Posted on: May 7th, 2023

GOLD HILL TOWN MEETING NEWSLETTER

Minutes of the April 10, 2023, Zoom Meeting

Next Town Meeting is Monday, June 12, 7:00 p.m.

 Vice Chair Dan Maedke called the meeting to order as Chair Marcus Moench was out of town.  Twenty-one people attended: Dan, Treasurer Chrissy Maedke, Heidi Kessler, Richard Roth, Clare and Kevin Tone, Kate Inskeep, Brandt Parker, Val Crist, Steffi Wilson, Liz Wiig, Marybeth Neal, Erich Gundlach, Kris Hill, Virginia Schultz, Nadyne Orloff, Marie Brookhart, Secretary Gretchen Diefenderfer, and members of Cycles for Community, Rob London, Matt Muir, and Mark Flolid. Please let me know if I missed anyone.

Minutes of the February 13^th Meeting were approved as published.

Cycles for Community (CFC) – Rob London (with Alpine Bank), Matt Muir, and Mark Flolid attended.  They are board members of CFC, which is a non-profit.  Rob reported that they’ve met with Whitey DeBroux of the Gold Hill General Store and Pub about how to alleviate the impact they know bicyclists have on Gold Hill and want to contribute to the Store and to the Town Meeting.  Matt reported that CFC was founded originally in response to the flood, particularly in Lyons and Jamestown – paid for Porta Potties in Jamestown.  They want to help relations between the mountain communities and cyclists.  To help Whitey, they want to buy Porta Potties for the Store, and he will cover them with weathered wood so they’ll look better, and maybe provide a bike rack in back.  The money will pass through to the GHTM from Alpine Bank.  Val asked about stipulations, but there aren’t any.  Matt volunteered that Jim Conlin was his uncle and Sharon is his aunt, Mark and Dina Elder are his in-laws.  Chrissy Maedke thanked them for being a positive force.  Mark added that they also work to communicate with all the cycling community.  Virginia stated that they’d like to use donated funds for mitigation oriented expenses.

         Kevin Tone had a question about their constituents who are cyclists who go through GH and many continue to the Switzerland Trail (ST), which has seen a lot of use and been severely impacted by off road traffic.  He wonders if they see conflicts.  Mark replied that the Switzerland Trail is now so dangerous that he no longer uses it.  They could raise a voice.  He’d think the USFS could help. 

         Clare added that this is a good transition to the ATV issue.  They live west of town approx. four miles.  She taught horse riding and has been involved with the Broken Arrow Ranch, which is only 35 acres now, but classic historical horse property and she’s been involved in maintaining the horse culture of western Boulder County.  The community is dear to her heart.  She pointed out that around 2020 the Switzerland Trail (ST) suffered a big change with many more ATV rental vehicles.  She contacted Matt Henry with the Arapahoe Ranger Office for help, but that office is now closed.  There are two rental agencies in Larimer County: Backbone Adventure Sports and Estes Park Rentals, who supply 90% of the vehicle traffic on our part of the ST, especially in the off season – approx. November to mid-May or June when there are closures in Gilpin, etc., so the ST area is the only place available.  It’s had a big impact on the road, habitat, and animals.  Thanks to Kate for her work on this, too.  Somehow, Clare became the spokesperson, which became a problem because she got railroaded by the Forest Service, which is a difficult entity to deal with.  There are questions about the historic domain of the ST.  The County Commissioners are interested, but not certain of the jurisdiction.  The ST does exist on motor vehicle use maps, on Forest Service maps.  There is a lot of significance to jurisdiction.  There is a law passed by Jared Polis imposing restrictions on non-registered vehicles on County roads.  So, if the ST is under the County, that could take care of much of that part of the problem.  She’s contacted Chase Melching, a hard to get through to Forest Service guy with Arapahoe Roosevelt FS.  They do pay some money to help the Sheriff’s Department with legal enforcement of the rules, but still they’re strapped for cash and there is a history of poor organization between the agencies.

         So, she urges everyone to contact the County Commissioners (BOCC), especially if they notice anything illegal.  Call into the Sheriff’s non-emergency number 303-441-4444, for off road driving in the meadows, etc.

  Email Clare to keep in touch or for contact info for the County Commissioners or for more information  (goldhillforsafeswitztrail.com).  She recommends actively focusing on the BOCC – take pictures.  See

https://goldhilltown.com/friends-of-the-switzerland-trail/

         Kevin added that they’ve talked to the rental companies and they do try to tell their renters to stay on roads, but it’s not working – the garbage and human feces and general mess are a serious problem.  The whole parking lot is trashed.  They make around $700 rent/day – making money on our open space.

         Richard added that they often go clean up debris and see the actual destruction of the road,  they have put up barriers along the road to try to keep vehicles on the road – they seem to like to go down below and then go up through the Oxbow Curve – have almost destroyed the road there.  As for jurisdiction, it does have a County Road number.  The County maintained it for a number of years, but at some point seem to have stopped and left it to the Forest Service who have done nothing. So, he questions if FS has jurisdiction – he thinks it’s the County. 

         Clare replied that she is here to advocate for the squeaky wheel – we need to be it!  We can align with the cyclist groups for quiet use vs ATVs, for our safety and to protect this treasure for  promised they would put up barriers, but…  Clare  recommended downloading the Avenza road map for the Arapaho/Roosevelt Forest, which designates which routes are legal – beneficial to find out.

         Steffi questioned the long-term goal – do we want to keep out or not provide access for private ATVs, too?  Clare replied that her personal goal is to mitigate the impacts and degradation of our open space – thinks there is common ground around preserving the integrity  of the land and the habitat.

         Dan added that this information has opened the door to a conversation we are all interested in and perhaps we need a follow up meeting to further discuss.  Mark said that the CFC have lines to the County Commissioners, and thinks they should reach out on this.  Matt thinks a f/u meeting would be good.  Brandt got paper maps – more detailed – at the FS Office in north Boulder.  Kate favors seasonal closures or perhaps alternate days for vehicles vs quiet traffic.

         So, squeaky wheel!!

NEW BUSINESS – Land Acknowledgement – Chrissy reports that the land acknowledgement statement is a work in progress and we are interested in constructive feedback. Our intention is to join many organizations in recognizing that we’re on indigenous lands acquired unjustly.  So, what does this mean for us as far as collaboration, driving principles, education, stewardship?  We’re working on our power point presentation.  Here is the work in progress – looking for input

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1MYrB7-rtIhWBu-GTR9_B2j-F5Jh3bf-kIiq3ozdCPKo/edit#slide=id.g2016b890b9e_0_0

 

         Erich suggested that we include historic information on our community – were a number of tribes residing here or?  Chrissy wondered about using the land for hunting or ceremonial purposes. She added that we just don’t know – the picture is fuzzy.  We’re hoping to collaborate with others and find out more.

Treasurer’s Report –

April 2023 Meeting Treasurer Accounting Report
Starting date: 2/13/23
Opening Balances			Accounts	Amount
		General	3449	$10,321.52
		Grants	7018	$500.00
		Savings	7000	$200.00
		Total Opening Balances:		$11,021.52
Income	General 3449
		Total		$0.00
	Grants 7018
		Total		$0.00
	Savings 7000
		Total		$0.00
		Total Income:		$0.00
Expenses	General 3449	4Imprints (split- merch & neighborlink)	3449	$373.40
		Walgreens	3449	$35.45
		CO SoS	3449	$10.00
		DOLA- Dept of Treasury	3449	$226.00
		DOLA- Dept of Treasury	3449	$175.00
		Community Relief	3449	$500.00
		Evite	3449	$89.99
		Total		$1,409.84
	Grants 7018
		Total		$0.00
	Savings 7000
		Total		$0.00
		Total Expenses:		$1,409.84
Ending Balances		General	3449	$8,911.68
		Grants	7018	$500.00
		Savings	7000	$200.00
4/12/23		Total Closing Balances:		$9,611.68

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

AirLink – Chrissy reports that they are looking into interest in a Ham Radio Class – need a certain number to hold a class. 

Business District – Chrissy has added this to our report list in order to find out when there is any significant news.

Cemetery – no report

Community Events and Fundraising – Dan reports that we have new beer glasses and the new color is gold!  They are still looking into the idea of an online store where the GHTM, and possibly the Museum, Inn, and Store could have merchandise for sale and it would alleviate the need for us all to buy so much stuff up front.

Party With a Purpose – Happy hour at the Maedke’s on Wednesday to talk about what is the GHTM and what do we want it to be.  How do you see yourself fitting in?  What are your priorities?  Chrissy is always looking for input/interest/participation – email her at ghtmtreasurer@nullgmail.com

Gold Hill School – Chrissy reports that next year the school is 150 years old!  The PTO is just starting to plan and, so far, are thinking of a carnival during the Labor Day weekend.  They’re hoping to attract old students. 

Celebration for Chief Finn’s Retirement – Saturday, June 24 at the Gold Hill Inn.  Come out and say thank you for all the years of service – there will be food and drinks, too!

Gold Hill Spring Clean Up – Saturday, June 24 in the Bluebird Hotel parking lot – details to follow.  As always, the County supports recycling, reusing, repurposing, but we have to pay for the dumpsters, so there will be fees – working on it. Also, we’ll need volunteers to help – always a good thing to get some of our junk out of town.  <3

Flora, Garden, Weed Management – Chrissy reports that Pam Sherman (pamsher123@nullgmail.com) is excited to help anyone – to be a resource.  Will be putting together a new packet of information.

 

Gold Hill School continued –

Dear GHTM, It’s spring in the Rockies, and life is good at the Gold Hill School! We’ve been keeping very busy since the last meeting.  We had three great field trips in the last two months.  We went to the Ellie Caulkins Opera House to get a behind the scenes tour of the production, Die Tote Stade.  We sang with the singers from Opera Colorado, met with the stage manager, got to try on wigs and get stage makeup, checked out costuming, and spent time in the orchestra pit with a bassoon player.  That weekend, a smaller group of us were able to go see the production.  The next week, we were back at the Opera House to see the Colorado Ballet perform Cinderella.  We now have lots of children putting on their own ballet performances.  Finally, last week, the Opera Colorado came to us!  We teamed up with our friends at Jamestown Elementary, and Opera Colorado performed Pirates of Penzance for our combined 30 children.  What a treat!  All of these experiences were sponsored by SCFD.  We are also excited to announce that we will again be treated to the same SCFD grant next year.   Back at school, we were hard at work preparing our own theatrical production!  Thank you to everyone who came out to see our original musical play, Gentlemen of Fortune: A Pirate’s Story, based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island.  We were so impressed that our 13 children were able to pull off such a challenging script.  They were all fabulous, and we are just so proud.   After the play, the students had a much-needed spring break.  Meanwhile, we were able to host the community again for a Columbia Clothing give-away!  Many, many thank yous to Jenna Balberg for making all of this possible.  Thanks to her, we’re all happily sporting lots of beautiful new threads.  We look forward to doing this again in the future. As you may remember, our Principal, Scott Boesel is retiring at the end of this school year.  We have hired a new principal!  Jess Seevers will be leading Gold Hill, Jamestown and Flatirons Elementary.  Jess is coming from an Assistant Principal position at Monarch PK-8.  She is so excited to be a part of the team!  Some of you may have met her when she came to visit last weekend for the Columbia give-away.   She looks forward to coming to our future events and getting to know the community, so be sure to say hello when you see her! This week, the 345 students were able to take a HAM Radio merit badge class through George Weber.  Thank you, George!  This class was meant to introduce the students to HAM radio, and bridge the gap between what we taught the students and what they should know before taking the HAM license class.  We’re hoping to be able to set up a HAM class for the community in the near future that the student can join.   There is still time to enroll students in the Gold Hill School for next year!  If you know of anyone that may be interested in sending their kids to the Gold Hill School, please send them our contact information.  As always, we appreciate your interest and support!   Warm Regards,  Chrissy, Jojo, Eva & Dan  Gold Hill School Staff

Goldhillschool.com | Christine.maedke@nullbvsd.org

 

Columbia  clothing giveaway – Thanks so much to Jenna Balberg!

Health and Human Services – Chrissy added this unfunded line item because we know there are unmet needs – some food insecurity, needs for ride sharing, etc.,  and we hope to bring attention and find ways to help.

Historic Zoning – no report

Mountain Stewards/Forest Management – Virginia reports lots of exciting stuff  is happening.  May 6, Saturday, from 9-12 at the Store is the Wildfire Awareness Day – burritos, education, tours, but no dumpsters this year.

         They are putting in for a large grant – AIM – to help with our mitigation goals.  Teens, Inc. will be coming June 19, 20.  Check the Boulder Watershed Collective link for more information on activities those days and updates on our ongoing mitigation work  https://www.boulderwatershedcollective.com

They strongly encourage everyone to sign up for emergency notifications with Boulder County Office of Emergency Management  https://member.everbridge.net/453003085612231/login  Virginia wants 100% participation!!

Museum – Deb reports that they will be open on Memorial Day and on weekends – new hours: 12 noon to 5 p.m.

NeighborLink and SafeLink – no report.

Upcoming Events

         Next GHTM,  Monday, June 12, 7 p.m.

GHFPD Board Election, Tuesday, May 2, 7 am – 7 pm, at theFirebarn.           Contact the DEO, Liz Wiig, for information and results  lizwiig@nullgmail.com

Addendum: results are posted at the Firebarn and on our website – https://goldhilltown.com/ghfpd-board-election-results/

 

Respectfully submitted, Gretchen Diefenderfer, Secretary