Black Hawk, Colorado, is a historic home rule municipality and the least populous city in the state, known for its origins during the 1859 gold rush. The city flourished during the mining boom of the late 19th century and has seen a revival since the establishment of casino gambling in 1991, leading to significant competition with nearby Central City. In 2010, Black Hawk implemented a controversial ban on bicycles, citing safety concerns amid increased traffic from casino patrons.

1. Black Hawk,
Colorado
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Hawk,_Colorado

2. The historic City of Black Hawk is a Home Rule Municipality located
in Gilpin County, Colorado, United States. The city population
was 118 at U.S. Census 2000, making Black Hawk the least
populous city in Colorado. The tiny city is a historic mining
settlement founded in 1859 during the Pike's Peak Gold Rush.
Black Hawk is located adjacent to Central City, another historic
mining settlement in Gregory Gulch. The two cities form the
federally designated Central City/Black Hawk National Historic
District. The area flourished during the mining boom of the late
19th century following the construction of mills and a railroad
link to Golden. The town declined during the 20th century, but
has been revived in recent years after the 1991 establishment
of casino gambling following a statewide initiative in 1990. In
early 2010, the Black Hawk city council passed a law banning the
riding of bicycles in the town, drawing a reaction from bicycle
advocacy groups and international press.

3. City of Black Hawk, Colorado
— City —
Country United States
State State of Colorado
[1]
County Gilpin County
[2]
Incorporated June 12, 1886
Government
[1]
• Type Home Rule Municipality
[3]
• City Manager Corey Hoffmann (acting)
Area
2
• Total 1.5 sq mi (3.8 km )
2
• Land 1.5 sq mi (3.8 km )
2
• Water 0 sq mi (0 km )
[4]
Elevation 8,537 ft (2,602 m)
Restored historic buildings in downtown Black Hawk
Population (2000)
Nickname(s): The City of Mills
• Total 118
2
• Density 78.7/sq mi (31.1/km )
Time zone MST (UTC-7)
• Summer (DST) MDT (UTC-6)
[5]
ZIP code 80403, 80422(POBox)
Area code(s) 303
FIPS code 08-07025
GNIS feature ID 0204706
Website City of Black Hawk
Location in Gilpin County and the State of
ColoradoCoordinates: 39°48′11″N 105°29′32″W
The least populous Colorado city

4. History
Mining boom
The town is located along the north fork of Clear Creek and Gregory
Gulch. In May 1859 the discovery of gold in Gregory Gulch by its
namesake, John H. Gregory, brought thousands of prospectors
and miners into the area, combing the hills for more gold veins.
The Bobtail lode was discovered the following
month.[6] Hardrock mining boomed for a few years, but then
declined in the mid-1860s as the miners exhausted the shallow
parts of the veins that contained free gold, and found that
their amalgamation mills could not recover gold from the deeper
sulfide ores.[7]

5. Nathaniel P. Hill built Colorado's first successful ore smelter in Black
Hawk in 1868. Hill's smelter could recover gold from the sulfide
ores, an achievement that saved hardrock mining in Black
Hawk, Central City, and Idaho Springs from ruin. Other smelters
were built nearby. Black Hawk's advantageous location on North
Clear Creek made it the center of ore processing for the area,
and it became known as the City of Mills.[8]
The Colorado Central Railroad extended its line to the town in
1872.[6]A restored depot and locomotive are on display on the
east side of downtown. Black Hawk was also serviced by the two
foot gauge Gilpin Tramway which climbed from Black Hawk to
the mines above Central City. Many historic buildings in the town
have been restored following the opening of the casinos in 1991.

6. Gambling boom
The town has been in heated competition for gambling revenue
with the nearby town of Central City since casinos opened in
both towns in 1991. Development of the area down Clear Creek
from the historic Black Hawk townsite liningState Highway
119 has flourished. Gamblers from Denver pass the Blackhawk
casinos before they arrive at Central City, and, as a result, Black
Hawk has realized much more revenue from gambling than
Central City. Gambling in Black Hawk also benefits from less
restrictive building codes; while Central City until recently
limited building heights to 53 feet to preserve the historic
character of the town, Black Hawk has no such limits, and a 33-
story Ameristar Hotel & Casino has been built in Black Hawk.

7. In an attempt to close the competitive gap, Central City built
the Central City Parkway from I-70 nearIdaho Springs as an
alternative route, leading guests first to Central City, and then to
Black Hawk. The Parkway opened November 19, 2004. However,
Black Hawk continues to have three times the number of
casinos, and generates more than seven times the gambling
revenue that Central City does.[9]
Although the 1990 statewide referendum allowing casino gambling
in Black Hawk was promoted as a way to promote historic
preservation in Black Hawk, critics have charged that it has had
the opposite effect, and that the historic appearance of Black
Hawk has been sacrificed to allow construction of the large
casinos.[1][2][3][4]
Tax from the gambling revenue provides funding for the State
Historical Fund, administered by the Colorado Office of
Archaeology and Historic Preservation.[10]

8. Bicycling ban
As of January 24, 2010, the city of Black Hawk banned bicycle use
on most of the streets in the city, with the city manager claiming
there isn't enough room on the roads for cars, buses, trucks and
bicycles.[11] Bicycle advocacy groups are planning a challenge of
the new law.[12] Bicycle legal experts suggest that the Black Hawk
law is in violation of Colorado law, and therefore illegal and not
enforceable.[13] Area bicyclists use the main road in Black Hawk
to connect to the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway route. Opponents
of the law have suggested a boycott of the town and its
businesses.[14][15] The ban was prompted by a surge in traffic
following the change in maximum casino betting limits from $5
to $100. Black Hawk City Manager Michael Copp said that the
city council, which passed the new law, believes it is best for the
casinos and their patrons. The penalty for riding a bicycle
through Black Hawk is a $68 fine.[16

9. Geography
Black Hawk is located at 39°48′11″N 105°29′32″W (39.803149, -
105.492265)[17].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total
area of 1.5 square miles (3.9 km2).

10. Demographics
As of the census[18] of 2000, there were 118 people, 54 households,
and 28 families residing in the city. The population density was
80.9 people per square mile (31.2/km²). There were 79 housing
units at an average density of 54.2 per square mile (20.9/km²).
The racial makeup of the city was 84.75% White, 3.39% African
American, 0.85% Native American, 5.93% from other races, and
5.08% from two or more races. Hispanic orLatino of any race
were 10.17% of the population.
There were 54 households out of which 18.5% had children under
the age of 18 living with them, 40.7% were married
couples living together, 5.6% had a female householder with no
husband present, and 46.3% were non-families.

11. Historic homes in the gulch above downtown Black Hawk

12. 33.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.3% had
someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The
average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was
2.69.
In the city the population was spread out with 17.8% under the age
of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 33.1% from 25 to 44, 34.7% from 45
to 64, and 8.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median
age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 131.4 males.
For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 131.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $44,583, and
the median income for a family was $52,500. Males had a
median income of $29,688 versus $20,833 for females. The per
capita income for the city was $25,985. None of the population
and none of the families were below the poverty line.

13. Attractions
• Casinos - While smaller, Black Hawk
has more casinos than Atlantic City,
New Jersey.Ameristar Casino
• Black Hawk Station
• Bull Durham Saloon & Casino
• Bullwhackers Casino
• Canyon Casino
• Lady Luck Casino, owned by Isle of
Capri Casinos
• Fitzgeralds Black Hawk
• Gilpin Hotel Casino
• Golden Gates Casino
• Golden Gulch Casino
• Golden Mardi Gras Casino
• Isle of Capri Black Hawk
• Red Dolly Casino
• Riviera Black Hawk
• Sasquatch Casino
• The Lodge Casino
Lace House, built 1860's, now a museum
• Wild Card Casino

14. Personalities
Notable people born or residing in Black Hawk include:
• Nathaniel P. Hill - Brown University chemistry professor, Black
Hawk smelter magnate, U.S. Senator.
• William Frederick Cody "Buffalo Bill" - briefly a resident of Black
Hawk while searching for gold near the town for two months.
• John H. Gregory - made famous first gold strike in north Clear
Creek on May 6, 1859, later setting camps in Black Hawk.