Gilpin County - American Courthouses

Gilpin County is named for William Gilpin, who was the first Governor of the Territory of Colorado.

Surrounding County Courthouses:

N – Boulder County

E – Jefferson County

S – Clear Creek County

W – Grand County

Created: November 1, 1861

County Seat:

Central City 1861 – present

County Courthouse – Central City

Location: 202 Eureka Street / Spruce Street

Built: 1899 – 1900

Style: Italianate

Architect: Lamont & Ballard

Contractor: Lamont & Ballard

Description: The building faces south and is a three story red colored brick and concrete structure. The building is located on a landscaped rise above the street level in the center of Central City. The south front has three large arches at the entrance with a balcony on the second story. Above the third story, the roof rises to a peak. On the east and west are square red colored brick towers with arched windows on the third story. The roof is hipped. In the interior the former courtroom is located on the second story and is now the Commissioner’s Meeting Room. The building was restored in 1999.

County Justice Center – Blackhawk

Location: 2960 Dolly Hill Road / Gate Canyon Road

Built: 1994 – 1995

Style: Modern

Architect: Caudill Gustafson & Associates

Contractor: Newstrom-Davis Construction Company

Description: The building faces north and is a two story stone and concrete structure. The building is located on a landscaped rise in the center of Blackhawk. The north front has a large canopy with sloped roof. Above is another sloped roof with glass windows below. The east and west wings have sloped roofs. The building houses the District Court and County Court of the 1st Judicial District.

Old County Courthouse – Cental City

Location: 117 Eureka Street / Pine Street

Built: 1861 – 1862

Style: Federal

Architect: William Z Cozens

Contractor: William Z Cozens

Description: The building faces south and is a two story yellow colored wood frame structure. The building is located in the center of Central City to the east of the courthouse and is known as Washington Hall. Wood framing was placed over the log frame. In the interior the courtroom on the second story was added in 1864. The architect and the contractor was William Z Cozens. The building served from 1868 to 1900 as the courthouse. The building houses the Gilpin County Museum.

Note: In 1861, Gilpin County was one of the 17 original counties.

See: The 1st Judicial District includes Jefferson County.

History: The county was created in 1861 and Central City was selected as the county seat. The first courthouse was built in 1861 to 1862 and is still standing. The second and present courthouse was constructed in 1899 to 1900. The County Justice Center was constructed in 1994 to 1995.