Stage 1 Fire Restrictions in Effect – In place until further notice. [Details »]

 

Gilpin County Newspaper of Record

Submitted by [user:field_first_name]

What is a Newspaper of Record?

Under Colorado law (C.R.S. §24-70-103), each county designates a newspaper of record for the purpose of publishing official county notices. These include public hearings, proposed ordinances, financial reports, election notices, and other legal publications required by statute. The designated newspaper must meet statutory qualifications to ensure notices are accessible to the public.

Gilpin County’s Newspaper of Record

For 2025, the Board of County Commissioners has designated The Mountain-Ear as Gilpin County’s newspaper of record.

Why The Mountain-Ear?

The Mountain-Ear meets the statutory requirements for serving as a newspaper of record, including:

  • Being published regularly and continuously for at least 52 consecutive weeks;
  • Having general circulation within Gilpin County;
  • Maintaining a periodical mailing permit;
  • Publishing news of general interest to the community.

The Mountain-Ear provides weekly distribution within Gilpin County, making it a reliable vehicle for ensuring that residents have access to official county notices.

About the Selection Process

Each year, the Board of County Commissioners reviews options for the county’s newspaper of record. This decision is made based on statutory qualifications, consistency of publication, and the ability to reach residents effectively.

In January 2022, the County elected to have a trial period with two newspapers of record for the year. During the year, county staff and elected officials realized that the cost, quality, and efficiency of the two newspapers differed drastically from one another. One newspaper:

  • Cost the county over four time more than the other to publish required notices.
  • Failed to publish two separate ordinances which resulted in a delay of adoption of the ordinances.
  • Made changes, typos, and errors in their publications which varied from the notices provided to them.
  • Mistakenly billed the county in excess resulting in additional staff time to remedy the error. 

As a result, the Board found that the benefit of more outreach having two newspapers of record did not justify the additional cost to the County and taxpayers or the additional staff time demanded.

Commitment to Transparency

The Board of County Commissioners remains committed to ensuring residents have clear and consistent access to official notices. Public notices will be posted to the public notice webpage on the gilpincounty.colorado.gov website going forward for additional outreach.