Posted on: May 18th, 2026

The town of Gold Hill has had some form of local government since its founding as a mining camp in 1859. On January 28, 1970, the Gold Hill Town Meeting (GHTM) was incorporated, and we became a 501(c)4, a tax-exempt organization under the IRS. Its primary purpose is to hold town meetings and provide a forum for community discussion and a basis for community action, as well as to hold property, for instance, the Cemetery and the northern part of the Town Meadow.

The Gold Hill Town Meeting (GHTM) has been in operation since 1859, serving as the central hub of civic life in our mountain community. It became an established nonprofit organization in 1970 and, as of 2015, is recognized as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3), making donations to the GHTM tax-deductible.

The GHTM raises operating funds at various community events throughout the year and helps coordinate efforts that support the health, safety, and vibrancy of Gold Hill. In addition to sponsoring this website, the GHTM supports community-wide communications, emergency preparedness planning, historical preservation, forest management, road safety initiatives, the annual Spring Cleanup, and community engagement projects. It also works closely with other local organizations and committees on issues such as wildfire mitigation, senior support, sustainable tourism, and youth involvement.

Town meetings are held six times a year, in February, April, June, August, October, and December, on the second Monday of the month. Meetings are accessible both in person and via Zoom, and all residents are encouraged to attend and participate.

Our yearly elections were held on Monday, August 11, 2025.    The current Town Council now consists  of

 To contact, please email

Chair – Kelly Veit          ghtownmeeting@nullgmail.com

Vice Chair – Kaitlyn Barthell  ghtmvicechair@nullgmail.com

Secretary – Gretchen Diefenderfer  gretchend@nullmac.com

Treasurer – Martha Knapp     ghtmtreasurer@nullgmail.com

Member at Large – John Hatlelid       ghtmmemberatlarge@nullgmail.com

 

Map of the area

 

 Indigenous Land Acknowledgement: 

The Gold Hill Town Meeting recognizes that the town of Gold Hill sits upon land within the ancestral territories of the Núuchiu (Ute), Tsistsistas (Cheyenne), and Hinono’eiteen (Arapaho), as well as many other indigenous peoples, that were illegally and unjustly taken from the tribes.  We recognize that our town’s founding and the subsequent populating of Boulder County came at a dire cost to Native Nations and peoples whose traditional hunting grounds this community was built upon. 

We recognize the indigenous peoples as the original stewards of this land.  We honor and respect the people of these Nations and their ancestors. We also recognize that Indigenous knowledge, oral histories, and languages handed down through generations have shaped profound cultural and spiritual connections with Boulder-area lands and ecosystems — connections that are sustained and celebrated to this day.  As these words of acknowledgment are spoken and heard, the ties Nations have to their traditional homelands are renewed and reaffirmed by the Gold Hill community.

Nondiscrimination Statement:

The Gold Hill Town Meeting, Inc., does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender expression, age, citizenship status, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, political affiliation or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, election of Town Council members, participation by any members of the Town Meeting area, selection of volunteers or vendors, or potential hiring and firing of any staff. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of the Gold Hill Town Meeting, Inc., its partners, guests and attendees, volunteers, subcontractors and vendors.

Values Statement:

We embrace our responsibility to co-create a world where each of us, our community, and our town can flourish, all the while, celebrating our unique environment and history.

1. What: Historic Preservation, Disaster Mitigation, Environmental Stewardship, Resilience, Community Engagement, Human Services
2. Why: Social Flourishing, Cultivating Long-Term relationships, Community Wellness, Business Sustainability, Environmental Health
   
3. How: Communication, Inclusivity, Respect, Kindness, Collaboration, Volunteerism, Non-Partisan, Fun

Mission Statement:

We work for the betterment of the town of Gold Hill by improving quality of life and quality of environment.  Through historic preservation, natural resource conservation, environmental restoration, education, human services and community engagement, we ensure our residents and natural surroundings are able to thrive.

Vision Statement:

The Gold Hill Town Meeting is working towards a future where Gold Hill is and continues to be a place where residents have a strong community, are able to flourish socially, where residents are safe and have their basic needs met and are able to live in harmony with the natural environment. 

 

Code of Bylaws of the Gold Hill Town Meeting, Inc.

Article I: Name, Purpose & Mailing Address

Section A, Name:  The name of this organization is: Gold Hill Town Meeting, Inc. (GHTM).

Section B, Purpose: The purpose of the Gold Hill Town Meeting, Inc. shall be:

• To hold town meetings and provide a forum for community discussion and basis for community action, and to establish qualifications for participation therein.
• To acquire, hold, sell, or lease real property for the general purpose of preserving the historical and natural setting of Gold Hill and the surrounding area.
• To act as trustee.
• To cooperate with the County Planning Department, County Health Department, and other departments of the County, State, or Federal government.
• To take any and all other action to improve, preserve, and benefit the community of Gold Hill and the surrounding area.
• To apply for and receive government grants or assistance, to solicit funds and donations, and undertake or sponsor community fund-raising projects.
• To do all other acts necessary or appropriate to promote the social welfare of the community of Gold Hill.

Section C, Mailing Address: The mailing address of the Gold Hill Town Meeting, Inc. shall be: 1011 Main Street, Boulder, Colorado, 80302-8777.

Article II, Membership

Section A, Eligibility: (This section under review – 2026)

All residents and property owners within the Gold Hill Fire Protection District (GHFPD) who are over the age of 18 are members of the Gold Hill Town Meeting (GHTM) and have voting rights. Each member is entitled to cast one vote on any issue that requires a vote by the GHTM membership, regardless of the number of properties owned.

Section B, Membership Voting Procedures: The GHTM shall establish procedures and methods to ensure that only eligible members participate in elections, that all members are properly notified of the election, and that the nomination and voting processes, including all relevant deadlines, are clearly communicated in advance.

Election procedures may allow for voting to take place over a period of up to three (3) days, beginning with the date of the annual meeting.

The Town Council shall determine the methods of voting, which may include any combination of: in-person voting by show of hands; written ballot; voting by electronic means.

Section C, Authorities and Responsibilities of the GHTM Membership: Members of the GHTM shall have the authority and responsibility to, but are not limited to:

• Vote to elect the Town Council annually;
• Vote to remove a Town Council member before the end of their term;
• Vote on the establishment and removal of support staff;
• Vote on the formation and dissolution of committees;
• Vote on the designation of standing committees;
• Vote to amend a committee’s charter;
• Vote on the major programs and activities the GHTM will focus on annually;
• Vote to approve the annual budget;
• Vote on resolution of issues that may arise in the community;
• Vote on proposed establishment or amendments to policies and procedures;
• Vote on proposed amendments to the bylaws;
• Vote on any proposed dissolution of the organization; and
• Provide input and consultation to the Town Council.

Article III, Members Meetings

Section A, General Membership Meetings: Regular meetings of the GHTM shall be held six times each year: February, April, June, August, October and December on the second Monday of the month at such time and place as may be determined by the Town Council.

Section B, Annual Meetings: The Annual Meeting of the GHTM shall be held on the second Monday of August each year. The election of Town Council members shall be held at the Annual Meeting.

Section C, Budget Meeting: The annual budget meeting of the GHTM shall be held annually at the October Town Meeting. The GHTM Treasurer shall submit estimated income and expenses for the following year. Requests for funding from the general fund may be made by the various Committees or any constituency of the GHTM at this meeting, and at any regularly scheduled meeting.

Section D, Special Meetings: Special meetings of the GHTM may be called by the Chair: at the request of at least three members of the Town Council, or by a petition requesting a special meeting, signed by at least twenty members of the GHTM.

Section E, Written Notice: Written notice of all membership meetings shall be posted to the town website (goldhilltown.com), emailed to all members and sent by U.S. Mail or by electronic means to those who request them at least two weeks prior to all regular, annual, and special meetings.

Section F, Quorum:  A quorum for a member’s meeting of the GHTM shall exist if at least five members of the Town Meeting as well as three of the five members of the Town Council are present to transact any business to be presented in accordance with the Articles of Incorporation or Code of Bylaws.

Section G, Parliamentary Authority and Meeting Procedures: The GHTM shall conduct meetings in an orderly, inclusive manner that encourages good faith participation and respectful conduct. The general principles of Robert’s Rules of Order shall be applied.

Article IV: Conflicts

Section A, Conflict of Interest: To ensure Town Council members fulfill their duties of loyalty to the organization and maintain transparency with the membership, all Town Council members must disclose any actual or potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise, that may affect their ability to act in the best interests of the organization.

Town Council members must disclose such conflicts in writing at least once a year, and whenever a conflict arises. Any member with a conflict of interest is required to recuse themselves from discussions or decisions related to that matter.

Article V: Town Council

Section A, Members: The Town Council shall consist of five members: Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and Member-at-Large.

Section B, Eligibility: All members of the Town Council must be voting members of the GHTM, as defined in these bylaws. Additionally, the Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer must have resided within the GHTM boundary for at least nine consecutive months prior to their election.

Section C, Term of Office: Each Town Council member shall serve a one-year term or until a successor is duly elected and qualified. A Town Council member may resign at any time by submitting written notice to the Town Council. The resignation will take effect as specified in the notice, and, unless otherwise indicated, no formal acceptance is required for it to become effective.

Section D, Removal: A Town Council member may be removed through the following procedure: 

• Removal may be proposed by any Town Council member, or at least ten GHTM members through a written petition.
• The proposed removal must be included in the agenda for the general membership meeting and distributed to the members at least two weeks prior to the meeting.
• Removal requires a two-thirds majority vote of the membership present at a general membership meeting where a quorum of Town Council members is present. The member proposed for removal does not count towards the quorum for the meeting.

Section E, Cause for Removal: A Town Council member may be removed if the member is ineligible to serve or the GHTM determines that their continued service is inconsistent with the best interests of the organization.

Examples of conduct that may be considered inconsistent with the GHTM’s best interests include, but are not limited to: Excessive unexcused absences from GHTM meetings; Serious violations of organizational policies; Conduct that brings disrepute to the organization; or, disruptive behavior during meetings.

Section F, When a Town Council Member Moves: Any Town Council member who becomes ineligible for election under Article V, Section B, and does not voluntarily resign, shall be deemed to have resigned from the Town Council, and their position will be considered vacant.

Section G, Vacancies: Any vacancy shall be filled by appointment for the remainder of the term, made by a majority of the Town Council members, within two weeks of its occurrence or as soon as practical.

Section H, Town Council Meetings: A meeting of the Town Council may be called by any member of the Town Council by giving notice to all members of the Town Council at least two days prior to such meeting.  Town Council meetings are for discussion.  No decision(s) reached at a Town Council Meeting are binding on the GHTM or the Town Council, or any member of the Town Council.

Section I, Town Council Duties: The GHTM is responsible for overseeing GHTM business and properties and for fulfilling all duties under Colorado state law for nonprofit corporations, as well as those outlined in these bylaws. Each Town Council member will perform the duties typically associated with their office and any additional responsibilities as designated by the GHTM. 

Article VI: Committees

Section A, Purpose: The GHTM may establish both standing and ad hoc committees to support the fulfillment of its mission and duties.

Committee leaders are: authorized to make strategic and financial decisions consistent with the committee’s charter (see Section B) and the intended use of designated funds;  responsible for maintaining accurate financial records and any other required documentation related to their programs, and for providing these materials to the GHTM Town Council Chair and Treasurer as needed; required to report to the Town Council upon request and provide regular updates at general membership meetings.

Section B, Creation: To establish a committee, the GHTM must approve a committee charter that includes, at a minimum:

• The name of the committee;
• A general description of its purpose, duties, and scope of authority;
• The process for selecting committee members and identifying leadership;
• A statement regarding membership eligibility (unless otherwise specified in the charter, committees may include individuals who are not members of the GHTM with approval);
• The committee reporting structure, including to whom it is accountable;
• The expected duration or term of the committee (e.g., standing or ad hoc); and
• Any additional guidance or direction the GHTM deems appropriate.

Section C, Standing Committees: Standing committees of the GHTM operate with a level of autonomy distinct from other committees. They are not subject to charter amendments or dissolution by the Town Council and retain independent authority over the management of their designated funds. Current GHTM standing committees include: The Cemetery Committee.

Section D, Dissolution: At a membership meeting of the GHTM, when a quorum is present, the Chair, with the approval of the members at the meeting, may dissolve a committee.

Article VII: Financials

Section A, Contracts: The GHTM may authorize any council member(s) or agent(s) of the Town Meeting to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instruments in the name of, or on the behalf of, the GHTM.

Section B, Loans:  No loans shall be made or accepted on behalf of the GHTM, nor shall any evidence of indebtedness be issued in its name, except as authorized by a resolution of the GHTM.

Section C, Financial Oversight and Budget Adjustments: All checks, drafts, notes, and similar financial instruments shall be signed and executed on behalf of the GHTM by Town Council members who are authorized signatories of the GHTM.

Once the Annual Budget has been approved, any adjustment to a committee’s allocated funds from the GHTM general budget shall require approval from the relevant committee chair. Committees may spend their designated funds at their discretion, provided expenditures align with the stated mission and purpose of the committee.

The Treasurer is authorized to adjust non-committee operating budget allocations as necessary to meet the evolving needs of conducting GHTM business.  New purchases require GHTM approval.

Section D, Deposits: All funds of the GHTM shall be deposited in accounts held at banks, trust companies, or other financial institutions designated by the Town Council.

Section E, Grants and Gifts: The Town Council may accept contributions, grants, gifts, or bequests on behalf of the GHTM.  All grants awarded to the GHTM must be approved by the Town Council and deposited into the GHTM account. The Treasurer, in collaboration with the designated grant executor, shall oversee the management of grant funds, including spending and required reporting.

Donations to the GHTM shall be allocated to specific committees or budget line items according to the donor’s stated intent. Undesignated donations shall be accepted and used for general operating expenses.

Article VIII: Amendments

These Bylaws may be altered, amended, or repealed and new Bylaws may be adopted according to the following procedure:

Section A, Proposal: Bylaw changes may be proposed at a general membership meeting where a quorum is present. Proposed changes will be presented and discussed on a section-by-section basis.

Section B, Notice: Proposed additions, deletions, or amendments to the bylaws must be included in the meeting minutes of the general membership meeting and distributed to members at least two weeks prior to the next general membership meeting.

Section C, Approval: At the next general membership meeting, the proposed amendments to the Bylaws may be adopted by a two-third majority vote of the GHTM, Inc. members present. Bylaw changes are to be voted on section by section.

Article IX: Dissolution

The Corporation, (aka Gold Hill Town Meeting, Inc. and GHTM), may be dissolved according to the following procedure:

Section A, Proposal: At a general membership meeting where a quorum is present, the dissolution of the GHTM may be proposed by a simple majority of the members present.

Section B, Notice: The proposed dissolution of the GHTM must be included in the agenda and distributed to members at least two weeks prior to the next general membership meeting.

Section C, Approval: At the next general membership meeting, the dissolution of GHTM may be adopted by a three-quarters majority of the members of the GHTM who are present.

Upon dissolution of the GHTM, any remaining funds shall first be used to settle any outstanding debts, and, with the approval of the Town Council, may be spent for the benefit of the town of Gold Hill.

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