Central City
Central City, the Gilpin County seat, was established in 1859 after John H. Gregory discovered gold there. The town was named because of its central location to other mining camps, including Black Hawk, Mountain City and Nevadaville. Central City later became known as the “Richest Square Mile on Earth” because of the half-billion dollars of gold that was mined there.
Sources: Denver Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau;
“1001 Colorado Place Names,” by Maxine Benson
REGIONAL NOTES
LAKEWOOD
Petition drive looks like a failure
A petition drive seeking a special election to rezone property in the Rooney Valley appears to have fallen short.
Carlo Spano and Mark Davis undertook the effort, which would reduce the number of homes from 15 to one per acre on the same land that was the subject of another special election Jan. 2.
Lakewood voters turned down the city’s request to exchange 21.8 acres of land it owns with 21.8 acres of land owned by developer Carma Inc.
City Clerk Margy Greer told the City Council that it appeared the petition effort failed to collect the 4,479 valid signatures required to force the special election.
CASTLE ROCK
Empty Bowl fundraiser March 9
The seventh annual Empty Bowl fundraiser for the Women’s Crisis and Family Outreach Center is set for 6 to 9 p.m. March 9 at the Douglas County Event Center in Castle Rock.
Tickets are $35, though subject to change. The ticket includes a handmade pottery bowl, a soup dinner and nonalcoholic beverages. Beer and wine will be available for purchase. The event will include live entertainment and a silent auction. For more information, call 303-688-1094.
GOLDEN
Wildfire protection to be topic
A community meeting to discuss development of a wildfire protection plan for the city will be held at 7 p.m. Feb. 8 at the Golden Community Center, 1470 10th St.
The Jefferson County Division of Emergency Management has received a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to write wildfire plans for nine Jefferson County fire departments.
Partners in this project include Jefferson County Emergency Management, Colorado State Forest Service, Denver Water, U.S. Forest Service, Jefferson County Open Space, private landowners and homeowners associations.
Other participating Jeffco fire agencies include Coal Creek, Evergreen, Fairmount, Foothills, Genesee, Indian Hills, Inter-Canyon and West Metro.
CASTLE ROCK
Daddy-Daughter Ball next month
Tickets are on sale for the Castle Rock Recreation Center’s annual Daddy-Daughter Ball on Feb. 10 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Advance tickets are $20 per couple for city residents and $25 per couple for nonresidents. The event includes refreshments, pictures, music, dancing and prizes. The recreation center is at 2301 N. Woodlands Blvd. For more information, call 303-660-1036.
DENVER POST STAFF REPORTS
