The Rain Was Great, and Here's the Icing on the Cake
Photo by Chris Davell
Click to enlarge
What's happening in Golden today?
Events for Friday, Aug. 14th
- All day - The Friday Tour
- All day - TriceraTOTs @ Dinosaur Ridge
- All day - CURRENT EXHIBITS AT THE MUSEUMS
- All day - Golden History Tours
- All day - Live Workouts with Community Center Pros
- All day - Golden Sports
- 9:30-10:30AM - Rooftop Yoga
- 10:15-10:45AM - Toddler Time - Registration Required
- 3-5PM - Interactive African Drum Performance @ Front Porch
- 4PM - Boogie on the Mesa
- 5-7PM - Member Reception | Structure, CarolAnn Wachter, and Sue Rose
- 7-10PM - Freehub Mountain Bike Film Festival
- 7:30PM - Taco Town
For more information, click the item above or visit the Golden Today Calendar
Another Firing
The City terminated Fire Chief Kasey Beal yesterday in response to the doll-hanging incident in March. Learn more....
The City Manager was terminated earlier in the week in response to the same incident.
9 and 10AM TriceraTOTs @ Dinosaur Ridge
Join us at the Discovery Center for this fun, 30-minute craft and storytime! Tickets can be purchased for children aged 2+. Children 1 and under and adults are free to attend, but please limit the total number of children attending in your group to three (3) to leave room for other families due to limited open spots. $5 Register
Location:
Main Visitor Center
16831 W. Alameda Parkway (Map)
9:30-10:30AM Rooftop Yoga @ Golden Mill
Enjoy an all-levels class on The Golden Mill’s rooftop patio, with sweeping views of North and South Table Mountains, Zion Mountain, and Clear Creek. Led by Flow Yoga Studio. Rain or shine. Register
Location:
Golden Mill
1012 Ford Street (Map)
10:30AM and 1PM The Friday Tour @ Colorado Railroad Museum
Each Friday, join us for an hour of exploring a different aspect of Colorado’s railroad history. Tours are subject to change and are based on guide availability. Each week’s theme is explored using a variety of museum resources to help bring the subject to life with the understanding that guests are welcome to continue their visit on their own after the tour. Learn more and buy tickets.
Location:
Colorado Railroad Museum
17155 W. 44th Avenue (Map)
3-5PM Interactive African Drum Performance @ Front Porch
Front Porch Golden Community Center - Bear Creek Room
Bob Hall and Chelle Gifford are in their 34th year of presenting rhythms and songs of the African Diaspora. Along with some creativity within the tradition, Bob and Chelle encourage people to sing and move to powerful music!! Expect to listen, learn, and be invited to dance. This workshop is presented in partnership with Think360 Arts for Learning Creative Aging program. Register. Active Older Adults aged 50+
Location:
Golden Community Center
1470 10th Street (Map)
5-7PM Member Reception | Structure, CarolAnn Wachter, and Sue Rose @ Foothills Art Center - Astor House
Join us for the Member Reception of Structure, CarolAnn Wachter, and Sue Roseat our Astor House Location. Become a Member for FREE to RSVP to this event. Join or renew your membership today at foothillsartcenter.org/join. More information.
Location:
Foothills Art Center - Astor House
1133 Arapahoe Street (Map)
7-10PM Freehub Mountain Bike Film Festival @ Colorado Mountain Club
Freehub PRESENTS is an annual mountain bike film festival and community-driven event series that showcases unreleased short films from some of the best filmmakers and riders. This multi-stop film festival honors top and emerging filmmakers, riders, leaders, and storytellers who will shape the sport for generations to come. Supported by SRAM, Maxxis, evo, Leatt, and Orbea.
Pre-event Festival with local Sponsors! Join us in the back field for bike, shoe, and gear demos with Golden Bike Shop, Adidas, and Feedback Sports, special maintenance clinics with SRAM and Golden Bike Shop, and a clinic with Kinetic Flow Mountain Bike coach, Chris Hall. Tickets
Location:
Colorado Mountain Club
15605 W 32nd Avenue (Map)
The Golden Word - 08/14/26
Live Music for Friday, Aug. 14th
- More Live Music
5-8PM Live Music @ Eddy Taproom
5:30-8:30PM Emily Rose @ Barrels and Bottles
6PM Soul Food @ Dirty Dogs Roadhouse
6-10PM Thick As Thieves @ Wrigley’s
6:30-9:30PM Dr. Bacon Band @ Goosetown Station
9PM Karaoke @ Ace Hi Tavern
For more information, visit the Golden Today Calendar
Golden History: Benefits of Rapid Transit
Pony Express: June 1860 – October 1861
Click to enlarge
The Pony Express was a short-lived but long-remembered piece of American history.
After the Mormons settled Utah in 1847 and the California Gold Rush began in 1849, the U.S.Postal Service somewhat reluctantly set up overland routes to bring mail between those western outposts and “the United States.”
In 1858, the Postmaster General decided to scale back the overland mail service. That was unfortunate timing for the Pikes Peak Region (that’s us), since our Gold Rush began in late 1858.
The vacuum left by the U.S. Postal Service created an opening for private enterprise, so the Pony Express was established in June of 1860. It was a very expensive undertaking, and very dangerous for the young riders who carried the post. By October of 1861, a transcontinental telegraph had been established between New York and San Francisco. At that time, the Pony Express was discontinued.
George West, who founded the Transcript in 1866, had another newspaper prior to the Civil War. The Western Mountaineer operated for only a year–from December of 1859 to December of 1860.
The life of the Mountaineer overlapped with the life of the Pony Express. Since prompt information is essential for a newspaper, West depended on the news carried by the express service. Between mid-June and December 1860, there were 26 issues of the paper, and 14 of them mentioned the Pony Express.
Indian Outrages in California.
Americans Murdered–Fight with 500 Indians–Defeat of Maj. Ormsby and his Death–Retreat of the Troops–Excitement in California
The Pony Express brings sad news–
Several Americans had been murdered on Carson’s river, while asleep, by the Indians… This outrage led to an organization of whites. The volunteers, numbering one hundred and five men, placed themselves under the command of Major Ormsby, and pushed in pursuit of the Indians….
Western Mountaineer – June 28, 1860
The Indian Outrages
Communication with California Suspended
The following additional particulars of the depredations committed by the Indians in California and Utah, is from the Deseret News, of June 11th: The anxiously looked for Western Pony Express arrived here yesterday morning about ten o’clock, bringing letters from Diamond Springs and stations this side of Ruby Valley, but nothing from Carson or California….
Western Mountaineer – July 5, 1860
From St. Joseph
A letter brought by the Pony Express to the Platte Crossing and thence by the last Express coach, reached us in four days from St. Joseph. Quick Time.
Western Mountaineer – July 12, 1860
In the end, the Pony Express outlived the Western Mountaineer by a few months. The December 20, 1860 Mountaineer included West’s “Valedictory.” He concluded that Golden wasn’t ready to support a newspaper. Fortunately, he returned after the Civil War and tried again, establishing the Colorado Transcript in December of 1866.
Weather
Overnight: Mostly cloudy. Low around 58, with temperatures rising to around 62 overnight. West wind around 5 mph.
Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms between noon and 2pm, then showers and thunderstorms between 2pm and 4pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny. High near 81, with temperatures falling to around 76 in the afternoon. North northeast wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Friday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 7pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 7pm and 9pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9pm and 11pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11pm and midnight. Mostly cloudy. Low around 59, with temperatures rising to around 62 overnight. West wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday Night: Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Mostly Cloudy, 59°F
Saturday: Showers And Thunderstorms, 80°F
Saturday Night: Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Mostly Cloudy, 57°F
Sunday: Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely, 80°F
Sunday Night: Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy, 58°F
Monday: Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 84°F
Monday Night: Partly Cloudy, 60°F
Tuesday: Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 89°F
Tuesday Night: Partly Cloudy, 62°F
Wednesday: Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 85°F
Wednesday Night: Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy, 60°F
Thursday: Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 86°F
News About Golden - August 14, 2026
CITY OF GOLDEN ANNOUNCES LEADERSHIP CHANGE IN GOLDEN FIRE DEPARTMENT
City of Golden
August 13, 2026 - The City of Golden has terminated Kasey Beal’s employment as Fire Chief of the Golden Fire Department, effective August 13, 2026. Deputy Fire Chief Sean Jones will serve as Interim Fire Chief.
Beal had been on administrative leave since Monday, August 3, as the City continued to evaluate leadership and personnel matters following the racist incident within the Golden Fire Department and concerns regarding the City’s response. This personnel action was taken in response... Read more...
Review: Taco Town
By Eric Fitzgerald
Curtain Up!
At Miners Alley Performing Arts Center, Taco Town hits the stage with the same unruly spark that made Luke Sorge’s National Bohemians such a standout last season. Sorge pushes deeper into his off‑center world here, shaping a landscape that feels raw, immediate, and unmistakably his. Under Len Matheo’s firm, clear‑driving direction, the production moves with force — a tough, lived‑in vitality that propels the story forward and gives the evening its bold, homegrown swagger... Read more...
C-470 near Golden reopened after Thursday morning crash
By Corinne Westeman
Golden Transcript
Colorado State Patrol is looking for people who witnessed a semi crash Thursday morning, which closed C-470 and nearby Rooney Road for more than two hours during rush hour... Read more...
Orediggers impressed with Mines’ new sophomore dorm
By Corinne Westeman
Golden Transcript
For months, Golden residents and visitors have been driving, walking and biking past Lookout Apartments — Colorado School of Mines’ newest residence hall — along 19th Street. No doubt, whenever they did, many turned their heads to see how the construction work was progressing.
But when it officially opened to new residents on Aug. 12, no one was more excited to see it than the 800 sophomores who will be living there this academic year... Read more...
Supporters
Many thanks to the people and organizations who support What’s Happening in Golden? If you would like to support local news, please CLICK HERE!
Sponsors:
($100/month or $1,175/year)
Buffalo Rose, Buglet Battery, Foothills Art Center, Golden Cultural Alliance, Miners Alley Performing Arts Center, The Golden Mill, Golden Chamber of Commerce, Golden History Tours, Miners Saloon, Clothilde Elingbow, Michael Mason, Earth Sweet Boutique, and Colorado Railroad Museum
Friends:
($50-99.99/month or $575/yr)
Tall Pines Painting, Baby Doe’s Clothing, Paul Haseman, Donna Anderson, Carol & Doug Harwood, Stephanie Painter, Greg Poulos, Ann Norton & Jonathan Storer, Mary & Don Parker, Saré Merrigan, The Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum, Vic DeMaria, Unite Fitness, and Joy Brandt
Supporters:
($25-49.99/month or $285/yr)
Laura King and Scott Wilson, Bobby German and Alison McNally, Forrest Jones, Barry & Liz Bettis, Cheryl & Tom Schweich, in memory of Marjorie Sloan, Chris and Joyce Davell, Rick Flint, Forrest Jones, Cynthia Merrill Tamny, Stephen Pero, Meg Van Ness & Steve Kalasz, Steve & Karla Schaefer, Bud Rockhill, Steve Enger, Kristie Brice & Mike Schwartz, The Golden Hotel, Kurt & Janet Siegfried, Ella Lyons & Jeanne Fritch, Robert Thresher, Tonie Mattox, Centennial State Wealth Advisors, Steve & M.L. Richardson, Jeremy & Stephanie Keller, AC Development, Golden PT & Pilates, Frank Young & Terre Deegan-Young, and Esther Kettering
Members:
($10-24.99/month or $115/yr)
Brad Miller & Julie Bartos, Holly Thomas, Jim and LouAnne Dale, Ann Pattison, Thomas Hoffman, Carol Abel, Brian Quarnstrom, Sandra Curran, Bobby German and Alison McNally, Kathy Smith, Karen Smith, Carlos & Nancy Bernal, Robert Storrs, Michele Sannes, Elaine Marolla, Dixie Termin & Ron Miller, E Tom Hughes, Crystal M Culbert, Patrick A. Madison, Alice Madison & Jim Kalivas, Deb Goeldner, Christopher Ball, 6th Chair Home Services, Dot & Eric Brownson, Rosemary Coffman, Emeline Paulson, Sandy Schneider, Mark and Cathy Pattridge, Cheryl G Leidich, Jen Rutter, Frani R Bickart, Jennings and Litz, Bill Sedgeley, Nancy Hughes, Justin L Wade, Kathi Eggers, Traci Case, Donna Owen, Leslie D Lutz, Karen Oxman, Catherine Skokan, Ross Fraser & KC Gilliland, Lynne Haigh, Elizabeth Hilliard, Kathy Hirons & Jack Markin, Jess & Anthony Monasterio, Heather Duncan, Lee Ann & Pete Horneck, Carol Cameron, Cheryl Williamson, San Daugherty, Jim Garner, John and Carol McEncroe, the Golden Welcome Center, the Golden Transcript, Koshare Eagle, Ken and Colleen Krantz, Traci Neuman Lacey, Jo Barber, Jamie Cookinham, Kermit Shields, Meridee Cecil, Colleen & Michael Ramey, Nancy & Pete Torpey, Jax Baker, Simon Maybury, Rose McLaughlin, Cameron Chambers, Joyce Gravina, Patrick Klein, Barb Robie, Richard Caldwell, Janice Waring, Sam & Marilyn Baron, Carmen Johnson, Mary Eiberger, Kevin Nichols, Ed & Carol Freza, Laura and Curtis Moore, Ruth Hund, Shelley & Jerry Devitt, Eileen Masterson, Kate Olivier, Amy Korengut, Pam Logan, Clare Shier, Wendy Weiman, Marge Frueh. Nannette Johnson, Edgar Walker, Bivy Beer Bar, Nancy Cooper, Jane & Mike Templeton, Vicki Greivel, Kim McDonough, Carie Chimbel, Peggy Brochtrup, Cindy & Matt Finley, and Kelly Fry
Followers:
($5-9.99/month or $55/year)
Golden Community Garden, Lora Haimes, Mariane Erickson, J.J. Fraser, Bob Hamilton, Steve Stevens, Vicki Olson, Emily Kurzinski, Nanette Johnson, Peyton Gibson, Sally Berger, Kristen Morgan, Joyce Sutton, Mary Rains, Craig Champlin, Stan Swisher, Bill Way, Chris Toney, Alicia Zimmerman, Tamara Feucht, GoldenBrokers, Elizabeth Coil, Diane Tiberi, and Cathy Larocca
