A bright spot in the midst of all the dismal economic news came before the Fremont County Board of Commissioners Tuesday when they received an annual report on activities at Teller County’s Cripple Creek and Victor Gold Mine (C.C. & V.) Gold mine spokeswoman Jane Mannon told the commissioners that the mine produced 233,420 ounces of gold in 2010 along with 51,093 ounces of silver. As part of that production the gold mine processed 22.42 million tons of ore and moved 42.31 million tons of overburden.
Mannon said C.C. & V. employs 432 people with an annual payroll of $24,343,000. Of that employment base, she said 103 employees reside in Fremont County. Mannon said those 103 employees earn an average hourly wage of $26.60 with total earnings in 2010 of $5,699,000. Mannon said C.C. & V. paid over $3,303,000 in sales and use tax last year and $1,047,000 in state severance taxes.
Mannon said tours of the gold mine will be scheduled again this summer from Memorial Day through Labor Day on Fridays through Wednesdays from 10 until 2 each day. The tours will cost $7.50 for each person. Tour reservations can be made on the internet at www.VictorColorado.com.
Mannon also introduced the new Vice President and General Manager of C.C. & V. Ray DuBois said the gold mine had already been running at production capacity even before the price of gold began climbing the past two years.
The Board of Commissioners Tuesday unanimously approved a temporary use permit for the Colorado Hill Climb Association to stage the 20th annual Temple Canyon Hill Climb on Temple Canyon Road south of Cañon City on May 14th and 15th. Hill Climb Association President Rod Moberly said the event annually brings an estimated 500 to 700 people to the Cañon City area spending money in motels, restaurants, and on gasoline.
In other business Tuesday the commissioners:
- Approved a six month extension for Royal Gorge Rafting to meet contingency requirements for site development of a rafting takeout at Parkdale on the Arkansas River;
- Accepted a bid of $519 from John Maxwell for sale of a 1962 Chevy pickup truck which has been part of the Road & Bridge Department’s fleet since the truck was new.