Gilpin County welcomes Ray Rears as its new County Manager. Ray is originally from Jefferson County, a 5th generation Coloradoan, who graduated from Arvada West High School. He attended the University of Northern Colorado, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Applied Geography with a minor in History. In 2021, he received his Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree, with honors, as part of the Executive Program with the University of Colorado Denver.
From 2004 – 2015 he served in the Gilpin County Community Development Office in many roles until finally as the Gilpin County Planner and Historic Advisory Liaison. From 2015 until today Ray has served as the Director of Community Development and Historic Preservation with the City of Central managing one of the largest departments with the city, various programs and community efforts, along with a combined staff of seven with a budget that has ranged from $1.5 to $4.1 Million. Currently he also serves on The Belvidere Foundation Board of Directors, a local non-profit. In his various civic roles, he has served the people of Gilpin County for close to 18 years.
He and his wife, Janisse, have been married almost 20 years, and have been blessed with three children; Isabella, Alex, and Sophia.