Your Mountain Stewards at work!  Mitigation and preparedness happenings in June, plus a fundraising trail running race, and File of Life handouts

Come join Gold Hill’s Community Pride Parade on Saturday, June 14, 2025!  Costumes, flags, songs, fun.  

Here’s the latest flyer for your information.  We do still need some volunteers!  If you have a couple of hours to donate to the clean up effort, it would be greatly appreciated <3

2025 Spring Clean Up

Saturday, May 31, 2025

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

Styrofoam  – #6 White Block Foam only (often referred to as Styrofoam; NO shipping labels on 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

           Car batteries

            Paint – latex and oil based

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

• Mattresses, Box Springs
• 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!

Memorial Day Mountin’ Mountain Hike

 

All mountain folk are invited to year #27 of the annual and beloved Mountin-Mountain ~10k hike.  It’s our funky mountain version of the larger, more crowded walk in Boulder that day.

Start time is 9:30 a.m. on Monday, May 26, and the start point is where CR 52 meets the Peak-to Peak. Carpoolers can meet in front of the Inn at 9 a.m.  

 

Food donations and your camp chairs may be dropped off at the “there’s no SAG wagon this year” site– hosted by David and Maggie — enroute to the start point.  The SAG wagon is in for repairs, but we’ll meet at the normal place where CR 52 meets the Switzerland Trail.  You’ll probably see a table or two in that area.  Chairs will not be provided, so drop off your own when you’re enroute to

the start point.  David and Maggie will transport chairs back to their home at 390 Hill St after the hike.

 

Participants walk, skip, run or board at their own pace. Be sure to bring plenty of water and layers in the event of inclement weather.  The Mountin’ Mountain will happen rain or shine.  Cuz we’re hardy mountain folk.

Questions may be directed to Pam Leland, Becky Martinek or Maggie Simms.

 

 

2025 Spring Clean Up

Saturday, May 31, 2025

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, 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

Styrofoam  – #6 White Block Foam only (often referred to as Styrofoam; NO shipping labels on 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

           Car batteries

            Paint – latex and oil based

METAL Container – No liquids – No fridges – No tires on rims (just rims are ok!) – No batteries – No paint cans with paint still in them.  We will NOT take fridges, electronics, 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 Cenntral – 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!

 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE WARD TOWN MARSHAL, STEVE DAVIS – RE: 4th of July in Ward 

*** PRIVATE FIREWORKS WILL NO LONGER BE ALLOWED AT THE WARD BALLFIELD. PLEASE DO NOT BRING ILLEGAL FIREWORKS TO WARD. ***

Due to safety concerns and fire danger, we regret to announce that the Fireworks Battle and Bonfire at the Ward ballfield has been officially discontinued.

This decision was made by the residents of Ward through an official referendum vote in April 2025, in order to ensure the well-being of our community and visitors.

This decision will be upheld and enforced by the Ward Town Marshal. Local and professional security officers will be present to ensure the safety of the community.

*** BUT… THE TOWN OF WARD IS STILL PLANNING AWESOME EVENTS FOR THE 4TH OF JULY!! 🇺🇲

🎉 🍭 PARADE

📸 🤺 TOWN PHOTO

🎸🥁 LOCAL LIVE MUSIC

🍔🍗 TOWN BBQ

⚾🤸 SOFTBALL GAME

Stay tuned for more updates on the schedule of events. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to seeing you all this July 4th!! ❤️🤍💙

Thank you,

Steve Davis
Town of Ward Marshal

YOU ARE INVITED, GOLD HILL COMMUNITY AND YOUR GUESTS to our Community Outreach for 2025.  Please plan on joining us on Friday, June 20^th at 5:30 pm at the Gold Hill History Museum for a cocktail party!  Come to the south yard of the museum prepared with some cash for a contest, great food and drink and the debut of our new items in our gift area.  We have a new long sleeve or short sleeve tee shirt, a new Bluebird ornament, and some great new note cards featuring the Bluebirds.  We also still have the Bluebird tea towel, apron, and tote bag and many other items.

Our guest speaker and presenter is Kayann Short, Ph.D. Author, A Bushel’s Worth: An Ecobiography who is currently completing a new book (coming 2026) on the subject of The Bluebirds.  She is specifically focusing on the early days of The Bluebirds in Gold Hill.  Her presentation will be from 7:00 pm for 45 minutes.

As always, this event is CLOSED to the public; however, if you are a resident of Gold Hill, you, your family and extended family and friends are welcome. Seating is limited and no food or drink is allowed inside the museum.

See you soon!  If you have any questions, please call 303 881 7665.

Debra Yeager

—

Come see the Gold Hill School kids musical Wednesday, May 7, 10 am and 6 pm

2023 Spring Clean Up – Plea for Volunteers. please contact me, Gretchen, at gretchend@nullmac.com or 303-442-3847    THANK YOU!

Saturday, June 24, 2023

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 they are no longer providing any money for trash disposal.  We will be getting one dumpster for trash and we will have to pay for it ($638), so we will need to charge (rate sheet at the end). 

Three Dumpsters will arrive between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m. – 1 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).

DIVERSION (see http://www.ecocycle.org/charm). 

Mixed rigid plastics (playground stuff, coolers, etc.) and Styrofoam 

Tires – no rims.

Electronics, small appliances

Appliances – refrigerators!

Mattresses

Household hazardous waste (HHW)

            Oil, Antifreeze

           Car batteries

            Latex paint

        METAL Container – No liquids – No fridges – No tires on rims (just rims are ok!) – No batteries – No paint cans with paint still in them.  We will take fridges and tires this year, but they have to go in the diversion trucks [there will be one for tires and appliances, one for HHW, one for mattresses, and more for electronics.   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 (a carl load taken to Nederland is charged $25 and a small pick up is $40).

         $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 2000 – 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.comor 303-442-3847    THANK YOU!

2023 Spring Clean Up

Saturday, June 24, 2023

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 they are no longer providing any money for trash disposal.  We will be getting one dumpster for trash and we will have to pay for it ($638), so we will need to charge (rate sheet at the end). 

Three Dumpsters will arrive between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m. – 1 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).

DIVERSION (see http://www.ecocycle.org/charm). 

Mixed rigid plastics (playground stuff, coolers, etc.) and Styrofoam 

Tires – no rims.

Electronics, small appliances

Appliances – refrigerators!

Mattresses

Household hazardous waste (HHW)

            Oil, Antifreeze

           Car batteries

            Latex paint

        METAL Container – No liquids – No fridges – No tires on rims (just rims are ok!) – No batteries – No paint cans with paint still in them.  We will take fridges and tires this year, but they have to go in the diversion trucks [there will be one for tires and appliances, one for HHW, one for mattresses, and more for electronics.   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 (a carl load taken to Nederland is charged $25 and a small pick up is $40).

         $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 2000 – 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.comor 303-442-3847    THANK YOU!

Twenty five years ago this summer the first Mountin’ Mountain

walk happened!   It has survived every Memorial Day, through 

rainy days, windy days, and covid days, at times with up to 40 

walkers, at times with five or six.  

 

Local walkers, runners and otherwise non-motorized mountain 

folk are invited to join us on Memorial Day,  Monday, May 29.  

 

The walk starts out where CR 52 meets the Peak-to-Peak Highway,

9:30 a.m sharp.  The walk is approx seven miles long.  We take a 

group photo and then everyone progresses at their own speed until 

we reach Gold Hill, with one stop enroute. 

 

We stop at the almost half-way point where David and Maggie set

up a SAG wagon where the Switzerland Trail intersects CR 52.  

There we take a break to enjoy beverages, baked goods and many

tasty treats.  Feel free to contribute food by dropping it off at the

camper enroute to the start point, or make a monetary donation.

 

Meet in front of the Inn at 9 a.m. for carpooling to the start point.  

If you’re able to transport walkers, thank you in advance.

 

See you on Memorial Day!

Pam Leland, Maggie Simms and David Brigham

Estate Sale Linnea Grovom

430 Dixon Road   grey house / white trim

Saturday May 20  — Sunday May 21  10:00 a.m.  — 2:00 p.m.

Moving to Portland, OR after 40 years in Gold Hill

Large house to small retirement apartment

Vases to Dishes.  Weed eater to Tools.  Lots Lots lots

Love seat to wall pictures   crayons to cookbooks.  And lots more

Bring packing material and a smile

GOLD HILL FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT

October 18, 2022

7:00 PM

MEETING IN THE FIRE BARN

CALL TO ORDER

ATTENDANCE

APPROVAL OF MINUTES 

FIRE CHIEF’S MINUTES           

CALLS:   

Type of call

Initial response

Number of volunteers who arrived.

Who took command and transfer (if any)?

Equipment used.

Other Departments who arrived.

Lessons learned.

TRAINING: 

                      Training team members

                      Past training

                      Upcoming training

         New volunteers

MAINTENANCE: 
         Vehicles 

                     Equipment

EQUIPMENT: 

                     Inventory

                     Condition

OTHER BUSINESS 

         2023 BUDGET(S):   Jessica

         MITIGATION

UTV:  Shed, Helmets and Training  Chris D,  Kent

ESO Software:  Authorization to purchase. Laptop. Chris D,  Kent

Grants:  AFG Grant, DFPC Bunker Gear, Forest Restoration and Wildfire Risk Mitigation (FRWRM). Kris G,

Ashram/: Maya, Rich & Kent  Log cutting scheduled for October 19  and distribution October 23  Volunteers needed. Rich, Maya

Ashley Mitigation Update

EDUCATION

Mill Levy Campaign:   Report from October 16, Gold Hill Harvest Party. Mill levy support letter Coordination with other FPD mill levy campaigns, Marcus, Town meeting, Virginia

Four-District CWPP Update: September 12 meeting. Chris D 

         OTHER TOPICS:

         Email communication with volunteers:  Kent

The Gold Hill Town Meeting presents “The Gold Hill Harvest Party,” a fundraising event benefiting the GHTM community fund taking place at The Gold Hill School from 4-7pm on Sunday, October 16th! Funds raised from this event will be put toward helping our town with snow plowing, propane, and other essentials needed to get through the winter! Featuring:

• • Apple cider! Fall treats! 

• A judged hearty soup contest beginning at 4:30pm! Make your favorite fall dish, squash soup, or chili and bring a copy of the recipe to share with others! Winner will get bragging rights. Don’t have time to make something? Bring a copy of your favorite fall soup or chili and we will compile for the upcoming Gold Hill Recipe Book!  

• A canned food drive and pantry swap! Bring dry goods to donate to those who need help stocking their winter pantry! If you’re participating in the hearty soup contest, feel free to bring some extra for a freezer meal swap! If you would like to donate canned/dry goods before October 16th, you can place them in a box outside the Gold Hill School during its open hours. 

If you are interested in participating in the Hearty Soup Contest please add your name to this list or email ghtownmeeting@nullgmail.com so we get a rough estimate of participants! 

ghtmvicechair@nullgmail.com