Tree on Ford
Photo by Linda Cobb
Click to enlarge
What's happening in Golden today?
Events for Friday, Feb. 13th
- 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
- 8-10AM - Winter Bike to Work Day Waffle Bar
- 10AM-6PM - Friday the 13th Tattoo Marathon
- 10:15-10:45AM - Toddler Time - Registration Required
- 12-9PM - 9th Annual Valentine's Day Beer + Chocolate Truffle Pairing!
- 6-10PM - Valentine's Tattoo Party
- 6-8PM - Galentine's Evening
- 6-8PM - The Science of Wine: A Valentine's Day Tasting Experience
- 7:30PM - The Odd Couple (Female Version)
For more information, click the item above or visit the Golden Today Calendar
6-8PM The Science of Wine: A Valentine's Day Tasting Experience @ Colorado School of Mines Museum
Sip, swirl, and discover the chemistry behind your favorite wines.
Celebrate Valentine’s weekend with a guided wine-tasting experience that blends romance, geology, and chemistry. This interactive class explores how fermentation, acidity, tannins, and terroir shape the wines we love — all while enjoying a curated tasting flight.
Sample multiple wines, learn the science behind flavor and aroma, and discover how Earth’s geology plays a surprising role in every glass. Whether you’re a science enthusiast, a wine lover, or just looking for a unique date night, this experience proves that great wine is all about great chemistry. More information
Location:
Colorado School of Mines Museum
1310 Maple Street (Map)
6-8PM Galentine's Evening @ Bivy Beer Bar
Links & Drinks - More information
- Grab your gals and link up this Galentine’s Day
- Permanent jewelry by @adorne_golden - $10 off
- $6 glasses of champagne & rosé
- DIY Valentines to make for your lovers & friends
Location:
Bivy Beer Bar
600 12th Street (Map)
The Golden Word - 02/13/26
Live Music for Friday, Feb. 13th
- 7PM Lies Or Lullabies with Still the Same @ Buffalo Rose (main venue)
- 5:30-8:30PM Ross Henderson @ Buffalo Rose (Sky Bar Stage)
- More Live Music
5-8PM JT Horne @ Coda Brewing
5-8PM Live Music @ Eddy Taproom
6:30PM Matthew Aitch @ Goosetown Station
6:30-8:30PM Emily Barns @ Etta Jeanne
7PM Karaoke @ Wrigley’s
9PM Karaoke @ Ace Hi Tavern
For more information, visit the Golden Today Calendar
Golden History: The Roving Museum
North School at 6th and Washington – First Home of the Jefferson County Museum – Golden History Museum Collection
Click to enlarge
As mentioned yesterday, Golden’s History Museum began as a WPA (Works Progress Administration) project in 1938. Its original home was in the old North School, at 6th and Washington. That school had been closed when the Central School (later called Mitchell Elementary) opened in 1936. The County purchased it for use as a “Courthouse Annex,” and assigned one of the former classrooms for use as a Jefferson County Museum.
The primary goal of the WPA was to provide employment for people, so the initial allocation of $6,880 was expressed as “work for 17 people for six months.”
County residents were generous in giving or loaning both archives and artifacts to the new museum. As the May 4, 1939 Transcript reported, “There is scarcely a family in the county which has not some article of this kind stored in the basement, attic, or out in the garage in danger of being lost or destroyed.” Staff was kept busy cataloging and arranging the incoming stream of relics. They soon found that they had more artifacts than could be exhibited at any given time.
Because the museum was attracting so much interest (and so many artifacts), they were granted an additional $8,400 in May of 1939. This grant also encompassed “preparation of display materials.”
In addition to the collection of artifacts, the project had a staff artist, who painted portraits (based on old photos) of some of the county’s early residents. She also created a series of dioramas, some of which are still in the museum’s collection. WPA staff also built tables and display cases.
According to a 1953 Transcript article, the total allocated to the museum by the various Roosevelt-era agencies was $75,000. The same article said that at one time “some ten or twelve persons” were working at the museum.
Most of the WPA projects saw cutbacks as time went by, and the museum was no exception. It was closed through parts of 1940 and 1941. The County tried to keep it open a few hours a week by connecting it with a rural circulating library and having a single staff person in charge of both programs.
Once World War II began, the museum was closed for the duration. It remained closed until 1953, when the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution offered to run it as volunteers. The county had built a new courthouse by then, so the museum was moved from the North School into a larger space–the former district courtroom in the old (1878) courthouse.
The City of Golden acquired the old courthouse from the county in 1957, with the stipulation that the City would maintain the museum. The City decided to sell the old courthouse and build a new city hall and municipal building. Space for the museum was included in the plans for the new buildings.
The Daughters of the American Revolution continued to manage the museum for more than 50 years–first inside the municipal building and later in the building next door, the former library. During that time, it was called the Golden Pioneer Museum.
The City took over management of the museum in 2007. It is now called the Golden History Museum. A full-time staff operates the Museum and the Clear Creek History Park, manages the City’s collections, and offers summer camps for schoolchildren.
The Golden History Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10AM-4:30PM. Admission is free. The Golden History Park is open every day from 5AM-11PM with no admission charge.
Weather
Overnight: Partly cloudy. Low around 38, with temperatures rising to around 40 overnight. West wind around 3 mph.
Friday: Rain likely after 3pm. Partly sunny. High near 55, with temperatures falling to around 51 in the afternoon. Northeast wind 2 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Friday Night: Rain likely before 5am. Mostly cloudy. Low around 35, with temperatures rising to around 39 overnight. West northwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday Night: Light Rain Likely, 35°F
Saturday: Sunny, 56°F
Saturday Night: Mostly Clear, 35°F
Sunday: Mostly Sunny, 63°F
Sunday Night: Mostly Cloudy, 39°F
Washington's Birthday: Partly Sunny, 62°F
Monday Night: Mostly Cloudy then Chance Light Rain, 40°F
Tuesday: Chance Light Rain then Chance Rain And Snow, 54°F
Tuesday Night: Chance Rain And Snow, 33°F
Wednesday: Chance Light Snow, 51°F
Wednesday Night: Chance Light Snow, 29°F
Thursday: Slight Chance Light Snow, 46°F
News About Golden - February 13, 2026
Calling All Nominations for the 2026 Business of the Year
Golden Chamber of Commerce
(Golden, CO) Nominations are open for the annual Golden Chamber of Commerce Business Awards. Businesses are nominated by their peers, customers, community leaders, employees, or themselves and then reviewed and voted on by the Golden Chamber Board of Directors.
“Recognizing business leaders for their contributions to the community is an important function for understanding how huge a role businesses play here,” Golden Chamber President Nola Krajewski said. “Every business, no matter their size or stage of growth, is part of the ecosystem that keeps the Golden community thriving through sales taxes, local sponsorships, employment, goods and services for residents, and creating a town that people want to live in. Those businesses that extend themselves even more than usual deserve to be honored for their achievements.”
Categories for the 2026 Golden Chamber of Commerce Business Awards are the following... Read more... Download PDF below.
Golden-based national lab lays off another 134 employees
By Corinne Westeman
Golden Transcript
Along with other big changes over the last 12 months, the Golden-based National Laboratory of the Rockies has cut another 134 employees.
The lab, formerly called NREL, has confirmed the February layoffs include both researchers and operations employees... Read more...
Mines appoints inaugural Fryrear Presidential Chair to lead energy innovation
By Jasmine Leonas
Colorado School of Mines Newsroom
Jenifer Shafer has been named the inaugural Ben L. Fryrear Presidential Chair at Colorado School of Mines.
A member of the Mines faculty since 2012, Shafer is a professor of chemistry... 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 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, Vic DeMaria, and Joy Brandt
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, Steve & M.L. Richardson, and Jeremy & Stephanie Keller
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, Wendy Weiman, and Marge Frueh
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, and Chris Toney
