Lights in the History Park
Photo by Keith Yoder
Click to enlarge
What's happening in Golden today?
Events for Friday, Dec. 19th
- 10AM-5PM - Foothills Art Center - Holiday Art Market
- 10AM-12PM - Rocky Mountain Quilt Study Group
- 10:15-10:45AM - Toddler Time - Registration Required
- 4-4:45PM - Gingerbread Contest Awards Ceremony
- 5-9PM - Golden American Legion Dinner and Karaoke
- 6-8PM - Golden City Dance Spectacular
- 7:30-10PM - Drag Show and Bingo
- 7:30PM - Stocking Stuffers
- 8-10PM - Stand-up Comedy - Stephanie McHugh
- 8PM - Ugly Sweater Party
For more information, click the item above or visit the Golden Today Calendar
More Wind and More Darkness (Literally!)
Photo by Joe Delnero
The weather forecast calls for even higher winds today, so Xcel has announced that they will turn off our power at 5AM this morning (Friday) and it may be out until sometime Monday. See the announcement on the City website.
The City announced that City offices and the Community Center will be closed on Friday.
Sunday is the winter solstice (shortest day/longest night of the year), so we'll have plenty of time to contemplate the cold and the dark of night.
Fri - Sunrise @ 7:16AM / Sunset @ 4:37PM
Sat - Sunrise @ 7:17AM / Sunset @ 4:38PM
Sun - Sunrise @ 7:17AM / Sunset @ 4:38PM
Source: timeanddate.com
To put a more positive spin on it, this might be the ideal time to appreciate the holiday lights (if they're on).
Today's newsletter and home page list events that are planned, but they will all depend on the presence of electricity. Downtown Golden was about half on and half off on Wednesday, so you might want to call ahead to confirm that events are still happening.
Farewell Xicamiti
Say goodbye to these businesses - Photo by Patrick Klein
Golden is losing an excellent restaurant today--Xicamiti. They and the liquor store next door have both lost their leases, as the building will be razed to make way for the Clayworks project. The power outages during these last days of operation have been a particularly bitter pill.
The restauranteurs are hoping to find a new location in Golden. If you feel inclined to help, you can visit the GoFundMe page:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-walter-and-paola-find-a-new-home-for-xicamiti.
4-4:45PM Gingerbread Contest Awards Ceremony @ Golden Library
Enjoy all the wonderful entries in our annual Gingerbread House Contest and celebrate together as the winners are announced. More information
Location:
Golden Library
1019 10th Street (Map)
5-9PM Fish Fry and Karaoke @ American Legion Post 21
We are having a fish fry followed by karaoke with Jason from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Lots of opportunities to sing your favorite songs. Everyone is welcome as guests of the Post. Please sign our guest registry as you enter the Post. www.goldenpost21.org
Location:
American Legion Post 21
500 9th Street (Map)
When:
5-9PM on Friday, Dec. 19th
6-8PM Golden City Dance Spectacular @ Colorado School of Mines
Virtuosity Dance Centre presents a holiday dance spectacular full of all your favorite holiday songs and the classic characters you love. Follow Clara as she travels with the Sugarplum Fairy around the world meeting dancers from every part of the globe and then through story books to meet some of your favorite holiday characters!
Information and tickets
Location:
Colorado School of Mines
Green Center (Map)
When:
6-8PM on Friday, Dec. 19th
The Golden Word - 12/19/25
News About Golden - December 19, 2025
Health Officials Urge Caution with Food and Medication After Recent Power Outage
Jefferson County Public Health
Jefferson County, CO — Thousands of Jefferson County residents remain without power this morning due to Xcel Energy’s Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS). Because of this extended outage, some refrigerated foods and medications may no longer be safe to use. We urge residents to check their refrigerators, freezers and medications and throw away anything that has not been refrigerated for longer than 4 hours... Read more...
‘Pretty apocalyptic’: Jefferson County residents endure widespread power outages
By Claire Lavezzorio
Denver Channel 7
The high winds, along with low relative humidity, could prompt outages again on Friday, December 19, Xcel Energy announced Wednesday... Read more...
YoColorado Presents: Après for a Purpose
Yo Colorado
GOLDEN, Colo.– Join Golden-based YoColorado and The Golden Mill for a party witha purpose - a winter celebration supporting Lakewood, Colo.-based National SkiPatrol (NSP) and the launch of YoColorado’s new mountain-ready lifestyle apparelcollection. Why this event is important: Twenty percent of all collection sales and event proceeds will support NSP’s mission to promote outdoor safety and service by educating and training the patrollers who assist mountain enthusiasts nationwide.The celebration fuses NSP's deep-rooted legacy and critical mission with YoColorado's signature fun and bold retro style... Read more... Download PDF below.
Winds tear across Front Range, causing widespread outages, closures
By Katie Langford
Denver Post
A powerful windstorm tore across Colorado’s Front Range on Wednesday, cutting power to almost 200,000 utility customers, causing school and road closures and delaying hundreds of flights at Denver International Airport... Read more...
Xcel’s planned outages, wind cut power to 100K; more electricity cut-offs possible Friday
By Lauren Penington and Katie Langford
Denver Post
More than 100,000 customers across Colorado lost power on Wednesday as strong winds buffeted the state, and more planned outages were being considered for Friday, according to utility providers... Read more...
Live Music for Friday, Dec. 19th
- More Live Music
5-8PM Live Music @ Eddy Taproom
6:30-8:30PM Cayden Pape @ Etta Jeanne
7PM The Doublewide Disaster @ Columbine Cafe
9PM Karaoke @ Ace Hi Tavern
For more information, visit the Golden Today Calendar
Golden History: Congratulations to the Transcript
Front page of the December 19, 1991 issue, which commemorated the Transcript's 125th anniversary
Click to enlarge
The Golden Transcript published their first newspaper 159 years ago today. In an era where local newspapers are dropping like flies, Golden is unbelievably lucky to still have one. If you enjoy my history stories, you should know that they're only possible because of the Transcript's 159-year chronicle of Golden's life and times.
I'm also grateful to the Colorado Historic Newspapers project that puts the old issues online.
- Golden Transcript (the current site)
- Golden Transcript archive, March 17, 1969 - April 25, 1995
- Colorado Transcript archive, December 19, 1866 - March 16, 1969
Founder George West (pictured above) generously shared with his bartender the credit for the first issue:
We have been greatly aided in starting our outfit to running by frequent and copious bottles of lubricator from the popular saloon of our friend Charley Garborino. Thanks, Charley.
Colorado Transcript - December 19, 1866
Golden History: A Very Fine Stone Building
The stone stable appears in this photo (circa 1900-1910) from the Denver Public Library Special Collections
Click to enlarge
156 Years Ago
The very first issue of the Colorado Transcript appeared on December 19, 1866. One of the articles mentioned that the Wells-Fargo stagecoach company was building a stone stable on 13th Street (which was called 3rd Street at the time), east of Washington Avenue.
In later years, the stone stable was converted into a garage, and towards the end of its life, it was used by the City for storage of large equipment.
In 1948, the owner of the Golden Gem theater purchased the old stone building and demolished it to make way for an expansion of the theater.
Weather
Overnight: Patchy blowing dust after 5am. Partly cloudy. Low around 40, with temperatures rising to around 49 overnight. West wind 18 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph.
Friday: Areas of blowing dust. Mostly sunny. High near 68, with temperatures falling to around 63 in the afternoon. West wind 25 to 40 mph, with gusts as high as 62 mph.
Friday Night: Areas of blowing dust before 11pm, then a chance of rain showers and patchy blowing dust between 11pm and 4am, then a chance of rain. Partly cloudy. Low around 45, with temperatures rising to around 50 overnight. West wind 10 to 36 mph, with gusts as high as 55 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Friday Night: Chance Rain Showers then Chance Light Rain, 45°F
Saturday: Chance Light Rain, 56°F
Saturday Night: Partly Cloudy, 35°F
Sunday: Mostly Sunny, 57°F
Sunday Night: Partly Cloudy, 43°F
Monday: Sunny, 67°F
Monday Night: Partly Cloudy, 44°F
Tuesday: Mostly Sunny, 66°F
Tuesday Night: Partly Cloudy, 43°F
Wednesday: Mostly Sunny, 65°F
Wednesday Night: Partly Cloudy, 44°F
Christmas Day: Mostly Sunny, 63°F
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 and up)
Buffalo Rose, Buglet Solar, Foothills Art Center, Golden Cultural Alliance, Miners Alley Performing Arts Center, The Golden Mill, Golden Chamber of Commerce, Golden History Tours, Miners Saloon, Golden Hayride Outpost, Unite Fitness, Clothilde Elingbow, Michael Mason, Goosetown Station, and Earth Sweet Boutique
Friends:
($50-99.99/month or $550/yr)
Tall Pines Painting, Baby Doe’s Clothing, Goozell Yogurt & Coffee 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, and Vic DeMaria
Supporters:
($25-49.99/month or $250/yr)
Laura King and Scott Wilson, Bobby German and Alison McNally, Forrest Jones, Barry & Liz Bettis, Cheryl & Tom Schweich, 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, and Steve & M.L. Richardson
Members:
($10-24.99/month or $110/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, Frank Young & Terre Deegan-Young, 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, Vicki Olson, 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, and Wendy Weiman
Followers:
($5-9.99/month)
Golden Community Garden, Lora Haimes, Mariane Erickson, J.J. Fraser, Mel Perkins, 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
