Crescent Moon Over the Old Capitol Grill
Photo by Nancy Torpey
Click to enlarge
What's happening in Golden today?
Events for Friday, Aug. 21st
- All day - Friday Tours
- All day - CURRENT EXHIBITS AT THE MUSEUMS
- All day - Golden History Tours
- All day - Live Workouts with Community Center Pros
- All day - Golden Sports
- All day - COMMUNITY CENTER POOL CLOSURE
- 7:30AM - Mines M Climb
- 9:30-10:30AM - Rooftop Yoga
- 10-11AM - Drawing Trees: Gratis Session
- 10AM-12PM - Rocky Mountain Quilt Study Group
- 10:15-10:45AM - Toddler Time - Registration Required
- 6-8PM - Back to Basics: Our Natural Neighbors
- 6-8PM - Golden Hour
- 7:30-9:30PM - Drag Bingo - Musical Theater
- 7:30PM - Taco Town
For more information, click the item above or visit the Golden Today Calendar
7:30AM Mines M Climb @ South Intramural Field
Photos by Frank Hanou
The first wave will depart the South Intramural Field beginning at 7:30 AM, followed by the second wave at 8:30 AM. Mines anticipates traffic delays along Elm St. between 17th and 19th, the Elm Street traffic circle, and 19th Street towards Lookout Mountain as new students begin their trek up to the "M" on Mt. Zion. Lookout Mountain Road will be closed at the stone pillars across from Beverly Heights Park to just past the M starting at 6:45 AM and will remain closed until the event ends around 1:00 PM.
Location:
South Intramural Field
Colorado School of Mines (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)
10-11AM Drawing Trees: Gratis Session @ Foothills Art Center - Creative Campus
Join artist and educator Katy Betz for a free one-hour drawing demonstration focused on practical tips for drawing trees with greater confidence and structure.
- Learn how to simplify complex tree forms, build believable branches, and use shape, value, and texture to create trees that feel natural rather than stiff or overly detailed.
This session offers a preview of techniques covered in Katy’s Drawing the Colorado Landscape workshop on Sept 5th and is perfect for anyone interested in strengthening their landscape drawing skills. Register
Location:
Foothills Art Center - Creative Campus
809 15th Street (Map)
10:30AM & 1:30PM Highlights Walking 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)
6-8PM Golden Hour @ Foothills Art Center - Astor House
Join us for Golden Hour at Foothills Art Center, where stunning sunsets, live music, and demonstrating artists come together in the heart of Golden! Unwind in our courtyard, surrounded by mountain views, and enjoy delicious food and drink from local businesses.
This month features funk/jam music by Drone Rodeo, live art by Andrew Braker, and brews & bites from King of Wings. More information
Location:
Foothills Art Center - Astor House
1133 Arapahoe Street (Map)
Bear Sighting: Napping on an East Street Chicken Coop
Photo by Jeremy Keller
The Golden Word - 08/21/26
Live Music for Friday, Aug. 21st
- 7PM Colorado Transit Authority with In The Stone
Buffalo Rose (main venue) - More Live Music
5-8PM Live Music @ Eddy Taproom
5:30-8:30PM Ryan Hutchens @ Barrels and Bottles
6-10PM Trip Wire Band @ Wrigley’s
9PM Karaoke @ Ace Hi Tavern
For more information, visit the Golden Today Calendar
Golden History: The WPA in Golden
Berthoud Hall - Google Street Images
Click to enlarge
85 Years Ago
The August 21, 1941 Colorado Transcript included an editorial titled “Keep the Skeleton Alive.” It referred to the increasing pressure to dismantle the Works Progress Administration, or WPA. The Roosevelt administration’s approach to easing the Great Depression was to create public works projects and employ as many people as possible in them. The WPA was established in 1935. In its relatively short life, it provided jobs and paychecks to millions of Americans.
Golden benefited greatly from WPA projects, both small and large.
1935
WPA sewing room
Hot lunches in schools
Adult education classes
Road from Golden to Morrison
Upgrading our reservoirs and water systems
Many new buildings and upgrades to Camp George West
A homeless camp at Camp George West
1936
Widening 12th Street from Miners Alley to Ford St.
Central Elementary School (later renamed to "Mitchell")
Safety improvements to the Lariat Loop Road
44th Avenue between Denver and Golden
Field house for the School of Mines
Improvements to the road from Golden to Boulder
Several improvements to the School of Mines campus
Santa’s workshop to repair used toys for distribution
1937
4 room extension to Central Elementary
Landscaping around Central Elementary
Fence around Central Elementary
Shoulder guard cables on the Lariat Loop Road
Curbs and gutters in Golden
Adding an irrigation system to the cemetery
Replacement of the Washington Avenue bridge
Rebuilt high school tennis courts
1938
Created Jefferson County History Museum (later the Golden History Museum)
Extended Golden’s sewer system
Replaced flagstone sidewalks with concrete on Washington Avenue
Additional housing in Mines Park
Canning center to preserve food for distribution to schools
Summer program for children in the park
Geology building for the School of Mines
Improvements to Golden Gate Canyon Road
By 1939, the funding had been substantially reduced, but a few smaller projects were approved:
1939-1943
Curbs and gutter program continued
History Museum continued
Grasshopper abatement
First Aid classes
Landscaping at the high school (on 10th Street)
School of Mines tennis courts
Roads, curbs, gutters, sidewalks for the Mines campus
In addition to the projects within the City limits, the Ralston reservoir a few miles north of town and Red Rocks amphitheater a few miles south provided jobs for many Golden residents.
The nation saw great and lasting benefits from WPA projects, including national park lodges, roads, bridges, buildings, and artwork, but many people objected to the government incurring debt to create jobs. The Transcript‘s reference to the skeleton meant they hoped the program would be kept alive and the government structure in place so it could be revived after the war.
By 1941, we were turning to a wartime economy and the defense industry was soon demanding large numbers of workers. The WPA was officially shut down in 1943.
Weather
Overnight: Mostly clear. Low around 66, with temperatures rising to around 69 overnight. West wind around 7 mph.
Friday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Mostly sunny. High near 96, with temperatures falling to around 92 in the afternoon. North northeast wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy. Low around 67, with temperatures rising to around 70 overnight. West northwest wind 5 to 8 mph.
Friday Night: Partly Cloudy, 67°F
Saturday: Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 90°F
Saturday Night: Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Mostly Cloudy, 64°F
Sunday: Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely, 90°F
Sunday Night: Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy, 66°F
Monday: Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely, 90°F
Monday Night: Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy, 63°F
Tuesday: Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely, 87°F
Tuesday Night: Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy, 60°F
Wednesday: Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 87°F
Wednesday Night: Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy, 61°F
Thursday: Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 90°F
News About Golden - August 21, 2026
READY, SET...GOLDEN! FALL 2026 RECREATION GUIDE
City of Golden
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, Mary Eiberger, and Jonathan Landman & Bonnie Vangilder
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, 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, Kelly Fry, and Esther Kettering
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
