Sunset on South Table Mountain
Photo by Scott Burcar
Click to enlarge
What's happening in Golden today?
Events for Monday, Dec. 1st
- All day - Letters to Santa
- All day - CURRENT EXHIBITS AT THE MUSEUMS
- All day - Live Workouts with Community Center Pros
- All day - Golden History Tours
- All day - Golden Sports
- 8AM - Municipal Court Criminal Arraignments
- 9:30-10:30AM - Fit and Energize Exercise Class
- 10AM-5PM - Foothills Art Center - Holiday Art Market
- 10:15-10:45AM - Let's Dance - Registration Required
- 12-12:30PM - Mondays with the Mayor
- 1-6PM - Blood Drive
- 2-3PM - Virtual: Active Minds Monday
- 4-5PM - Art 101
- 5-8PM - Monday Market
- 5:30-7:30PM - The Fundamental Principles of Art
- 6PM - Arts & Culture Commission Meeting
- 6-9PM - Teach Me to Play! Mondays
- 6-8PM - Holiday Sound Bath
- 6:30PM - Movement Monday Running Club
For more information, click the item above or visit the Golden Today Calendar
2-3PM Virtual: Active Minds Monday - Ben Franklin
Today’s theme: Ben Franklin
As perhaps one of the most colorful Founding Fathers, Benjamin Franklin lived a life of lasting impact. As politician, publisher, inventor and diplomat, Franklin left his mark on all he touched. Join Active Minds as we trace the life of this extraordinary man and tell some of the stories that mark his legacy.
Save your spot for this Zoom program.
4-5PM Art 101 @ Foothills Art Center - Creative Campus
Art 101 is for beginners and artists getting back to their art after a time away. Join artist John Passaro as we explore the basics of creation in an ongoing exciting month-to-month journey. Everyone is welcome. You’ll find us a warm and supportive group enjoying our weekly get-togethers.
Whether you’re looking for a particular medium to express yourself, or if you already work in acrylics, oils, watercolor, drawing, or fabric, the ideas remain the same: color, dark and light, composition, line, and more.
This class meets weekly in December. Register
Location:
Foothills Art Center - Creative Campus
809 15th Street (Map)
5:30-7:30PM The Fundamental Principles of Art @ Foothills Art Center
Whether you’re beginning your artistic journey, returning to your art after some time off, or simply interested in refreshing your basic skills, you’ll find our group of artists welcoming and supportive. We enjoy experimenting in a personal way with the tools of the trade such as color, line, composition, values, shapes, and other essential skills. All levels of experience are welcome. Acrylic, oil paint, watercolor, gouache, and any drawing medium are welcome. We meet on Monday nights from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Explorer & Creator Members $40 / Catalyst Members $80 / Non Members $110. Register
Location:
Foothills Art Center
809 15th Street (Map)
6PM Arts & Culture Commission Meeting @ Golden City Hall
- Meeting Agenda
- Watch the meeting streaming live starting at 6PM
- Attend the meeting @ City Hall Council Chambers - 911 10th Street - (map)
- Send comments on any of the following topics to acc@cityofgolden.net
- Provide in-person comment during the meeting, at 6PM.
Arts and Culture Grants (p. 12 of the meeting packet)
The Commission will approve the following grants for 2026:
- Miners Alley Performing Arts Center $75,000
General operating support - Foothills Art Center $75,000
General operating support - Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum $75,000
General operating support - Colorado Environmental Film Festival $37,000
General operating support - Colorado Railroad Museum 2025 Award: $37,000
General operating support - Golden Concert Choir Scholarships and sight singing $5,000
Funding will be used for community outreach, the annual choir retreat, the annual board meeting, sight-reading classes, scholarships, technical support, recruitment, and appropriate pay for the director and accompanist. - Friends of Dinosaur Ridge New Exhibit Space $10,000
Funding will go toward two key initiatives. The first is essential maintenance and structural improvements at Triceratops Trail, including repainting and repairs to protective structures, roof maintenance on existing sheds, and general site improvements. The second is to support the 6th Annual Science Quiz Bowl, which brings together 24 high school teams from across the state for a day of spirited academic competition focused on STEM topics, hosted at Colorado School of Mines. - Stories Worth Telling Annual Festival $10,000
Funds will be used for the Stories Worth Telling Festival, held in Downtown Golden, which highlights stories of adventure, resilience, and community through the artwork of local, national, and international filmmakers and musicians. - Golden Makers Community Branding and digital outreach $5,500
Funding will support community branding, outreach, a digital outreach platform, instructor fees, tool and equipment rentals, materials, and insurance. It will also cover venue fees for a large community maker event, two additional smaller outreach events, a strategic planning session, and provide a seed fund for tools and mobile storage. - Shelton PTSA Audio and Projection System Upgrade $10,000
Funds will be used to upgrade the audio and projection system in the gym, the central hub for school assemblies, arts performances, and community events. These upgrades support Shelton’s commitment to a culture of belonging, strengthen its Arts Enrichment programs in choir and drama, and improve accessibility for all students, families, and community members - Golden Wellness Art programs to support MH and wellness $10,000
Funding will go towards expanding Community Art for All, a creative wellness program that brings Golden residents together through expressive arts, community exhibits, and inclusive workshops. The program provides free and low-cost opportunities for youth, adults, and seniors to engage in painting, clay work, journaling, and other creative practices designed to strengthen emotional well-being, self-expression, and community connection. - Shiny Spheres Art hunt 2026 $500
Funding will support the fifth year of the Shiny Sphere Search, which hides one handblown glass orb on weekdays and two on weekends throughout the month of September within the city limits of Golden. Clues and hints are posted to guide participants in their search, encouraging community engagement, exploration, and connection through this citywide art treasure hunt.
East Amenity Zone
A consultant will give a 30 minute presentation about "amenities" near the new City Hall.
Municipal Building art
The Commission put out a call for artwork proposals for the new City Hall. Two were chosen as finalists, and the City asked for public comment on Guiding Golden. The comments were not included in today's meeting packet, but a consultant will give a 30 minute presentation on the "Art Selection Finalist."
Staff Report (pp. 14-15 of the meeting packet)
City staff will report on various activities, including new art installations, videos that they're commissioning about the new art, artwork near the Golden Hotel, and America250/Colorado150 commemorations that will happen in 2026.
Location:
Golden City Hall
911 10th Street (Map)
The Golden Word - 12/01/25
Golden History: Barber's Addition
Barber Addition shown on the 1873 Map of Golden Colorado – Redrawn by Dan Abbott
Click to enlarge
158 Years Ago
Jonas Barber was one of Golden first investors. He acquired land north of Clear Creek and annexed it to Golden in 1867. He dug a mill race and built a mill at Camp and Garrison Streets (now 9th and Cheyenne).
The mill was originally intended to be both a sawmill and a flour mill. In the longer term it became exclusively a flour mill–the Rock Flour Mill.
In 1869, Barber advertised in the Golden Transcript, offering to sell some of his property. He lauded Golden’s excellent natural resources (“Unlimited Water-Power, Coal, etc.”) and the desirability of its society (“SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES”). He also stated that title to the land was very clear, as he had received it directly from the United States.
He offered to sell his “Saw, shingle, and lath mill.” He mentioned that it had a fall of twenty-three feet, which was a measure of the power provided by water from the mill race. He was also advertising the Jefferson House, a hotel on Washington Avenue, later called the Allen House.
Barber also offered about 200 undeveloped “business and dwelling lots.” In short–the entire 8th and 9th Street Historic District was available for sale!
This article is a special treat for my map-loving readers, so here’s one more:
Weather
Overnight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 14. West northwest wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Sunny. High near 38, with temperatures falling to around 29 in the afternoon. West northwest wind 6 to 9 mph.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy. Low around 25, with temperatures rising to around 31 overnight. West southwest wind 7 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 16 mph.
Monday Night: Partly Cloudy, 25°F
Tuesday: Partly Sunny, 48°F
Tuesday Night: Snow, 27°F
Wednesday: Snow, 31°F
Wednesday Night: Partly Cloudy, 16°F
Thursday: Sunny, 39°F
Thursday Night: Partly Cloudy, 23°F
Friday: Mostly Sunny, 43°F
Friday Night: Partly Cloudy then Slight Chance Light Snow, 30°F
Saturday: Slight Chance Light Snow, 48°F
Saturday Night: Slight Chance Rain And Snow, 30°F
Sunday: Mostly Sunny, 45°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 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, 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
