2 counties, diferent economies, yet share comon links in terms of history, demographics

2 counties, diferent economies, yet share comon links in terms of history, demographics the Gilpin Historical Society and the Gilpin Arts Society also bring new visitors.

several years on an “ongoing renaissance” plan to diver- sify Black Hawk into a resort destination for visitors, even if they don’t like gambling.

Continued from previous page

Central City and Black Hawk faced complex financial problems after most local mines closed nearly a century ago. It wasn’t until 1991 that Colorado voters threw the two a lifeline by permitting limited-stakes gaming in the struggling old mining com- munities. In 1992, Central City, called “The Richest Square Mile on Earth,” and Black Hawk, “The City of Mills,” were given a chance to bounce back from decades of misfortune.

Presently, at least five new potential casinos are being eyed for some of the shut- tered storefronts in the Main Street business district in Central City. Local leaders are also discussing a new parking garage to accommodate the potential upswing in business.

Black Hawk is continuing to develop its Gregory Street area, which includes retail shops and restaurants. Its Gregory Plaza is home to a volunteer firemen’s museum, and the well-decorated main plaza is used for the city’s annual Founders’ Day each June and a growing number of local outdoor activities. At least one new restaurant, the Copper Kitchen Pizzeria, is expected to open in the plaza in 2025. Across the street, the city plans to spend more than a million dollars to open a gold-mining tour for visitors.

Further north in Gilpin County, small business own- ers in Rollinsville (along Highway 119) have opened a distillery, pizza parlor and coffee shop to attract younger visitors who come to the area to visit the national forests nearby.

Today, the flashing lights and noises of slot machines in Black Hawk and Central City attract more year-round tourists to the two small cities within Gilpin County. Both cities are part of the national historic district because of their roots in the local gold rush era when prospector John Gregory discovered gold in the ravine between the two communities in 1859.

It is Black Hawk, however, that primarily accounts for the largest influx of visitors to the county. The city boasts 15 casinos, several offering high-rise towers filled with guest rooms, restaurants, swimming pools and spas. Black Hawk generates more than 75 percent of all gaming revenues the state collects annually and can attract as many as 20,000 or more visi- tors weekly, especially during the warm-weather months. Property taxes and other revenues from Black Hawk also is the primary source of income for Gilpin County. The city also donates some of its sales taxes to help finance the local school district.

Black Hawk also has devel- oped a recreational area for hikers and mountain bikers just north of the downtown gaming district. The Mary- land Mountain/Quartz Valley trail system typically results in filled-to-capacity parking lots during warm-weather months. Within the next two years, the city plans to extend the trails to reach Gregory Street – close to Gregory Plaza – and extend them to another developing area on Gregory Hill (formerly Miners Mesa). That section of the city will feature several distilleries and offer overnight lodging in geodesic domes or luxury Airstream trailers for those who prefer to sleep in a scenic hilltop area primarily sur-

Lyndsey Valdez president CCEDC, Central City Heritage West Realty owner Roy Varela joins Central City Mayor Jeremy Fey at the Idaho Springs Economic Mixer event.

Photo by Bob Sweeney

rounded by mountains and forests.

did, the formerly sheltered- in-place patrons helped Black Hawk shatter any previous economic performances.

Over the years, external factors have impacted the economies of Clear Creek and Gilpin. Four years ago, health-related COVID-19 pandemic restrictions forced many business owners to close their shops temporar- ily. While some were able to reopen later, others weren’t as fortunate. In Gilpin County, the state ordered casinos closed for three months – es- sentially crippling the gov- ernment economies. It took nearly a year before casino patrons returned. When they

Central City’s historic opera, the fifth oldest in the country, and its variety of Victorian-style homes and historic storefronts in the business district help attract out-of-towners to the city. Central and several of its organizations also sponsor various summer activities – including the Madam Lou Bunch bed races along Main Street, the Great Central City Beer Festival and Stills in the Hills, to name a few. Attrac- tions and events sponsored by

Local elected leaders and business owners are trying to figure out the best ways to improve their economies and attract new potential jobs to their areas. As CCEDC Board Chair Kelly Flenniken com- mented, “A good quality life depends on a good quality job.”

With some creative local planning and a little luck, the futures for Gilpin and Clear Creek counties could be head- ing for better futures.

However, Black Hawk isn’t solely interested in being known as a casino town. City leaders have worked for

2 counties, diferent economies, yet share comon links in terms of history, demographics

Patrick Henry Sweeney

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2 counties, diferent economies, yet share comon links in terms of history, demographics

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