[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",5977251,"mediaKeyId","5821916-e48978d8e9018e6d4e515bbda7781bcc","parentId",5821916,"title","Gilpin Board of Equalization approves list of arbitrators for property valuation appeals","audioSeconds",761,"startMs",2317000,"endMs",3078000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5821916-e48978d8e9018e6d4e515bbda7781bcc&start=2317&end=3078","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5821916-e48978d8e9018e6d4e515bbda7781bcc/thumbnail_2317000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5977251/Gilpin-County/Colorado/Gilpin-Board-of-Equalization-approves-list-of-arbitrators-for-property-valuation-appeals","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5977251-5ea06cbfdfe13074f04d759844200d20/orig.mp4?Expires=1775382181&Signature=VCSijzBvKkrPZ2DexnowZ4AKBm-L1PUIlaj41~v7kGeXj50tdn7CCWf1PtUI8FXJuDUiVjy38VPww4qa-dIotj8xs11D60hlHL36h1hP6JYSL~6LT20zLmcuQcf6DNoK2ehziBkFzD9BNpJsx8jQJ0OvLN~ZHbzCJHO4t~H30ecm3kW5H2ncruaJmySjP6BTL7zjssSrleMz~zhbvuZ2xuuOO~iWSBgUVyZ4b9y1V61CvWqd8UIkVVnti7uLRAIwQ47EfKDX6RATpNZD6cKU2aLcJvvUmvEvdDKwEw~Y6UB9iIeAHESxd1fxbu1UV2Q8Ud4ZrdBFhHreA51vp2ffdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Gilpin County Colorado","date","2025-09-23T00:00:00Z","article","During a sitting of the Board of Equalization on Sept. 23, Gilpin County Clerk and Recorder Sahari McCormick presented and the board approved a resolution designating a short list of arbitrators to hear binding property-valuation appeals.

McCormick told the board that two property owners had requested binding arbitration after decisions by a hearing officer and notified the clerk within the statutory 30-day appeal window. The statute McCormick cited requires the taxpayer and board to select an arbitrator from a provided list within 30 days; once an arbitrator is selected the hearing must occur within 60 days. McCormick said the list became available Sept. 15 and that, under the schedule, hearings would need to occur no later than Nov. 22.

Two arbitrators on the list are licensed residential appraisers who, McCormick said, value land as well as homes. One of the protesting property owners, Edward (Ed) Dumpf (on the call), told the board he believed the comparables provided were all residential and that his parcel, which he described as a mining claim with no access, did not resemble the comparables. Gilpin County Assessor April Nielsen told the board that the two selected arbitrators are state-certified appraisers and that appraisal methodology (market analysis, highest-and-best-use) is applicable across property types; Nielsen said arbitration under the statute requires professional appraiser expertise rather than a natural-resources certification.

McCormick noted the arbitration process can be informal and, by mutual agreement, private. She said arbitrators are normally paid up front by the protester and then the hearing is scheduled. County counsel clarified the board would approve the list and the clerk’s office would work with the protestors on selecting an arbitrator. A motion to approve Resolution 25-107 (designation of arbitrators for arbitration of property valuation appeals) passed, and the board amended the resolution language to reflect that the action was being taken by the Board of Equalization (not the Board of County Commissioners) and to correct a reference that the hearing officer, not the assessor, made the initial determinations.

Key procedural points: arbitration is binding and final; a panel hearing is to be scheduled within the statutory timeline; parties may agree to a closed hearing. The clerk’s office will coordinate with the protestors on arbitrator selection and scheduling.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Gilpin Commissioners' Meeting - September 23, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Board of Equalization approved a resolution designating two certified appraisers as arbitrators for binding property-valuation appeals and selected the list for two pending protests; parties were reminded arbitration is binding and may be private by agreement.","taxTitle","Gilpin County, Colorado","taxId",27340,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5977255,"Gilpin County ends temporary Stage 1 fire restrictions after regional improvement in conditions",159,952000,1111000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5821916-e48978d8e9018e6d4e515bbda7781bcc&start=952&end=1111","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5821916-e48978d8e9018e6d4e515bbda7781bcc/thumbnail_952000.jpg","/articles/5977255/Gilpin-County/Colorado/Gilpin-County-ends-temporary-Stage-1-fire-restrictions-after-regional-improvement-in-conditions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5977255-364ca1e1d2cf44a7e8a096746256fe83/orig.mp4?Expires=1775382181&Signature=W1eUF3hj18~tUpTnghTlXqqdpsu8L~IUSZbsLijzkEo1RN68nYt9~qocpqyJ9n-Ec3PO3B6lkwc2J1m0Yo08MBdP1hT4tyCXjXXpkYzCr0BscalD7H6XfPJAy3r4f4H5zlhpoLPk3SCVOFuJ3dFs0vDeO~h6XfT-7PNnhC1exKEJj5Hc18ULACmQQADCuHkzKXhH1SWeHUlr0SRSxlFPTAzUmmwDhs-N7kKCCNVHmEJRSiFycdJS8aS1ox~JKs2FhMdiJTZv3RmIm6axDbEPxmaVjnIKpnn7cawtStrBPJQ2x8kcys6tsKTQh783~-Tf3ookLDLz1Ikan2Nyz8rsHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of County Commissioners voted on Sept. 23 to cancel and repeal temporary Stage 1 fire restrictions in Gilpin County after county law-enforcement and fire partners reported reduced extreme fire conditions in the region.

Undersheriff Greg Demow told the board that participants in the Northern Colorado Fire Group recommended lifting restrictions because conditions had eased. “With the reduction of those conditions, it was recommended by the Northern Colorado Fire Group that we come out of fire restrictions, as one complete partnership,” Demow said, adding that neighboring jurisdictions including Clear Creek, Boulder and the U.S. Forest Service were lifting restrictions at the same time.

A motion to approve “Resolution 25-112, canceling and repealing temporary Stage 1 fire restrictions in Gilpin County” was made and seconded; the board voted in favor and the chair declared the motion approved. The resolution names Sheriff Kevin Armstrong and Undersheriff Greg Demow in the caption as the officials associated with the action.

During discussion commissioners and staff noted the county’s increased reliance this season on interagency science and data to determine red-flag conditions and restriction levels. Staff credited regional partners for regular data sharing that informed the decision. No further action was required; county staff thanked local partners for their work during the season.","The Board approved a resolution to cancel temporary Stage 1 fire restrictions after the Northern Colorado Fire Group reported reduced extreme conditions; the change was made in coordination with neighboring jurisdictions and the U.S. Forest Service.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5977259,"Gilpin County to make long-term care optional and suspend hiring/retention incentives for 2026 amid budget constraints",1118,3213000,4331000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5821916-e48978d8e9018e6d4e515bbda7781bcc&start=3213&end=4331","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5821916-e48978d8e9018e6d4e515bbda7781bcc/thumbnail_3213000.jpg","/articles/5977259/Gilpin-County/Colorado/Gilpin-County-to-make-long-term-care-optional-and-suspend-hiringretention-incentives-for-2026-amid-budget-constraints","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5977259-5377289f79a30d6d3d9acc3ca6d6f975/orig.mp4?Expires=1775382181&Signature=CtJc7tpT-KyrYTQ5QPEsEBIFR2XRj-OOw~oFqzdk~3j1XLf4YJ9~6CpM62ct2P5lBC0mBp-6wQY~GR5qtwfDBg6zSMtdBwg~MlJvjBCJIzJAU6dtX6z0L05LwKjiFZ1CiE7Nulhxk6AM0K713jpd8pDFlvcEB5KMSuNYrTvXkEFMf0udOjZem~IYyQT2Sf5bQOiRdR91dkDz2HJQOmbDFc4sp7wkRaF3f8GofIuddASKmlqpmCYTbMiQH9HqFzAxxDTKwucMmnXFKU-NPt0kElPrLEvpq6oPdz4lZna5bEaDBdh5IRSAt5hEd2i6d5SiU62WBGxMSDSalEmLC6pfQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the Sept. 23 meeting the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners approved two related personnel changes aimed at reducing projected 2026 personnel costs: a resolution making long-term care insurance an optional, employee‑paid benefit, and a separate resolution pausing the county’s hiring and retention incentive program for the 2026 budget year.

Human resources director Shanda Johnson told the board that long-term care insurance had been a county-paid benefit for eligible employees but that rising benefits costs and very low utilization prompted the proposal to convert the benefit to an optional program the employee may elect and pay for. Johnson said the county’s estimated cost for that benefit was “around $30,000” and that utilization had been “very, very low.” The board passed the long-term-care resolution (Resolution 24-109) on a 3–0 vote.

The commissioners also voted to suspend the county’s hiring and retention incentive program for budget year 2026, citing projected program costs. County staff estimated the program would cost about $596,000 in 2026 if it continued. The program had been used to recruit and retain employees in safety‑sensitive positions, including facility maintenance and multiple positions in the Sheriff’s Office (deputies, dispatchers, detention specialists and sergeants).

During discussion, commissioners and staff emphasized that incentives already earned or committed through Dec. 31 will be honored. Staff said hiring incentives typically pay at 30 days and six months; referral incentives include payments at six months and one year. Staff explained that the bulk of the program’s cost is driven by retention bonuses that vest over time, and that suspending the program before it enters a more-expensive third tier would avoid larger future obligations.

Board members asked whether the county could preserve incentives for critically understaffed roles (the discussion cited dispatcher staffing and a facilities request). Staff recommended approving the suspension now and holding a more detailed work session on Oct. 21 to consider targeted exceptions or an amended structure that would prioritize specific positions. One commissioner asked for clearer, itemized counts before suspension; the board agreed to revisit targeted options in the October work session. The motion to suspend passed (board vote recorded in the meeting as 2–1).

Decisions and next steps: the board approved the long-term care transition (3–0) and approved suspension of the countywide hiring/retention incentive program for 2026 (2–1). Staff will honor incentives earned or committed through Dec. 31 and will return with proposals for targeted exceptions or program redesign at an Oct. 21 work session.","The Board approved transitioning long-term care insurance to an employee-paid optional benefit and voted to suspend the county's hiring and retention incentive program for budget year 2026; existing incentives earned or committed through Dec. 31 will be honored, and staff will revisit targeted options in October work sessions.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5977264,"Gilpin County presents $34.4 million draft budget, refers lodging-tax increase to voters",1125,1176000,2301000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5821916-e48978d8e9018e6d4e515bbda7781bcc&start=1176&end=2301","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5821916-e48978d8e9018e6d4e515bbda7781bcc/thumbnail_1176000.jpg","/articles/5977264/Gilpin-County/Colorado/Gilpin-County-presents-344-million-draft-budget-refers-lodging-tax-increase-to-voters","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5977264-1cbe056d7c73b7bd6cbe768393e3f070/orig.mp4?Expires=1775382181&Signature=H7gtMV~-lDAexOu6mfOUsKqsq1raAthWLiqNqKNQZqJnLkPtwfwj3hZ6zaRMPzsX~l0sigTrQjtI9DBAkBhLc-ENh4FiODcN5yqTcKum2i8UjMKNp3LHd3UuAgnLE~zzXy3GX0vOxX7tFvsll4brW6SwxhQLCBXiX2RR8rgNLTB6XylMyXB5RmOnHEL6vCDlEzJl3E7Ahv20BQHj2kkfXVshnUxjNvak1URlLEKbMCCroZ9qZEJr2nbjdm6Axw-p5xq2iJLjL9uNwwfxKYJl0s0~RORcQC8fkADWOlyMY~d7AiTXzzNcam09eDJh~MmJ~CC~xu4qbUc6FfoHSeKJyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Gilpin County staff on Sept. 23 presented a draft 2026 budget to the Board of County Commissioners that projects $34,427,092 in total revenue and $39,373,238 in expenditures and asks voters in November whether to raise the county lodging tax from 2% to 6% to fund infrastructure maintenance, housing and tourism-related workforce needs.

County manager Rares and finance staff described the draft during the formal handoff to the board. “The total anticipated revenue for 2026 is $34,427,092,” finance staff said during the presentation. The packet shows gaming revenue and intergovernmental funding as the largest revenue sources and a conservative approach to projections because of macroeconomic uncertainty.

The county said gaming receipts remain the single largest revenue source but are declining: staff reported $16,201,381 this year and projected gaming-related revenue of roughly $15.1 million for 2026. Property-tax revenue was projected at about $5.6 million. The draft lists intergovernmental revenue of roughly $7.8 million and charges for services of about $3.0 million; interest and other revenue make up the remainder.

Why it matters: the draft sets the county’s spending priorities and reserve targets and frames work the board must complete before final adoption. The presentation shows the sheriff’s office as the single largest department expense at an estimated $11,453,273, or about 29% of total expenditures. Public works (including solid waste) is the county’s second-largest departmental cost at about $5.16 million. Capital projects proposed for 2026 total roughly $3.84 million, including completion of the annex plumbing, community center and justice center circulation upgrades, pool mechanical work, and improvements at Rudolph Ranch.

Staff emphasized the county remains debt-free and is maintaining reserves: an emergency fund of $4 million, $2 million earmarked for potential water-rights acquisition, and a three-month operating reserve. The estimated ending fund balance under the draft is $23,430,658. Manager Rares said staff prepared the draft conservatively and will provide department-level detail and follow-up documents through OpenGov, the county’s public budget platform.

On the lodging tax, staff said the board has referred a ballot measure to increase the tax by four percentage points (from 2% to 6%). If voters approve the increase, the additional revenue would be dedicated to public infrastructure maintenance and improvements, housing and child care for tourism-related workers and other local workers, and to support equipment and staffing needs in public works. The proposed budget includes one new FTE—an equipment maintenance technician—identified as a lodging-tax-supported hire if voters approve the ballot question. Staff emphasized that the lodging-tax hires and programmatic uses are contingent on voter approval.

Staff outlined the schedule and next steps: department-head meetings and a rapid-review session on Oct. 7, additional work sessions in October and November, and final budget and mill-levy adoption targeted for Dec. 15. The draft, the presenters said, will be available to the public on OpenGov and in printed form for the commissioners.

Board members asked clarifying questions during the presentation about the revenue mix, the effect of tariffs and inflation on capital and operating costs, and how grant revenues and the county’s gaming impact fund are included. Staff said the draft factors broad cost increases into projections but does not isolate a line-item for tariffs; they said staff can quantify tariff exposure going forward.

Less critical details: staff said the largest single anticipated grant is the county’s gaming-impact allocation (listed in the presentation at $655,000). Staff also noted that vehicle and equipment replacements were reduced from prior years and gave a breakdown of planned capital equipment purchases and their approximate costs.","County staff presented a draft 2026 budget that forecasts $34,427,092 in revenue, outlines $39.4 million in proposed expenditures, and includes a November ballot measure to raise the lodging tax from 2% to 6% to fund infrastructure, housing and child care; final adoption is scheduled for Dec. 15.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Gilpin Board of Equalization approves list of arbitrators for property valuation appeals

Gilpin County ends temporary Stage 1 fire restrictions after regional improvement in conditions

Gilpin County to make long-term care optional and suspend hiring/retention incentives for 2026 amid budget constraints

Gilpin County presents $34.4 million draft budget, refers lodging-tax increase to voters