What's Happening in Golden - Monday, Dec. 2nd, 2024

Winter Walk

Photo by Bud Rockhill
Click to enlarge

What's happening in Golden today?

Events for Monday, Dec. 2nd

• All day - CURRENT EXHIBITS AT THE MUSEUMS
• All day - Live Workouts with Community Center Pros

• All day - Golden History Tours
• 10AM-5PM - Foothills Art Center - Holiday Art Market

• 10AM-5PM - Foothills Art Center - Holiday Art Market
• 10:15-10:45AM - Let's Dance - Registration Required
• 12-12:30PM - Mondays with the Mayor
• 5-8PM - Monday Market
• 5:30PM - Board Game & Euchre Night
• 5:30-7:30PM - The Fundamental Principles of Art
• 6-9PM - Teach Me to Play! Mondays

For more information, click the item above or visit the Golden Today Calendar

5:30-7:30 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.

December, 2nd, 9th, 16th

Explorer & Creator Members $40 / Catalyst Members $80 / Non Members $110

Become a member

Register

Foothills Art Center
809 15th Street (map)

Here’s What’s Happening at the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum in the Month of December.

Sign up for these December classes and/or events at the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum using the links below.

Adult Education Classes
None

Events

Interest Groups - No registration required / Museum admission not included

Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum
200 Violet Street, Suite 240 (map)
303-277-0377

Where are the City of Golden’s Open Spaces? Kinney Run North

Top Left: Early spring view of Cambria Lime Kiln in Kinney Run. Top Right: Kinney Run in late Spring. Bottom: View of Kinney Run Open Space from Apex Park, A. Kinney Run Prairie, B. Eagle Ridge, C. Valley of Kinney Run. 

By Tom Schweich

The name “Kinney Run” applies to many different places in Golden, from the stream near Shelton School, a valley between Stonebridge and Lakota Hills neighborhoods, through the golf course, and then north through town to Clear Creek.   The section from Shelton School to US Highway 6 contains some of Golden’s best open space.  This article is about the open space found from Tripp Ranch to the north, between the Stonebridge and Lakota Hills neighborhoods, under Eagleridge Drive, and then around Eagle Ridge to US Highway 6. See the map below. Not an official name, it is called Kinney Run North on the map.

Kinney Run North is one of the jewels of Golden’s open space. Most of this open space (68 acres) was acquired through the development of the Stonebridge neighborhood (1998) and a smaller tract (6 acres) acquired from Eagle Ridge Center (US Highway 6 and Heritage Road). This open space was given a unique official status by the City of Golden in Resolution 1573 on June 9, 2003, saying:

“The unique geologic areas in the Eagle Ridge area (including the Dakota hogback, Cambria Lime Kiln, Kinney Run Trail, and riparian areas) are hereby designated as a geologic and environmental education park.”

Kinney Run North has three distinct landforms shown in the photo above: (A.) Kinney Run Prairie, a small mixed-grass prairie north of the creek, (B.) Eagle Ridge, called the Dakota hogback in the resolution above, and (C.) the Valley of Kinney Run with a perennial stream.   

This open space contains the Kinney Run Trail that was paved by the City of Golden in 2002. The trail had its beginning as an old wagon road and bisects the open space north to south. The trail connects downtown Golden to South Golden neighborhoods and Apex Park.

Much of the Kinney Run Trail is separated from the noise of highway traffic by Eagle Ridge, a hogback very similar to North Golden Hogback, providing a quiet, peaceful, and even contemplative and restorative environment for users.  The Kinney Run Trail passes the Cambria Lime Kiln, built in 1879 and partially restored by the City of Golden and the Golden Civic Foundation in 2009.

The vegetation of the Kinney Run Prairie is mixed-grass prairie, i.e., a mix of short and tall grasses with wildflowers.   Eagle Ridge is primarily foothills shrubland, with mountain mahogany, hawthorn, and rock spiraea. An unusual variety of rabbitbrush grows along US Highway 6.  The valley of Kinney Run has foothills shrubland on dry slopes and the typical cottonwoods and willows, bulrushes and cattails along the stream.  There are several places along the Kinney Run Trail where wild hops occur.  Kinney Run North has the usual problems of social trails, noxious weeds, and yard waste disposal. Nevertheless, about two-thirds of the plants in Kinney Run are native.

Kinney Run North is rich in wildlife because of the perennial water source, shading provided by the steep ridges and the foothills, the mix of mature vegetation, separation from automobile traffic activity, and controlled human access provided by the paved trail.

Common wildlife seen includes elk and deer. Bobcats and foxes are known to have dens in the area and coyotes are often seen throughout the year. Elk mating ritual competitions can often be observed here in the fall, and the area has been a consistent elk calving ground because of the dense brush thickets.  

Kinney Run is an official “eBird Hotspot” (ebird.org/hotspot/L3664908) with well over 100 species identified by observation. 

As contemplated by the original City of Golden Resolution that created this area, the Kinney Run Open Space offers a range of opportunities for educational experience. The trail offers easy, close viewing of the geology and the critical watersheds that form the basin. Colorado School of Mines takes advantage of these attributes by using the area for class field work. Stewards of Golden Open Space offers history and geology tours and, jointly with Audubon Society, offers birding field trips each spring. 

References

Anderson, Donna S and Paul B. Haseman. (2021) Golden Rocks: The Geology and Mining History of Golden, Colorado, pub. Golden, Colorado. https://doi.org/10.25676/11124/14162

Sovell, John R., and Susan S. Panjabi. 2021. Biological Survey of Golden Open Space Property, Jefferson County, Colorado. Fort Collins, CO: Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University, 2021. https://cnhp.colostate.edu/download/documents/2021/CNHP-Golden-Open-Space-Survey-final-report.pdf

Stewards of Golden Open Space. 2019-2024. Kinney Run Open Space.  https://stewardsofgolden.org/kinney-run

Golden History: LIGHTS! We need more LIGHTS!

Holiday Lights Beyond the Wildest Dreams of 1937
Click to enlarge

87 Years Ago
The December 2, 1937 Colorado Transcript expressed concern that Golden hadn't put up decorations for Christmas. Denver and Greeley had theirs up!

Other towns started their Christmas spirit at least a week ago, some two weeks ago--got up their greens and everything. Golden has the equipment, that was bought and paid for by the city last year.
Colorado Transcript - December 2, 1937

The article added that the power company had offered to put up the lights for free, and estimated that the cost to buy the greens and power the lights would be "not more than $50."

But the lights! Where are the Jaycees, the Ceecees, the Kiwanis club or some other civic body public spirited enough to appoint committees and get this work done before Christmas is over. Last year hundreds visited Golden just to see the decorations, thought by many to have been the most attractive in the state.

Weather

Overnight: Mostly clear. Low around 31, with temperatures rising to around 33 overnight. West wind around 5 mph.

Monday: Sunny. High near 52, with temperatures falling to around 46 in the afternoon. West southwest wind 2 to 6 mph.

Monday Night: Mostly clear. Low around 35, with temperatures rising to around 39 overnight. West wind around 8 mph.

Monday Night: Mostly Clear, 35°F

Tuesday: Sunny, 60°F

Tuesday Night: Mostly Clear, 36°F

Wednesday: Sunny, 55°F

Wednesday Night: Mostly Clear, 34°F

Thursday: Sunny, 56°F

Thursday Night: Mostly Clear, 35°F

Friday: Sunny, 55°F

Friday Night: Mostly Clear, 35°F

Saturday: Sunny, 57°F

Saturday Night: Partly Cloudy, 38°F

Sunday: Mostly Sunny, 56°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, Colorado Railroad Museum, Golden Hayride Outpost, Kona Bowls, Unite Fitness, Tom Reiley, and Michael Mason

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, and The Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum

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, AC Development, Cynthia Merrill Tamny, Stephen Pero, Meg Van Ness & Steve Kalasz, Steve & Karla Schaefer, Bud Rockhill, and Steve Enger

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, Carol Abel, 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, Ella Lyons & Jeanne Fritch, 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, and Colleen & Michael Ramey

Followers:
($5-9.99/month)
Golden Community Garden, Lora Haimes, Mariane Erickson, J.J. Fraser