GOLDEN, Colo. (May 5, 2025) – Brenda Renee Hamilton has been sentenced to 3 years of probation for the crimes she committed between July 2019 and November 2023, while Hamilton served as Town Clerk for the Town of Lakeside. Hamilton previously pleaded guilty and agreed to pay $26,088.00 in restitution. As a result of her plea, she faced up to three years in prison.
On March 10, 2025, Hamilton pleaded guilty to the following:
Count 1: EMBEZZLEMENT OF PUBLIC PROPERTY – Section 18-8-407, C.R.S. (F5)
Counts two through ten were dismissed as a result of the plea.
At today’s sentencing hearing, Chief Deputy District Attorney Darren Kafka told the court, “Ms. Hamilton has treated the Lakeside Police Department and its property as her personal possessions, to be used and disposed of as she saw fit.” While Kafka acknowledged Hamilton’s lack of prior criminal history and her willingness to repay full restitution, he maintained that a jail sentence was appropriate given her position of public trust. “Overall, Ms. Hamilton’s behavior and attitude show that she has never believed that the rules of society seem to apply to her,” he said. “And that is a troublesome attitude for any individual, but for somebody who is a holder of public trust, it is especially concerning and warrants a punitive sanction.”
Hamilton’s attorney, Robert Bernhardt, argued that Ms. Hamilton had no formal training and attributed the situation to the Town of Lakeside’s longstanding lack of professional business practices and proper accounting. “This was a woman who came into the situation where this was a regular and ongoing course of business; this was just what they were doing over there, and she did it as well,” he said. He further contended that while Hamilton now understands her actions were illegal, she did not realize it at the time.
Hamilton also addressed the court, stating, “I apologize for my actions and take full responsibility,” she said. “I didn’t have any criminal intentions.”
District Court Judge Phillip McNulty agreed that this case reflected broader issues within the Town of Lakeside, pointing to its “sloppy handling of government.” He commended the media for its investigative reporting, which brought the longstanding issues to light and ultimately to the attention of prosecutors. Despite the seriousness of the offense and abuse of public trust, McNulty cited the defendant’s lack of any criminal history, her willingness to pay restitution, and the lifelong impact of a felony conviction as reasons for his decision to impose three years of probation and no punitive sanction.
Hamilton’s father, Robert Gordanier, who served as Mayor, Police Chief, and Fire Chief of the Town of Lakeside, pled guilty and was sentenced last year.