Public Health References
CDC * Colorado * Jefferson County * City of Golden
Coronavirus report from Jeffco Public Health’s Case Summary Page, as of 3PM Tuesday:
Cases in Jeffco – Monday: 3089 | Tuesday: 3118
Deaths in Jeffco – Monday: 218 | Tuesday: 217
Ever Hospitalized in Jeffco – Monday: 445 | Tuesday: 444 (currently 14)
Recovered – Monday: 2632 | Tuesday: 2660
Known Cases in Golden – Monday: 123 | Tuesday: 123
The “Deaths” and “Ever Hospitalized” both went down by one. I think that means they reclassified a case to indicate that it wasn’t caused by Coronavirus.
Yesterday, Jefferson County joined the City of Golden in requiring masks in public spaces (including stores and restaurants). There are some exceptions. See more…. The Safer at Home and in the Vast, Great Outdoors protocol is in effect.City and County fire restrictions are in place.
Are you tired of worrying about Covid-19? Worry about bubonic plague instead! A squirrel in Morrison was found to be carrying the plague. Learn more….
Virtual Golden
7:30AM Citizens Budget Advisory Committee
9-10:15AM Golden Walks
9-10AM Virtual Power Training
10:15-11:15AM Let’s Dance with the Library
5:30-7PM Golden Orators Toastmasters
6-8PM Wednesday Watch Party with the Library: My Man Godfrey
6PM Coronavirus Community Briefing
Based on the crossfire on NextDoor, people have very strong opinions about the pandemic, masks, fences, creek closures, and whether the City’s rules should be enforced. The Mayor and City Manager will give a community briefing tonight at 6PM.
Join the City of Golden for a virtual community briefing with Mayor Laura Weinberg and City Manager Jason Slowinski. Join us for this virtual update and Q&A session on gco.tv (for best viewing), Comcast Channel 880 and Facebook Live. If you participate on Facebook live, you will have an opportunity to send in your questions during the broadcast. Or email your questions in advance by 5:00 p.m. to COVID19@CityofGolden.net.
6:30PM Planning Commission Study Session (will not be live tonight–check the agenda page tomorrow for the recording)
Real Life Golden
3:30-5:30PM Vaccine, License & Microchip Clinic at Foothills Animal Shelter
More Fencing in the City
Golden History Moment
I’m excited to say that the History Museum and Jefferson County Archives have just finished digitizing three more years of old Golden Transcripts. Now we can trace the town’s history through June 30, 1977.
While meandering through the old issues, I learned something new about the pedestrian bridge at Illinois St. I had always thought that it was built in 1976, to celebrate the bicentennial–in fact, I learned that from the sign next to the bridge. I wanted to read about the grand opening of the bridge, so I began searching for “bridge” and “Illinois.”
Here’s what I learned: in 1970, the City was considering turning Washington Avenue into a pedestrian mall. If they blocked off Washington to traffic, they would need another bridge across Clear Creek, so they began making plans to build an automotive bridge at Illinois. The bridge remained in the budget in ’71, ’72, ’73, and ’74, but in 1975 they changed their mind.
In the meantime, committee had formed to determine how Golden would celebrate Colorado’s Centennial and the nation’s Bicentennial in 1976. The committee suggested a pedestrian bridge at Illinois Street. There was some speculation by Council members as to whether they could build a pedestrian bridge but still leave room next to it for a car bridge. They concluded that they didn’t have enough right of way for two bridges.
In 1976, the committee presented Council with a design by a Mines student. It was to be an 80-foot suspension bridge with a 6-foot chain link fence on either side. It would only be 3 feet wide, to deter motorcycles from trying to use it. Council said they had hoped for something more rustic, but agreed that chain link fence was more vandal-resistant than wood. The design was approved and the plan was to have the bridge be built by Colorado School of Mines students.
At some point, cooler (and more aesthetically-minded) heads must have prevailed. In June of 1977, the committee returned to Council with a proposal to hire an engineering firm to design “the proposed Centennial-Bicentennial foot bridge over Clear Creek at Illinois Street.”
That’s as far as the current supply of Golden Transcripts go, so I’m still not sure when it was built, but I’m sure it was not in 1976.
Here’s an interesting bit of symmetry: the Heart of Golden project (enhancing the Creek through Golden and building a new City Hall) is on hold for now, but the City would like us to be reviewing the design options. Option #1 shows the bridge at Illinois accommodating cars.
