Cripple Creek Hits Jackpot with Main Street and Department of Justice Monies
Rick Langbert
It’s now official.
In a series of joint state and federal grants the city of Cripple Creek will receive later this year, the local Heritage Center will be moving downtown and will occupy several vacant buildings that have remained vacant since the early years of gaming.
In turn, the stage will be set for a massive 20-story ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) detention center at the current Heritage Center site, which also will serve as the new home for the Cripple Creek Police Department. The CC Police have struggled with an outdated headquarters, known as the Bell Brothers Building, since the 1990s.
The turn of events is courtesy of two entities that rarely work together, Colorado Main Street and the Department of Justice.
“After careful deliberation and an evaluation of 20 possible sites, we have decided to go with Cripple Creek with our much-needed ICE detention center,” said Secretary of War Director Pete Hagesathe. The secretary cited Cripple Creek’s low profile as a key factor, and its opposition to the sanctuary city practices adopted by Denver.
“Yes, it will be a huge building. But we need a big center to go after a growing invasion of bad guys” added Hagesathe. “Believe me, there are plenty of bad actors when it comes to ICE enforcement.”
The size of the structure has generated some concerns locally. But as noted by former council leader Missy Tranarie, “This is a building site with a storied history. In a previous era, not a single building code was adhered to with this structure. At least in the future, we won’t have to worry about riding the elevators.”
And due to the building’s location outside of the historic district, and the city, the rules aren’t quite as stringent.
City Administrator Frank Salvetor lauded the news, citing this as another innovative step since Cripple Creek became a Colorado Main Street community. “This is the number one issue facing the city.”
Grappling with the town’s assortment of vacant buildings on the main drag is a primary goal of the new Main Street Board and by city leaders.
The Heritage Center project cannot move forward right away because approval from the Teller County Commissioners is needed.
“No problem,” announced Teller County Commissioner Dan Williams. “Anything that upsets the state is a plus for us. There is a definite need for more prisons throughout the state. This seems like a win-win for the city, the state and the feds.”
Construction of the $400 million center could begin this summer and will retain certain aspects of the current structure.
Michalle Rozzel, director of the city’s heritage tourism, mentioned much potential with a downtown headquarters for their agency and their exhibits. She admitted that many adjustments will occur, since they will occupy several older buildings, requiring a certain amount of rehab work.
Cripple Creek Police Chief Bud Brigte expressed much excitement over the news, after spending years trying to survive life inside an historic preservation gem, but a building condemned 15 times by code officials.
“Walking up the steps of this old building every day gets very, very old. We would rather utilize this energy for cracking down on ICE suspects,” said Birgte.
“ICE gets a bad rap,” added Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesall, a candidate for governor, who has announced a 40 percent reduction in crime, if he gets elected.
However, there are ongoing questions regarding how the ICE prison will fit in with the town’s evolving reputation as a tourist hotspot.
One idea mulled is a special exhibit outlining the most notorious criminals in Teller County’s past. “In my limited research, it appears Teller County had no shortage of bad guys and some notorious journalists, especially from TMC News, who probably should have been thrown in jail,” concluded Hagesathe.
Happy April Fool’s Day!
