The Presidential Primary ballots have to be in by 7:00 pm tomorrow, Tuesday the 3rd.  If you need someone to deliver your ballot for you (no matter who you voted for!), I’m going down tomorrow and will take it in for you.

xo, Gretchen

P.S. TheDemocratic Caucus based on Senatorial candidates on down the ballot is Saturday, March 7 from 2 – 5;00 at the Gold Hill School and you can pre-register at bocodems.org

I’m not a registered Republican and can’t find out where the Republican Caucus is held, but if you are, you can go to www.cologop.org and find out. 

Forest Service crews will continue to burn piles of fuelwood on the Roosevelt National Forest’s Boulder Ranger District, focusing on areas near Jamestown, Cal-Wood Ranch, Bar K Ranch and the Lazy Z Subdivision, and Wondervu starting  as early as Monday, March 2 if conditions allow.

Pile burning may be conducted in the following locations over the next week:

•  James Creek RFB Unit 1 (800 hand piles) – 1.5 miles northwest of Jamestown.
•  James Creek RFB Unit 6 ,8 (7,500 hand piles) – Between Jamestown and Bar K Ranch.
•  James Creek RFB Unit 17 (1,425 hand piles) – Adjacent to Cal-Wood Ranch.
•  Forsythe II, Unit 74 (1,500 number of hand piles) – one mile north of Wondervu,  Westside of Gross Reservoir

Smoke may be visible from Jamestown, Lefthand Canyon, Wondervu and Cal-Wood Ranch.                                                                                                           

Wind helps disperse smoke created during pile burning operations and snow helps keep the piles contained. Seeing flames and smoke, even after dark, is part of normal operations. This reduces fuels on the landscape under the safest conditions.

Conditions are evaluated each day to determine if ignition will take place. Ignitions are generally expected to begin after 10 a.m. and will cease several hours before sunset. Smoke may be visible. Precipitation, wind, temperature, fuel moisture, and staffing all play a part in when and whether ignition occurs. Firefighters monitor the area after burning is complete. Public and firefighter safety is always the number-one priority in burning operations.

If you know someone who would like to receive updates on pile burning activities on the Boulder Ranger District, have them send an e-mail to Katherine.armstrong@nullusda.gov and ask to be added to the Boulder Ranger District Prescribed Fire list. To unsubscribe, please reply with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line.

For a complete list of locations where pile burning will occur this season, as well as updated accomplishments and photos, visit our InciWeb page at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4648.

This electronic message contains information generated by the USDA solely for the intended recipients. Any unauthorized interception of this message or the use or disclosure of the information it contains may violate the law and subject the violator to civil or criminal penalties. If you believe you have received this message in error, please notify the sender and delete the email immediately.

HOUSEWARMING FOR THE NEWEST OLD HOUSE IN GOLD HILL!

On Sunday, March 8^th from 3:00 to 6:00 please join us in celebrating the nearly completed construction at 601 Gold Run Street, the old Weaver house that is now in its newest incarnation as the rock-solid house of Marcus and Elisabeth.

We’ll have some good nibbling food, beer, wine, and non-alcoholic drinks. If you want to add something in, we’d be delighted, but mostly we just want you to come along and enjoy.

As you may know, the ways up to the house are steep and may be slippery. And there is virtually no parking. So please plan accordingly. If you need a ride up the driveway, don’t let that stop you from coming. Just let us know and we can get you there!

No dogs, please.

Thank you all for your graciousness, patience and all kinds of support in this lengthy process. We’re here because of all of you!

Bring your thoughts in celebration        Bless the house in its new incarnation

Elisabeth Caspari elisabeth.caspari@nullgmail.com

Marcus Moench marcus.moench@nullgmail.com

Landline in Gold Hill: 303 449 0518 Please leave a message

.

GOLD HILL TOWN MEETING NEWSLETTER

Minutes of the February 10, 2020, Town Meeting

Next Town Meeting will be Monday, April 13, 2020, 7:00 p.m. at the Community Center

The meeting was called to order by Chair Marielle Sidell.  Attendees: Mari Sidell, Vice Chair Emma Salmon, Marcus Moench, Treasurer Martha Knapp, Member-at-Large Dan Maedke, Cat Russel, Virginia Shultz

Minutes: There were no additions or corrections to the minutes from the December 9^th meeting.

Treasurer’s Report – Martha reports – At the previous regular Town Meeting in December 2019 our bank balance was $13,512.13.  Our current total cash assets are $12,925.60.

Revenue Summary:  None

Expense Summary: Insurance $297; website work $166.25; postage $55.00; property taxes $68.28.

Fund transfers: none

Current fund totals:                                                                                                  

General Fund $1792.01; Cemetery $6,339.85; Safe Link (combined funds for SafeSite, Airink, NeighborLink projects) $2,466.79; Community Planning/Fundraising $0 (zero;) Forest Management $0 (zero;) Community Relief $2,326.95.

Anticipated operational expenses for 2020: General Fund $410.00 for filing fees, bank fees, porta-potty maintenance and $800 town cleanup dumpsters.

Conversation around the Community Relief Fund – Consensus to remind community members that it is there if needed. See attached relief fund at end of minutes

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Mountain Stewards – Climate/Sustainability Update: Marcus and Virginia gave an update on the kickoff at the Gold Hill School where there were roughly 35 attendees. They mentioned that the County Commissioner, Matt Jones, was in attendance. It was reported that it would take roughly 6 months to a year of planning to come up with the potential plan for a solar microgrid battery and what types of other things would be helpful to have. The grant they are applying for is a design grant to tee up for potential resources for next year. The project will potentially help to increase low carbon energy and secure power for communication, water pumping, and more. It will help in times of critical need when the power is out due to fire, flood, high winds, etc. The area of study is the Gold Hill Fire Protection District. Note: Mountain Stewards meet every 3^rd Monday of the month and this is discussed further there – public  welcome. There is also a series of informal meetings. The next meeting is Monday, Feb. 24 at 6 pm. at 601 Gold Run Road, Gold Hill – behind the GH Store – Marcus and Elisabeth’s.

There is a website to read and post conversation (Image attached). The public can create a login and password and begin posting. Virginia mentioned that there will be a design charette in May to discuss logistics. More info: www.resilient goldhill.com

Declaring a Climate Emergency: Cat discussed the idea to declare a climate emergency. She did one talk already and will be speaking again on March 1^st at Wild Bear in Nederland for people who want a second chance to converse. The event will be from 1-4, with the first half being a presentation of slides and information about the current impactions and future predictions. The second half will give people the chance to create climate action maps (one page graphics to organize steps to take toward reducing carbon footprint and increasing resilience). The idea is to take steps to lower the carbon imprint and show that our community is aware of the issue and express the desire to take responsibility. Martha asked for examples of other declarations to review as part of the agenda for the net town meeting for us to vote or modify to our town. Marcus mentioned that on April 26 he, Megan Melamed, and Pam Sherman are leading another session – more info to follow.

CSA: We will be using Black Cat Farm again. Interested parties should talk to Debra Yeager for ¼, ½, or full share. Money is due by the 27^th for early pricing. There is lots of variety – sometimes lots of one thing, but we have some choices each week.

Community Resilience/Association for Aging/County Resources: Martha wants to remind the community that it is not just for aging, but people in need and the organization visits the store each month. It would be great to post on Nextdoor and in the Newsletter. This brought up the topic of Town Meeting signs. Dan has them and will start putting them up again.

Forestry: Virginia reported that the grant that Maya worked on with the State Forest Service has had some changes made – additions and corrections, but it won’t be out until June.

Gold Hill School: Dan reported that the students are in their second week of the ski program, changed to Mondays. The annual school play will be in March (Dan will report back with date).

Museum: No messages from museum, but Martha reported on the progress of the shed and said it is almost complete. There was another donation for a display case from the store and Marcus mentioned that he is donating his 1923 truck. This will likely happen in the spring.

Community Planning and Fundraising: Dan didn’t have anything for Gold Hill specifically, but wanted to revisit the Gold Rush Bike Rally coming to Gold Hill in September. Josh Kravitz wanted assistance in applying for a land permit to run the race through, but the deadline is too close, so we won’t be able to help. There are other permits he still would like assistance with, including the liquor license. There was discussion around liability of being responsible for the liquor license and the philosophical view of a non-profit assisting with a for-profit organization. The consensus is for Josh to write a formal proposal outlining the agreement with the town, what his role is, what our role is, and how we each benefit from this arrangement. A special meeting will be called before the April town meeting to dedicate a full meeting to this cause and to make sure we can provide an answer in a timely manner. It was noted that Josh puts on many events including Old Man Winter and his goal is to get the community involved with his events for their benefit wherever possible. The special meeting will be advertised on the town meeting email list and on the website (goldhilltown.com) along with Josh’s proposal so that the public can give their input.

Cemetery: No updates.                          Safelink/Neighborlink/Airlink: No updates.

IMA: No updates.                                  Weeds:  No updates.

Historical Zoning: Marcus reported that 1101 Pine Street has a revised proposal for plans. This will be addressed when Bear is back in town, likely after the 29^th. The new proposal is a significant enlargement of the prior plan. There were questions about how this information is communicated to the town (Nextdoor, flyers, posted in the store, etc).

 Community Center: Mari proposed that we find a building that needs repair and go through the historical review process. The community center would be useful as a remote work center, solar power production area, etc. Cat mentioned the idea of using the greenhouse for sale on Dixon Rd as a community center. Martha made a motion to start the committee and moved that we form a community center committee to review the possibility of using existing structures in the Gold Hill area for renovation as a community center. Mari seconded the motion and all were in favor. Virginia offered to pass along the wish list from prior meetings. Marcus, Cat, and Mari all volunteered to be on the committee, so they can be contacted for more information or if others want to help out and be involved.

Mining: Mari reported that a permit was approved for the mill at top of Horsfall. The permit was approved, but had a contingency that no one quite knew, but might be about pumping water from Lefthand creek.   Addendum: For information from the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety on the status of permits for the Colorado Milling Company LLC, go to  https://dnrweblink.state.co.us/drms/search.aspx?cr=1   put in M1994117 under permit number, and select the dates you want to know about.  It definitely requires some detective work.  There are years of filings there.

Fire Department: Marcus said that the election for fire board members is coming up. Addendum: Gretchen reports that she has been appointed the Designated Election Official (DEO) for the election, which is scheduled for May 5 when three members of the board are up for re-election for three-year terms: Bobby Vrba, Jessica Brookhart, and Boyd Brown.  Self-Nomination forms are due by Feb.28, and anyone wanting to submit a write-in candidate form must get it to me by March 2.  If there are no more candidates than positions open, the election can be canceled on March 3, provided there are no further issues on the ballot.

The Fire Board Meetings are the third Thursday of each month, 7 pm at the Community Center

Notes by Emma Salmon, acting Secretary, addendums from Gretchen Diefenderfer, Secretary

Ok, here’s the brief election scoop.  You should have your ballot for the Presidential Primary (president only).  It’s due by 7 pm on March 3!  Don’t forget.

Next is the caucus on March 7, at which we vote for Precinct Leaders and delegates to the County Assembly and Convention based on our preferences for Senator!  We won’t be voting on or discussing our presidential opinions as part of this caucus.

Our Precinct is 2 18 13 07 909.  That means we are in U.S. House District 2, State Senate District 18, State House District 13, County 07 (Boulder County) and Unique Precinct 909.

To make sure you are registered to vote or to update your registration, go to  https://www.sos.state.co.us

 The 909 Democratic Precinct Caucus will be at the Gold Hill Elementary School Saturday, March 7 from 1:30 pm to 5 pm.  To pre-register for the Caucus, go to    creg.bocodems.org 

 For information on The Republican Precinct Caucus, go to www.cologop.org  or ask a Republican.  I can’t tell you where it will be held because I’m not a registered Republican and the website won’t tell me.

Gold Hill Town Meeting

Monday, 7:00 p.m. February 10th, 2020

Gold Hill Community Center

Review of Previous Minutes

Treasurer’s Report

Committee Reports

• Mountain Stewards

Declaration of Climate Emergency

• Forestry and Forest Management
• Gold Hill School
• Museum
• Community Planning and Fundraising
• Cemetery
• SafeLink/NeighborLink/AirLink

Upcoming Meetings/Events

Next Gold Hill Town Meeting – April 13th, 7:00 pm

Other Town News:

IMA

CSA

Weed Management

Historical Zoning

Fire Department

Mining

Community Center

Canceling our Valentine’s Day Dinner

We are canceling our Pot luck Valentine’s adult pot luck dinner at the Vaneks!! We saw that the Gold Hill store is having a party and we did not want to keep people from enjoying that gathering & we only got a few RSVPs. So we want to encourage everyone to go to the Gold Hill Store with your neighbors!! We will figure out another date & let everybody know!! Sorry for the inconvenience that this might cause but let’s support our local business! Thanks, everyone for ur understanding

Liz and Steven

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Fourmile Canyon Drive reconstruction will continue this week

We were unable to complete the remaining items that can be done in the winter, so construction will continue this week. Lawrence hopes to have the work wrapped up by Friday. Cycling restrictions will continue to be enforced until construction is suspended. We want to get as much done as possible now so we have a minimal amount to do when warmer temperatures return.

Work will be completed using flaggers during daytime, weekday operations, so expect travel delays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. 

I apologize for the inconvenience. Thank you for your time and patience. 

Andrew Barth
Communications
Boulder County Public Works
303-441-1032
abarth@nullbouldercounty.org 

 

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This year in Colorado we have both a Presidential Primary and Caucuses.  Beginning in 2020 Colorado voters will vote in a presidential primary election. Voters will receive a ballot in the mail. While each political party will still conduct caucus meetings, these meetings will not select presidential candidates.  The Colorado Presidential Primary will be on March 3 – Super Tuesday!  County Clerk’s will mail ballots to all registered voters 22 days before the election—meaning ballots will be in the mail the week of February 10

There will also be a Non-presidential Primary for everyone else down the ballot – that primary, along with other state and local elections, will be on June 30. The eventual nominees will be on the November 3 general election ballot.  Again, this will be a mail-in ballot.

The Democratic Caucus will be held on Saturday March 7, from 2 pm to 5 pm.  The Republican Caucus is listed on Saturday, March 7 from 8 am to 5 pm.  They will run along the same lines as previously, electing Precinct Leaders, and selecting delegates to the County Convention and Assembly.  The Democratic Convention will be on March 28 and The Republican Convention will be Saturday, April 18.

General Election on November 3.  As always, this is a mail-in election

For more information:

Boulder County Democratic Party
5735 A Arapahoe Avenue                              Mailing Address
Boulder, CO 80303-1340                                   P.O. Box 18793

Call: (720) 526-2104                                           Boulder, CO 80308

Home

Boulder County Republicans

(303) 443-6606

Mailing Address:
Boulder County Republican Party
619 Ken Pratt Blvd. 
Longmont, CO  80501

Home

To Register to Vote    https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/vote/VoterHomeMobile.htm

The 2020 Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program is up for renewal for the 2020 growing season.  Last year several of us in Gold Hill gathered together once a week to share in the bounty of the Black Cat Farm which is associated with former neighbors, Karl and Alice Starek.  We had a terrific first season and are once again bringing fresh produce to Gold Hill each Saturday. 

The price is $580 for one entire share for the entire 20 week growing season which commences June 6, 2020.  Your cost will be  based on the portion that you choose.  For smaller families ¼ share of a portion seems almost more than adequate for 2 people but you may commit to as much as you would like and if you’re vegetarian, you may want more than ¼ share.  One entire share is $580; ½ portion is $290; ¼ portion is $145 and the monies are due no later than the end of February 27th.  Please make out your checks to Black Cat Farms.  You can drop off your check to Debra Yeager at 1225 Pine Street by February 27^th.  I will be delivering the checks to Black Cat on February 28^th.

Please get back to me at deb@nullmountainvisions.net  ASAP with a portion of the CSA that you would like.  303 449 0454 or 303 881 7665

BLACK CAT FARM

Farm Updates

• Our market team is looking as strong

as ever! Xavier and Andie will be

leading the charge as Farmer’s

Market/Culinary Harvest Manager

and Livestock Manager. Expect to

see Jake as well and special guest

appearances from Frank!

• Products that will be available this

upcoming season include:

○ Huge variety of produce

○ Wide variety of mulefoot pork

and tunis/karakul lamb cuts

○ Cut flowers and herbs

○ Farm milled grains

○ Sheep skins

○ Introducing vegetable, herb,

and flower bedding plants!!!

★ We are happy to announce that due

to the previous success of our farm

dinners we will be offering them

again this year! We’d love to show

you our historic farmstead and have

you join us for a memorable evening.

★ We’ve also been playing with the

idea of an occasional CSA pickup at

our farmstead rather than the market.

This would be a family event to pick

up your share and enjoy a casual

lunch or dinner with us. Let us know

your opinions whether for or against

this idea!

GOLD HILL TOWN MEETING NEWSLETTER

Minutes of the unofficial December 9, 2019, Town Meeting

Next Town Meeting will be Monday, February 10, 2020, 7:00 P.M. at the Community Center

 This was an unofficial town meeting as we did not have a quorum of town council members present, which means no votes can be taken. A quorum is three and, in fact, we only had one, Secretary Gretchen Diefenderfer.  Gretchen called the meeting to order.  There were six members present: Dina and Mark Elder, Bob Walter, Gretchen, Tony Vrba, and Virginia Schultz.

Minutes – There were no additions or corrections to the minutes from the October 14^th meeting.

 Treasurer’s Report – Gretchen read Martha Knapp’s report:

At the previous regular Town Meeting in October 2019 our bank balance was $11,147.78.

Our current total cash assets are $13,512.13.

Revenue Summary:  Gold Rush net revenue: $1040.35; pint glass sales: $96; t-shirt sales: $1256.

Expense Summary: Bank fee for returned checks $28.

Fund transfers: none

Current fund totals: General Fund $2378.54; Cemetery $6,339.85; Safe Link (combined funds for SafeSite, AirLink, NeighborLink projects) $2,466.79; Community Planning/Fundraising $0 (zero;) Forest Management $0 (zero;) Community Relief $2,326.95.

Anticipated operational expenses for 2020: General Fund $868.00 for insurance, office supplies, property taxes, filing fees, bank fees, porta-potty maintenance.

Dina suggested that the SafeLink Fund be renamed the Sustainability Fund.

Committee Reports

Mountain Stewards – Climate/Sustainability Update – Dina reports that they have been working with Susie at Boulder County and with their backing we got a DOLA Grant for $65,000 to work on a plan for renewable energy for the town.  They have sent out a request for people with relevant experience to be on the technical advisory board.  Eight people so far have come forward including Paul Melamed from west of town who had the first wind generator up here.

DOLA requires the County to put out RFPs (requests for proposals), so they have chatted with Seth Portner, the guy who helped GH study our climate change options and approaches.  They got him to apply to be the General Contractor.  We had asked for people with specific small town experience and to date 12-18 people have signed up on the website for RFPs.  Here is the link to the RFP on the County website   https://www.bouldercounty.org/government/bids-and-purchasing/bid-opportunities/

Forestry and Forest Management – Virginia reports that they are working on a second grant application for $200,000 for major mitigation work.  We got $4200 from the Sunset Trail Running Festival this summer.  This race was organized by the Fourmile Watershed people for the 4 Fire Departments affected by the Fourmile Fire and they tagged us this year for the profits since the race was centered in Gold Hill.  We expect to use these funds to tie into the 2019 CAFA Mitigation Project (involves the Ashram and the Ashley property) with adjacent GH properties.  Chad with NRCS is working on plans for the mitigation work.  We will have to come up with matching funds.  We have the Fourmile Team, the NRCS, and Team Rubicon (a volunteer organization that does mitigation work) involved and Maya from the Fourmile Watershed is working on the grant application.

Virginia also reported that Joe Grant, the organizer of the Sunset Trail Running Festival, received a very nice letter from K.C.Becker, Speaker of the Colorado House, thanking him for his leadership in bringing awareness to climate change in addition to raising money for local fire departments and the Fourmile Watershed Coalition.

They were looking for letters of support for the grant application, but since this is not an official town meeting and no votes can be taken, the Mountain Stewards/Sustainability Committees will write letters and will pledge $600 from their allocated funds toward the project.  The focus will be north and west of Gold Hill.  We won’t know until June about the grant. 

 Gold Hill School – Gretchen read Dan Maedke’s email report:

– The fundraiser put on by Janos Wilder and Dave Query and the Big F Restaurant raised $10,000.

– The Fall Fiesta was a massive success as well, raising $13,000.  The school could not continue to operate with the overwhelming support of the community. Thank you just doesn’t say enough.

– The Winter Holiday program will be December 19^th at 6 pm.

– The school has taken on the adventure of trying to grow vegetables in the greenhouse over the winter.

 Community Planning/Fundraising – Dan also attached the following regarding the proposed fall bike race.

“I am writing to give you a little more information and details about the Gold Rush Bike race that is coming to town next September.  I have been in contact with Josh the organizer and will relay what we know so far.  Josh has submitted the paperwork in order to receive all the permits necessary to hold an event September 2020.  His goal is to hold a bike race with a few different courses that will bring guests into town for the day.  Josh has students at the school and was very helpful in my planning of this year’s Gold Rush community fundraiser.  He has grown fond of Gold Hill and is hoping to show people the amazing and unique atmosphere Gold Hill has. From the beginning Josh has talked about how to make this a community event and how to give money back to the community.  When planning an event he tries to give a percentage of any profits to a non-profit in the community.  This would mean that a non-profit would apply for a temporary liquor license, and then would receive a percentage of all profits.  This has not been determined yet and could include Gold Hill Town Meeting or another non-profit.  Monies could then go toward a cause such as fire mitigation.  This is something that could be an easy way for the Town Meeting to fundraise.  I think the town meeting has found themselves in a rut when talking about fundraising.  I think there is more we could be doing for the community without a whole lot more work.  There is always a sort of ‘town politics’ that occurs whenever anything changes.  This seems to be the largest area of hesitation toward this event.  I am afraid people will start to see Gold Hill as unwelcoming if we fight every event that comes through our community.  There will be more events, that is inevitable as long as guests continue to fall in love with our community. We need to figure out an appropriate way to handle these.  For this particular event, I had talked to Josh about the GHTM being the non-profit. If that were to be the case, we could easily quadruple our fundraising with this one event.  I understand that it could be an inconvenience to the community, but I would argue that it is worth it.  Josh would be working with the Gold Hill Store and Pub to make this event happen.  At this point it appears the Colorado Mountain Ranch and the Gold Hill Inn are not participating in the event because of the politics and such.  When Josh goes through Boulder County and other channels to obtain permits it means an event will be happening whether we want to support it or not.  I feel it would be beneficial to support it.  If we do not want to be the non-profit in order to avoid further angering the community, then we should at least set up a booth and sell food and merchandise.  There will be much more information to come as the event unfolds over the next year.  I would like people to feel comfortable reaching out and asking questions. Details of the event are not set in stone, this is the time to voice concerns.”

This generated some discussion with Bob and Gretchen noting that in the past Gold Hill really didn’t want any publicity or to attract more attention. In fact, there was a rule that no one would advertise any business or activity in Gold Hill, and a small group used to routinely take town road signs to Gold Hill on the Peak to Peak and Boulder Canyon.   So, we do need to find out what the community thinks.

Museum – Gretchen reports that the Museum has almost finished a shed that will house a composting toilet that was donated to us.  Also, there are lots of 2020 calendars left.  They are available at the GH Store, the Inn, and from Marie Brookhart.

Cemetery – Bob reports that Maggie Simms is the Chair, along with David Brigham, and Bob is a consultant.  Chellee Courtney is also on the committee.

Bob also wanted to report that he is working with the County on two projects.  #1. There is a Hill Street road easement through Maggie and David’s driveway on down to Bob’s property platted on the old town map.  They are asking the County to vacate this below Maggie and David’s.  This easement will then go half and half to the town meadow and to Bob on the other side.

#2. He would like to combine into one lot Lots 1 and 2 (Bob’s house) and 3 and 4 (the corner, grey house).  This will simplify his property and access as well as eliminating the option for a second dwelling.  The Grey House is unused and he may turn it into a shed or workshop.

Respectfully submitted, Gretchen Diefenderfer, Secretary           

Gold Hill Town Meeting

Monday, 7:00 p.m. December 9th, 2019

Gold Hill Community Center

Review of Previous Minutes

Treasurer’s Report

Committee Reports

• Mountain Stewards
  • Climate/Sustainability Update
  • Declaration of Climate Emergency
• Gold Hill School
• Museum
• Cemetery
• SafeLink/NeighborLink/AirLink

Upcoming Meetings/Events

Next Gold Hill Town Meeting – February 10th, 7:00 pm

Other Town News:

GHTM Fundraising

IMA

CSA

Forestry

Weed Management

Historical Zoning

Forest MGT/CWPP

Fire Department

Mining

Our holiday open house is Saturday, December 14,  from 4 pm to whenever. We’re at 770 Main Street and all are welcome.

Holiday Mountain Market – Saturday, Dec. 7, 10 am – 5 pm and Sunday, Dec. 8, 10:00 am t0 5 pm, Nederland Community Center, 750 Peak to Peak Highway, Nederland, CO 80466

This Saturday is a great night to get together with others in the community and make your own Christmas wreath. 

Come make your own wreath with Fiori Flowers at the Gold Hill General Store & Pub this Saturday, December 7th at 4:00. Workshop includes wreath form, all ingredients to make your wreath and design instructions. If you have a personal item you’d like on your wreath bring it and you can include it. Your wreath will be made from responsibly foraged local greenery and fun accents to adorn your front door or home! Of course, the potbelly stove will be burning and great food and drinks will be available. $10 per person.

—

Dwight DeBroux

dabrew3@nullgmail.com

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The retaining wall just below Salina Junction on Fourmile Canyon Drive will not be started until Monday, Dec. 2. A set of three traffic signals will be placed at the location that day because the road will be reduced to one lane during construction. The delay in setting the signals and begging work is to accommodate a change in construction tactics that should reduce the number of days the signals are needed. 

Next week, crews will start restoring the creek in the south section, so expect to see flaggers in this area.

Lawrence will also continue installing culverts under the road in the north section. Flaggers will be used at pipe locations during the day and the road will be restored to two-lanes in the evening and on weekends.

No work will take place from 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 27 to 8 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 2 in observation of Thanksgiving. Cycling will be allowed during the holiday break. 

Please let me know if you have questions.

I hope you have a good weekend and a fun holiday.

Andrew Barth
Communications
Boulder County Transportation
303-441-1032

 

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GOLD HILL TOWN MEETING NEWSLETTER

Minutes of the October 14, 2019, Town Meeting

Next Town Meeting will be Monday, December 9, 2019, 7:00 P.M. at the Community Center

 The meeting was called to order by Chair Marielle Sidell.  Fifteen people attended: Chris Dirolf, Vice Chair Emma Salmon, Treasurer Martha Knapp, Chair Marielle (Mari), Josh Kravetz, Cat Russell, Ota Lutz, Tony Vrba, Maya MacHamer and Cat Price with the Fourmile Watershed Coalition, Bear Carlson, Poppy Copeland, Member at Large Dan Maedke, Dina Elder and Secretary Gretchen Diefenderfer.

Minutes – were approved as published. 

Treasurer’s Report – Martha reports – At the previous regular Town Meeting in August 2019 our bank balance was $12,347.78. Our current total cash assets are $11,147.78.

 Revenue Summary: Cemetery fund donations of $400. 

Expense Summary: $600 advance for pint glass order; $1000 advance for Gold Rush event.

 Fund transfers: none

 Current fund totals:  General Fund $14.19; Cemetery $6,339.85; Safe Link (combined funds for SafeSite, AirLink, NeighborLink projects) $2,466.79; Community Planning/Fundraising $0 (zero;) Forest Management $0 (zero;) Community Relief $2,326.95.

           The General Fund only has $14.19 left because she hasn’t received the Gold Rush funds yet.

Sunset Trail Running Festival – Maya MacHamer, Coordinator of the Fourmile Watershed Coalition, attended to update us on the Sunset Trail Running Festival held on September 22. Their Coalition was organized in 2015 around flood recovery in Gold Run and Fourmile canyons.  They are not incorporated and operate under the fiscal auspices of the Fourmile FD.  Much of that flood recovery work is now done and they are transitioning to watershed health on a larger, wholistic scale, including resiliency, forest health, and wildfire mitigation, in parts of Sugarloaf, Fourmile, Gold Hill, and Sunshine.  They are part of the Boulder County Collaborative composed of lots of fire districts, USFS, State Forest Service, Boulder County and the City of Boulder.  There has been a lot of cooperation and collaboration and they are now looking to bring all agencies together to identify projects and find funding.

            So, the Race!  The original race was a fundraiser for the Fourmile Fire Department.  It felt like a good opportunity for education and to create an intersection between the fire departments and the recreation community.  For this year, Maya contacted Joe Grant, a racer in Gold Hill, and he knew Lee Troop, an Olympic runner and race organizer.  Both donated their time and an incredible volunteer effort was organized.

            The race generated $3,500.00 for Forest Restoration, and included 180 runners in five different races, including a race for the Gold Hill School kids.  50 volunteers helped from the 4 fire departments.  The logistics went pretty well. They tried to offset the parking limitations with shuttles, AMR donated a bus, permits were waived by BoCo and the FS. The runners loved it and by all accounts the volunteers did, too.  The 4 districts and the Ham radio operators used it for training and communications.  They hope to have this event every year.

            They would like to put the funds into Gold Hill, as the HQ of the race, if there is an identified project.  They figure to double the $3500 with grants.  Dina suggested a soil health component.  She has been doing research and it fosters forest health, watershed preservation and lessens wildfires and erosion.

            Maya suggested that we proceed to identify a project by getting representatives from the 4 districts: Fourmile, Gold Hill, Sugarloaf, and Sunshine.  Tony pointed out that Virginia Schultz has been working on a big project on Gold Hill’s north slope involving her 40 acres, Caroline Ashley’s 150 acres and the Ashram’s 130 acres.  Chad has been doing work for them evaluating effective mitigation plans and goals for individual landowners which will help them as well as protect the town.  Both Gretchen and Bear and others supported the idea of supporting a north slope project – we’ve known for years of the danger to the community of fire on that slope. 

            Maya has also looked at our old, somewhat outdated CWPP (Community Wildfire Protection Plan).  She suggested something that fits into that.

            Tony added that the Sustainability/Resiliency Committee pushed for more community members getting wildfire hazard and mitigation assessments from Wildfire Partners and possibly we could help people do the work to meet the requirements to get certified.

            Martha reported that the Fourmile Fire was so intense that the soil was sterilized and wondered what we could do to help it recover.

            Maya again stressed that we need to come up with representatives to meet and plan a project.  Grant application times are coming up and would help us generate more money.  Sunshine and Fourmile both have a mill levy dedicated to mitigation, but we do not.

            Dina suggested we have a test site in the burn area to see what helps.  With that it was agreed that Dina and Virginia be our representatives.

            Dan heard from some community members that they had an issue about not enough information in advance – logistics – roads closed, couldn’t get to their houses, etc.  Tony said that the County issues permits, they contact Chris Finn and he notifies GHFPD people.  The coalition sent letters, put up signs and a town email went out – no one is sure what more can be done.  Dina suggested maybe we should conduct a town survey to see how it could be better handled.  Chris added that, if it’s an annual event then people would be more prepared and Bear concurred.

Future Bike Rally – Josh Kravetz has three kids at the Gold Hill School and organized the bike rally through Gold Hill in 2016.  He has been talking to Dan Maedke about possibly combining the Gold Rush town fundraiser with a bike rally to raise more money.  He has a company called Adventure Fit and spoke about multiple ways to raise funds. His idea is to create a fall event with perhaps the school and the town as beneficiaries.  This generated a huge discussion.

            Dan said that he doesn’t feel like we’re getting as much benefit as we could from the Gold Rush for the amount of effort that we put into it.  If we could lower the list of expenses and make more money, we could do more things for the community.  We would need to figure out how the town feels about events and the impacts vs benefits.  Josh said that the cause needs to be something that people can get behind.  Josh thinks it could be a huge benefit and that cyclists and runners would support it.

            Martha pointed out that the Gold Rush is a community event that townspeople participate in and she wouldn’t want that to get lost. She sees it as a socialization event, with so much of the community working together, that benefits us all. 

            Dan thinks the two events could exist side by side – keep the small event, plus a bigger event to bring more people.  Josh thinks the Gold Rush should continue plus the bike rally and maybe an old-fashioned hootenanny – close a section of Main Street.

            Chris, who is a forest/wildfire mitigation person, and worked on the big mitigation project at Betasso, and said money is a real factor.  If we are hoping to mitigate the North Slope, we would probably need helicopters and they cost.  Also, we should consider this asap – you never know when the next fire will occur.

            Bear added that the Gold Rush is our main fundraiser for the Gold Hill Town Meeting and then if we try to make it so much bigger with a bike rally – it seems like a conflict – such a separate thing.  Also, someone pointed out that there are only so many volunteers to help run events and it takes quite a few just to run the Gold Rush/Bake/Rummage/Craft Sale.

Another consideration is that the running race was close to the same time as the Gold Rush and then to add another event…?

Gretchen added that the idea of closing Main Street has not been a popular one.  Josh will put out a summary to send to the town.  We need to find out how the community feels.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Gold Rush – Dan presented a report comparing expenses and profits for 2018 and 2019.  Several people noted that there didn’t seem to be as many people this year as last.  Martha wondered why we spent almost twice as much on food this year as last, but made so much less, and Dan added that there was a lot of food left over. 

He again expressed his feeling that we need to make some changes – that it’s frustrating that we don’t make much for the amount of effort we put in. 

Gold Hill School – Dan reported that the Fall Fiesta will be November 13^th.  Also, Janos Wilder and Dave Query are teaming up as chefs for a dinner at the Inn on October 22^nd.  Archery and gardening are over now and they are starting to work on the school play.

Historic Gold Hill/Museum update – Deb Yeager emailed her report – We had a very successful summer at the museum which included the community outreach event on Tellurium with Ed Raines as our presenter.  Additionally, we hosted the ANFRM meeting, the Colorado Association of Front Range Museums, plus an ice cream social in the Gold Hill Inn Beer Garden and a tour of our cemetery hosted by Chellee Courtney.  Currently we are in the process of constructing an 8’ x 12’ shed which will house our lawn equipment and supplies as well as and most importantly, make us compliant with the ADA by adding a compostable toilet kindly donated to us by Shirley and Larry Hannert.  We are thrilled to finally be able to accommodate disabled guests and those museum visitors who need a facility. We will continue to have off street parking and we will not have to compromise the bell tower so all is well in the world of the museum.  We will be working this winter on the creation of our 2020 exhibits, our 2021 calendar, and training the museum board on how to record artifacts and appropriately log our museum treasures for perpetuity.  Additionally, we are continuing to enhance our ‘friends of the museum’ format and are looking forward to reaching out to the newest members of our community for positions on our board and finalizing our community outreach for 2020.  We are constantly looking for more items for the calendar including but not limited to photos, poetry, recipes, oral history and histories of properties, old artifacts, and papers that you may find in the recesses of your attic.  Please remember us when you come across those old things.  Gretchen added that we would love to have more people on the calendar committee, too.  Contact Gretchen or Marie if you would like to join us.

Bear said he’d heard rumors about resurrecting the old Gold Hill bus.  Gretchen reported that an old White chassis (maybe not the original, but from the same period), that Tim Walter used to drive the Bluebirds up to Gold Hill in has been living in the Weaver’s garage. Marcus and Elisabeth would now like to use the garage and the Museum board wants to restore it to something like its original grandeur (!) and possible give tours in?  We vacillate between thinking how wonderful that would be to how are we going to accomplish this and where are we going to house it.  Several people have volunteered to work on it and Tony added that she thought Bobby would help.

Mountain Stewards (formerly Climate/Sustainability Committee) – Tony reported that their prior mission was more about surviving emergencies, including sustainability and resiliency.  They applied for a grant last year to study where to go forward with sustainability and resiliency, particularly in the face of climate change.  There is a copy of the report at the Gold Hill Store and we’re working to link to it on the town website (goldhilltown.com).  They are now working on a more complete mission statement to include mountain stewardship more broadly.  They are meeting regularly now on the third Monday of the month at 6 pm. The next meeting will be October 21 at Tony’s house.  They have put in for a solar assessment grant through the County (since we are not an incorporated town) to make us more independent, but haven’t heard yet.  They have also been focusing on water supply and water testing and have applied for a grant for $2000 to test peoples’ water. 

            Dina made a motion that the GHTM support this grant application and administer the $2000 for water testing.  Ota seconded and it passed unanimously. Bear added that we have a bizarre water situation in Gold Hill with at least 5 different aquifers, so especially in our community it would be good to have a way to test it.  Dina said that safe, abundant water is our goal.

            Tony reported that we now have a beautiful logo designed by a local artist.  Our focus is making a better community for the future.  We began by learning how climate change will affect Gold Hill and now will focus on resiliency and sustainability in the face of it.

            Dina reported that Deb Yeager was working in the Museum one day when Todd Moses, a geomorphologist who went to CU and loves Gold Hill, visited.  He wants to make GH his pro bono project for the year – to evaluate at our overall water situation up here for us. He also has an amazing record for helping raise grant money – he writes the technical part.

Declaration of Climate Emergency – Cat Russell brought a Climate Action Resilience Map – a visual representation of all the subjects they have been addressing on how to develop our resources up here for a better future.  She reported that Boulder, as well as Aspen and other communities in the US, have declared a Climate Emergency and she went to the launch party in Boulder.  She would like to have an event here to invite the community to organize together, to look at climate change and ways to reduce our impact to head off our contributions to it as well as how to adapt to it and maybe make our own declaration.  Looking at fundraising, some things are free or not very expensive.  For instance, it only costs about $10 a month to support wind energy with Excel Energy.  Also, we could support the Climb by all riding the going to a sports bar or something together. 

Dan would like more information on climate change. Cat has trained as a climate reality trainer with Al Gore’s Climate Reality Project so she would be happy to make a presentation.  All over the country on Wednesday, November 20, there are events happening so this could fit right into that.  She feels that in the face of government inaction we need to reorganize ourselves as tighter communities to take the lead for ourselves. We have so many resources.  She has been teaching climatology for 17 years and Ota works with federal agencies (NASA) gathering data so together they have a lot of information useful to us.

So, the plan is to have the presentation in November and the GHTM can take a vote at the December 9^th town meeting on whether we want to go on record as declaring a Climate Emergency.  More information to follow.

CSA (the food share group) – Mari reports that it will be continuing next year although they are looking into a different provider. Nine families split 3 shares this year.  Contact Deb or Mari if you are interested.

SafeLink/NeighborLink/AirLink – Dina still has the GoTenna devices and she and Ota have been testing locations.  At their weekly meetings they have been discussing how the community would be able to communicate during a disaster – not just the Hams, but a majority of the community.  These are tiny radio devices that, paired with a smart phone, enable text messages to hop from one to another and create a community web.  They need to be located within 20’ of each other or line of sight.  They cost $70-$80.  She is not sure what the next step is.

Historical Zoning – Bear reports that there are three projects coming up.  At 671 Main Street, Paul and Anya want to put in solar panels. The HZ position on solar panels is that of course they aren’t historical, but they are environmental so they support them as long as they are flush with the roof.  The second one is Boyd Brown’s project at 775 Pine Street.  And the third one is Mari and Ian’s at 541 College.  The general process is for projects to start at HZ first, but in this case the County has issued permits before HZ was done with their process, although there are still some to go.  Bear will pursue this with the County. Plans for the projects are at the Gold Hill Store for public inspection.

Fire Department – Gretchen would like to point out that minutes of the Gold Hill Fire Protection District Board of Directors are on the GHFPD website –  goldhillfire.org

NEW BUSINESS

Holiday Potluck – Mari would like to reinstate our holiday potluck.  She will work on a date and location, but sometime in December

            Also, bring your own cups to town meetings and Mari will bring water.

Respectfully submitted, Gretchen Diefenderfer, Secretary