We need your help to ensure the future of Charlie's Place...
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With recent discussions at the Gilpin County Board of Commissioner's meetings (BOCC) regarding current budget shortfalls and options to reduce costs, we want to be proactive in protecting Charlie's Place (Clear Creek/Gilpin Co. Animal Shelter) from budget cuts, third party management or closure. Please use the links below to contact the Gilpin County commissioners and let them know you support Charlie's Place and do not want to lose the safe haven for local animals!
Click here for a copy of the template with bullet points on why the county should remain committed to Charlie's Place. |
Fill in the form below to join our email list for updates. |
Charlie's Place Legacy
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Helen L. Buck had a love of nature and all of its creatures since she was a child. Helen married Ray Buck Jr. in 1950. Over their years together, Helen and Ray were guardians to 11 German Shepherd Dogs. Together she and Ray cared for dogs, cats, horses and an array of wildlife. After Ray's death, Helen adopted Charlie, an ex-show dog, as a 5-year-old. Charlie and Helen shared an incredible bond. Helen owned the Blue Ridge Mill Site, one of the only flat pieces of land in the area. In 2003, when Helen heard that the county was looking to build a new animal shelter, she generously donated the land in an effort to give back to the animals that had given her immense joy in life. The land was donated in memory of Charlie, her much loved and loyal friend. Helen's vision for Charlie's Place is to be a safe haven for any and all animals…a no kill-facility to any animal in need of sanctuary. Top left: Helen; Bottom left: Charlie |
Printable PosterDownload the "Rescuing Charlie's Place" poster to print out and post around town. Includes a QR code to access this page and petition. Standard 8.5x11" size.
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Clear Creek County, CO Website https://www.clearcreekcounty.us/
BOCC public meetings Biweekly 8:30 AM - 2:00 PM - in-person or Zoom (refer to website for next meeting Zoom link) Address: 405 Argentine Street (BoCC Conference Room) Georgetown, CO 80444 |
Gilpin County, CO Website
https://gilpincounty.colorado.gov/ BOCC public meetings 2nd and 4th Tuesday 9:00 AM in-person and Zoom (refer to website for next meeting Zoom link) Address: Old Courthouse, 203 Eureka Street, Central City, CO 80427 |
You can view recorded BOCC meetings at CCC Facebook page and YouTube.
Template for a Letter to the Commissioners
Here is a letter to the Commissioners template to use. Or, feel free to word your own email. Please keep the letters respectful and to the topic pertaining to helping Charlie's Place.
Click here for a copy of the template with bullet points on why the current proposed solutions are unreasonable or copy the letter below.
Also, please mention how you found your furever friend at Charlie's Place or how the Shelter has helped you and your family.
Click here for a copy of the template with bullet points on why the current proposed solutions are unreasonable or copy the letter below.
Also, please mention how you found your furever friend at Charlie's Place or how the Shelter has helped you and your family.
Dear [NAME],
I am writing on behalf of Charlie’s Place (Clear Creek/Gilpin County Animal Shelter) to request you continue to support our local animal shelter with Clear Creek County and renew the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) to fund the shelter's operation.
While I am aware of the fiscal challenges faced by the county, I want to impress on you the far-reaching value Charlie’s Place offers the residents of Clear Creek and Gilpin Counties. It is not just a dog pound. It is a community of animal lovers, many who adopted their beloved family pet from Charlie’s Place. Countless dogs and cats have been saved from euthanasia and placed into loving homes.
The options that the Board are currently considering would negate the reasons Charlie’s Place is so beloved.
It is heart breaking that Gilpin BOCC sees the withdrawal of support from Charlie’s Place as an option to increase funding in the current budget. Who or what will replace the services Charlie’s Place currently provides? Foothills is already too crowded and is known as a kill shelter. Gilpin residents support Charlie's Place and count in it to protect the counties lost/stray/abandoned animals.
Please reconsider the options currently on the table and keep Charlie’s Place open in its fully functional capacity.
"The time is always right to do what is right!” Martin Luther King, Jr.
Yours Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
[YOUR COUNTY]
I am writing on behalf of Charlie’s Place (Clear Creek/Gilpin County Animal Shelter) to request you continue to support our local animal shelter with Clear Creek County and renew the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) to fund the shelter's operation.
While I am aware of the fiscal challenges faced by the county, I want to impress on you the far-reaching value Charlie’s Place offers the residents of Clear Creek and Gilpin Counties. It is not just a dog pound. It is a community of animal lovers, many who adopted their beloved family pet from Charlie’s Place. Countless dogs and cats have been saved from euthanasia and placed into loving homes.
The options that the Board are currently considering would negate the reasons Charlie’s Place is so beloved.
- Gilpin County is only responsible for 20% of the operating costs of Charlie's Place yet benefits 100% from its programs (free dog training assistance, shot clinics, spay/neuter vouchers, safe place for lost/stray/abandoned animals, community medical assistance). There are no additional fees per dog or added billing for medical needs of these impounded Gilpin animals.
- Joining Foothills Animal Shelter, a kill shelter, is against every fiber of Charlie’s Place values. Killing 10% of animals in your care does not make you a no-kill shelter. Helen Buck donated the shelter land in good faith to save animal's lives, which Charlie’s Place has been doing since opening its doors in 2008.
- Personnel costs are the main driver of cost increases, yet the staff of 3.675 people keep the shelter running seven days a week. It has put an immense strain on staff and volunteers and is an unsustainable long-term solution, but abandoning Charlie's Place is not the answer.
- Caring for the animals at Charlie’s Place takes commitment. The animals require food, water, clean facilities, consistent care, and daily interactions. Keeping costs down while operating with less than 4 fulltime people is difficult at best.
- Friends of Charlie’s Place (FOCP) is committed to supporting the shelter animals, however, it does not have the consistent and reliable funding sources required to staff the shelter and maintain the structure. FOCP has helped with the expense of spaying and neutering to keep dog/cat populations in check, helped improve the shelter property; added roofs on outdoor kennels, built an exercise yard, created the Helen Buck memorial park complete with memorial windchimes and park benches, and provided specialized training to help animals become more adoptable, all to improve and support the county’s animal shelter.
It is heart breaking that Gilpin BOCC sees the withdrawal of support from Charlie’s Place as an option to increase funding in the current budget. Who or what will replace the services Charlie’s Place currently provides? Foothills is already too crowded and is known as a kill shelter. Gilpin residents support Charlie's Place and count in it to protect the counties lost/stray/abandoned animals.
Please reconsider the options currently on the table and keep Charlie’s Place open in its fully functional capacity.
"The time is always right to do what is right!” Martin Luther King, Jr.
Yours Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
[YOUR COUNTY]
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Commissioners - Clear Creek
George Marlin Phone: 303-949-0980 [email protected] Rebecca Lloyd Phone: 970-968-8429 [email protected] Jodie Hartman-Ball Phone: 970-968-8428 [email protected] |
Commissioners - Gilpin
Commissioner Jeff Aiken [email protected] Commissioner Susan Berumen, Chair [email protected] Commissioner Sandy Hollingsworth [email protected] |