25 things to watch in 2025

PAGE 8 WEEKLY REGISTER-CALL PAGE 9 WEEKLY REGISTER-CALLJune 12, 2025 June 12, 2025

Hawk’s 2025 floral displays

might be the largest and most

colorful west of the Denver Bo-

tanic Gardens.

“Could the City of Black

Hawk look any more beautiful

and vibrant this summer than it

has in summers past? As hard

as it is to believe, the unequivo-

cal answer is YES! Black Hawk

might just be called “bloomtown” and “flow-

errific,” said Mayor David Spellman. “This

year’s flower program will be even more spec-

tacular than in previous years; it promises

to be nothing short of “mind-blooming,”

guaranteed to stimulate your visual sense

and mental well-being.”

Black Hawk will spend an estimated

$235,000 for its 2025 expanded the flower

program, one that requires planning, us-

ing city public works staff, hired seasonal

workers and professionals who know how

to deadhead plants, remove weeds and help

the annual plants look crisp throughout the

summer. After reviewing potential options,

the city also purchased new hanging bas-

kets that include water reservoirs that can

sustain the flowers for a few days and avoid

the cost for watering them by hand daily.

“All of the city’s flowerpots and planters

are now equipped with improved self-wa-

tering capabilities,” commented the mayor.

“The trial use of these containers was so

successful last year that the city has pur-

chased enough for use throughout the city.”

So, how large is this year’s floral dis-

• Eight box trucks delivered the various

flowers and planters last Wednesday and

Thursday, where city employees assisted

with unloading them and started trans-

porting them to designated locations.Black

Hawk will have 340 hanging pots, mostly on the

city’s decorative light poles around town.

• There are 63 ground planters, each about 31 by 26

inches and capable of holding 18 gallons of water.

A variety of plant species are installed in each, giv-

ing them what gardening pros call the “thrill, fill

and spill (over the side) effect.”

• Along the sidewalks, there are black railings to

ensure pedestrian safety in front of the Gilpin, Sas-

quatch, Wild Card, and other casinos, as well as in

front of Crook’s Palace – home of JKQ BBQ restau-

rant – and near selected city buildings. A total of

48 “rail planters” will be hung to enhance the view

for those walking and driving.

• There will also be two large “hay basket” planters

located near the cowboy-fountain sculpture at 143

Gregory St., in front of Black Hawk’s administra-

tive city office.

• There are also nearly two hundred “flats” con-

taining individual plants that will be installed in

various designated planting beds throughout Black

Hawk. Among the species that arrived are petu-

nias, guara, calibrachoa, verbena, osteospermum

(daisies), sweet potato vines, and helichrysum.

• Strohele Square, Mountain Life Park, and the Triad

Statue (at the corner of Highway 119 and Gregory

Street) will also have individual plants installed.

“Just on Main Street, we

added 100 more flowerpots

than last year,” said Steve

Jackson, Maintenance Ser-

vices Manager for the city. He

noted that planning for the

annual citywide floral display

required time and coordi-

nation with a dozen public

works department employees.

Last Wednesday, the first

four truckloads of plants from

Duran’s Garden Center of

Longmont were welcomed by

city team members, Jackson

and Elizabeth Allen of Color-

ing Colorado, whom the city

hires to install individual

plants this month and care for

them throughout the season.

“There were 14 of us there.

We have a fantastic crew,”

said Jackson, who endured

ongoing rain with the oth-

ers to help start moving the planting pots and hanging

baskets to their various locations.

Spellman stated that the planning has paid off. “The

public works crew has been diligently working to

enhance curb appeal throughout the city, as exempli-

fied at the Black Hawk’s John H. Gregory Monument,

situated at the intersection of Gregory and Cooper

Streets, near the Red Dolly Casino. The Gregory

Monument marks the site of the first lode gold strike

in what was then the Kansas Territory in May 1859.

The gold strike revived the Pikes Peak Gold Rush and

helped usher in Colorado’s statehood seventeen years

later. To the crew, I say “rock on;” the monument site

has never looked better. We are proud that the Greg-

ory Monument resides in the City of Black Hawk and

thank our public works crew for taking such good care

The completion of the flower installation process is

expected this week, in time for the city’s annual clean-

up day. An estimated 180 volunteers, including casino

employees, residents, business owners, city aldermen,

and staff members, are anticipated to participate in

the annual effort today (Thursday, June 12) to

further enhance the city’s welcoming appear-

ance.

Black Hawk leaders state their desire for

the flowers to be featured among the attrac-

tions for those planning to attend the third

annual Founders’ Day, set for 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

on Saturday, June 28, at Gregory Plaza. Last

year’s Founders’ Day was canceled due to

construction at the plaza, but organizers and

city officials express hope that the expanded

festival day will draw large crowds this year.

One of the floral displays that will greet visi-

tors will consist of red, white, and blue flowers

arranged to resemble the U.S. flag at the pe-

destrian stairs at the east end of Gregory Plaza.

Spellman noted, “The enhanced curb appeal

is evident not only in the city’s commercial

areas but also in its residential neighborhoods.

From one end of the city to the other, no area

is overlooked or deemed less important; public

works trucks and crews can be seen working

throughout the city, reflecting our immense

pride in maintaining no deferred maintenance

and upholding a high standard in Black Hawk.

These enhancements offer a fresh appeal to

both returning and new visitors, and we invite

everyone to come experience “Black Hawk

beyond-the-tables and slots.”

A two-member team worked together to install hang-

ing baskets on the black decorative sidewalk light

poles along Gregory Street before moving on to other

locations, including Main Street, Black Hawk Boule-

vard, and neighborhoods near Mountain Life Park.

Black Hawk Maintenance Services Director Steve Jackson oversees the vari-

ous aspects of the annual flower display program, including creating guide-

lines for the types of planters to be installed throughout the community.

Elizabeth Allen of Coloring Colo-

rado hand-installs colorful planting-

bed displays around Gregory Plaza

and other parts of the city. A U.S.

flag, created with red, white, and

blue annuals, is scheduled to be

completed this week near the stairs

leading to Gregory Plaza.

The Strohele Square pavilion, at the corner of Gregory and Main in Black Hawk, became one of the most-

decorated sections of the city last week when hanging baskets and ground planters were installed. Crews also

put new plants near other of the city’s statues and historical markers around the city.

A kaleidoscope of colors is part of Black Hawk’s expanding annual

flower display throughout the city. This aerial photo from above

showcases planters highlighting a small portion of the hun-

dreds of flowers being installed.

Drone and ground photos by Don Ireland

Floyd Hill projects for Floyd Hill projects for

the upcoming weekthe upcoming week

Motorists traveling through the I-70 Floyd Hill project area may experience

several traffic delays or detours in the coming days.

Crews will require two overnight westbound I-70 closures from 10 p.m. to 4:30

a.m. on Monday, June 16, and Monday, June 23, to install two new overhead

sign bridges between County Road 65 (Exit 248) and the U.S. 6 interchange (Exit

244) and perform a traffic shift. In the event of bad weather, the closures could be

postponed to Tuesday night during each of the two weeks, if necessary.

Eastbound I-70 will stay open during the westbound lane closures.

Westbound I-70 traffic will merge into one lane and exit at County Road 65

(Exit 248), then proceed west on U.S. 40 and take the U.S. 6 on-ramp (Exit 244)

to rejoin westbound I-70.

Starting Monday, June 16, crews will remove loose rock on the north side of

I-70, east of the Hidden Valley/Central City Parkway interchange (Exit 243), for

eight days. The operations will occur from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Mondays through

Thursdays, over the two-week period.

As a result, drivers should anticipate several traffic delays each day, roughly

every 60 to 75 minutes, on I-70 between the Veterans Memorial Tunnels and

Homestead Road (Exit 247). CDOT stated that motorists should prepare for

delays of up to 45 minutes for the traffic queues to clear, although delays could

persist until 4 p.m. Drivers should remain on I-70 as there is no detour route

available.

CDOT announced that eastbound I-70 drivers may encounter possible lane clo-

sures for utility work between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays,

and from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Fridays. The affected area will extend from Hidden

Valley-Central City (Exit 243) to County Road 65 (Exit 248).

The eastbound U.S. 6 exit ramp (Exit 244) on I-70 will be closed tomorrow

(Friday, June 13) for drilling work from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Drivers will be directed

to take the eastbound I-70 off-ramp to the Homestead Road (Exit 247) off-ramp

and then use westbound I-70 or U.S. 40 to reach U.S. 6.

West of Idaho Springs

CDOT suggests that motorists plan ahead if they intend to use Fall River Road

in Clear Creek County to reach recreational areas at St. Mary’s Glacier or nearby

public lands.

Clear Creek County’s Fall River Road Project starts this month, with the coun-

ty’s road department implementing several improvements, including road resur-

facing, to the upper 3.3 miles of Fall River Road.

One-way lane restrictions will continue this week and next for the Peaks to

Plains Trail project along U.S. 6 in the Huntsman Gulch area in Clear Creek Can-

yon. Single-lane restrictions have returned between 5 a.m. and 7 p.m. Mondays

through Fridays.

The single-lane restrictions are expected to continue between mile points 267

and 271.5. weekdays in the canyon through next year.

The I-70 Floyd Hill Dash 5K event is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Sunday, July 20,

with proceeds benefiting the Clear Creek Advocates organization.

The CDOT team will celebrate the conclusion of the Floyd Hill project’s second

year in June while also supporting Clear Creek County Advocates, a non-profit

victim service organization that provides comprehensive support to victims of

crime and personal tragedy, and offers community education on victimization

and crime prevention in Clear Creek County.

The 5K run and walk will feature a loop along the Scott Lancaster Memorial

Trail in Idaho Springs. Participants will gather at the game check station trail-

head parking lot, located at 970 E. Idaho Springs Drive.

To register, visit raceroster.com/events/2025/103831/floyd-hill-dash.

Gilpin County Sheriﬀ’s Oﬃce

swears in new members

ceremony.

people of Gilpin County. As our office expands, so does our strength, capability and dedica-

tion. Every new appointment brings fresh energy, skill, and perspective to our mission of

public safety and community service,” according to a spokesperson for the department.

Sheriff Armstrong swore in the following new team mem-

• Gracie Putnam – Emergency Communications Dis-

• Tatum Lepro – Emergency Communications Dispatcher

• Shayna Campbell – Emergency Communications Dis-

• Sunny Garofalo – Emergency Communications Dis-

Administration Division

• Carolee Whiting – Records Specialist

• Ruth Strauss – Records Specialist

Office of Emergency Management (OEM) Division

• Steven Mingura – OEM Director

• Shane Meredith – Sergeant

• Zachary Meyer – Sergeant

• Kyle O’Brien – Detentions Officer

• Catherine David – Detentions Officer

• Katrina Pattridge – Detentions Officer

• Colton Tapia – Detentions Officer

• Lee Snyder – Detentions Officer

The sheriff’s office will have several law enforcement per-

sonnel in attendance when Armstrong hosts a community

roundtable, scheduled for 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday,

June 18, at the multipurpose room in the Gilpin Commu-

nity Center.

Gilpin County Sheriff Kevin Armstrong recently welcomed and swore in 14

new members of the department during a ceremony.

Photo courtesy of the Gilpin County Sheriff’s Office

reported that the original

Baby Doe’s Casino was

located on Main Street in

Central City. However,

one of our local historians

said the proposed site

for the new Baby Doe’s is

actually the same as the

original local. We apolo-

gize for the error.

More than 100 people filled the Gilpin Arts Society’s gallery

at Washington Hall on the evening of June 7. Throughout the

reception for the society’s 78th annual Juried Arts Show, praise

for the variety of art-

works echoed through

the various rooms of the

second-floor gallery.

President Eric Miller

pleased with the turn-

out, his response was,

“absolutely.” Miller

stated, “It gets better

and better every year.”

to be solid, according

to Miller. “The potluck

was a success and we

in here,” he said dur-

ing the opening-night

reception. “We had a lot

of locals, a lot of artists

and a lot of friends turn

out. So, I’m excited.”

Washington Hall, which

Miller, a professional

house painter, repainted

yellow, doesn’t seem to

have much space inside.

However, after climb-

ing the stairs, visitors

will discover four large

rooms and an outdoor sculpture area showcasing handcrafted

pieces, including paintings, photographs, statues, jewelry, and

more.

The front room (closest to Eureka Street) also features a vari-

ety of custom artworks available for sale to support the non-

profit organization that has occupied the building since 1947.

Gilpin Arts and the neighboring Central City Opera, located

across the street, are

recognized as the cor-

nerstones of the region’s

cultural history.

Visitors can view the

artworks until August

28. The gallery is open

from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday at Washington

Hall, 117 Eureka Street,

Central City. For ad-

ditional information or

to take a virtual tour of

Washington Hall, visit—

Gilpinarts.org.

2025 Juried Arts Show winners

As announced by Gilpin Arts Society

First Place—Gazelle by Michael Potts.

Second Place—Harajuku Mirrors by Paul Brokering.

Third Place—Descending Storm by Ellen Nelson.

Honorable Mention—Vision by Dave Hanson.

First Place—Ghost Ranch by Robert Smith.

Second Place—Pitcher by Steve Briggs.

Third Place—Green Bowl with Leaf Motif by Kristin Bernhardt.

Honorable Mention—Blocked by Hector Sector.

First Place—Arches National Park by Carol Newsom.

Second Place—Sunrise by Bud Heiss.

Third Place—Pines and Needles by Buffalo Kaplinski.

Honorable Mention—Joy Ride by Britney Gibson.

Mourning Wind by Nick Barstad.

The 78th Annual Juried Arts Show at-

tracted patrons from across the state,

who viewed the entries displayed

throughout the numerous rooms of

the second-floor gallery in Washing-

ton Hall.

“Joyride” by Britney

Gibson, an honorable

mention award winner,

captured the attention of

art enthusiasts and dog

lovers alike during the Gil-

pin Arts Society’s opening

reception.

Photos by Don Ireland

(right), Gilpin Coun-

himself to the Central

meeting last week.

Mingura will be for-

mally introduced next

week as the county’s

County Sheriff Kevin

public. It is scheduled

for 6:30 to 8 p.m. on

Community Center.

Armstrong will have senior members of his leadership team in attendance to discuss his

direction and vision for ongoing service to Gilpin County citizens and visitors. He encour-

ages anyone who wishes to engage in productive public dialogue with him and his com-

mand staff to please attend.

Photo by Don Ireland

25 things to watch in 2025

Patrick Henry Sweeney

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