What's happening in Golden today?
Events for Friday, May. 16th
- All day - The Friday Tour
- All day - CURRENT EXHIBITS AT THE MUSEUMS
- All day - Live Workouts with Community Center Pros
- All day - Golden History Tours
- 9AM - Golden High School Graduation
- 10AM-12PM - Rocky Mountain Quilt Study Group
- 10:15-10:45AM - Toddler Time - Registration Required
- 4-7PM - Creative Campus - Spring Open House & Fundraiser
- 6-8PM - Back to Basics: Overnight Camping Essentials
- 7:30PM - Ring of Fire
For more information, click the item above or visit the Golden Today Calendar
Understanding the Budget #7: Intro to Property Taxes
By Loretta Huff
While Loretta is a member of the Citizens' Budget Advisory Committee (CBAC), these articles reflect Loretta's personal understanding and do not represent positions of the CBAC.
The last several articles have looked at a bit of the detail regarding the Sales and Use Tax revenues for the General Fund. Now, we will look at Property Tax which is forecast to provide 21.66% ($9,400,000 of $43,402,253) of the General Fund revenue in 2025.
This article will cover the basics. The Jefferson County Assessors’ website provides a wealth of information about property taxes including the ability to search for an individual property, an explanation of the property valuation process, how to appeal your valuation, and FAQs.
Property tax is calculated by multiplying the “actual value” of a property by an assessment rate and then by the mill levy.
Property Taxes Due = Actual Value x Assessment Rate x Mill Levy
Actual Value: Actual values for properties are determined by the county assessor’s office. “State law requires every county in Colorado to revalue property every two years.” Jefferson County’s Assessor revalued properties in 2023 based on values as of June 30, 2022. Median single-family (detached and attached) residential value in Golden increased by 34.3%, while commercial properties in Golden increased 20% (Source: Assessor press release, 4/26/2023). These increased values were used for calculating 2023 and 2024 taxes that were due in 2024 and 2025.
The Assessor revalued properties again in 2025 based on values as of June 30, 2024. Values for median single-family (detached and attached) residential values increased an average of 2% for Jefferson County and 6.9% for Golden (Source: Assessor press release, 4/28/2025) The new values will impact property tax calculations in 2025 and 2026, payable in 2026 and 2027. Colorado Senate Bill 23-304 impacted how assessments are done and how appeals are handled. Also per the Assessor’s press release, “people who think the Assessor’s office overvalued their property have the right to file an appeal up until June 9, 2025.”
Assessment Rate: This rate is determined by the state legislature. It varies by type of property. Starting in 2019, the residential assessment rate was 7.15% and the rate for many types of commercial properties was 29%. These rates were modified by five different state bills in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Mill Levy: One mill equals one dollar in taxes per $1,000 of the assessed property value. The mill levy is dependent on the location of a property. It can include levies for many things, such as school districts, county government, city government, sanitation districts, commercial districts, fire departments, recreation districts, and flood prevention.
To summarize,
- Actual Value is determined by the county assessor
- Assessment Rate is determined by the state legislature.
- Mill Levy is a compilation of levies from various sources, including municipalities like Golden.
Clayworks Construction Milestone
Photo by Patrick Klein
The scaffolding has come down from the old brick wall on Ford Street. CoorsTek announced last week that they had reached a key point in construction on that building:
AC Development and CoorsTek, along with Holder Construction and Tryba Architects, have just celebrated the topping out of the first structure within the future Clayworks district in Downtown Golden on Thursday, May 8, 2025. This traditional construction milestone, marking the placement of the final beam, symbolizes the completion of the building’s framework and honors the collective efforts of the team. It’s a major step in transforming the iconic former CoorsTek ceramics site into a vibrant, sustainable mixed-use district.
The topping out of the four-story, 182,000-square-foot office building, marks the first completed structure of the Clayworks district and sets a high bar for sustainability and innovation, with features like a rooftop solar array, 42 geothermal wells, and goals for LEED-Gold, LEED-Zero and WELL certifications. CoorsTek will occupy the top two floors as it establishes its new global HQ.
10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. - Train Rides and Tours @ Colorado Railroad Museum
There is something amazing about trains. The familiar whistle has always promised adventure. The gentle rock of the rails has set the rhythm of our lives. Experience it all again at the Colorado Railroad Museum. Take a Train Ride pulled by a powerful diesel electric locomotive.
Each Friday, join us for an hour of exploring a different aspect of Colorado’s railroad history. Each tour covers a specific theme and today's theme is Galloping Geese!
Friday Tour Tickets - $3 each plus General Admission ($10 adults, $5 kids 2-15, $8 seniors 60+).
Location:
Colorado Railroad Museum
17155 W. 44th Avenue (Map)
When:
All day on Friday, May. 16th
4-7PM Creative Campus - Spring Open House & Fundraiser @ Foothills Art Center - Creative Campus
Photo by Richard Luckin
Join us for a free evening of art, connection, and giving back on at Foothills Art Center – Creative Campus. Help us reach our $10,000 goal to fund Foothills Art Center’s bright future—including protective measures for our beautiful stained glass windows!
– FREE to attend – no Membership required
– Browse artists’ studios
– Bid on stained glass-inspired art
– Enjoy snacks & refreshments
– And much more
Location:
Foothills Art Center - Creative Campus
809 15th Street (Map)
When:
4-7PM on Friday, May. 16th
News About Golden - May 16, 2025
Denver7 | Your Voice: Hearing from the Front Range community where 'the people are truly Golden'
By Russell Haythorn
Denver Channel 7
GOLDEN, Colo. — This week, Denver7 | Your Voice is heading west to a place where you are always greeted with a hearty, "Howdy, folks!" when visiting the main drag.
Originally constructed in 1949, the Welcome Arch in Golden spans Washington Avenue and is one of the most recognizable features in Golden’s historic downtown commercial area... Read more...
‘Ring of Fire’ burns up the stage at Miners Alley
By Alex Miller
On Stage Colorado
Any creator of a jukebox musical must start with a simple question: How much of the artist’s life story will be part of the show? In the case of Johnny Cash and Ring of Fire, the answer is “almost none.”
The 2005 musical, now up in a solid production at Golden’s Miners Alley Playhouse, presents itself more as a concert, with 38 songs from the Cash repertoire performed in rapid succession by a five-person ensemble... Read more...
Semi-annual sale set for May 29 to June 1 at Jeffco Fairgrounds
Your Hub
Ahoy, booklovers! The Jefferson County Library Foundation will hold its spring 2025 Whale of a Used Book Sale from May 29 through June 1 at the Jeffco Fairgrounds, 15200 W. 6th Ave. in Golden. At the sale, bibliophiles and bargain book hunters can swim through three exhibit halls teeming with gently used books, CDs, DVDs, comic books, themed gift baskets, and vinyl records, along with rare books and one-of-a-kind collectibles... Read more...
Live Music for Friday, May. 16th
- 6PM Midnight River Choir : The Barlow : Joe Stamm
Buffalo Rose (main venue) - More Live Music
5-8PM Some Sweet Day @ Coda Brewing
5-8PM Live Music @ Eddy Taproom
6-10PM Jewel & the Rough @ Wrigley’s
6:30-9:30PM Human Kind Band @ Goosetown Station
7PM Aces and Eights @ Dirty Dogs Roadhouse
9PM Karaoke @ Ace Hi Tavern
For more information, visit the Golden Today Calendar
Golden History: Free Soap All Week!
50 Years Ago
The May 16, 1975 Colorado Transcript announced the grand opening of the Golden Coin-Op Laundry and Dry Cleaners. It operated at 1100 Arapahoe until 2017, when the laundromat closed and the building was converted into Colorado +49 Cidery. The Cidery is now the King of Wings.
Weather
Overnight: Mostly clear, with a low around 44. West northwest wind around 12 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 71. West northwest wind 9 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy. Low around 49, with temperatures rising to around 51 overnight. West northwest wind 3 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly Cloudy, 49°F
Saturday: Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 70°F
Saturday Night: Mostly Cloudy, 48°F
Sunday: Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 69°F
Sunday Night: Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 45°F
Monday: Showers And Thunderstorms Likely, 62°F
Monday Night: Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 42°F
Tuesday: Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 65°F
Tuesday Night: Mostly Clear, 45°F
Wednesday: Sunny, 73°F
Wednesday Night: Mostly Clear, 49°F
Thursday: Sunny, 79°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 City Brewery, 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, Joy Brandt, Tom Reiley, Michael Mason, and the Colorado Railroad Museum
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, Beth Bidwell, 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, and Ella Lyons & Jeanne Fritch.
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, and Mary Rains, Richard Caldwell, Janice Waring, Sam & Marilyn Baron, Carmen Johnson
Followers:
($5-9.99/month)
Golden Community Garden, Lora Haimes, Mariane Erickson, J.J. Fraser, Mel Perkins, Bob Hamilton, Kim Linton, Steve Stevens
