Rick Langenberg
Although the Cripple Creek gaming community won’t set any records this fall for competitive races, Election 2025 may still go down as one of the most significant in recent years due to two words: Home Rule.
For the second time since slots started ringing down Bennett Avenue nearly 35 years ago, voters will decide if they want to join most cities across Colorado, including fellow gaming rivals Black Hawk and Central City, in allowing the town to develop its own mini-constitution and gain more local control by becoming a home rule town.
Topping the 2025 election in Cripple Creek is a ballot question that basically will signal the green light for the city to form a home rule charter commission. If voters say yes, then the stage is set for a formal commission to be formed, consisting of nine members. It marks the starting gate for a “local control” bid mulled since gaming began 34 years ago, but one that has never advanced beyond the batter box.
Home Rule has commanded much attention over the last few decades but never gained much acceptance. A previous attempt in the late 1990s reportedly got bluntly rejected, and the issue appeared to suffer a permanent death, with the gaming community giving the idea the cold shoulder for years.
But with a state government that has developed a reputation for adopting a record volume of new laws and regulations, coupled with the town’s new turning point in trying to become more of a destination area and other changes politically, most local leaders say the time is right now for a home rule government in Cripple Creek.
Still, the ballot question faces some skepticism locally, with certain critics worried about this designation leading to more taxes and a more powerful city council and even the possibility of property being confiscated. Proponents, including all members of the city council, see many pluses, from a political, economic and community standpoint. Mainly, they cite local control as the main ace card, giving Cripple Creek the opportunity escape from the statutory restraints it now faces.
Mayor Annie Durham notes that home rule, from her perspective, would give the town much more flexibility and allow more control, instead of relying on lawmakers from “Denver to decide what is right for Cripple Creek.” That said, she says the council is now out of the loop in lobbying for the issue.
“It is in the hands of the voters,” admitted Durham.
A pro-home rule group may get formed shortly to clarify the issue and dispel false rumors. At recent meetings, City Administrator Frank Salvato has warned the council of a variety of false reports regarding what a home rule government means, such as having the power of eminent domain or declaring new taxes. Salvato stated that he has been involved with a number of cities that pursued the home rule route and never witnessed a home rule government gaining these types of powers. Similar to the mayor, he sees more local control as the main advantage.
Other possible advantages cited deal with giving the city an option to levy taxes on casinos in a different and more equitable way that what is currently done with device fees. Plus, home rule may give the town an opportunity to grapple with the current problem it faces with deteriorating, commercial buildings on the main street, which are left vacant by some out-of-town property owners in the hope of a resurging casino market.
The stakes are high for Cripple Creek, as the forthcoming vote will most likely serve as a do or die verdict on the issue altogether.
The last year marked a big change in the home rule arena, as the city conducted a slew of town meetings on the subject, with most attendees giving the thumbs-up signal. Experts from the state addressed the advantages and noted that Cripple Creek is definitely in the minority among most cities in Colorado in not having a home-rule government, especially for a town of its size and one that operates as a major gaming destination area. According to state statistics, 2025 data revealed that Colorado sports 108 home rule towns.
The idea of home rule has apparently spawned much local interest
Eight contenders agreed to throw their names into the hat to become part of the commission, if voters give the okay for a home rule committee. These charter candidates, who will be listed on the ballot, include Bruce Brown, Zeb Pennock, Kirk Pennock, Kelly Turner, Elwood Henson, Steve DiCamillo, Shawn Naprawa and Jonathon Smith. The city actually needs one more candidate to fill the legal slate. Since the ballot has already been finalized, this slot would have to be filled by appointment.
If the effort moves forward, then this group would be entrusted with developing a city charter, which would go before the voters in the fall of 2026.
Besides the home rule question, voters will decide the fate of an open council seat for Ward 5 to replace Melissa Trenary, who can’t run again due to term limits.
The candidates seeking this position are Katherine M Lewis Jerden, who runs the Cripple Creek Post Office. She faces competition from JR Gatlin, vice-chairman of the Cripple Creek Historic Preservation Commission, who also is involved in a number of development and real estate projects.
In the other seat up for grabs, Bruce Brown, who served as the town’s mayor for nearly a decade, will retain his seat as the Ward 4 representative. He was the sole candidate for this position. Brown currently serves as the town’s mayor pro tem.
Ballots will be mailed out to local voters in mid-October.
