AUGUST 9, 2026 — The Board of County Commissioners of Gilpin County, Colorado, United States, formally adopted a resolution to establish the jurisdiction’s first official flag, according to the County website.
This concludes a process launched in March 2026 to coincide with the 150th anniversary of Colorado statehood. While the local government initially invited community submissions under guidelines encouraging standard vexillological principles, the selection process ultimately required official intervention after public preferences conflicted with administrative expectations.
During an advisory public vote conducted in May across social media and municipal facilities, an entry titled “Discover Gilpin County” secured 179 of the 229 votes cast. However, county commissioners declined to ratify the public choice, citing its text-heavy composition and conventional design elements. Expressing skepticism regarding the submission’s visual appeal, Commissioner Sandy Hollingsworth noted during a June meeting that the entry “does not excite me,” prompting the board to exercise its reserved right to modify or bypass the contest entries.
Rather than proceeding with the top public submission, commissioners re-examined all 12 original entries and selected a non-finalist concept created by local resident and county employee Shaun Wicen.
After directing municipal staff on June 9, to modify the background hues to mirror the county’s official corporate emblem, the commissioners approved the final design in a 3–0 vote on July 23.
A central moose represents the wildlife roaming the area and the broader natural environment, while crossed mining tools, a pickaxe and hammer, honour the gold discoveries in the historic communities of Central City and Black Hawk that helped shape Colorado’s history. A mountain silhouette depicts the region’s rugged landscape and scenic vistas.
The design features three distinct background colours: blue, signifying Colorado’s clear skies while drawing directly from the official county logo; green, representing local forests and natural terrain while complementing municipal branding; and gold, commemorating the county’s gold mining legacy and historic prosperity.
Image: Gilpin County
