For the first half century of its existence, Golden made do with outhouses. As the twentieth century progressed, increasing numbers of residents began to see the advisability of sewer.
As one citizen remarked, “Plagues and pestilences were once thoughts to be acts of God; we now know that they are the acts of communities which do not attend to water supply and sewage disposal.” One of the town doctors added, “Better pay for a dozen sewers than for one funeral.”
The first public sewer was installed in 1908, on the south side of the Creek. This went so well that in 1911, the City decided to install a north side sewer system.
115 Years Ago
The April 6, 1911 Colorado Transcript announced "GOLDEN MAN BIDS LOWEST NORTH SIDE SEWER." J. H. Linder & Co. had submitted a bid for $7,800 to build the north side sewer.
The issue was muddled when one of the Denver bidders offered to change the basis for his bid, offering to throw in the Y branch sewer pipes for free. This would put his bid slightly below Linder's.
The following week's Transcript announced that the City had invited the state engineer and the city engineer of Denver to decide the issue, and they decided in favor of Linder.
The fact that a responsible Golden firm gets the contract is the source of general satisfaction. He will begin work at once.
Colorado Transcript - April 13, 1911
