager Daniel Miera and May-
or Jeremy Fey at a meeting
this morning (Feb. 15).

The Central mayor said he
will know more after receiv-
ing the offer letter from
Black Hawk. “It’s better
than getting a lawsuit,” he
said, with a chuckle in his
voice.

Noted Spellman, “We
have had on-again-off-again
conversations with the City
of Central over the last
several years regarding this
request by the City of Black
Hawk. The Black Hawk
City Council now wants to
advance the proposal in a
meaningful and impactful
fashion, benefiting both
cities and their respective
projects. We firmly believe
we are offering the right
ingredients to make this
a win-win for both cities,
and we look forward to the
City of Central’s thoughtful
response. As a demonstra-
tion of the sincerity of the
Black Hawk Council, we will
include the signatures of

Central City’s aldermen
could consider the Black
Hawk letter, the potential
$250,000 donation, and
the offer to give Central the
5.75 parcel near Lake Gulch
Road as early as their meet-
ing on Tuesday, Feb. 20.

“In the longer term, Black
Hawk may consider con-
structing a parking garage
and, if feasible, a boutique
hotel on the property,”
according to the letter. “In
doing so, as part of any for-
malized agreement between
Central and Black Hawk,
Black Hawk is willing to
enter into a binding agree-
ment and recorded height
limitation of 75 feet on any
building constructed on the
property.”

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LETTERS & COLUMNS
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In Black Hawk’s council
packet for its Feb. 14 meet-
ing, the proposed letter
said, “The Black Hawk City
Council believes this is
truly a ‘win-win’ for both
Central and Black Hawk,
both in the short-term and
the long-term, and hopes to
receive a positive response
and acceptance of this offer

(Editor’s note: A story re-
garding Central’s response
to the Black Hawk offer
is planned for next week’s
edition.)

By Peter Droge
President, Belvidere

The active restora-
tion of the Belvidere
Theater has taken a
mid-winter break to
avoid construction
in snowy weather.
However, planning
is underway for con-
struction to begin in
the early spring, focus-
ing on completing
exterior brickwork and
beginning structural
improvements on the
interior.

The big accomplish-
ment over the last few
months has been the
removal of all asbestos
from the interior. It
was a bigger job than
anticipated but has
been completed ac-
cording to the rigorous
standards required for
this type of project by
the state.

Recent progress at the Belvidere Theater includes removing asbestos in the Nevada Street building.

Drone photo by Don Ireland

The restoration of the exterior has so far
required replacing thousands of bricks. When
complete, the exterior brickwork will be sealed
but not painted to maintain the historic charac-
ter of the building.

The Foundation is grateful to the City of
Central and the many community members
who have supported the restoration efforts.
The primary responsibility of the Foundation is
to restore the Belvidere for future generations
of Gilpin County residents. Once the renova-
tion nears completion, the Foundation looks
forward to exploring possible ways to use the
building.

February 15, 2024
Central City to co-host Opera into Hal of Fame induction

Central City to co-host Opera into Hal of Fame induction

By Don Ireland

tured to Central
City to find gold.

Traditionally, the induc-
tion was held at the Hall’s
location at the Red Rocks
Trading Post, part of the
City of Denver’s Red Rocks
Amphitheater near Mor-
rison. However, the Hall
is expected to move into a
yet-unannounced location
in downtown Denver in the
next several weeks. Rad-
man said the Hall may hold
additional inductions that
aren’t related to the Opera
induction ceremony later in
the year.

Senior Reporter

Karen Rad-
man, executive
director of the
Colorado Music
Hall of Fame,
said, “Colorado
Music Hall of
Fame is honored
to be presenting
an opera-themed
induction class
for the first time,
recognizing the
important con-
tributions that
Opera has made
in music while ex-
panding to a new
musical genre
for our induct-
ees. Opera in the
High Country ,
focused around
the impressive
and historic Cen-
tral 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 induc-
tions 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 tour-
ists come out and celebrate
Opera with us in Central
City for a summer weekend
this year.”

Not only will the Central
City Opera become induct-
ed into the Colorado Music
Hall of Fame this summer,
but the Opera will also host
the associated festivities
along Eureka Street on
Saturday, July 29.

According to the non-
profit music organization,
this is the first time the
Hall will hold its first “des-
tination” induction.

Scott Finlay, Central
City Opera’s president and
CEO, said, “We are deeply
honored to be receiving
this recognition. Central
City Opera’s 92 years of
rich musical heritage is a
testament to the dedication
of our supporters, volun-
teers, artists and staff who
have made this milestone
possible. This distinction is
a tribute to their commit-
ment.”

The mayor is the son of
the late Barry Fey, a 2012
Hall inductee whose pro-
motion of Denver brought
big-name music acts to the
Mile High City from the
late 1960s through his re-
tirement in 2004. For three
consecutive years, Barry
Fey was Billboard Maga-
zine’s «Concert Promoter
of the Year.»

and dinner at the Teller
House. The audience will
head next door to the main
opera house, where the
Hall induction will occur
at 5 p.m., followed by the
inaugural performance of
the Opera’s first show of its
summer music festival, The
Pirates of Penzance. Cen-
tral City Opera is the
fifth-oldest opera company
in the U.S., originating in
1932. It is listed as a Na-
tional Historic Landmark,
built in 1878 by Welsh and
Cornish miners who ven-

Commented Central City
Mayor Jeremy Fey: “It is
a great honor for Central
City to host the Colorado
Music Hall of Fame. We
are especially proud as
Central City Opera, a pillar
of Colorado’s cultural land-
scape for 92 years, leads
the 2024 class of inductees.
June 29 will be a landmark
day, celebrating both the
Opera’s venerable history
and Central City’s ongoing
revitalization. I have liter-
ally been working on this
[induction] for six years.”

Visitors who plan to at-
tend the Hall and opening
night of the Opera are of-
fered special room rates for
June 28-29 at the Grand
Z Casino and Hotel on
Gregory Street in Central
City and at the Monarch
Casino Resort Spa in Black
Hawk. (The promo code is
Opera24.)

The Central City induc-
tion will be hosted in a
partnership between the
Opera and Central City.
The event will include a
pre-ceremony reception

February 8, 2024
Bed racing on Central City’s Main Street

47th Annual Madam Lou Bunch Day

By Jaclyn Schrock

With festivities returning to our Central City, we all cheer the arrival of Madam Lou Bunch Day. Thank you to all the volunteers and dedicated workers who made the 2021 Madam Lou Bunch Day such a success! Central City has had many lives and historical events remembered and forgotten. (more…)

August 19, 2021
Take a load off and sit a spell in Black Hawk

New park benches for Gregory Plaza and other city locations

By Don Ireland

Dozens of new park benches will be coming to Gregory Plaza and other locations around Black Hawk in the near future. Black Hawk City Council approved spending $60,617 (more…)

August 19, 2021
Locked Central City Council forces special election

Alderwoman Tinucci Refuses to Recuse

By David Josselyn

Mayor Fey convened the regular meeting of the Central City Council at 6:32 pm on Tuesday, August 17, 2021, in City Hall Council Chambers. Council members Jeff Aiken, Judy Laratta, and Mayor Jeremy Fey were present. Council immediately entered Executive (more…)

August 19, 2021
Black Hawk approves ballot question

$1 million in new gaming fees will be decided by Black Hawk voters in November

By Don Ireland

This fall, Black Hawk voters will decide if the city should grab a slice of the sports-betting pie. If they approve, the city will gobble up an estimated $1,050,000 in new taxes from sports betting and other types of gaming that were approved by Colorado voters two years ago. Sports betting has proven to (more…)

August 19, 2021
Fran Etzkorn remembered

May 28, 1940 – August 6, 2021

Frances Magdalen (Melchiors) Etzkorn died Friday, August 6, 2021 after a long-term illness. She was born May 28, 1940 in Appleton, Wisconsin. Her family moved several times, eventually ending up in Wayzata, Minnesota where she graduated from Wayzata High School in 1958. Around 1960, Fran moved to Denver, Colorado and went to work for Blue Cross/ Blue Shield of (more…)

August 19, 2021
Gilpin School says goodbye to Lee Ramsey

School Resource Officer for eight years

By Curt Halsted

Gilpin County School students and staff gave School Resource Officer (SRO) Lee Ramsey a fine farewell with an assembly on the football field behind the school. Officer Ramsey, or just “Lee” as many comfortably refer to him, was originally a student of Gilpin. Maybe it was growing up in the high (more…)

August 19, 2021
Drones, beer and guns aren’t a stellar combination

Age of Drones

By Don Ireland

Hoping that a drone will deliver flowers or a silky negligee to your special sweetheart somewhere in Gilpin County? Sorry, it’s (more…)

August 12, 2021