Sandy Hollingsworth
Rollinsville, CO
Cell Phone: regarding County work 720-646-8301
E-Mail: sandyforgilpin@gmail.com
How long, and where have you lived in Gilpin County? 26 years in Rollinsville (1998)
What schools have you attended? University of Iowa with some later classes at CU, Washington HS, Wilson and Franklin Jr. High in Cedar Rapids, IA, grade schools include OK, NM, and IA (we moved often due to military family life)
What additional training or education have you received relevant to the position of Gilpin County Commissioner?
• NASW Social Worker in Gerontology credential
• Priority Based Budgeting, Strategic planning and Administrative Policies
• Manager and Supervisor trainings for local government
• Colorado Counties Inc. (CCI) 2020-21 New Commissioner Training followed by County department specific trainings through 4-21 (Public Works & Facilities, Roads, Land Use, Human Services, State Statutes, Board Parliamentary Procedures, County Finance, Sheriff’s Department, Legislative Advocacy)
• CCI and Counties and Commissioners Acting Together conferences (12/20 -24)
• Colorado Technical Services Inc. re: County liabilities, property and casualty insurances, Board relations and legal responsibilities, workers compensation
• Secretary of State Elected Officials Campaign Finance
• Wildfire Summit & Watershed Protections
• Colorado Build Back Stronger Resiliency and Recovery series
• Opioid Settlement, Colorado Behavioral Health conferences
•Housing Colorado Elected Officials training
• NOCO Places Public Lands Coalition Core Topics series Jefferson Center for Mental Health board training, QPR (question, persuade, refer), Mental Health First Aid Suicide awareness
• Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) Local Government Coordination
• FEMA 100, 700, Hazard Mitigation, Continuity of Operations, Elected Officials
• Board of Health annual trainings
Briefly describe your current career and home life. Current Gilpin County Commissioner, married 26 years
List the Gilpin County boards, civic, or volunteer activities in which you have been involved and the dates of service. Current Boards for County include Gateway to the Rockies Opioid Council, Jefferson Center for Mental Health, NOCO Places with 8 land management agencies, Colorado Technical Services Inc. County Workers Compensation Board, Colorado Counties Inc. Tourism, Resorts, Economic Development, Wildfire, Justice and Public Safety, and Natural Resources committees, Recreational Sport Shooting Coalition, Mountain Rail Coalition
2021-22 was on Regional Resiliency
Roadmap to Recovery and Universal Pre-K coalitions, Gilpin Water Company Board Greater Rollinsville Community Association 2000 - 10/2021 (dissolved) CSU Extension Master Gardener 1998 – present, Advisory board 2002-2004 Forest Service Forest Watch 2003-2007 Gilpin food bank garden 2017-present High Country Auxiliary 3/2019 - present Axe & Snax 6/2019 to present
Colorado Pet Pantry monthly for Gilpin 8/2020 to present
Peak to Peak Rotary 9/2020 to present Friends of Community Center 2020
Mountain Health Clinic task force 2020-2022
Gilpin County Animal Response 4/2020 - 4/2023
Senior Living Board 3/2019-3/2021
Have you attended BoCC meetings? Yes, since summer of 2019
How would you support the County staff? By supporting job skills training to maximize their success in their jobs for the County, being responsive to staff feedback and invite internal ideas, providing a wage based on comparable salaries in the area, offering longevity incentives or merit increases plus health benefits. Offer flexible schedules where practical for family-work life balance. Budget for necessary operating costs. Consider unique recommendations for on-call staff like take home vehicles.
Do you think they are fairly compensated? Overall based on the latest salary study, but I am aware not all comparables fit.
As an elected official, what would be your top 3 goals for the County in the next year?
• Complete projects incorporating grants for South Beaver Creek Road and Human Services Annex including its $650,000 grant awarded
• Finish the Housing Needs Study underway with Central City and Black Hawk to plan for workforce and senior housing partnerships
• Landowners fire mitigation grants and first responder bills working with state legislators
Next four years?
• Continue funding capital improvements priorities in the 2022 20-year plan
• Improve infrastructure for unincorporated broadband, water, septic, rail
• Implement public lands conservation and recreation vision strategies
• Community Center and Human Services programs sustainability
How do you view coalition or compromise as effective ways to govern? Coalitions build strong partnerships and compromise is necessary to reach shared goals within the County and the region.
What do you see as the greatest issues facing Gilpin County? How would you begin to address them? Wildfire risk – continue working with agency partners on strategies and funding available for Gilpin County to obtain to expand mitigation and preparedness
Managed growth – focus on community desires for pace and locations for businesses and housing while creating implementable plans with water, sanitation, density, parking, outdated zoning
Incomplete or misinformation adding to division of philosophies in the community – use PIO staff, social and print media, and public meetings to answer questions and distribute accurate County-led information
Lack of childcare, workforce and senior housing, and senior supportive services – these are in varied levels of assessment and planning now, each are efforts to fully work toward implementing with community partners
Community Center sustainable funding – request to fund five days with general funds, user fees and grants. As prioritized capital improvements are completed it could lead to more discretionary general funds IF County revenue stays steady and County operating costs flatten. Consider benefactor bequests or a grassroots group may wish to pursue a funding mechanism as the long-term solution
How would you encourage residents to get involved in their government?
• Attend and engage at community meetings and town halls
• Attend County and city advisory committees or commissions
• Apply to be an Advisory Board member to share your expertise and ideas
• Attend special district board of directors’ meetings, run for a seat on these
• Read materials, attend, and, if inspired, speak at public comment at city council and County board meetings
• Ask questions by emails or phone to elected officials and staff
• Read and ask questions on county Facebook,
• Experience services and give feedback on ideas for improvements
• Compliment staff who offer good programs or give you good service
• Vote in elections
• Testify or submit written comments on proposed state legislation
Why do you want to hold the office for which you are running? It is an honor to be serving residents and working with skilled County staff and County partners now. There are yet to be completed initiatives and projects underway for the community, moving ahead due in part to my work to collaborate with local and regional partners on shared goals of fire mitigation, human services, workforce housing, infrastructure improvements, watershed protections, conservation-recreation planning, and mountain rail, plus supporting the return of childcare.
Have you run for / held political office before? Where? When? 2020 Current Elected Gilpin County Commissioner
Will you be able to meet the time requirements of the office? Yes
Do you, or will you, have another job as well as that of Commissioner? No
How have you, and/or how will you, operate with transparency and honesty in your role as County Commissioner? These are values I hold and I am available to explain how decisions are reached if the discussion in public meetings is insufficient for a person. Currently the County livestreams, records, and posts minutes of regular Board meetings. County budget drafts and related Board work sessions are open to the public. Appointed Advisory Boards and Commission meetings are open to the public with agendas and minutes and I attend them periodically if no matters are headed for board consideration and vote. I am open to streaming work sessions if there is consensus of the participants. I have asked each year for roaming “coffee with commissioner” meetings but have been in the minority for these to occur. Although we have had several in recent years, I would like to see added community meetings with department staff or project leads to hear residents’ thoughts and answer questions to give accurate information and receive ideas for improving processes.
Please disclose any current personal and/or professional relationships with the City of Black Hawk, City of Central or Gilpin County. I have professional relationships with some city officials and staff in the course of my work as County Commissioner. I interact with County staff on a varied level of frequency and some are fellow volunteers in groups or casual friends in the community especially given that Gilpin County is small.
What is your position on the idea of sexually oriented businesses coming to Central City? Central City Council voted to not allow them in the city outside of Industrial Zones after they listened to city residents’ concerns, adhered to city codes, and considered the recommendation of their Planning Commission. I support that decision. I have attended their meetings and heard public comments including opposed positions from our County Sheriff and Black Hawk Police Chief from the law enforcement perspectives.
What is your position on Black Hawk’s offer of $1 million for the Rec Center with all its restrictions? As proposed, there are items which the County cannot agree to such as asking the County to impose restrictions on other taxing jurisdictions with their own governing boards not under County control. Since tax changes must be voter approved, as proposed it impinges on the will of the voters. It would be funded by raising taxes collected in the City giving the County a share of the tax revenue received and would be a benefit to the City if the tax increase measure passes. As proposed it falls short of the actual cost to implement the requested change to the County-run community center. Due to the non-negotiable nature of the proposal, there was not an opportunity to meet Board to Board to negotiate a win-win offer. My position is that a compromise may perhaps be possible if discussed full Board to full Board.
What experience do you have with budgets? I have over 25 years of experience with local government budgeting parameters and revenue sources including the past 3 Gilpin County cycles. In 2021 I initiated setting aside 8% of gaming revenue for a dedicated emergency fund which is now at $4 million dollars. The County ended 2022 debt free by paying off existing indebtedness and purchasing heavy equipment in cash. In 2023 I promoted an acquisition fund for water rights or land with water rights, it is $2 million. A floor was set for operating expenses funding between receipt of gaming revenues to prevent interruption to County services. I have Priority Based Budgeting training and know that compromise is involved in decisions.
What kind of growth do you want to see in Gilpin County? Economic growth of independent businesses and workforce housing compatible with our small Gilpin mountain community, which enhance services and amenities, while creating jobs for local residents. Using caution to not attract industries and development more focused on profit than quality of life of mountain residents. Managed growth focused on overall community desires for pace and locations of businesses and housing while creating implementable plans to address water use, sanitation, density, parking and public safety. Planned outdoor recreation would open up business opportunities for shuttles, equipment and gear sales, guided historic and trail tours, and more.
What is affordable housing? Senior housing? Affordable and Attainable housing are both terms used. Expanding housing which renters and buyers can attain is in part based on affordability for different income and family compositions.
Senior housing is envisioned as independent apartments so that adults over a set age (55,60,65) can live with fewer demands of a single-family home especially as they face life changes and be near other seniors. Priority to current County residents would insure they get first chance to stay in their community. Services such as cleaning, care, food delivery, and transportation could be arranged individually or contracted for multiple residents.
What steps will you take to implement them in Gilpin County? Complete the city-county housing needs study to determine projected need and locations in the cities or County then work with partnering organizations who develop and oversee housing. The County may adopt newer zoning regulations, plan development areas, and discuss funding options with the nonprofit or developer.
How would you promote economic diversity in the County? I asked the County to apply for a Rural Economic Development Initiative grant which was received in 2021 and led to a new Economic Development Plan. I served on the Regional Resiliency Recovery coalition 2021-22 which led to prioritizing broadband expansion and workforce housing efforts. The proposed feasibility assessment and resulting implementation plan for the north County is to identify infrastructure and safety needs leading to sustainable solutions to pursue between property owners and the County. Tax Incentives to businesses and homeowners to provide long-term rentals are worth considering.
