Golden Gate Canyon State Park

In late June Dan Weber, Park Manager of Golden Gate Canyon State Park, led a tour of a “spike camp” built for young adults working on sustainable trails projects in Golden Gate. The projects are viable through the combined partnerships of the Colorado State Parks, Mile High Youth Corps (MHYC), Colorado Youth Corps Association (CYCA), and Clinton Family Fund.

Bruce Clinton remarked that he and his wife, Martha, were proud to be part of this project partnership and would like to see this type of project replicated throughout Golden Gate. The Clintons reside primarily in Chicago, Illinois, and spend part of the year at their home in Gilpin County.

According to Kelly Causey, Executive Director of Mile High Youth Corps, the non-profit organization offers projects centered on energy, land, and water conservation for youth between the ages of 18-24 years old. Projects range in length from 11 weeks to 12 months and prospective employees follow a standard application and interviewing process for a project job. Recently MHYC’s popular projects received about nine applications for each open job slot.

Through their established land conservation program, MHYC built their first trail in Golden Gate in 1999. This year MHYC hired a youth crew of 12 Corpsmembers to live in the park’s first spike camp during the summer and work on building a new sustainable trail.

The term “spike camp” first came into use by the U.S. Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. It describes small work groups who travel from a base camp to work on a distant project.

The crew is working on a 5.5 mile trail, part of the Mule Deer Trail, which will be multi-use for hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking. Its purpose is to link part of the north end of the park to the middle area, from Panorama Point to Fraser Meadow.

The spike camp is located off Gap Road on a service road between Panorama Point and Harmsen Ranch. The camp enclosure consists of four large tents—a mess tent, shower camp, sleeping tent for female crew members and sleeping tent for male crew members—construction gear and requisite port-a-potties. It is also equipped with a working electric fence to “keep the bears out.”

Crew members spend a total of ten weeks at the camp with rotating shifts of “ten day hitches,” or working at the camp for ten days and then having four days off. Park Manager Weber commented that having the crew members actually living on site, instead of being transported from town and back each day, and working eight hours every day really led to fast visible results.

The spike crew follows a well-established routine. They wake up at 6:30 in the morning; do some stretching to prepare for the day’s labor; ask each other random questions in reviewing safety procedures; pack their lunches and then head out to the trail for the day. After a half-hour lunch break, they continue trail building, eventually returning after an eight hour work shift to camp for dinner. A mini-generator provides power but it’s generally lights out early when darkness and the stars above settle in.

Building a trail requires a lot of hard work. Trail building means—among many things—constructing a three-foot wide clear area through the forest. It means winching big rocks, cutting down hazardous trees, hauling tree stumps out of the ground, building trenches, and creating in-slopes on switchbacks.

Golden Gate provides the crew with all necessary equipment, including all trail building tools such as axes, chainsaws, pneumatic pruning saws, shovels, and specialized fire-fighting tools like Pulaski axes and McCloud rakes.

Corpsmember Mike is the sawyer for the spike crew; he is certified on a 10 inch chainsaw and has an “A” license. Mike is originally from Portland, Oregon, pursued environmental studies and graduated from Oberlin College in Ohio. He heard about the spike camp and trail project by word-of-mouth and applied for a position. Mike “likes it a lot” and also appreciates the leadership-building qualities and scholarship awards offered by being part of MHYP’s AmeriCorps Leadership and Conservation Program.

Park Manager Weber anticipates future funding for more trail building and other projects in Golden Gate Canyon State Park. To be a part of these conservation projects and more, check out the Mile High Youth Corps website at www.milehighyouthcorps.org for more information.

In January of this year, Black Hawk’s City Council passed an ordinance banning bicycles from the three streets of its business district (neither children nor other cyclists are banned from residential areas) and posted signs with the familiar red circle and bar, in this case over a bicycle, announcing the prohibition on the affected streets. That includes about a quarter mile of Gregory Street, the cyclists favored route from the Central City Parkway to Highway 119. Cyclists can still use that route, but must dismount and walk their bicycles about four blocks through town due to a narrow stretch of road. For five months, most cyclists failed to do that, but were issued only warning citations from Black Hawk police. Beginning in June, however, police began ticketing those cyclists who ignored, or said they didn’t see, the signs. Black Hawk Police Chief Steve Cole said nine tickets had been issued to date. That means a minimum $68 ticket for the violator, plus an $18 surcharge. If the cyclist wants to appear in court, add $25 for court costs. Facing the fine, and denied the ability to ride that piece of road, cyclists notified Denver television stations and the Denver Post, putting Black Hawk’s ban in the public eye.

Dan Grunig of the cycling advocacy group, Bicycle Colorado, attended the June 9^th Black Hawk Council meeting and asked for a repeal of the ban. He has said that cyclists fear the precedent Black Hawk is setting, that other Colorado cities may follow suit. That’s a real concern. Black Hawk City Manager Mike Copp said he’d been contacted by four other Colorado municipalities who are interested in banning bicycles from some of their streets. Jefferson County has considered asking legislators to make “counties” the authorities to decide which roads in their jurisdictions will be available to cyclists. Online public comments, following the media stories, run heavily against cyclists, not just in Black Hawk, but on many metro-area streets and Colorado roads. In fact, there are many city streets and roads in Colorado that already ban bicyclists. Black Hawk is not alone, nor are they first to ban cyclists, even in Gilpin County.

It was back in 2005 when Central City aldermen banned bicyclists from the Central City Parkway. Grunig appeared at their meeting shortly after that, pressing for a repeal. Central’s council complied. Despite opposition from their own Business Improvement District (who paid for the Parkway) the council repealed the ban, allowing cyclists to ride the Parkway – except for the last mile which culminates in Nevada Street. That street’s too narrow, they said, and carries too much traffic for it to be safe for cyclists. They created a trailhead exit from the Parkway and a trail bringing the cyclists into Central via Lake Gulch and Virginia Canyon Roads to Spring Street. Grunig has pointed out there had been no accidents with cyclists on Black Hawk streets, however both cities saw risks they are unwilling to take. Black Hawk, responding to complaints from motorists and observations by their staff, ordered a traffic study for their streets. Completed by Stolfus & Associates last October, that study said Main and Gregory Streets were poorly equipped to accommodate cyclists. Further, the traffic on those streets, often large buses and delivery trucks, is “frequently adverse” to cyclists. There isn’t just the concern of a cyclist being struck, said Copp, but also of other motorists as vehicles swing out to get around a cyclist. What’s more, he added, now the city is aware of the safety issues and potential for injuries, they must address them or risk problems with the city’s liability insurance provider. “We’re doing what we believe is best for our residents, our businesses and our patrons,” said Copp.

In Black Hawk, that means doing what’s best for the casinos. The industry benefits not only the residents of Black Hawk, but Gilpin County relies heavily on Black Hawk’s gaming revenues – as does the state. Copp said Black Hawk drew around 50,000 visitors to the area last weekend. It isn’t uncommon to draw 30,000 on other weekends. They come to Black Hawk, mainly, to gamble. Black Hawk casinos have contributed over $1 billion to the state’s coffers, via gaming taxes, since the inception of gaming. They will add approximately $90 million for this fiscal year alone ($81,604,000 fiscal year-to-date). Black Hawk casinos generated more than 84% of all of the state’s gaming revenues for the 2009-2010 fiscal year. 22% of that revenue will be directed back and split by the two gaming counties and three gaming cities in Colorado. The bulk, 78%, goes to the state, much of it funding road improvements enjoyed by motorists and cyclists alike. However, cyclists do not contribute to highway funds as motor vehicle owners do through licensing and registration fees. Many motorists object to paying for cyclists’ recreation, which they point out, is what most cyclists are doing as they ride through Black Hawk. Few are commuting as cyclists do in Boulder, Denver or other cities worldwide. (Colorado cyclists have gone global with their complaint against Black Hawk, via the internet, and British media picked up the story. American motorists point out that a train system provides relief for European commuters.) Local motorists particularly object to safety issues caused by cyclists riding the narrow, curving, shoulder-less highways they drive out of necessity. Residents driving Coal Creek Canyon have met with Gilpin County Commissioners to register complaints of cyclist’s behavior and ask for help. Gilpinites driving Golden Gate Canyon have been vocal in their support of Black Hawk’s ban, said Copp. He has received no negative comments from Gilpinites and plenty of support from mountain residents who favor not only Black Hawk’s, but additional bicycling bans.

Grunig’s group is now working on a legal challenge to Black Hawk’s ban, but with other cities and also counties looking at ways to limit cycling within their jurisdictions, the issue is bigger than Black Hawk. “Perhaps the issue should be put to the state’s voters,” Copp suggested.

Central City, riding the tail of publicity Black Hawk’s bicycle ban has drawn to the area, hurriedly put together a bicycle rally for July 3^rd, inviting members of at least six Colorado bicycling groups to visit their city.  Officials for Central said they wanted to let cyclists know Black Hawk’s ban didn’t extend to the Central City Parkway or Main Street, and that Central is bike-friendly. Since the city currently has no place for cyclists to park their bikes, a temporary bike rack was brought in. Annie Oakley’s Emporium and Prospectors Run offered free food items and beverages to cyclists. Johnny Z’s and Fortune Valley casinos offered coupons and discounted meals. Central City Mayor Ron Slinger said the event was simply to encourage cyclists to visit their community. A promotional notice sent to cycling groups via email stated cycling was “legal” in Central (later changed to “fresh”). But that notice soon morphed into an online message for cyclists to come to Central to “protest” Black Hawk’s ban.

Black Hawk officials found out about the event indirectly, from a consultant who happens to be a cyclist. “My council is not happy,” said Black Hawk City Manager, Mike Copp. Black Hawk Mayor David Spellman questioned the timing of the unscheduled event, coming not only when Black Hawk is being publicly criticized by cycling enthusiasts, but also on the busiest day of the year for his city. He said it looked to him like Central was offering an incentive to boycott Black Hawk. “How does this improve the financial situation of the community?” he asked. Cyclists spend very few dollars in the gaming communities, generally just riding on through, but gaming revenues fund the majority of city and county services. The elected officials of Black Hawk, Central City and Gilpin County have tried to put historic rivalries behind them, collaborating to make the area a destination for visitors with various interests: gambling, history, opera, art, mining, numerous outdoor activities and more. Many organizations associated with the non-gambling interests depend on the casinos for funding. Anything that hurts that industry will hurt them all.

Central’s public relations consultant, Meghan Dougherty, said someone had added the “protest” angle to the bike rally announcement after her marketing coordinator sent it out.  Slinger also said the event was not meant to be offensive to Black Hawk. “I let Meghan (Dougherty) know flat out, it’s not supposed to be a protest,” he said, but also acknowledged the city couldn’t control the cycling community. Black Hawk officials remained unconvinced. They had found a promotion of the event on Central City’s Facebook site pointing out the Black Hawk ban and ticketing of violators, along with an invitation to cycle in Central instead. Their own (Black Hawk) city Facebook site was “pirated,” just two days before Central’s bike rally. Someone removed city information and replaced it with negative comments about the ban. The site has since been remedied and Black Hawk is now investigating the illegal takeover with the site administrator. They will pursue any legal action they can, Copp said.

There was no invasion of cyclists in either Central City or Black Hawk on Saturday. Although no one was keeping official count, Dougherty said that hot dog vendors brought in to serve the cyclists reported they had served “a few.” The cyclists were well received in Central and, one mile down the hill, Black Hawk streets and sidewalks were crowded with folks who had come to that city to have fun their way, in Black Hawk’s casinos. Police spotted seven cyclists walking their bikes past the gazebo as they passed through town- no more than usual. “Just a typical day in Black Hawk,” said Police Chief, Steve Cole.

Small town fun at its best

The Town of Nederland presented its annual Fourth of July Parade, making a route loop through town from Barker Reservoir, on Sunday, July 4, near noon. It was a breezy, slightly cool day in Ned and national flags of all sizes, especially our present-day Old Glory, flew copiously in the breeze. The gray overcast skies actually kept their light sprinkle of rain until the end of the parade.

The United States’ Fourth of July celebrations commemorate the year 1776 when the original 13 Colonies of America successfully declared their independence, claiming their own sovereignty and rejecting allegiance to the Kingdom of Britain. America’s declaration resulted in the war known as the American Revolutionary War or American War of Independence.

The Town’s parade celebrated the quintessential spirit of Nederland and Americana with high-flying displays of the patriotic red-white-and-blue colors in clothing, decorations and make-up on smiling faces. Along with wearing multicolored bandanas, garlands and leashes, numerous parade dogs and at least one goat were safely painted with patriotic colors too.

Over 25 vintage vehicles—including an elegant classic Packard convertible holding Mayor Joe Gierlach and his daughter in the rear rumble seat—were interspersed throughout the parade. Gierlach commented that the celebration “was fabulous” and since Ned’s elected mayor, Sumaya Abu-Haidar was out of town, Mayor Pro-Tem Gierlach presided as mayor for the day. A smiling Gierlach said, “It was great!”

One of the vintage autos, an International Harvester Scout, sported a large beige banner with a coiled rattlesnake and the words “Liberty Or Death” and “Don’t Tread On Me” printed on it. The banner resembled an early U.S. flag first carried in 1775 by the Minutemen of Culpeper, Virginia, in the American Revolutionary War before a national flag was ever decided on.

Nederland and Gilpin County’s Colorado Sierra and High County Fire Departments were all represented with various big fire and rescue trucks. The Ned police did a terrific job of guiding these big boys through a tight intersection of town along the parade route.

One of the highlights of the parade was the best-dressed-in-red Barker Dam Brass Band having a rousing good time pumping out old-timey patriotic songs as it rolled by in a trailer hitched to a Jeep past the crowd.

Following the Band, Smokey the Bear ambled by leading a green U.S. Forest Service fire truck, while a uniformed forest ranger handed out candy to kids on the parade route.

A large crowd of Friends of the Nederland Community Library bearing “Make a Splash, Read!” and “We’re Building a Library” banners strolled along with star-spangled dressed kids on decorated bicycles.

The peaceful parade came about through the coordinated efforts of the Nederland police and its volunteers in directing traffic away from the closed-off streets and also ensuring the crowd’s safety. Town Marshall Ken Robinson remarked on the perfect weather and the fun of the parade with a lot of kids saying, “I like that.”

The celebration set the day-long festive Fourth of July mood approaching the evening’s scheduled Music at Chipeta Park and Nederland Fireworks over Barker Reservoir. Parade-goers stayed on to shop the town’s stores, enjoy fine café and restaurant dining, and savor the embracing ambience of a picturesque mountain community.

Central City Opera Review

A very enthusiastic full house was most appreciative of Saturday’s Central City Opera opening night performance of an often performed opera, Giacomo Puccini’s Madama Butterfly. And well the audience should have been enthusiastic. It was a strong and triumphant performance. The most repeated remark as the audience filed out was “Wasn’t that great?”

The opera is a bittersweet tale of love and betrayal that reminds us of “the ugly Americans.” The American Naval Lt. B. F. Pinkerton arranges a marriage to a beautiful Japanese girl while he is stationed in Japan, although he has no intention of it being a permanent one. His plan is to have a “real” marriage with an American woman one day. Cio-Cio-San aka Butterfly, on the other hand, gives up family and religion to marry this man she truly loves. Pinkerton is warned by Sharpless, the American Consul, that this is a mistake but Pinkerton doesn’t listen.

Pinkerton, played by tenor Chad Shelton is elegant. He is a more than the usual bastard most tenors make him out as. You cannot like him from the start. He is arrogant and overbearing. This said, however, Shelton is a striking figure with a wonderful tenor voice that rings throughout the hall. His presence on stage is, if a little wooden, a compelling and demanding one. He expects to get his way and does. You almost believe his grief in the last scene where is tormented by what he has done, but not quite, because his grief focuses back on how hard this is on him, and not what he has done to others

Shelton has been highly acclaimed both nationally and internationally as a having a rich high tenor which he uses with confidence, and with excellent diction, and this was certainly the case on opening night.

Grant Youngblood, a CCO favorite appearing for a fourth straight year here was the Consul, Sharpless. His is a great baritone voice that gave body to his role and his acting was truly believable as he found himself caught up in this dilemma that he had tried to stop in the first place.

Kudos go also to mezzo-soprano Mika Shigematsu who returned as Suzuki after her performance in that role in the 2005 CCO presentation. Suzuki is Butterfly’s faithful maid, friend, and companion. She is very real in her emotions throughout the evening and although she has a limited amount of singing, her voice is rich, very pleasing, and blends well with Butterfly.

But the night belongs to Madama Butterfly portrayed by nationally and internationally acclaimed soprano, Yunah Lee. Hers is a magnificent performance in which she matures before our eyes from a love struck fifteen year old through the three years after she is abandoned by Pinkerton (who returns to the U.S. and marries) into a woman, destitute, having lost her honor, and reason for living. In the end, with her father’s sword, Butterfly commits hari-kari rather than live without the love of her life and in dishonor, begging on the streets to provide for the beautiful son she dearly loves, born a Pinkerton after he leaves.

Ms. Lee is a soprano of amazing talent that allows compelling quiet and beautiful moments to sooth the soul but also to bring out in the concert listener the feeling of rage and despair that comes to the fore when betrayed. She pays close attention to detail in making her character real.

The patience of Madison Ana Anderle as Dolore, Butterfly’s son, really has to be noted.  It was a non-singing, non-speaking part in which there seemed to be perfect calm no matter how much cuddling and loud singing into the face there was. This was much to ask of a small child.

There were other commendable supporting roles that went into making this a very emotional and satisfying performance. Among these were Joseph Gaines as the Marriage Broker, and Nicholas Nelson as The Bong.

Matthew Halls returned as Conductor leading an excellent orchestra which initially at times from where we sitting seemed a little loud. In the first act the orchestra played loudly, which made the singers to have to sing a little louder to be heard. Lee and Shelton were equal to the task, but it was somewhat overwhelming. The balance in the 2^nd half of the opera seemed to be better.

The chorus has little to do in this opera, but it did it well. The famous “humming chorus” performed off stage was really beautiful. The chorus master this year is Andrew Altenbach.

Director Catherine Malfitano put together a drama that made the most of the passion of this opera. The interaction of the lovers was beautifully staged. On the other hand much use was made of having characters creep onto the stage, which got a little old. Good use was made of parasols, and the lighting of the central characters with the rest of the stage muted was good. Dany Lyne was responsible for both costume and set design. The set was very well contained in one house that showed the shoji screens of a typical home in Japan at the beginning, but for some reason or another disappeared to leave an open stage as the interior of the home.

In other productions, we do not remember ever seeing much of the American flag, but in this one, it was a bit overdone, draped obviously here and there, held up by Butterfly and Suzuki at one point near the end as a backdrop for her son to stand in front of, worn by her on occasion, and even draped over her and her son as she committed hari-kari. Perhaps a bit overdone without adding that much to the opera.

Overall, Madama Butterfly is a very dramatic and emotional success. A must see event! Next on the list of openings is Orpheus in the Underworld by Jacques Offenbach.

In Nederland

Nederland has the knack for holding hugely successful town fairs—such as Frozen Dead Guy Days in March and Ned Fest in August–and over this past weekend that tradition was superbly carried on by the 10th High Peaks Art Festival. The Festival took place in Nederland’s Town Square on Saturday and Sunday, June 26 and 27, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. The Nederland Chamber of Commerce sponsored the event and it was coordinated by Cathy Stiers.

Features of the Festival included a juried art show, live music by local musicians such as Blackdog and Fat Rabbit, and a children’s art area. Ned restaurants Blue Moon Bakery, Blue Owl, Kathmandu, and Savory Café provided fabulous food for Festival visitors. Tungsten Toffee, a local favorite, offered free samples of their terrific toffee that no one could resist when walking by their booth. The aroma of freshly roasted nut mixes filled the air and was a winner in attracting hungry people to the Nuts to You booth.

Clementine Art Studio, an education partner of Open Arts Boulder, offered four free art project stations in the children’s art area where children could draw, make hanging collages, do printmaking, or create recycled materials sculpture. (The sponsors for the free art projects were Wild Mountain Smokehouse & Brewery and Peak Wine & Spirits.)

The juried art show featured some outstanding pieces, reflecting a high degree of creativity and originality. Stiers carefully selected participates for the show who exhibited high standards in their artwork. More than 50 participants were in the juried art show with a good showing by local Nederland artists. Ribbons, cash awards and gift certificates were generously donated by sponsors to the show winners. The results were:

- BEST OF SHOW:  “The Iron Gallery,” Handmade Ironwork by Gary Russell of Rifle, $250 award sponsored by Roche Colorado Corporation

- BEST OF BOULDER COUNTY:  “Green Collar Guy,” Sculptural Gardenware by David Jessup of Nederland, $160 gift certificate sponsored by Delance Chapman of Salon 1313 in Boulder

- BEST OF CERAMICS:  Tania Corvalan of Nederland, gift certificate for one free night at the Best Western Lodge in Nederland

- BEST OF FIBER:  Peg Wood of Norwood, $50 gift certificate to Baby Doe’s Clothing in Golden

- BEST OF FINE ART: Painting by Stephen Koury of Lakeland, Florida, $75 award sponsored by First Tracks Consulting

- BEST OF FINE CRAFT:  “Smith Market Gallery,” Baskets and Gourds by Byron Williams of Saguache, $75 award sponsored by Century 21 Peak Performance Group

- BEST OF GLASS:  “Eye Candy,” Claudia Ariss of Nederland, $50 award sponsored by Janet Masters

- BEST OF JEWELRY:  “Sidhe Designs,” Michele Conn of Lyons, $50 award sponsored by Mutual of Omaha

- BEST OF MIXED MEDIA: “Trees Everlasting,” Woodworking by Bill Mattor of Ft. Collins, $50 award sponsored by Lindy Bolt and Cathy Stiers

- BEST OF PAINTING: Bruce White of Aurora, $50 gift certificate to Meininger in Boulder

- BEST OF PHOTOGRAPHY: “Treeline Photos,” John Marino of Lakewood, $50 award sponsored by Peak to Peak Counseling

- PEOPLES CHOICE AWARD: “Eye Candy,” Stained Glass, Claudia Ariss of Nederland, $50 gift certificate sponsored by Wild Mountain Smokehouse & Brewery

In conjunction with the Festival, Nederland’s Downtown Development Authority (DDA) held a sidewalk celebration with a free Sidewalk Art Contest in honor of the town’s brand new sidewalks stretching along its main thoroughfare of Highway 119. DDA supplied small buckets of pastel sidewalk chalk to any and all artists who wanted to decorate a sidewalk parcel–over 30 artists answered the challenge to their artistic creativity. One artist observed about her work next to a traffic intersection “that it was going fast with the sand, walkers and wind.” DDA’s Chair Teresa Warren reported that the winners were:

- ADULT DIVISION: Kris Deckley & Eva Franzova of California, $100 award

- YOUTH DIVISION:  Bat Busters of Texas, $100 award

- UNDER 11 DIVISION:  Emma Curcio & Emily Creek, $30 award

Six third place ribbons were also awarded in the contest.

Hands down, four lively Alpacas, courtesy of the Alpaca Store and More in Ned, were the most popular walking attraction at the Festival as they freely roamed the area with their handlers. The Alpacas were the indisputable belles of the ball as inquisitive people besieged them, wanting to stroke their enjoyable soft wool coats. Adorable (2 years old), Lovey (8 months old), Raven (3 years old), and Sparkler (3 years old) were all for the petting and graciously nibbled grain from held out hands. Sparkler has attained a special status as she was the model for the carved wood alpaca on Ned’s Carousel of Happiness.

Stiers was delighted with this year’s Festival as it continues to successfully expand with each coming year. Cash awards and gift certificates for this year’s art show increased by over 33%. Stiers’s commitment is to continue presenting a “classy, high-quality show in Ned,” emphasizing buying local and buying handmade goods. The feedback she has received from her artists is that they like the feeling of the show and will continue to come. Stiers pointed out that with the addition of the Festival’s children’s art tent activities for all age groups were now available.

Next year’s 11th High Peaks Art Festival will be held on June 25 and 26, Saturday and Sunday. Artists interested in exhibiting at the festival may contact the show coordinator, Cathy Stiers, at 303-748-2053 or view the Festival’s website at www.nederlandchamber.org. Applications for the 2011 High Peaks Art Festival will be available in January 2011.

In case you missed this art festival, many of the artists will be showcasing their work at the Downtown Boulder Art Fair on the Pearl Street Mall during the weekend of July 17 and 18.

Gilpin County Commissioners Buddy Schmalz, Jeanne Nicholson and Forrest Whitman renewed the contract with Jefferson County Public Health, revisited the County’s zoning regulations, reviewed Colorado Department of Transportation’s plan to widen Highway 119, as well as the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s mine reclamation work, plus several other issues for the good of the order at their June 29, 2010 meeting.

Silver Sneakers

Kathi Lambert of the Parks and Recreation Department was told to pursue bringing the Silver Sneakers program to Gilpin’s senior population, once the County’s attorney reviews the contractual requirements. Silver Sneakers is a fitness program for seniors, funded through individual insurance plans and Medicare. A reimbursement rate of $3 per visit means Gilpin County will receive up to $30 per month for each senior citizen who uses the Community Center, whether that’s for a fitness class, walking the track or trail or using the cardio and weight equipment (but not swimming). Healthways, the managing company, guarantees the County a minimum of $250 per month, until the program is self-sustaining (50 members), to cover the cost of two program instructors, regardless how many seniors visit. Another $250 is paid annually for equipment replacement and/or marketing the program. Equipment and music is provided by Healthways at no cost to the County. Healthways will also pay the County $200 per month for program administration. Bringing in the program could net the County additional annual revenue of at least $5,650. Commissioner Nicholson suggested that revenue, after paying any program costs, be put into a scholarship fund for seniors whose insurance doesn’t cover the program.

Parks and Recreation staff presented a new promotional DVD they’ve created for use at the Community Center.

Gilpin County/JeffCo Public Health

Commissioners, acting as the Board of Health, renewed the arrangement with Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) to provide community health and environmental health services to Gilpin County. Commissioners signed a contract good through June 30, 2011. Commissioner Schmalz said the JeffCo arrangement has worked very well, although there was “some uncertainty” when it started.

Ann Marie Bailey is employed by JCPH as Gilpin’s Public Health Coordinator. Gilpin County reimburses JCPH for Bailey’s salary and benefits plus 15% to cover administrative costs. Nurse home visits to high risk families and children with special needs are billed to Gilpin at the rate of $65 per hour. Bailey is charged with identifying priority public health problems and solutions, directing, monitoring and evaluating public health programs, investigating and controlling certain communicable diseases, policy and budget recommendations, reporting and more. Per the contract, Bailey maintains a Gilpin office (located in the Public Health building near the fairgrounds).

Craig Sanders, also employed by JCPH, has been handling Gilpin’s environmental health services (individual Sewage Disposal Systems, well tests, food establishment, child care facility, school, body art studio and swimming pool inspections plus administration, program and policy development, etc.). Gilpin pays JCPH at an hourly rate of $65 for environmental health services.

CSFS 2010 Grant

When Commissioners decided to fund the study and creation of a Community Wildfire Protection Plan, one reason was that having a CWPP in place opened up grant funding opportunities. Now, Gilpin has been granted $48,466 from the Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) for fire mitigation work around County facilities. The County must contribute matching cash plus an in-kind (office accommodations) valued at $7,920. County Manager Baker noted Commissioners had planned for that match in this year’s budget. Fire mitigation work will be done at the Justice Center/ Community Center complex, the Road and Bridge building, and the Library. These areas are considered Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) areas adjacent to critical need or otherwise highly valued facilities. Commissioner Nicholson commented the County had invested a lot of money for these structures and it would be irresponsible not to act to protect them. The work covers 52 acres and is to be completed by September 1, 2011. Some of the funding will be used to hire a half-time CWPP Implementation Coordinator. Most of the work will be done next year.

Zoning Revisions

Community Planner Ray Rears distributed a copy of the County’s current Zoning Code with proposed revisions to hearing notification procedures, circumstances in which Administrative Variance Fees will be reduced-or doubled; Use-by-Right for areas zoned Heavy Commercial and Use-by-Right for all zones regarding utilities and communications, and regarding changes to an established cemetery or grave yard; screening requirements when there are more than 4 operable and/or 1 inoperable vehicles in residentially zoned areas; definitions; light emissions; buffers and screens; wetlands setbacks; re-vegetation requirements; and exemptions from building fees for green-built, alternative energy and fire proofing/prevention utilizations in building. The code addressing the number of animals allowed was clarified and is broken out by the specific animal and acreage. Rears will hone some of the revisions and Commissioners will look at them again at a future meeting prior to approving them.

Superfund Site Update

Jim Lewis and Steve Laudeman told Commissioners their CDPHE project, with input from the Environmental Protection Agency, will soon address mining reclamation work in the Virginia Canyon area and along the main stem of North Clear Creek, plus a potential Chase Gulch project in Black Hawk. Waste rock is being removed from these areas and relocated at a repository site near Virginia Canyon (Pewabic Mountain). The project is being coordinated with the Highway 119 widening project that CDOT will do south of Black Hawk. Approximately 10,000 cubic yards of waste rock will be moved to the repository and then another estimated 10,000 cubic yards of fill rock from the Highway 119 construction area will be deposited on top. The proposed haul route bypasses Black Hawk and Central City by using Miners Mesa Road to Lake Gulch Road to Missouri Flats Road (or alternatively Virginia Canyon Road). It’s not yet known how many truck trips per day the project will require. The Virginia Canyon area will be dealt with this summer, followed by the North Clear Creek project in Summer 2011. The Chase Gulch project, if done, would likely occur in Fall 2010.

Highway 119 Project

Russell Cox and Kevin Brown updated Commissioners on their CDOT project, the widening of Highway 119 below Black Hawk. Blasting should start this fall, said Cox, with the main construction starting next spring. This project includes widening the highway to four lanes, curve straightening, creating a multi-use creekside trail, stabilizing and restoring the creek (with fish habitat) and addressing flood risks in the box canyon behind the sanitation facility. The project is being done in phases from the Forks of Creek area up to Black Hawk. The turn lane at Douglas Mountain will be addressed in this phase. A future phase includes, when funding is available, a wildlife bridge at the southern end. The entire project budget is estimated at $45 million. Eventually, the trail will also run the length of this stretch of 119 and will include historical markers with informational input from County Manager Baker.

Gasification Project

A proposed bio mass system at the Community Center, which would not only heat County facilities but provide electricity through a gasification process, has been put on the back burner by Commissioners, as “premature.” More information should be gathered, they said, before they consider the next step – a feasibility study for Gilpin’s location. The County is currently working on a performance contract study to determine a procedure that requires contractors to guarantee their end result will work in Gilpin. If it doesn’t they forfeit their pay. The gasification project is to be evaluated for that process as well.

DOLA Grant Applications

With the July 1 deadline looming for the 2010-2011 Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) Gaming Impact Fund grant applications, Commissioners authorized Eagles Nest Child Care Center, Mountain Family Health Center and Jefferson Center for Mental Health as approved applicants, although they hadn’t yet seen the actual applications. They review and prioritize those at a later date but gave their authorization to enable the applicants to meet the deadline.

Connector Stop at Roy’s

At the request of County residents, Commissioner Whitman asked that a bus stop be considered at Roy’s Last Stop. Commissioners directed Baker to contact SRS, the contractor providing the bus service and see what they can do.

Budget Concerns

Commissioners, wanting to see just how Proposition 101 and Amendments 60 and 61 would impact the County, decided to review the budget with those revenue cuts in mind. If those measures pass, Commissioners will need to make enough cuts to get all the way through the year without using the Tax Anticipation Loan they have relied on in past years. Lobbyists, Colorado Counties, Incorporated (CCI), has requested Gilpin share the results with other counties.

Attorney’s Update

County Attorney Jim Petrock told Commissioners Sheriff Bruce Hartman’s challenge of sheriff candidate Jerry Yocom’s ballot certification had been denied by Judge Fred Rodgers last week.

A new complaint from Philip Wolf has been entered against the County and Petrock, personally, in United States District Court stemming from Commissioners 2008 denial of use of his land as a rock quarry. Petrock said he would be getting input from County Technical Services, Incorporated and that a request order would be filed with the court asking that Wolf be restricted from filing more such cases. Petrock said the number of times Wolf has sent paperwork for such cases to the County has numbered “well into the double digits,” although Wolf hasn’t followed through on all of them. Commissioner Schmalz said the cases had become a waste of taxpayer dollars.

Public Comment

A Central City resident volunteered her help in researching a legal or legislative solution regarding the ATV and dirt bike riders who fill the areas around Central City cemeteries with their parked trucks and trailers every weekend. She had pictures to show people camping there, too. She told Commissioners the matter couldn’t be ignored and if the laws are unclear about that area, it needs to be straightened out.

A mid-County resident told Commissioners there needs to be a cost efficiency study for all of the County’s departments as some departments are overstaffed and some are understaffed. She advised Commissioners that department managers are very subjective in reporting and the study should be done by an objective party. Make it a priority, she urged. She also recommended the County not fill vacated employee positions unless absolutely necessary.

Heads Up

There is no Gilpin County Commissioner meeting next week. Commissioners meet next on July 13, 2010.

Brass Bed Racing – one of America’s most unique events!

Some local residents didn’t even bother getting out of bed on Saturday, June 19th. The 36^th annual Madame Lou Bunch Day and Brass Bed Race hosted a few bed heads who “hit the sack” and raced, by bed, through the streets of Historic Central City.

After the 12 teams completed, the Bed Race and Costume Winners were announced at 5 pm. The “Money Off the Ceiling” party then commenced at Easy Street Casino’s Gold Coin Saloon from 5-8 pm where karaoke singing and bar top dancing entertained the guests.

Madams and Miners Ball continued the celebration at 8 pm across the street and upstairs at Doc

Holiday’s Casino. There were prizes for the best “Dandy Dan,” “Madame” and “Sporting House Girl” costumes, and they were eligible to win $50 for their category.

Gilpin County Commissioners Buddy Schmalz, Jeanne Nicholson and Forrest Whitman dealt with the regular business of the County at their meeting of June 22^nd, and then moved into a work session to explore how (or if) the County will handle regulations on medical marijuana dispensaries and cultivation.

County Fair in August

Commissioners, acting as the Liquor Licensing Authority, approved a Special Events Permit for the annual County Fair on August 21^st and 22^nd. No one spoke either for or against the permit at the public hearing.

Serving Children

Services for Gilpin children with traumatic brain injuries are provided via a partnership with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment with reimbursement funding of up to $1,200 per referral, per year. Commissioners signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which specifies the coordination of those services, also including administration, record-keeping and reporting. The MOU term is July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011. Currently, there are no children in this program and Commissioner Nicholson said she couldn’t remember when there were, thankfully, but the funding is there to help if it’s needed.

Clerk and Recorder’s Report

The May report from Clerk and Recorder Jessica Kays shows revenues of $142,733. Of that, the Clerk retained $15,814 and disbursed $54,926 to the County Treasurer; $65,574 to the State; $6,298 to Central City; and $122 to Black Hawk. The Motor Vehicle Late Fee revenue was $6,650; the Uninsured Motorist Fee revenue was $930.54; and revenue for the eRecording fund was $163. The revenues for May 2010 are up by $24,676 from those of May 2009.

Kays had final figures for the Kingdom of Gilpin benefit barbecue held last month. Through generous donations and people volunteering their time and talents, the event’s expenses were only $200 resulting in a donation of $4,344 for the County’s Food Bank.

“Connector” Contract

Commissioners renewed the contract with Seniors’ Resource Center, Inc. (SRC) to operate the Connector shuttle bus service. The Evergreen company began operating the service when the County took it over from Black Hawk Transportation Authority last July. This contract commences July 1, 2010 and continues through December 31, 2010. The County will pay SRC at the rate of $33.75 per hour, up to $74,993 for the next six months of service. If SRC’s reserve bus is needed, Gilpin pays for that at the rate of 65 cents per mile, however the County will soon have the new shuttle in service, too, so doesn’t expect to need SRC’s often. Commissioners paid $149,985 (plus the 65 cent-per-mile charge for the reserve bus) for the previous 12 months of service. The shuttle is free to riders, funded by taxpayers via grant money.

Monthly Departmental Reports

The Sheriff’s Office Detentions Division May report showed 66 new bookings for the month (52 male). The average population of the jail for that month was 32 inmates. The Sheriff’s Office was responsible for 30 of the new bookings; Black Hawk Police Department, 13; Central City Police Department, 9; Colorado State Patrol, 8; and the Division of Gaming, 6. Of those arrested, seven were Gilpin residents. 56 of the bookings were gaming-related. Commissioners will soon schedule their annual visit to the jail, as required by statute.

Medical Marijuana Work Session

Following their regular meeting, Commissioners met with Tony Petersen, the County’s Director of Community Development, to discuss how the County will regulate medical marijuana dispensaries and cultivation within Gilpin, or if they will leave that up to the State. There are several options. The County could take no action, defaulting to the State. They could also prohibit these enterprises in totality. Commissioners could opt to leave the licensing up to the State and use only County land use regulations for local control. Should Commissioners choose any of these three options, the County would receive no revenue from licensing these businesses.

The County would collect revenue if Commissioners choose to establish the County as the licensing authority for medical marijuana businesses. They could do that separate from the land use (zoning) regulations or could create regulations that combine both licensing and zoning requirements. In these cases, the medical marijuana enterprises could be approved administratively, rather than coming before Commissioners (unless there are extenuating circumstances.)

Commissioners decided they want to keep local licensing control and directed Petersen to research the different ways they can do that. They also requested a copy of the amendment to the Colorado Constitution regarding the medical marijuana businesses. They directed County Manager Roger Baker to draft a resolution so they can put the matter to voters at November’s election, if they choose to do that. The deadline is nearing to get the measure on the ballot but Baker’s resolution is simply a preparatory action; Commissioners may decide not to go that route. The current moratorium on the businesses will expire on August 12^th. Commissioners directed Baker to create a resolution to extend that moratorium, as allowed by the State, until July 2011. In the meantime they will be looking for data on environmental impacts of the cultivation businesses, particularly how much and where water can be used. Commissioner Nicholson pointed out that there is a lack of hard data regarding various environmental and public health issues.

Commissioners plan to schedule public hearings so proponents and opponents both can have their say prior to Commissioners making a decision.

Head’s Up

Gilpin County Commissioners meet next on June 29, 2010.

Nederland Board of Trustees Meeting

The Town of Nederland held its regular Board of Trustees (BOT) Meeting on Tuesday, June 15, at 7:00 p.m. in the multi-purpose room of the Nederland Community Center.

Attending the meeting were Mayor Sumaya Abu-Haidar, Mayor Pro-Tem Joe Gierlach, and Trustees Robert Joseph, Keith Nowicki, Chris Perret, and Marci Wheelock.  Town Attorney Carmen Beery, Clerk Teresa Myers, and Treasurer Eva Forberger were also in attendance. Trustee Mueller arrived later.

The Warrants section of the Consent Agenda and the Regular Meeting Minutes of June 1, 2010, with a minor line item correction were unanimously approved.

Sidewalk Completion, Solar Homes Tour and July 4th Parade

Tim Underwood, Public Works Director, was present to discuss the progress of the Wastewater Treatment Plant. He also commented on the Town’s sidewalks being nearly completed with a set completion date of June 24. The Town Clean-Up was a very successful event, collecting about 300 cubic yards of trash.

In his Community Center Foundation report, Trustee Gierlach remarked that the Community Center will be included on the Boulder County Solar and Green Homes Tour as the Center is an outstanding “green” building.

Trustee Wheelock will be coordinating the annual Fourth of July Parade through downtown which will begin at noon that Sunday.

In her Mayor’s Report, Abu-Haidar commented that the Town received approximately 60 applications for the currently vacant position of Town Administrator. After further vetting, the top two candidates’ names will be made public. Finalist interviews will take place in mid-July. Her further comments included collaboration with the Boulder County Commissioners in locating and establishing a safe shooting range.

Copier Lease and PROSAB Appointments

Action Item One was a decision on the four bids received for a Town Hall copier lease agreement to begin in July. The Town’s current budget allots $500 a month for a copier. Canon’s lease agreement was unanimously approved at the cost of $200 for the installation of a fax line and $200 a month for 5000 copies or impressions.

For Action Item Two Trustee Nowicki presented the names of individuals recommended for appointment by the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Advisory Board (PROSAB) to their board: William Alan Brewer, Ben Dereume, Scott Hammers, and Starr Jamison. Each appointment is for a term of three years and BOT unanimously approved the appointments.

MMD (Medical Marijuana Dispensary) Local Compliance and Licensing

Discussion Agenda Item One was a “Discussion on Town-issued Letter for MMD State Licensing Compliance,” meant to provide staff with instruction on how the Board would like to move forward.

Mayor Abu-Haidar requested that Town Attorney Beery present a background on the issue. Beery researched the issue with the Colorado Municipal League (CML) and concluded that local compliance was the first step in establishing a MMD business.

Local compliance in Nederland means that an existing medical marijuana dispensary must apply for a business license by Thursday, July 1.

Other legal requirements must also be met for a MMD to remain in business: a state license must be obtained by August 1, 2010; and verification that a dispensary or medical marijuana center grows 70% of its own product must be met by September 1, 2010. Those are the current requirements for a MMD to continue in existence and remain lawful through July 1, 2011.

Beery referred to a draft letter by the Town verifying compliance with Nederland’s Municipal Code to be sent out to local dispensary owners. Town Clerk Meyers will also send out business license reminders. Meyers stated that three of the seven Town dispensaries had already completed their business license forms.

Seventeen people from the standing-room-only crowd at the meeting had signed up to offer comments on the licensing issue, thanking Nederland for acting quickly to keep the industry in town. It was repeatedly stated that the MMD business had “revitalized Ned” and it was supported as “the best economic stimulus” for the town.

A short discussion followed about zoning and also whether a home-based grower could get a license. Another question raised concerned possibly combining licenses if the grow and dispensary locations were different. Town Clerk Meyers responded that two licenses would be required in that situation, as a business license was not transferrable from either location to location or person to person.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Loan

After a short recess by the Board, Item Two, “Discussion of Construction Loan Bids/Vendors to choose direction (vendor) to work with and seek USDA approval,” was opened regarding the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WTP). Interim financing for the facility loan of approximately $4,000,000 for construction was a requirement of the existing WTP’s USDA loan.

Treasurer Forberger explained that of the four bids received, including origination loan fees and interest, Mutual of Omaha Bank submitted the lowest bid, approximately $1,500 less in cost than the next lowest bidder, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC. A spokesman for Wells Fargo, a local business, requested that the Board consider the past business they have given the town and also keep the financing in town. The Board tabled the item for further discussion.

Water Meter Reading System

Next on the agenda was Item Three, “Discussion of various options for installing and retrofitting all Town Water Meters and radio transponders to provide drive-by meter reading system.”

In 2009 the Town of Nederland received a DOLA grant of $600,000 for expanding the existing water treatment plant by adding pretreatment and microfiltration systems, and water meter installations. In late 2009 the Town entered into a service contract with TEC to prepare documentation to bid out the water meter automation project. Only one bid by Velocity was received for the project.

Staff explored alternatives for the project and after contacting other potential bidders, recommended a combination scenario in hiring an established project-management company, while using local companies for the actual installation and retrofit of the water meters.

Director Underwood displayed a water meter manufactured by a Boulder-based company that could be purchased and conceivably installed by August. The water meter is compatible with all output, is designed in a propeller style which keeps it from freezing, and comes with free software.

The Board decided to move forward in further investigating a combination scenario for the water meter project.

DDA Parking Study and Community Center Drain Repair

Item Four was a discussion on the “DDA Commissioned Downtown Parking Study.” The Nederland Downtown Development Authority (DDA) commissioned a parking study to improve parking scenarios in the downtown area.

After a lengthy discussion of the study information, it was decided that a work session was needed for further clarification of the data before putting together an action plan.

Item Five was “Discussion of contract with Church OWC to repair perimeter drain at Community Center.” In May the Community Center’s weight room was flooded, apparently due to high ground-water conditions. Director Underwood requested that the Board provide direction on implementing a fix for the unbudgeted repair. It was decided that further investigation needed to be done before approving either a short- or long-term repair.

Treasurer Forberger brought up a last agenda item regarding additional money requested by Loris and Associates for management of the sidewalk project. BOT previously approved $60,000 to Loris in providing a fixed amount for the project management. It was noted that a formal contract was never drawn up for these services.

Mayor Abu-Haidar requested that the issue be listed as a discussion item on the next agenda.

Executive Session and Adjournment

The Board then entered into an executive session to confer with the Town Attorney and Staff regarding “receiving legal advice concerning CDPHE permit compliance.” The meeting was scheduled to adjourn around 10:30 p.m.

The next scheduled BOT meeting will be on Tuesday, July 6, at 7:00 p.m. at the Nederland Community Center. Please check the town’s website, www.town.nederland.co.us, for more information and to verify the meeting date.