Update 12/18, 12 p.m.: 🔥 Red Flag Warning & Community Preparedness:
As of today, Thursday, December 18th at 11:30am, the warming shelter remains open at 10595 Highway 119 at the Gilpin County School.
Access for the shelter will be through the upper entrance to the atrium at the high school level. Due to safety and allergy concerns, only service animals will be allowed.
At this time we have no estimated time for power restoration. A second storm is predicted for Friday, that is expected to be extremely dangerous conditions.
Now is the time to prepare for extended power outages -
- Use alternate light sources; do not use candles due to fire risk - It is acceptable to use wood burning stoves inside your residence
- If power is out, be aware of impacts to wells and septic systems
- Fill bathtubs with water for non-drinking needs
- Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible
- Unplug appliances to prevent damage from power surges
- Do not use kerosene or liquid-fuel heating sources indoors
- Keep extra batteries on hand
- Plan alternative power sources for medical devices
- Use your vehicle to charge phones for emergency use
- Fill vehicles with gas
We are following NWS, United Power, and Xcel updates and will send messages as we receive them. Gilpin County Sheriff's Office Facebook page is the official source of verified information for the county. We will post updated information on this page as it becomes available. Please only call dispatch or 911 for emergencies. Stay safe and warm!
County Closure Update
Due to a new extreme wind event expected to begin Friday morning, along with planned and continued power outages, Gilpin County non-essential services will remain closed tomorrow, Friday, December 19.
This includes, but is not limited to:
- Community Center
- Transfer Station
- Slash Site
- Senior Lunch
Essential services will continue as needed. Additional updates will be shared as conditions change.
Please stay safe and limit travel during high wind conditions.
Update, 12/17, 10 p.m.: This is a follow up message from the Gilpin County Sheriff's Office. As of today, Wednesday, December 17th at 10pm, the warming shelter is open at 10595 Highway 119 at the Gilpin County School. Access for the shelter will be through the upper entrance to the atrium at the high school level. Due to safety and allergy concerns, only service animals will be allowed. This is in response to the overnight power outage that is impacting Gilpin County residents. Gilpin County Sheriff's Office Facebook page will have updated information as it comes. Please only call dispatch or 911 for emergencies. Stay safe and warm!
Gilpin County closures
Gilpin County will close all non-essential County offices on Thursday, December 18, due to a high wind event and an unplanned power outage impacting most County buildings. The closure is intended to protect public and staff safety while conditions remain hazardous.
Essential services will continue to operate as needed, including emergency response services.
Warming Shelter Information (From the Gilpin County Sheriff’s Office)
The following message is from the Gilpin County Sheriff’s Office in response to the ongoing power outage affecting County residents:
Today, Wednesday, December 17, a warming shelter is in the process of being set up. Another message will be sent to notify residents of the shelter location and the time when it will be open and able to accept residents on site.
Due to safety and allergy concerns, only service animals will be allowed at the warming shelter.
This shelter is being established in response to the overnight power outage impacting Gilpin County residents. The Gilpin County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page will have updated information as it becomes available.
Please only call dispatch or 911 for emergencies. Stay safe and warm.
Residents are encouraged to monitor official County communication channels for updates as conditions evolve.
Stay Informed
- Updates will be posted on the Gilpin County website
- Follow the Gilpin County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page for the latest warming shelter information
- Emergency alerts may also be issued as needed
🎧 Hear the Audio Alert
County officials will continue to monitor weather conditions, power restoration efforts, and public safety needs. Additional updates will be shared as soon as they are available.