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
Gilpin County is implementing new emergency warning systems to alert residents of emergencies like severe weather, fires, and other public safety threats. The systems will include sirens and text alerts to ensure timely notifications to keep the community safe.
A controversial plan to haul waxy crude oil on train cars through Colorado including Gilpin County’s Moffat Tunnel is awaiting a decision from the U.S. Supreme Court. The highest court in the land is expected to give its ruling sometime during spring 2025.
Many local leaders thought the oil-by-rail plan was derailed after a federal district court in Washington D.C. ruled against the project several months ago, following a lawsuit brought against the project by Eagle County and five environmental groups.
The Gilpin Board of County Commissioners, in July 2022 and March 2023, issued position letters against the proposed hauling of the waxy crude oil in train cars on Colorado’s main east-west railroad. Among the chief arguments of the opponents is that the oil-by-rail cars could lead to potential hazmat and environmental situations for local lands and waterways.
Several state leaders, including Gov. Jared Polis and U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennett, opposed the oil-hauling proposal.
In 2021, federal regulars approved the initial plan allowing the oil to be transported along the 88 mile Uinta Basin Railway before connecting to the national rail network. After passing through parts of Colorado, including Gilpin, the train cars would complete their route to Texas oil refineries.
However, Eagle County and the environmental groups argue that the approval violated several provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act, which President Richard Nixon signed into law in 1970. The act requires federal agencies to scrutinize the environmental risks of major regulatory decisions. While a trio of federal appellate judges agreed with Eagle County earlier this year, the Seven County Infrastructure Coalition, a group of Utah county governments that backed the hauling plan proposal, filed an appeal. The U.S. Supreme Court held oral arguments earlier this month.
Before the arguments, U.S. Justice Neil Gorsuch announced he wouldn’t participate in the case due to his ties to Philip Anschutz, who owns oil wells in the Uinta Basin.
Gorsuch also represented Anschutz before being named to the bench. The company Anschutz owns, Anschutz Exploration Corporation, filed a legal brief supporting the side of the Utah groups.
While the nation’s highest court isn’t expected to give its decision until spring, it isn’t unknown if the decision would affect related lower court rulings in the Court of Appeals or the D.C. Circuit.
That federal court ordered regulators to correct plans related to the Endangered Species Act and federal interstate commerce law.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis announced during a press briefing last week that the state has agreed with Union Pacific Railroad for a 25-year lease and a Memorandum of Understanding for the Moffat Tunnel.
The lease and access agreement, scheduled to be signed on May 1, will enable the state to use Union Pacific’s tracks to develop a state-sponsored Mountain Rail passenger service. The proposed expanded passenger rail would extend beyond the current end of the line in Grand County and open up potential stops as far away as Steamboat Springs.
Gilpin County Commissioner Sandy Hollingsworth, whose district includes the eastern end of the 6.2-mile Moffat Tunnel, said the new agreement keeps the possibility for a rail stop to be developed around Rollinsville. Hollingsworth told the Weekly Register-Call, “Yes, Rollinsville is still a potential future stop. I’m attending the periodic meetings, which will resume quarterly in 2025. The possibilities are economic development, commuter and recreation transport from Denver with stops along the way as far as Steamboat. The Hayden area is a coal transition community with possibilities for new businesses and freight trains.
For Gilpin, it could enhance economic opportunities, including increasing Eldora skiers, reducing single car travel, increasing shuttles for visitors, and more patrons of local small businesses.”
During the past few years, Hollingsworth, BoCC Chair Susan Berumen and County Manager Ray Rears have attended several Colorado Mountain Rail Coalition meetings, hoping to provide input and promote a potential rail stop near Rollinsville.
In December, officials from the neighboring community of Nederland, Boulder County, expressed interest in building business partnerships and contacted Polis about the possibility of state funding to help acquire the Eldora Mountain ski area. However, critics say the hopes for Nederland, a town of about 1,500, is a “moonshot” regarding its hopes to purchase Eldora for at least $105 million.
The small ski resort is about five miles west of Nederland and 8.6 miles from Rollinsville. Gilpin officials hope a train stop in Rollinsville would help bolster local business and provide transportation from the station to Eldora.
Gilpin’s representatives have emphasized a new Rollinsville rail stop could help ignite positive regional benefits for people and businesses and potential development for the area. The county also plans to study infrastructure needs and address possibilities during a $250,000 study slated to get underway during the new year.
During his remarks on the new lease, Polis said, “Today marks a major milestone in negotiations between the State of Colorado and Union Pacific for a new modern 25-year lease of the Moffat Tunnel and a 25-year access agreement. This is a big step forward in making Mountain Rail from Denver to Craig a reality. Passenger Rail on this corridor will relieve traffic to one of Colorado’s iconic mountain communities and provide safe, reliable, affordable transportation options for tourists and skiers as well as workers traveling along the corridor. This historic agreement is an important step to
protect continuous freight operations and finally deliver on the promise of passenger rail to Coloradans, and I thank Union Pacific for its partnership,” said Polis.
The 100-year-old Moffat Tunnel cuts through the Continental Divide at 9,239 feet above sea level. Created to provide a crucial east-to-west connection from Denver to the West coast for commerce, the Moffat Tunnel helped Denver become a center of commerce and growth in the Rockies.
Today, in addition to its storied history, the Moffat Tunnel represents a lynchpin of the Mountain Rail Project to connect Coloradans and visitors from Denver Union Station through Rollinsville to Winter Park, Granby, Steamboat Springs, Craig, and Hayden.
“Colorado built the Moffat Tunnel almost 100 years ago to connect people and freight on the West Slope and Front Range. Through this Agreement, we are making sure the Moffat Tunnel moves passengers and goods into the future. We need alternatives to I-70 and the high mountain passes, and [the] Moffat Tunnel and Union Pacific’s line provides that whether you’re traveling with kids or freight,” said John Putnam, the Governor’s chief negotiator for Moffat Tunnel.
The tunnel was named after Colorado railroad pioneer David Moffat, who tried to raise funds to build the tunnel before he died in 1911. However, various government leaders in Denver and others were able to finance the construction of the tunnel, which opened in February 1928.
$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.
Gilpin Schol district may have to pay county aditional $60,00 for SRO
pulling one deputy off the
road to be an SRO would
be challenging.
soon for the sewer project
and will be discussed at the
said this would not only
bring tourists to a private
lake area but could impact
safety considerations for
the school.
people were to pull over
on Colorado Highway 119,
where students use the
crosswalk, they could be
distracted, causing acci-
dents and injuries.
By Ruth Rodgers
Education and Community
Feb. 20 board meeting.
Reporter
Funding for the School
Resource Officer (SRO) for
the Gilpin County School
was one of the topics at
the Feb. 6 Gilpin County
School board meeting.
He hopes to
meet with
Sheriff Kev-
in Arm-
strong
and Divi-
sion Chief
Sean
Wheeler
to dis-
cuss the
additional
charges. After
that, he will be
able to have more spe-
cific information, including
the cost and any revisions
to the current intergovern-
mental agreement between
the district and the county.
Bonds will be
used to pay for
part of the
The significance of this
location is related to a pro-
totype submarine designed
by Rufus T. Owens and
built in Central City.
project, and
They also pointed out
that visibility is poor at the
proposed location of the
marker, which could lead
to more crashes on the
highway as vehicles merge
back into traffic.
a Request
For Bids
for a Cer-
tificate of
Participation
has gone out,
which means he
should have more
information on financ-
ing the project by the next
school board meeting.
Dr. David MacKenzie
has been notified by the
Gilpin County Sheriff’s Of-
fice (GCSO) that the GCSO
will charge the district for
the full cost of the position
rather than the $35,000
it currently pays to the
sheriff’s office. According to
MacKenzie, the SRO could
cost the district an addi-
tional $60,000.
In 1898, the United
States was at war with
Spain over the sovereignty
of Cuba, and the naval
battle of Manila Bay em-
phasized how effective
submarines were in the
defense of the U.S. coast-
line. Owen’s submarine,
named “The Nautilus,” was
brought to Missouri Lake
for a test dive but sank.
The submarine was raised
to the surface in 1944 and
now rests in the Gilpin His-
tory Museum.
They hope to suggest to
the commissioners and
county manager that the
sign be located at the pull-
off to Golden Gate Canyon
Road, just two miles north
of the school, where there
is more room for parking
and better visibility for
merging traffic.
In the public participa-
tion portion of the meet-
ing, two members of the
Missouri Lakes HOA board
shared their concerns
about a proposed histori-
cal site marker the county
is planning for the school’s
area.
It was the school dis-
trict’s understanding in
the past that they would
share the expense with the
sheriff’s department, but
budget cuts at the county
level seem to be changing
the allocation of funds.
During his report, MacK-
enzie said the district has
applied for the necessary
permits for the atrium
and elementary entrance
and ramp, which must be
approved before the work
begins in April.
Other concerns included
long-term parking across
from the school, which
could result in additional
noise and safety issues.
The HOA representative
supports the county’s ef-
forts to honor local his-
tory and increase tourism.
However, they have had
difficulty getting informa-
tion on new signage and
fear safety problems. If
The board agreed, and
MacKenzie discussed the
issue with the county com-
missioners.
The county received a
grant to place three or four
additional historical mark-
ers, one would be placed on
the school campus. They
The board discussed what
options may be available,
including hiring private
security. Other issues were
safety implications, and
The contract with ESCO
Construction Company of
Evergreen will be signed
In addition, Black Hawk is offering Central
$250,000 to grant its request to annex the lot.
The money would be “a one-time donation”
from Black Hawk’s historic preservation fund
to a similar historic fund operated in Central
City. “Suggested Central projects the fund could
be used for include – but not limited to – the
Belvidere project, sidewalks along Gregory and
Lawrence Streets in Central, or advancing Cen-
tral’s trail system with the ability to connect to
Black Hawk’s trail system,” according to a copy
of the letter that was in the Black Hawk council
agenda scheduled for a vote yesterday.
write-in candidate for the General Election in
November.
By the WR-C Staff
Two businessmen have announced they will
be challengers for the Gilpin County District 3
commissioner’s race this year, each seeking to
oust incumbent Sandy Hollingsworth.
Hollingsworth (D), who won by 85 votes in a
three-way race four years ago, so far is unop-
posed for the Democratic nomination in the
June 25 primary. The deadline for candidates
to petition to run is Tuesday, March 19.
Corey Marshall is running for the GOP nomi-
nation this spring, while Darin Jones will be a
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-
Economic development discusions atract capacity audience from Clear Crek-Gilpin counties
By Don Ireland
the Clear Creek Economic Development Corp.’s
first “Rural Resilience” economic development
mixer at the new Club Hotel in Idaho Springs
last Thursday and Friday.
The nearly three-hour meeting discussed the
demographic trends and the state of the econo-
mies in both Gilpin and Clear Creek, presented
by Greg Totten, an economist from the State of
Colorado Demography Office.
Senior Reporter
Despite cold weather and an anticipated
snowstorm, about 100 local business owners
and elected officials turned out to hear about
the present and future forecasts for business at
From Rollinsville in northern Gilpin to Du-
mont in Clear Creek, the assembled community
Gilpin County Manager Ray Rears and
Ryan Englund, president of the Better City
consulting organization, discussed resilience
and diversification in Gilpin County. Rears
was appointed to the CCEDC board last year
to inform Gilpin business owners and lead-
ers of how the non-profit organization serves
them.
members were given
an optimistic forecast
about how more busi-
ness could be attract-
ed to the neighboring
counties, with CCEDC
leaders offering as-
sistance to help turn
business dreams into
reality. (See related
story on how the
CCEDC helped the
Club Hotel launch its
new operation.)
Speaking on resilience and diversification
were Brian Bosshart, manager for Clear Creek
County, and Willie Wilkins, Colorado State
University’s Mountain regional specialist for
expanded rural engagement.
Continued on page 11
in this century. The history of Gilpin and nearby Clear Creek counties
add immense history to the launching of Colorado statehood in 1876.
Portions of the early day constitution and statehood documents are said
to have been partially written in today’s Weekly Register building that
escaped the Central City fires.
Being in the newspaper business, we must go with the news flow of the news.
Each week, we monitor events and follow governmental, social, and club
events and political happenings, including candidate announcements and obitu-
aries of local folks who have read this newspaper for the last time.
Portions of the building were purchased from the newspaper owner in
1865 to become Central Masonic Lodge No. 6 A.F.& A.M., sharing the building
with the newspaper to this day.
So, with a small staff of dedicated professionals, we do our best to lasso and
corral the week’s news. If we don’t know about it, likely it won’t make this
week’s newspaper.
Add to the mixture unplanned events, fires, auto accidents, avalanches, floods,
and crimes. And remember sports … where are the girl’s and boy’s teams play-
ing this week? What about the school board meetings and events like the new
million-dollar sewer line? (It seems like state and federal agencies should be
chipping in on that project.)
The old joke told before, “Everyone in town knows what happened. They just
read the newspaper to see if we found out about it.”
We’re here to stay, enjoying the communities and learning something new
every week. Your suggestions, praise, and criticism only make us work harder
to keep this grand old historic newspaper growing older and living longer. It is a
challenging task.
If you don’t know, you will find out eventually that we’re a great cheerleader
for Gilpin County. We can and will make a difference to improve life for every-
one, visitors and residents.
Thank you for the subscriptions that fill Post Office Box 93 every week. We
take this as a ticket to the performance as the curtain goes up and the melodra-
ma continues. Take advantage of the performances and help keep the marque
lights shining brightly.
We continue to bind each issue into yearly books stored with the other historic
bound volumes for future generations to see how we live, play, work, and govern
However, Commissioner
Marie Mornis continued
to voice complaints about
the proposed pantry, say-
ing the county could spend
money to fix the existing
one rather than build a new
one. Hollingsworth coun-
tered that discussion of a
Gilpin’s 2024 budget in-
cludes $1.3 million to build
the new pantry, although
the county has been seeking
grants to lower its overall
potential investment. The
new pantry is proposed
for the south side of Nor-
ton Drive, almost directly
across from the Gilpin
Community Center. It will
replace the double-wide
modular used for decades
at nearby 101 Norton Drive.
This week
Friday, Feb. 16 — High
school girls basketball hosts
Peyton. Jayvee begins at 5
p.m., followed by varsity at
6:30 p.m. CHSSA state cham-
pionship wrestling tournament
begins at sites around Colo-
rado.
Friday and Saturday,
Feb. 23-24 — High school
basketball district games for
qualifying boys and girls teams.
The new pantry office
spaces could be used for
Week of Feb. 26
Monday, Feb. 26 — First
official practice date for spring
sports. Middle school girls
basketball hosts Bennett.
Tipoff for the C-team is 4 p.m.,
followed by the B and A squad
games.
Saturday, Feb. 17 —
Middle school girls basketball
hosts a round-robin tourna-
ment beginning at 10 a.m.
Week of Feb. 19
Monday, Feb. 19 — High
school boys basketball plays
at Addenbrooke in the CHSAA
quarterfinals at 3 p.m. Tickets
are $8 for adults and $5 for
students. The winner will ad-
vance to the district semifinals,
scheduled for Friday, Feb. 23,
at Dakota Ridge High School.
Gilpin County Grant
Manager Jamie Boyle said
the DOLA grant would’ve
required the project to fol-
low federal Davis-Bacon
Act guidelines for construc-
tion wages strictly. This
process might require the
county to hire a consultant
to supervise the project,
which also would require
American-made products to
be used in the project. She
said the consultant could
cost $50,000 or potentially
more. Another require-
ment would be for Gilpin to
conduct an environmental
impact study. The grant
would be eligible strictly for
construction-related costs
but not for the new equip-
ment and furniture needed
inside the facility.
Wednesday, Feb. 28 —
Middle school girls basketball
hosts Clear Creek. The B-team
plays at 4:25 p.m., followed by
the A-team at 5:15 p.m.
December 2023………………….$173,718
Year to Date 2023…………….$1,823,767
Since Inception……………..$15,128,419
Saturday, March 2 —
Middle school wrestling at
West Grand. Time TBA.
Thursday, Feb. 22 —
Middle school wrestling at
Clear Creek. Time TBA.
NOTE — Schedules are
tentative and may change due
to a variety of factors, including
weather.
county commissioners offered
them in January. He made the
statement during the Gilpin
commissioners’ meeting on
Tuesday, Feb. 13.
build multiple duplex housing
units within walking distance
of the rec center for several
years.
rights within the next four
years and verifying the com-
plex wouldn’t have an outdoor
irrigation system. The proposal
required a professional to cre-
ate the water plan and for the
water rights to be conveyed
over to the county.
ing for over a decade, told the
commissioners last month that
Gilpin needs affordable hous-
ing for its elderly residents. She
said she anticipated a “wait-
ing list” for seniors wanting to
move into the new complex.
According to Nicholson, Gilpin
County has “a disproportional
number of senior citizens”
compared to other Colorado
counties and has many resi-
dents who have lived into their
90s and beyond. “The folks
around here are pretty hardy
and stick around for a long
time. I think there will be a
number of residents who will
benefit from senior housing.”
By the WR-C staff
The Gilpin Senior Liv ing
organization has abandoned
plans to build duplexes on
county-owned land adjoining
the Gilpin Recreation Center.
In approving the 16-page
lease last month, the commis-
sioners required Gilpin Senior
Living to attain several “bench-
marks” within the next several
years for the lease to continue.
They included securing water
Gilpin Senior Living, a non-
profit group, is led by Jeanne
Nicholson, a former county
commissioner and Colorado
state senator. She and others
have tried to secure a lease to
Gilpin County Attorney
Brad Benning announced the
non-profit senior living group
isn’t interested in a $1 lease the
The proposed lease also
required Senior Living to pres-
ent a plan to finance the new
duplexes within the next year.
Details on the facility’s profes-
sional management, including
how it would handle billings,
collections, evictions, and other
situations, were also included
in the lease. The project owner
also was given a 10-year dead-
line to provide details on how
roads, utilities and related work
would occur on the property.
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.
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.”
Call for appointment
LETTERS & COLUMNS
Send Letters to the Editor via email with all contact information in-
cluded to news@weeklyregistercall.com. The Weekly Register-Call
does not guarantee publication or pay for submissions and reserves
the right to edit for length and content. Letters should be short (less
than 350 words) and of local content. Anonymous letters will not be
published. Deadline is noon Friday prior to the week of publication.
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.
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.
Shirley Jean Smith (Porter), cherished wife, mother, grandmother,
great-grandmother and successful entrepreneur, peacefully passed away
on Feb. 4, 2024, in Evergreen, at the age of 82. Shirley was born on July
15, 1941, to Dorothy Ruth Goldie and Frank Andrew Porter.
most recent successful
bear hunt. Shirley also
enjoyed pastimes such as
recounting her early life
stories to her many de-
scendants.
Shirley’s journey began in New Castle, where she spent her first 18
years laying the foundation for a life filled with love and accomplish-
ment. It was during her time at Colorado State University in Fort Collins
that she met the love of her life, Edward E Smith, on a blind date. They
were married on July 23, 1961, and enjoyed 62 years of marriage togeth-
er, residing in Evergreen. It was there that they built a home together,
figuratively and quite literally — with logs they processed and trucked
over from their ranch in New Castle, Bearpen Ranch.
Friends and family
are invited to pay their
respects at the funeral
services on February 16,
2024, at Three Trees
Chapel, 13416 W Arbor
Place, Littleton, CO 80127.
The viewing will begin at
9 a.m., followed by the
service at 10 a.m.
Survived by her devoted husband, Edward E Smith, Shirley leaves be-
hind a legacy of love and kindness. She is also survived by her four chil-
dren Raymond E Smith, Sherell J Smith, Timothy G Smith, and Ulbert
Shane Smith. Shirley was a dedicated wife and mother who poured her
heart into her family, and her memory will live on in the hearts of her 11
grandchildren and 11 (soon to be 12)
great-grandchildren.
TOP:
Shirley
harvested
this deer
herself.
Shirley will be remembered for her generous spirit, un-
wavering love for her family,
and the positive impact she
had on the lives of everyone
around her. May she rest in
peace, forever surrounded
by the love she so freely gave
throughout her remarkable
life.
As an accomplished entrepre-
neur, Shirley successfully managed
a laundromat, several retail busi-
nesses, the Wild Card and Sasquatch
casinos, and the Squatch Gas Sta-
tion, leaving an indelible mark on the
local business landscapes in Gilpin
and Clear Creek counties. A lifelong
hunter, Shirley was 80 during her
Several members
of the Smith
family would drive
to Canada for
hunting trips
including this
trip in 1980 when
Shirley bagged
this bear.
LEFT: Shirley doing one of the
things she loved — riding a four-
wheeler on the ranch in New
Castle. After a fun-filled day of
four-wheeling she would end the
day with a big family meal with
Pepsi for everyone!
The old Jenkins, McKay Hardware building became the current Sasquatch Casino on
Gregory Street in Black Hawk.
TOP: Ed
and Shirley
Smith in the
casino with
Sasquatch.
RIGHT: The
Smith fam-
ily together.
Shirley
is seated
second from
the right.
On the evening of Feb. 8,
the Idaho Springs Police
Department (ISPD) dealt
with two significant crimi-
nal incidents in the city.
Boulevard. As it
turned out, the plate
was associated with
a male wanted for
first-degree kidnap-
ping.
The first incident started
with a routine traffic stop
in the 1300 block of Miner
Street for an obscured li-
cense plate. The passenger,
Doug Jump, 41, of Empire,
was wanted on a Denver
felony warrant for posses-
sion of drugs to distribute a
controlled substance, first-
degree vehicle theft and
reckless driving.
When the officer
tried to pull the
vehicle over, the
driver attempted to
flee, speeding and
swerving eastbound
on I-70 to escape
capture. This also
caused the driver,
Julius Tapia, 33, of
Thornton, to lose
control and crash
into a light pole near
mile marker 243.
Tapia was treated
for minor injuries
and then taken into
custody on his war-
rant and charged
with vehicular
eluding and driving
while his license was
suspended by ISPD.
TOP: Items found in the vehicle after
Doug Jump was arrested.
BOTTOM: The crashed car after a chase
on I-70. ISPD was able to arrest Julius
Tapia on a warrant for kidnapping.
As ISPD searched the
vehicle after the arrest, they
found several bags of blue
pills believed to be fentanyl,
drug paraphernalia, and a
loaded weapon. Jump was
also charged with unlawful
distribution and manufac-
turing of drugs, possession
of a firearm by a previous
offender, and possession of
drug paraphernalia.
Later, an ISPD officer
ran the license plate on
a vehicle observed in the
2900 block of Colorado
“Fentanyl overdoses are
impacting the entire state
of Colorado. ISPD con-
tinues to work diligently
to put a stop to the sale
of illegal narcotics in our
community,” said Sgt. Ryan
Frost.
