Gilpin County adopts $39.2 million 2026 budget, levies property taxes; no public comments at hearing

Gilpin County commissioners adopted the county's 2026 budget and levied general property taxes during a special meeting on Dec. 15 after a public hearing with no attendees making comments. The board approved Resolution 25-148 (adopting the 2026 budget) and Resolution 25-146 (levying general property taxes for the 2026 budget year) by unanimous voice votes, 3-0.

Interim finance director Lorna Plomondon and county staff reviewed the budget highlights at the public hearing. Staff cited projected total revenue of just over $33.4 million and proposed expenditures just over $39.2 million for 2026, noting the county budgeted conservatively for gaming revenue with an assumed 7.5% reduction. Staff also highlighted that gaming revenue remains the single-largest revenue source (about 45% of overall revenue in prior years), capital projects of about $4.9 million, and an ending fund balance of roughly $26 million. Staff reiterated that the county has been debt-free since 2022.

The hearing drew no public comments; the chair closed the public-comment period at 9:42 a.m. Commissioners thanked staff for the budget work and discussed staffing changes and reliance on grants (approximately $2.2 million in grants in the proposed budget). Following the discussion, the board adopted the budget and approved the tax levy by unanimous vote. The board closed the meeting at 9:50 a.m.; its next scheduled meeting is Jan. 13, 2026.