NOTICE OF BUDGET1

(Pursuant to 29-1-106, C.R.S.)

GHPFD Board of Directors

NOTICE is hereby given that a proposed budget has been submitted to the

2027

for the ensuing year of Gold Hill Fire Protection District

of ; a copy of such proposed budget has been filed in the office

budget will be considered at , where the same is open for public inspection; such proposed

Special Board of Directors

meeting of the

1011 Main St., Gold Hill, CO 80302 November 16, 2026 6:30 PM

to be held at on at .

Gold Hill Fire Protection District

Any interested elector of may inspect the proposed budget and file

or register any objections thereto at any time prior to the final adoption of the budget.

1If a government’s budget is greater than $50,000, the Notice of Budget must be published one time in a

newspaper having general circulation in the local government. If the budget is $50,000 or less, the Notice may

be posted in three public places in the local government. (29-1-106(3), C.R.S.)

Rev. 6/16

Howdy,

As a reminder, the Fire District Board meeting is tonight at 7:30 PM. Due to work commitments, I will attend remotely via Zoom, and the agenda will be distributed shortly.

Tonight’s primary focus is finalizing the budget, so please review all relevant items beforehand. I will confirm Bret’s recommendations with him prior to the meeting, where he will have 20 minutes to present.

Best regards,

Free showing of the film Elevation Sunday, Muenzinger Auditorium, 7:30

poster from the Boulder Camera 10-8-26

GOLD HILL TOWN MEETING NEWSLETTER

 Minutes of the August 10, 2026, Gold Hill Town Meeting

 Next Regular Meeting will be Monday, October 12, 2026, 7:00 pm in person at the Community Center and by Zoom.

 The meeting was called to order by Chair Kelly Veit. Present were Kelly, Treasurer Martha Knapp, Dave Brigham, Boyd Brown and Vice Chair Kaitlyn Barthell.  Attending by Zoom were Rich Scheingold, Val Crist, Deb Yeager, Maggie Simms, Steffi Wilson, Kris Hill, and Secretary Gretchen Diefenderfer.

Minutes – Martha moved we approve the minutes of the July meeting, Dave seconded and the minutes were approved

Treasurer’s Report – Martha reports our balance was $16,712 in June.  Action since than includes expenses of $30 for a mailing list of property data from Boulder County, expenses of $1449 for the Town Clean Up, but $1555 was donated, so we actually made money – thank you all for your contributions.  Community Events fund is currently $2,216. Donations to the Cemetery Fund were $300, so that total is now $3948.06.  Our current balance is $17,988.01. 

Kelly asked about proceeds from the Sunset Trail Run.  Martha left a message with the Watershed Collective group.  Kelly will follow up.

Kelly asked about our survey of town properties.  Boyd reported that Dave Wilson has done a recent survey and needs to remark boundaries.  There has been some dispute about boundaries with adjacent property owner, Jeff Fishbaugh.   Martha moved we ask Dave Wilson if he is willing to formalize the survey and mark the boundaries and what his cost would be.  Boyd seconded and the motion passed 11-0.

Welcome Buckets – Deb asked about funding of welcome buckets.  She’s created 12 and distributed 11 of those – a lot more new residents recently – and has spent approximately $165 to $170.  They include gifts – the Museum, Inn, and Store contribute items and Nancy Mason donates her ornaments – and town information She asked if we want to continue and will fund this effort.  Rick moved that we reimburse De for her expenses and add a line item for $100 per year in the GHTM budget, subject to annual review.  Boyd seconded and the vote was unanimous in favor.

Bylaw Review: Article II: Membership, Section A. Eligibility – up for final vote.  The wording previously approved:

All residents, excluding campers and house sitters, who have resided in the GHTM defined area for 60 days, and all homeowners within the Gold Hill Fire Protection District who are over the age of 18 are members of the Gold Hill Town Meeting 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.

Val moved that we approve this wording, David seconded and it was approved.  Nine voted in favor, no one opposed, and there were 3 abstentions.

Community Survey – Kelly reported a preliminary update, which will be triple validated.  They’ve received approximately 60 responses and developed a template for tabulating and are asking for more help.  It was distributed to people in town, the subdivision, and put out in the newsletter.  The game plan is to categorize, summarize, and put in all comments.  Plan to have results before the September meeting.  This current Business Committee is now done.  If a group wants to continue, they will need to organize. The parking/signage issues will sit with the Chief and the Fire Department.

ELECTIONS

Our annual elections commenced with nominations for Chair.  Val nominated Kelly and Maggie seconded.  There were no further nominations, Kelly agreed to serve and she was elected by acclimation. 

Vice Chair – Kaitlyn was nominated, but she declined and no one else in attendance was persuaded.  Gretchen reported that the bylaws said that officers serve one-year terms or until a new member is elected and that if an officer resigns, a quorum of the Council shall appoint someone.  Upon receiving a formal resignation from Kaitlyn, we will be looking for a new Vice Chair – be thinking, you all!

Secretary – Kelly nominated Gretchen, who is willing to continue for one more year, would be happy to mentor someone to take over next year, and needs others to help with the website.  She was elected by acclamation

Treasurer – Gretchen nominated Martha, who agreed to serve and, in the absence of further nominations, she was also elected by acclamation.

Member at Large – traditionally the main duty is fundraising, principally the fall Gold Rush (bake, rummage and crafts sale) with the help of the previous MaL and lots of volunteers.   John Hatlelid, our current MaL, sent an email letting us know that his work has taken him out of town a lot and he’s concerned that he can’t do a good enough job.  He might resign if he can find someone to fill the position, but his work travel may let up.  With no nominations, John will continue for now.

Thanks to all for serving!  It’s a wonderful old traditional Town Meeting we have.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Historic Zoning – no report

Cemetery – no report

Weeds – Kaitlyn reports they’ve had some fun workshops.  5,000 beetles were released to eat the leafy spurge in the subdivision.  They got approval from the homeowners, and they die out when the spurge dies out.

Senior Alliance – Val reports that they sponsored Kaitlyn’s workshops and will now be scaling back informational meetings re: aging place and having more social gatherings.

SafeLink, AirLink, NeighborLink – Deb reports looking out for anyone in our newer residents to be inspired to join up and help further our emergency response abilities. Dina and Mark Elder are still leading out AirLink/Ham Radio group.

Fire Department/Mitigation – Boyd reports that the volunteer mitigation team has been doing a ton of mitigation work.  The town work has been done by the Fourmile Mit. Group and lots of chipping accomplished through Wildfire Partners.  The large grants are now playing out – one will be over the end of September, but another will go for one more year – most of the money has been spent.  They’re now gearing up for firewood for fall – get ahold of Boyd or Kris Gibson if interested.  Kort and Amy have been working with Xcel and have done a lot privately down at the bottom of Lickskillet.

Museum – Deb reports they’ve been plugging away.  Boyd added that they’re doing a fundraiser on Bocce Day for the bus restoration – looking to raise $10,000 total (quite a bit has been raised already), and the bus will be at the tournament.

Mountain Stewards – no report.

ANNOUNCEMENTS/EVENTS – Martha reports the Gold Hill School starts Wednesday

Fall Bocce Tournament – Saturday, September 5 will include the fundraiser for the Museum’s bus restoration project, and the bus will be on display.

Next GH Town Meeting will be Monday, October 12

Respectfully submitted, Gretchen Diefenderfer.  Thanks also to Martha for taking  good notes as she was present and I Zoomed in.

Please let me know if you know someone who would like to be on our Newsletter list.  Also let me know if you would no longer like to be on the list.  Find lots of town news and events on our website  (goldhilltown.com)

Flyer for a celebration of life for Donna Jean.  Please share with others!

Thanks,

Brian 
brian@nullenergythinks.com

Donna Jean “DJ” Peiffer Obituary (2026) – Lafayette, CO – The Denver Gazette https://share.google/sEyADsf8WecW31mt6 

Tonight’s fire board meeting has been canceled.  Due to several absences, we will not be able to hold the meeting.

If anyone has any issues or topics they need discussed, please forward them directly to me.

Thanks,

Kent

What About the Native Habitat Around Our Homes? 

How useful is the native habitat around your home to native pollinators and other wildlife?

How can you tell? 

If you decide it could be more useful, what are some easy ways to do that which work for you and your family?  

 

And how do you do it within Wildfire Partners fire mitigation guidelines? 

 

Please join us for a presentation and discussion on this topic 

Sunday September 20 at 10 am at the Gold Hill Fire Barn

 

with Abby Silver and Pam Sherman, who have been working together on this and wrote the checklist Native Pollinator Habitat and Wildfire at home: how can you be prepared?

 

Also presenting will be experienced local residents who have done this at home  and are happy with the results. 

You do not have to be a gardener to come! Just a curious mountain resident. 

Bring your questions!  Tea and refreshments will be served. 

 

Brought to you by the Gold Hill Area Senior Alliance and the Native Plant & Ecology Committees of the Gold Hill Town Meeting 

 

Abby Silver, longtime mountain resident and Certified Wildfire Mitigation Specialist, was our mountain rep since Wildfire Partners began.

 

Pam Sherman, longtime Gold Hill resident, is a native habitat educator working with national nonprofits devoted to restoring native habitat for wildlife, starting with pollinators and kin.   

 

Save the Date: Sunday September 20 at 10 am at the Fire Barn

photo by Nel_Botha on Pixabay.com

Hello, Gold Hill Community!

Christine Maedke

K-5 Teacher

Boulder Valley School District

Gold Hill School

890 Main St.

Boulder, CO 80302

ghe.bvsd.org

School: 720-561-5940

Classroom: 720-561-6015

Blue Bird Bus Fundraiser/9_5_2026

Hi Friends:

Hey, swing by and help us kick off phase II of the Blue Bird Bus restoration project’s fundraising campaign.

The action starts the morning of Sept. 5 at the Bocce Tournament in Gold Hill, on Pine Street, west of College. The bus will be there in all its glory. See the progress we’ve made over the last two years and help us plan a vision for the future.

As many of you know, these trucks were used in Glacier, Yellowstone, and Rocky Mountain national parks to transport tourists. Here in Gold Hill, they were used to bring the Blue Bird ladies to their Gold Hill summer residences, and at least one was used by the Walter family to haul products for various businesses and residents.

The fun starts at 8:30. We will have coffee and donuts, and volunteers will be standing by to help show off the bus and describe the work that has been done to date.

Generous local donors have provided us a $3,500 matching grant. We have set a fundraising goal of $10,000 to complete the restoration, which will include a canopy and benches.

The fundraising campaign begins now and will run through Sept. 30. We can accept cash, checks, Paypal and Venmo. We look forward to seeing everyone then. Thanks for your support of the Blue Bird Bus Restoration Project and Historic Gold Hill Inc. We could not do this work without your help!

Jerd Smith

jerd.e.smith@nullgmail.com

Hi everyone:

We are getting closer to being able to move into our cabin but sadly, we are still very much a construction site and therefore will not be able to host you for the Sunday before Labor Day party.  Our apologies!  Things are going along great albeit it still takes time to do things correctly.  Thanks for your understanding. 

Debra Yeager

deb@nullmountainvisions.net

Gold Rush Bake and Rummage Sale – September 27

It’s happening!  John Hatlelid, our Member at Large, has still been coordinating the Gold Rush. Albeit on a 9 hour lag from Germany. It looks like Brian can get us September 27th. 

John would rather not resign, it’s that he’s been out of town 2 weekends a month and it’s really limiting his time with his family.  He’s feeling the need to prioritize that when he’s here. If we can continue a search he’d be willing to hold the position until that search succeeds.  He’d also not step down if his travel schedule slows.  He’ll be out of town mid-September and hoping to have everything for the Gold Rush squared away before that trip. 

We, of course need volunteers; bakers, crafters are always great, and rummage contributors as well as helpers and buyers, possibly musicians.  We’ll have food, too!   It’s always a fun Gold Hill gathering.  Come one, come all!

Please contact John Hatlelid (johnhat@nullgmail.com) if you have questions or would like to volunteer.

Flyer to follow soon.

Passcode: 5tmo?263

GOLD HILL TOWN MEETING NEWSLETTER

 Minutes of the June 8, 2026, Gold Hill Town Meeting

 Next Regular Meeting will be Monday, August 10, 2026, 7:00 pm in person at

the Community Center and by Zoom.   

This will be our annual Town Council Elections meeting!

The meeting was called to order by Chair Kelly Veit.  Present were Kelly, Micah Frost, Dave Brigham, Vice Chair Kaitlyn Barthell, Boyd Brown, Juliet Carpenter, Boyd Brown and Poppy Copeland, Treasurer Martha Knapp, Jeffrey Combelic, and Secretary Gretchen Diefenderfer.  Attending by Zoom were Marcus Moernch and Elisabeth Caspari, Val Crist, Heidi Kessler and Richard Roth, Member at Large John Hatlelid, Maggie Simms, Chief Rich Caudill, and Virginia Schultz.

Chief’s Report – Rich updated us on the new truck.  It is now fully in service and will be out most Saturdays from 9 – 1:00 for everyone to see.  It’s exciting to have this brand-new truck.  They plan to have it in the parade and to have a little ceremony.

Also, we won the battle with Lumen/CenturyLink.  They replaced our batteries at the crossroads junction box, which will furnish power for our landlines for 4 to 8 hours.  If a power outage is longer than that, we will look at alternatives and there will be a generator at the barn.

Mitigation Info – Boyd reports that the Fourmile crew is working on the town property and is ahead of schedule.  Some home hardening is also being done on Hill Street by Teens, Inc. in conjunction with Wildfire Partners. The GH volunteer group, which includes Micah and a lot of other people, have spent a lot of time around Hugh’s, Rebecca and Janos’ and at the top of the Skillet.  They have an application in for chipping.  The goats are here and have done great work – the entire meadow and down in the draw between Fourmile and Dixon. Maggie asked why the entire meadow and Boyd said the minimum is 300’ and this creates a better fire buffer.  It will also give us data on what comes back for the 3-year study.  There were a lot of invasive weeds and it was overgrown.  The minders are making sure they get moved so they’re leaving the roots.  They can do 1 ½ acres in 24 hours!

Minutes – Bear moved we accept the minutes of the April meeting, Marcus seconded and it passed with no one opposed.

Treasurer’s Report – Martha reports Account activity in the General Fund since the April meeting included testing the new US Bank Elavon Mobile Card reader with net fees of under $1.00. There was also a website domain name fee of $23.19. A total of $650 in donations to the Cemetery Fund brings that account balance to $3648.06.

There was no activity in any other accounts.     Our bank account total is $16,712.

Talking to Boulder County, they can provide property addresses and mailing addresses for the GHFPD.   She would like to request approximately $40 – $60.00 to purchase these lists if we decide to do mailings.  Bear pointed out that the bylaws were amended a few years ago to make the Town Meeting area identical to the Fire Department’s.  He supports us allocating the money for Martha to purchase the list.  Boyd agrees.  Bear moved to authorize up to $100 to get the list.  Dave seconded.  16 voted to approve, none opposed.

The mobile card reader from U.S. Bank is Elavon – has really low fees. Martha has given it to John.  Works best with iPhones, but there is an Android work around.  The money is deposited directly to our bank.

As far as merch, John reports we have the GH Logo water bottles for $15 or reasonable donation, some pint glasses for $15, and some assorted t-shirts and sweatshirts from thrift stores and silk screened with our logo that we’ll probably just ask a reasonable donation for.

Bylaws – Martha reports on the survey regarding the bylaw concerning residency, homeowners, property owners, etc. 

Article II, Membership, Section A, Eligibility in the 2020 Bylaws:

Those residing in the Town Meeting area are members and may vote at town meetings, provided they fulfill the following requirements:

1. Be a minimum of 18 years of age
2. Have lived in the GHTM area for sixty days furing the twqelve months prior to the meeting or for 60 days during the previous five years with no less then five days in any one year.

The GHTM area is identified as that included in the boundaries of the Gold Hill Fire Protection District (GHFPD).

Current Bylaw

All residents and property owners within the Gold Hill Fire Protection District who are over the age of 18 are members of the Gold Hill Town Meeting and have voting rights.  Eash 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.

Survey announcement published May 22, May 28, and June 3.

Survey closed end-of-day June 7.

Total number of respondents: 42

SURVEY INTENTION: A committee study and subsequent feedback from members at the April 2026 Town Meeting identified concerns, solutions, and general consensus of issues of importance.  This survey presents the consensus while seeking a broader audience and feedback. It is multiple choice with the opportunity for comments at the end of the survey.

CONCERNS: 
1. “residents” should be defined;

2. “property owners” should be defined or changed to “home owners”.

SURVEY QUESTION & RESULTS

RESIDENCY

1. Should “residents” be defined/specified to exclude campers and house sitters? Y/N

42 responses

 YES: 40 respondents: 95.2%

No:  2 respondents:  4.8%

2. Should there be a defined/specified length of time for residency? Y/N

42 responses

YES: 28 respondents: 66.7%

No:  14 respondents:  33.3%

If YES, what length of time for residency?

27 responses

30 days: 4

60 days: 8

90 days/3 months: 2

6 months: 6

1 year: 6

2 years: 1

TERMS

1. Should the term “Property Owners” be replaced with “Home Owners”?  Y/N

41 responses

YES: 27 respondents: 67.9%

No:  14 respondents:  34.1%

Much discussion ensued.  Should we convene the committee to work on rewording Article II, Membership?  The length of time for residency is all over the place.  Give top 3 options?  Martha moved that we go back and ask the committee, but this got no second.  Boyd added that if 2/3 of survey respondents agreed, as they did with changing Property Owners to Home Owners, we should move forward.  Val thought that we would vote tonight, and she moved that we vote on choosing the length of time for residency from the top 3 in the survey: 60 days, 6 months, one year, since these 3 got 70% of the survey results.  Micah seconded.  The vote was 9 in favor, 3 opposed, and 3 abstentions. 

Micah moved we adopt 60 days, Marcus seconded.  The vote was 13 in favor to 1.

Bear moved we adopt 6 months, Dave seconded. The vote was 3 to 11

Bear moved we adopt 1 year, Boyd seconded. The vote was 3 to 10, with 2 abstentions.  Therefore, we agreed on 60 days.

Micah moved that the residency definition be worded to exclude campers and house sitters.  Boyd seconded.  The vote was 14 with none opposed.

Micah stated that we should also vote now on clarifying the wording and the consensus was that we have enough information with the survey and the people here to move forward on proposed wording.  Per the bylaws, this will need to be published and finalized at the next meeting.

Micah moved that we vote on amending the previous Membership bylaw and Martha came up with the following wording

All residents, excluding campers and house sitters, who have resided in the GHTM defined area for 60 days, and all homeowners within the Gold Hill Fire Protection District who are over the age of 18 are members of the Gold Hill Town Meeting 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.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Business District Committee – Kelly reports that They are working on a general survey and will have results for the August meeting.  Addendum: The survey is out (see https://goldhilltown.com/community-livability-business-impact-survey/) and replies are due by August 5^th.  The ballot box is by the Firebarn.

Historic Zoning – Bear said he has no HZ report, but wanted to add that the Bocce Tournament is June 27, is a great town event/pot luck and encourages everyone to come.

Cemetery – We have two new permanent residents: Luzie Mason and Bill Atkinson, and will have Fred Bores next month.  RIP our legends.

Native Plants, Ecology, and Weed Management – Kaitlyn reports meetings with Pam Sherman, previous chair, Val, of the Senior Alliance, and Leslie Finn, who takes care of the garden at the Firebarn.  They will have workshops with seeds as well as others.  The Bee Chickas are also planning a presentation of the bees of Gold Hill.  Boyd added that people were excited about the seed packets and seed cards.

Senior Alliance – Val reports they had a great meeting in June – regular meetings are the first Tuesday of the month at 4 pm.  They are changing from informational to more social.  Everyone is always invited, not just seniors.  In July Pam and Kaitlyn gave a presentation on native, firewise, and pollinator plants.

Museum – Boyd spoke about the Community Outreach on June 20 at 5:30. The topic is Gold Hill music and musicians – historical to current.  There is a segment on Chuck Ogsbury and his banjos.  This is for members of the GH community to thank everyone and have an educational event.   They will also have the old bus they are restoring on display.  It’s actually running and can be driven around, but not ready for the 4^th of July parade.

Mountain Stewards – Marcus reports they are mostly supporting fire mitigation.  They’ll have Teens, Inc. later in the summer.  They coordinate with Maya on grant opportunities, the latest particularly on watershed protection, enhancement of native species.  Julie asked about her land behind her house and Marcus will ask Maya.  Boyd thinks we should look at the CWPP areas – they did the Fen out west.  Marcus asked people to email him with ideas (marcus.moench@nullgmail.com).

Softball at Rock Stadium – Jeffrey reported some history.  We began playing in the mid 70s and early 2000s several times a summer and eventually became part of the Mountain League – Gold Hill, Ward, Nederland, and Summerville.  He’s looking at reviving the tradition, at least for a game in mid-July, when his family will be visiting.  Bear volunteered to give him the Bocce list to notify people.

NEW BUSINESS

Historical Documents – Martha reported that we had some boxes of documents stashed in the Tuff Shed, whose main purpose is to store emergency supplies for the SafeSite group, and we need to figure out a good place to more permanently store our historical documents.  We formerly had room in the Community Center (upstairs of the Firebarn), but that is no longer working.  Boyd suggested that the Museum has room under the floor we could use.  Two Museum board members have inventoried the materials and made a summary of what is there – Norm and Marybeth.  John likes that solution – he can keep the merch at his place, but would like it to stay there until the Gold Rush.  Martha wonders about accessibility.  Boyd suggested it would need to be put in bins and labeled.  Martha moved we accept Boyd’s offer, David seconded, and the motion passed.  More in the future.

With that, the meeting adjourned.

Respectfully submitted, Gretchen Diefenderfer, Secretary

P.S. If you know anyone who would like to receive the GH Newsletter, please let me know.  We also mail a few to people who don’t do computers.  And, If you are getting it and no longer want to, let me know that.  

This year’s Town Clean Up is this coming Saturday, July 18 from 9 to 2, and helpers are desperately needed.  As of today, I have only heard from people who cannot help, so sincerely hoping there are some of you out there who are able .  Any amount of time you have free will be very much appreciated.

Please let me know – thanks so much

Gretchen

303-442-3847

gretchend@nullmac.com

2026 Spring Clean Up

Saturday, July 18, 2026

9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Bluebird Lodge parking lot.

For all within the Town Meeting boundaries 

DIVERSION is the focus again this year. Boulder County is a great support for our diversion/recycling efforts, but does not fund trash disposal.  We will be getting two dumpsters for trash and we will have to pay for them (roll off fee is $703.40 per container), so we will need to charge (rate sheet at the end). 

Four Dumpsters will arrive between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m. – 2 for junk/trash (we will need to collect a fee for trash and donations for the diversion stuff), one for metal, one for wood – slash and general wood/lumber as in the past.  Please don’t come with stuff earlier than 9:00. 

***And, yes, please, we need volunteers to help!***

To volunteer, please contact me, Gretchen Diefenderfer, at gretchend@nullmac.com  (303-442-3847). Thank You!

DIVERSION –  see http://www.ecocycle.org/charm for what you can take there and costs

Block Styrofoam  – #6 White Block Foam only (the rigid type often referred to as Styrofoam; NO shipping labels on foam, no soft/squishy foam, packing peanuts, “Styrofoam” (polystyrene) cups, “to-go” boxes, meat trays or any other food-grade foam, moisture, or tape)

Household hazardous waste (HHW)

            Motor Oil, Antifreeze

          Batteries (household batteries and lead acid (car) batteries)

            Paint – latex and oil based

            As many of the following materials as our County helper, Michal, can fit in their pickup truck.  Then they will take them down to CHaRM at the end of the event:

• Mattresses, Box Springs (NO bedbugs, mold, wet, or contamination)
• e-waste
• block Styrofoam

METAL Container – No liquids  – No tires on rims (just rims are ok!) – No batteries – No paint cans with paint still in them.  We will NOT take fridges, or tires this year.  Wire fencing and barbed wire are ok.

 WOOD Container – No chemically treated wood including stain or paint – No nails in the wood (although a few seem to be ok, just not an excessive amount) – No particleboard.  Slash is ok – no longer than 18” (be judicious with this – there is only one dumpster and it can’t take a forest of slash) 

        TRASH  Containers  – junk – No recyclables!  We need to pay for this and will need to charge for trash. We also request donations for the diversion items.  Please remember that it would be much more expensive to take a truckload to the dump or to Nederland (trash taken to Nederland is charged $16 per cubic yard – see https://bouldercounty.gov/environment/trash/nederland-transfer-and-recycle/#1601564428438-33e156fc-5926 for their fees).

         $5 per large trash bag

            $20  per car, van, or SUV (less for just a few things)

            $35 per pick-up truck or trailer full

            $35 – 40 per vehicle with trailer

 Repurposing – We encourage people to bring stuff that others might want.  Be prepared to pick these items up if no one wants them, or for them to go into the dumpsters.  We will take some stuff down to donate in Boulder, either to second hand stores or to Resource Central – would love volunteers to help with this.

 Any propane bottles must be vented and this means the entire top mechanism must be removed.  Just opening it does not suffice. We made this mistake once and it cost us

It’s amazing how much stuff piles up!  This is your chance to clear that stuff out!

And, yes, please, we need volunteers to help –  please contact me, Gretchen, at gretchend@nullmac.com or 303-442-3847    THANK YOU!

2026 Spring Clean Up

Saturday, July 18, 2026

9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Bluebird Lodge parking lot.

For all within the Town Meeting boundaries 

DIVERSION is the focus again this year. Boulder County is a great support for our diversion/recycling efforts, but does not fund trash disposal.  We will be getting two dumpsters for trash and we will have to pay for them (roll off fee is $703.40 per container), so we will need to charge (rate sheet at the end). 

Four Dumpsters will arrive between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m. – 2 for junk/trash (we will need to collect a fee for trash and donations for the diversion stuff), one for metal, one for wood – slash and general wood/lumber as in the past.  Please don’t come with stuff earlier than 9:00. 

***And, yes, please, we need volunteers to help!***

To volunteer, please contact me, Gretchen Diefenderfer, at gretchend@nullmac.com  (303-442-3847). Thank You!

DIVERSION –  see http://www.ecocycle.org/charm for what you can take there and costs

Block Styrofoam  – #6 White Block Foam only (the rigid type often referred to as Styrofoam; NO shipping labels on foam, no soft/squishy foam, packing peanuts, “Styrofoam” (polystyrene) cups, “to-go” boxes, meat trays or any other food-grade foam, moisture, or tape)

Household hazardous waste (HHW)

            Motor Oil, Antifreeze

          Batteries (household batteries and lead acid (car) batteries)

            Paint – latex and oil based

            As many of the following materials as our County helper, Michal, can fit in their pickup truck.  Then they will take them down to CHaRM at the end of the event:

• Mattresses, Box Springs (NO bedbugs, mold, wet, or contamination)
• e-waste
• block Styrofoam

METAL Container – No liquids  – No tires on rims (just rims are ok!) – No batteries – No paint cans with paint still in them.  We will NOT take fridges, or tires this year.  Wire fencing and barbed wire are ok.

 WOOD Container – No chemically treated wood including stain or paint – No nails in the wood (although a few seem to be ok, just not an excessive amount) – No particleboard.  Slash is ok – no longer than 18” (be judicious with this – there is only one dumpster and it can’t take a forest of slash) 

        TRASH  Containers  – junk – No recyclables!  We need to pay for this and will need to charge for trash. We also request donations for the diversion items.  Please remember that it would be much more expensive to take a truckload to the dump or to Nederland (trash taken to Nederland is charged $16 per cubic yard – see https://bouldercounty.gov/environment/trash/nederland-transfer-and-recycle/#1601564428438-33e156fc-5926 for their fees).

         $5 per large trash bag

            $20  per car, van, or SUV (less for just a few things)

            $35 per pick-up truck or trailer full

            $35 – 40 per vehicle with trailer

 Repurposing – We encourage people to bring stuff that others might want.  Be prepared to pick these items up if no one wants them, or for them to go into the dumpsters.  We will take some stuff down to donate in Boulder, either to second hand stores or to Resource Central – would love volunteers to help with this.

 Any propane bottles must be vented and this means the entire top mechanism must be removed.  Just opening it does not suffice. We made this mistake once and it cost us

It’s amazing how much stuff piles up!  This is your chance to clear that stuff out!

And, yes, please, we need volunteers to help –  please contact me, Gretchen, at gretchend@nullmac.com or 303-442-3847    THANK YOU!

GOLD HILL FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT

Agenda- Monday, June 15, 2026

7:30pm

Join Zoom Meeting:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86980057492?pwd=LEV6GGmxTNiGttG7JlWg4Z4b

TO6wbs.1

Zoom Link can also be found at: https://www.goldhillfire.org/events

GHFPD BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGULAR MEETING:

●

●

●

CALL TO ORDER-

ATTENDANCE- ROLL CALL

APPROV AL OF MINUTES-

●

●

OPERATIONAL UPDATES:

●

●

__________________________________________________________________

FIRE CHIEF’S MINUTES: Chief Caudill

OPERATIONAL NEEDS:

●

●

TRAINING:

●

●

RECRUITMENT

●

INFRASTRUCTURE

●

Garage Doors/Concrete Apron update (update will be on agenda

monthly through this process)

10 mile Cistern- is it leaking?

TECHNOLOGY USE

EQUIPMENT NEEDS:

●

●

●

●

●

___________________________________________________________________

OPERATIONAL READINESS:

●

STRATEGIC PLANNING

●●

●

●

●

●

●

CAPITAL REPLACEMENT PLAN

BUDGET

●

●

VEHICLES:

●

5404, 5402, 5439, 5431 and UTV-

●

5404- Max recommended that since it is stripped it should be

returned to Lefthand and taken off insurance. (Thoughts

regarding the future of this apparatus and placement?)

●

5431 electrical issues- have we figured it all out?

INVENTORY:

●

STATION MAINTENANCE:

●

GENERAL:

●

●

How are we currently set operationally with our Officer staff?

Ongoing conversation regarding hiring a fire marshall and adopting

fire code: Need to discuss a resolution for formally adopting the latest

model code (e.g., the 2021 or 2024 IFC) with custom local

amendments that reflect tight mountain terrain and limited water

infrastructure.

●

1. IFC Section 503 — Fire Apparatus Access Roads

It mandates that fire lanes must have an unobstructed width of

at least 20 feet (though local amendments can adjust this for

tight mountain topography) and vertical clearance of 13 feet 6

inches. It grants the fire chief the authority to require greater

widths if the radius of a turn or topography limits access.

●

2. IFC Section 503.4 — Obstructions on Fire Lanes

This code gives the district the direct legal authority to prevent

parking or placement of any obstructions on public or private

roadways used for fire apparatus access. It provides the

mechanism needed to declare “No Parking – Fire Lane” zones

in congested town centers.

●

3. IFC Section 503.3 — Marking and Signage

To enforce parking restrictions, the code must be visible. This●

●

●

●

●

●

●

section dictates exactly how fire lanes must be marked—such

as painting curbs red and posting standard, legally enforceable

“Fire Lane – Tow Away Zone” signs.

ADMINISTRATIVE:

●

________________________________________________

OTHER BUSINESS:

GRANTS-

MITIGATION-

COLLABORATION- CWPP-

WEBSITE-

COMMUNITY EVENTS/FUNDRAISING- 4th of July event- What positions for

this event need to be filled. Are we planning on getting tee shirts made? What is

the food plan?

PARKING/TOURISM/TOWN CONGESTION- Fire Code and Fire Marshall

_______________________________________________

NEW BUSINESS:

________________________________________________

ADJOURNMENT:

Hi All,

I will be taking the lead on the Breakfast and Parade this year. I will need a lot of support.  This is a special year.  Not only are we celebrating the Country’s 250th anniversary, but we will also have a ceremony to officially welcome the new truck to the department and community.

We will need help with:

Cooking/Serving
Cashiering
Condiment Station
Merchandise Purchasing
Children’s Toy Bags and Assembling
Traffic Control Points
Parking Signage and Setup
Parade Staging and Control
Food Purchasing

And probably a dozen other things I’m leaving out.  

I know we’re a little behind normal schedule.  Please let me know if you are interested in helping coordinate or work any of these categories.  

“Many hands make light work”
  -Old English Proverb

Let’s have fun  and great event this year!

Thank you!

Rich

rich.caudill5460@nullgmail.com

The next community volunteer fire mitigation workday