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PRESS RELEASE
The Black Hawk/Central City Sanitation District Lowers Sewer Fees
The Board of Directors of the Black Hawk/Central City Sanitation District, David Spellman, Buddy Schmalz, Tom Kerr, Diane Cales and Jeff Aiken, are pleased to announce a 21% reduction in sanitary sewer user fees for District customers. The current rate of $20.20 will be reduced to $16.00 per single family equivalent effective January 1, 2012. This will be a savings of over $744,000 to its customers including the casinos, the District’s largest users.
According to Board President, David Spellman, “At a time when other utility providers are increasing their rates, prudent management of funds and strategic planning has enabled the District to take the sale proceeds from the old treatment plant site, as well as existing fund balances, to pay down the capital improvement loan and offer a reduced rate to the District customers.”
The District borrowed $24,000,000 to build the new wastewater treatment plant in 2002 with a payoff date in 2022. Utilizing the proceeds of the recent sale of the old treatment plant site and additional funds, the District will reduce the debt to approximately $2.9M. The remaining debt will be paid in 2015 with a savings of over $5,000,000.
Spellman said, “The District will still maintain a healthy fund balance to ensure any required treatment plant upgrades and any future sewer line replacements will be accomplished successfully without any rate increases to District customers.”
For further information please contact:
Lynn M. Hillary
District Administrator
(303) 582-3422
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City Donates Antique Wooden Water Pipe to the Gilpin Historical Society
Thanks to the efforts of Black Hawk Water Department employee, Darrell E. Presley and several other Public Works employees, the City has donated a section of 24-inch wooden water pipe dating from the late 19th or early 20th century. This wooden stave pipe served the City of Black Hawk as part of the water delivery system for residents and businesses alike. This 11 foot section of pipe has rested peacefully under the trees outside the Dory Hill Water Plant for many years. Knowing the history of this type of pipe, Darrell felt it was important that this piece of history was preserved. Gaining the necessary permissions from his supervisors and City Council, Darrell presented a packet of information to the Gilpin Historical Society and the request that the pipe be preserved and placed on display at their museum. Presley expressed his desire to help people “get a perspective of the World of Water before plastic and ductile iron pipe.”
Wooden stave pipes were pipes made out of wooden slats placed together and bound with steel. These differed from wooden log pipes (a log bored through and used as a water pipe) as log pipe size was limited to the size of the tree it came from. Wooden stave pipes had no such limitations and some of the largest of these were known to be as much as 9 feet in diameter! Wooden pipes were mostly phased out and replaced with more modern materials by the mid 20th century, but a handful of these old wooden pipes are still functioning today. In 2004, an archeological team in the United Kingdom dug up wooden pipes at the site of an old Roman fort. While around 2,000 years old, these pipes were still in serviceable condition and still carried water from a nearby spring. Our historic section of water pipe may not be as large or as old as some of these examples, but it is still worthy of preservation and deserves to take up a place of honor in the Gilpin Historical Society Museum.
Sources: BBC Online 2/18/2004, No Tech Magazine Online 9/3/2010, Portland’s Wooden Water Pipes: Portland State University
 
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BLACK HAWK FIRE DEPARTMENT HOSTED MEMORIAL STAIR CLIMB AT AMERISTAR CASINO RESORT SPA BLACK HAWK IN MEMORY OF 9/11
BLACK HAWK, Colo., Wednesday, Sept. 14 –Firefighters from the Black Hawk, Colo. Fire Department and other officials climbed 116-stories at Ameristar Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk on Sept. 11, 2011 in memory of the lives lost by city officials in the tragedies of 9/11.
Black Hawk fire and police personnel and personnel from the Gilpin County Sheriff’s Office, Gilpin Ambulance Authority, Colorado State Forest Service, Rural Metro/Pridemark and GCSO climbed 116-stories, 8,234 feet above sea level, at Ameristar Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk on the tenth anniversary of 9/11.
“We are honored to be a part of such a special memorial and host the event at our property,” said Andy Hamblen, Senior Vice President and General Manager. “We salute all of our city officials for the jobs they do each day and we remember all those who lost their lives ten years ago.”
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About Ameristar Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk
Ameristar Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk, owned by a wholly owned subsidiary of Ameristar Casinos, Inc.(NASDAQ-GS: ASCA), brings the finest gaming, lodging and entertainment to the Denver metropolitan area, from its location just 40 miles west of Denver in Black Hawk, Colorado. Established in 2001, the property was re-branded as an Ameristar facility that opened in 2004. Ameristar Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk, a AAA Four-Diamond property, boasts a full-service spa and roof-top pool, 536 well-appointed luxury hotel rooms with four restaurants and an entertainment venue. The resort features a 55,000-square-foot casino offering a complete selection of new and popular slot and table games. The casino includes approximately 1,500 slots, 23 table games such as blackjack, craps, and roulette, a 17-table live poker room.
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| | | Black Hawk Police Continue Enforcement of Ordinance
Black Hawk, Colo., July 8, 2011 — In January 2010 the City of Black Hawk, a Home Rule Municipality, Board of Alderman passed an ordinance prohibiting bicycles on specific commercial streets within Black Hawk. City leaders recognized that narrow roads, tour buses, and passenger vehicles made bicycle traffic hazardous for everyone traveling Black Hawk’s narrow commercial streets. Later that year, “no bicycle” signs were posted in Black Hawk and Black Hawk Police Officers began issuing citations to bicyclists who violated the ordinance. On June 5, 2010 three bicyclists were issued tickets for riding bicycles on Gregory Street in Black Hawk in violation of the City’s prohibition on bicycles.
Attorneys for the defendants first sought to have the case dismissed on several grounds, but Municipal Judge Ronald W. Carlson denied the motion. The bicyclists were convicted on December 15, 2010 in Black Hawk Municipal Court. In addition, Judge Carlson ruled the prohibition was indeed a reasonable exercise of the City’s police powers.
The defendants then appealed their convictions to Gilpin County District Court claiming the Black Hawk City ordinance prohibiting bicycles on specific commercial Black Hawk streets was in conflict with Colorado State law, and violated the Colorado and U.S. Constitutions. The defendants also asserted the new traffic law banning bicycles was not a reasonable exercise of the City’s Police power. Throughout the case, the City of Black Hawk maintained it has the right to enact its ordinance prohibiting bicycles within its City limits.
On June 27, 2011 Gilpin County District Judge Jack W. Berryhill reviewed the defendant’s appeal and issued a ruling upholding Judge Carlson’s ruling in Black Hawk Municipal Court. Judge Berryhill also said the City of Black Hawk acted within its authority to enact the bike prohibition ordinance and the City reasonably exercised its police powers in doing so. Finally, he concluded the Municipal Court committed no reversible error in its ruling.
“If the District Court had ruled against the local control of bicycles in our city, it would have had a negative impact on all Colorado Municipalities,” said Mayor David D. Spellman. “This issue is unequivocally more about local control than about bikes. Municipalities have the authority to create local ordinances for the health, safety and welfare of its citizens and patrons,” said Spellman. “This legislation may be unappreciated by some who pass through Black Hawk, but the City Council has to act in the best interest of its citizens and customers who patronize Black Hawk.” Spellman said.
Melissa Greiner, Assistant to the City Manager for Administration
City of Black Hawk, Colorado
mgreiner@cityofblackhawk.org
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$61,965 was generated by Education Enhancement Tax in July 2011. Continued thanks to everyone who buys Black Hawk and supports Black Hawk’s commitment to education. The 1.5% Black Hawk Educational Enhancement Tax passed by Black Hawk residents in 2008 has generated a total of $1,510,725 since its inception.
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| | Everyone's A Winner with Black Hawk's Educational Enhancement Tax PRESS RELEASE – Black Hawk, CO – A big thanks to all our residents and guests who visit, stay the night, shop, and participate in gaming in the City of Black Hawk, which in turn supports the city’s commitment to education. The 1.5% Black Hawk Educational Enhancement Tax, passed by Black Hawk residents in 2008, generated a total of $481,326 in 2009. Black Hawk distributed these funds directly to the Gilpin RE-1 School District. In addition to the Educational Enhancement Tax, Black Hawk’s scholarship fund has generated more than $450,000 distributed to 227 Gilpin RE-1 students since its inception in 1994. Visit the City of Black Hawk's web page at www.cityofblackhawk.org or become a fan on the City's Facebook page for more information! | |
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| | July 2, 2009 For Immediate Release BLACK HAWK CREATES HISTORIC PRESERVATION VIDEO FOR CITY WEBSITE BLACK HAWK, CO – With the debut of expanded stakes gaming in Colorado’s gaming communities, the City of Black Hawk is reinforcing its approach to historic preservation and restoration with a new video on the city’s official website. Narrated by famed cowboy poet Baxter Black, the video recounts Black Hawk’s history as a mining community of the mid - late 1800s, the decline of businesses and housing stock through 1990, and the resurgence of Black Hawk as a historical site and tourist destination with the onset of limited stakes gaming and Black Hawk’s second gold rush in 1991. The video relates some of the challenges faced in preserving elements of Black Hawk’s history, such as the “Cornish walls” of mortared rock that support roadways and hold back steep slopes, and the extraordinary efforts to renovate and preserve the 64 historic residences still standing in the town of 110 residents. “Baxter Black’s distinctive narrative style captures the spirit of Black Hawk’s illustrious history, and the video brings to focus the monumental accomplishments of the Black Hawk’s preservation and restoration program by “Preserving the Past, Preparing for the Future, Still Making History,” said Black Hawk city manager Mike Copp. The manager pointed out that the City has a stringent process that assures that the buildings being preserved maintain the character of their years. Copp said the gaming proceeds provided the fund to launch Black Hawk’s historic preservation and restoration program, and also allows Black Hawk to have a well-staffed police department, fire and emergency medical services, and the infrastructure to handle 50,000 visitors daily. The video is available for public viewing on the City’s website, cityofblackhawk.org. It was produced by the city’s public relations firm, Webb PR. | |
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October 17, 2008
Media Contact: Melissa Greiner, 303-582-2292, mgreiner@cityofblackhawk.org
BLACK HAWK / BLM LAND EXCHANGE
Black Hawk, Colorado The City of Black Hawk recently completed the acquisition of approximately 360 acres of open space in and around the City of Black Hawk from the United States Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management (the “BLM”) in a land exchange.
In 2004, the City of Black Hawk entered into an agreement with the BLM which involved the City acquiring property in Fremont County near Cańon City that the BLM desired to attain. The sole purpose of the City acquiring the Fremont County property was to enter into the land exchange with the BLM to allow the City to acquire the property located in and around Black Hawk. After more than four years of proceeding through the federal regulatory process for exchanging the property with the federal government, which included the City doing various studies and having both the Gilpin County property and the Fremont County property appraised, the City and the BLM completed the transaction in late September.
The City of Black Hawk is now the proud owner of approximately 360 acres of open space surrounding the City, which will allow the City to preserve and maintain historic mining claims and the incredible vistas around the City.
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PRESS RELEASE / SPECIAL EVENT ANNOUNCEMENTJune 30, 2008 Media Contact: Melissa Greiner, 303-582-2292, mgreiner@cityofblackhawk.org Note: Photo attached ‘BLACK HAWK’ Sculpture DedicationHosted by the Golden Gates Casino Group What: Dedication of the new ‘BLACK HAWK’ Sculpture When: Thursday, July 3rd at 11:00 a.m. Where: The Courtyard Patio of the Golden Mardi Gras Casino, 300 Main Street, Black Hawk, CO Cost: Free admission and free parking BLACK HAWK, CO Join Jeffrey Bauer, General Manager of the Golden Mardi Gras Casino, David Spellman, the Mayor of Black Hawk, and other dignitaries for the dedication of the City of Black Hawk’s newest bronze sculpture, ‘BLACK HAWK.’ Sandy Scott, Sculptor and John Kinkade, Executive Director of the National Sculptors’ Guild (NSG) will be present for the ceremony. “While our monumental sculpture program is not unique to our municipality, it is certainly part and parcel to our City’s beautification program. The ‘Black Hawk’ sculptures, by the talented sculptor, Sandy Scott, were designed to be emblematic for the City of Black Hawk. These civic adornments are meant for the enjoyment of our residents and visitors alike and ultimately add to the ‘Black Hawk’ experience.” stated Black Hawk Mayor, David Spellman. Ms. Scott captures the spirit of her subjects using personal observation while incorporating a sense of motion and mood through her craft in the calm of the studio. She observes her subjects in the wild by taking thousands of frames of 35mm film and strives to retain the feeling and emotion she experienced while observing, sketching and photographing in the wild. A licensed pilot for more than thirty years, she feels her knowledge of aerodynamics has been helpful in achieving the illusion of movement in her bird sculptures. The City of Black Hawk commissioned the first of two ‘Black Hawk’ sculptures from Ms. Scott through The National Sculptors’ Guild in February 2002. The second sculpture was commissioned in June of 2003. The sculptures took approximately two years to sculpt and cast. John Kinkade, Executive Director of the NSG worked exclusively with Ms. Scott to bring the City of Black Hawk’s vision to fruition. The National Sculptors’ Guild is an association of nationally recognized sculptors chosen for their outstanding artistic abilities and varied style. Their primary objective is to conceive, seek out and execute monumental placements for member’s artworks. The NSG has successfully installed over 290 public art placements in 15 years, including additional placements within the City of Black Hawk. Ms. Scott’s work can be seen throughout Colorado in Aspen, Avon, Beaver Creek, Brighton, Denver and Fort Collins and in many other municipalities throughout the United States. With a wingspan of 14 feet the imposing ‘Black Hawk’ is perched atop a majestic rock at its new home in the Courtyard Patio of the Mardi Gras Casino. For more information visit www.cityofblackhawk.org or call 303-582-2292.
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