Coronavirus/COVID-19
Public Health References
CDC * Colorado * Jefferson County * City of Golden
Jefferson County is at Level Red, “Severe Risk.” Here’s the most recent Coronavirus report from Jeffco Public Health’s Case Summary Page:
Cases in Jeffco – Tues: 24,279 | Weds: 24,622 (+343)
Deaths in Jeffco – Tues: 525| Weds: 538 (+13)
Currently Hospitalized in Jeffco 241
Known Cases in Golden – Tues: 819 | updated Mondays & Thursdays
Note: I’ve eliminated the cumulative number of people hospitalized in favor of the number “currently hospitalized.” I’ve also stopped listed the total recovered. Those numbers are still available in the county’s Case Summary Page.
Mines COVID Testing | Jeffco Fairgrounds COVID Testing | School of Mines COVID-19 case page. | Stage 2 fire restrictions | Sign up for exposure notifications.
Virtual Golden
10:15AM Preschool Time with the Library
5:30-6:30PM Seasonal Serotonin – Eat Your Way Happy – Golden Young Professionals
6-7PM Qs and Brews Trivia – JCPL
6:30PM City Council Regular Business Meeting
This is the final City council meeting for the year. Tonight’s consent agenda (approved unless someone requests a discussion) includes the purchase of a new firetruck at a cost of $825K; a pledge to move the community toward electric vehicles, and the purchase of Accela software for use by the Building, Planning, Fire, and Engineering Departments at a cost of $472K.
The will discuss what to do with the Brickyard House. The City owns this building but entered into an agreement in 2007 with Golden Landmarks Association. GLA has done some restoration of this building and hopes to do more, and–in the end–to occupy it. Council will want to know what GLA has accomplished to date and what they plan in the near future. They will probably also discuss what else the City would do with the property, if they didn’t continue their agreement with GLA.
They will then discuss their long term agreement with Foothills Art Center to restore and lease the Astor House. The City has included a twenty year right of first refusal on the FAC’s current buildings, should they decide to sell them upon moving into the Astor House or the new Cultural Center that may be part of the City’s Heart of Golden project.
They will vote on an agreement to purchase body worn cameras for Golden’s police force. This would be a 10 year contract in the amount of $934K.
They will consider supporting state legislation to study Community Choice Energy.
They will hear from a representative of a Denver-based Community Land Trust. This organization would work with Golden to purchase property around town for use as affordable housing.
They will hold a public hearing regarding a preliminary subdivision plat for the former Farmers Insurance building at 2101 Ford Street. The plan is to subdivide it into separate lots to hold 5 townhomes and one commercial building.
This will be followed by the public hearing for the final plat of that same property.
The next public hearing concerns an ordinance which would allow City Staff to grant permits to businesses which would allow them to expand their businesses into downtown parking lanes. Such permits would cost $50 and be good for a year. The staff memos describe this in terms of COVID relief, but as far as I can tell, this is a permanent change.
Finally, they will consider the possibility of allowing recreational cannabis sales in Golden. This would not require a vote by residents.
To learn more about any of these topics, read the meeting packet. To contribute comments on any of these topics, send an email to councilcomments@cityofgolden.net prior to 5PM or register to provide live comment during their virtual meeting. You must register by 5PM.
Golden History Moment
I’ve always admired the American Legion building at 9th and East Street in the Goosetown neighborhood. I had a vague feeling that it used to be a fire station, so I set out to track its origins.
Golden used to have three fire companies: Excelsior Fire and Hose Company (established in 1868), W. A. H. Loveland Hose and Fire Company (1875), and Everett Hook and Ladder Company (also 1875). While there was friendly competition between the companies, they functioned together as the Golden Fire Department.
Golden built a Central Fire Station in 1883–located on 12th Street, between the Astor House and the Loveland Building (Old Capitol Grill). The Excelsior and Everett companies met and kept their equipment there.
The Loveland Hose Company was based at 9th and East Street, near the railroad facilities. Their first station was built in 1880. In 1926, the firefighters moved the old building to the back part of their lot and began construction of a new one, made of stone. The firefighters hauled the stone and sand from the Creek and did most of the construction themselves. They celebrated the opening of the current building in 1927.
If this building looks small to be a fire station, keep in mind that when it was built, the firefighters were using a cart (not a truck) to hold their equipment. When a fire happened, the firefighters would grab ropes and pull the cart to the site of the fire.
In 1961, the City built the current municipal center, which included police and fire stations, city offices, the library, and the museum. At that point, the Central Station on 12th St. was torn down to make room for off-street parking, and the Loveland station was sold to the American Legion.
Thanks to Dan Abbott for his book, One Hundred Years and Counting – The History of Golden, Colorado’s Volunteer Fire Department.
