The youth baseball league is sponsored by the Clear Creek Metropolitan Recreation District in Idaho Springs.

In the last game of the season at Pete Gones Memorial Park in Gilpin on a Saturday, July 25, a team of kids from Clear Creek County defeated their nemesis, Gilpin County, 9-to-2.

Coaches Cassie and Richard Carreon this year once again volunteered their time and talent to the team at every practice and every game.

It’s not an easy task when you understand the Carreons have a large family of their own and both parents work in the community.

Nonetheless, they put together a real ‘team’ this season.

Every kid from the field to the dugout shouted support for their teammates regardless of whether it was a base hit or a strikeout, a missed catch or a great beat ‘em at first base throw.

It’s the kind of youth baseball you like to see where sportsmanship, by coaches and players, trumps competitiveness.

Many of these kids will go on to compete in baseball or another sport in the future; they will do so with the muscle memory of what being part of a team is really about.

Clear Creek Fire Authority Chief Jeremy Jones announced to the county that he will be leaving the top job Sept. 9.

Jones was appointed as chief earlier this year, taking the position of outgoing Fire Chief Kelly Babeon, who served in Georgetown and as Chief of the Clear Creek Fire Authority for 39 years, according to county records.

Jones sat down with the Courant at the Fire Authority Headquarters in Dumont on July 28, in an interview where he opened up candidly.

What he told the Courant is something you should understand about our local first responders; indeed, it’s about anyone who dares to stand up and say “I’m not OK.”

Jones’ letter of resignation to the Clear Creek Fire Authority Board of Directors provides some insight:

During his tenure with the CCFA, Jones facilitated a Community Wildfire Protection Plan for Idaho Springs in Aug. of 2025.

According to the protection plan and geographical studies, the fuel and topography around Idaho Springs have the potential for flame lengths over 12 feet high. That type of high-intensity fire will support passive and active ‘crown fires’ (burning across the tops of trees) throughout the area.

He steadfastly advocated for community action to assist in mitigating the fire risk of forest land that has been collecting fuel for a future fire for more than a decade.

Idaho Springs and Georgetown now have 24/7 fire protection provided by paid full-time firefighters. A shift commander is on duty 24/7 to provide assistance, call for additional resources or allocate the existing.

Moving forward, Jones said the biggest question will be, “How does the community fund the level of service that they demand?"

Idaho Springs Mayor Chuck Harmon applauded Jones’ work.

“Residents of Clear Creek County, Idaho Springs specifically, are safer today because of Jeremy Jones and the work he’s done here.”

Jones also sits on the Idaho Springs City Council and acts as Mayor Pro Tem.

Harmon had this to say about that; “We absolutely loved him in Idaho Springs. He will be sorely missed by me personally… One of the most caring and giving people in our city.”

However, Jones said the reality of it is, the job of a first responder, “Will eventually take a toll on your soul.”

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Following years of planning and design, Clear Creek and Gilpin Counties, in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service, opened the Clear Creek Sport Shooting Park at 3204 Stanley Road in Dumont on Sat. July 25.

The facility is equipped with three covered shooting bays, as well as dedicated areas for archery and axe throwing. 

Additionally, a newly constructed clubhouse features a staff office, a small retail area, and a classroom designed for firearms safety training, hunter education, and educational courses.

The range has been closed for nearly three years after long-time operator, Clear Creek County Sportsman’s Club, lost its lease with the county after decades of operation. 

When the CCCSC site was remediated after closing, more than 60,000 pounds of lead (bullets) were removed from the soil, according to county commissioners at the time.

Improving forest safety was a primary driver for the project addressing the dangers associated with "dispersed" recreational shooting on public lands, according to the Wildlife District Manager for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Joe Walter. 

“I wish I had something like this when I was growing up.” 

That was the consensus from the adults who attended the 10-Year Celebration of the impact of the Mountain Youth Network and the official ribbon-cutting of its headquarters inside the Health and Wellness Center in Idaho Springs on July 23.

The youth facility inside the center at 1969 Miner St. in Idaho Springs is a dedicated space for kids, with couches, comfy chairs, a foosball table and a space of their own to play or to simply chat with friends.

MYN’s mission statement is simple: “Together in Clear Creek County, we inspire and support our youth to find their path to hope, health, and happiness.”

The mission statement goes on to say: “Our coalition includes individuals from a range of sectors: law enforcement, education, faith community, health and human services, government, youth-serving organizations, students, community organizations, parents, and local businesses.”

A recent adventure took kids to mountain trails in Boulder; other adventures include trips to a climbing wall in Golden or an overnight camping trip. 

These programs and accessibility to our outdoors are provided, largely free of charge, by MYN, allowing our youth, regardless of family income, to be raised as true mountain kids.

"These people really have done a great job reaching out," Idaho Springs Mayor Chuck Harmon told the Courant during the opening ceremony. "This has got to be one of the coolest organizations in the whole world."

Tuesday:

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