The Secret Garden in Winter
Photo by Nancy Torpey
Click to enlarge
What's happening in Golden today?
Events for Monday, Feb. 2nd
- 10:15-10:45AM - Let's Dance - Registration Required
- 12-12:30PM - Mondays with the Mayor
- 2-3PM - Virtual: Active Minds Monday
- 4-5PM - Art 101
- 5-8PM - Monday Market
- 5:30-7:30PM - The Fundamental Principles of Art
- 6-7:30PM - Arts & Culture Commission Meeting
- 6-9PM - Teach Me to Play! Mondays
- 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
At Jefferson County Public Library, we foster continuous learning and connections. Keep your minds engaged every Monday! Be sure to explore our website for additional weekly event options, including call-ins and livestreams.
Today’s theme: The Music of Tina Turner
Often known as “The Queen of Rock and Roll,” Tina Turner rocketed to music stardom in the 1960s. In the words of one critic, as she combined “the sheer emotional force of the great blues singers with a sheer, wallpaper-peeling power that seemed made to order for the age of amplification”. Her over 60 years of music, initially with her partner Ike Turner and then solo, showcased her vocal prowess, swagger, and energetic sensuality. Join Active Minds as we explore the extraordinary life and music of this legend who passed away in 2023 at the age of 83.
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 February. 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. This class meets weekly in February. Register
Location:
Foothills Art Center
809 15th Street (Map)
6-7:30PM Arts & Culture Commission Meeting @ City Hall Council Chambers
- 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
- No public comment
Note: All other boards and commissions, as well as City Council, begin their meetings with a public comment period. This one does not. As the January minutes note, "While the public is permitted to attend any meeting, they are not permitted to speak or ask questions." (p. 2 of the meeting packet)
They did receive a written public comment (p. 7 of the meeting packet), and they will respond to that.
The board will approve the minutes from the January meeting. Tonight's topics include the following:
- Respond to the written public comment
- Discuss the 2026 work plan
- Hear reports from the Arts in Public Places and Grants Review subcommittees
- Hear from staff
- Discuss new business
Location:
City Hall Council Chambers
911 10th Street (Map)
When:
6-7:30PM on Monday, Feb. 2nd
The Golden Word - 02/02/26
Golden History: A Long History of Arts and Culture Allying in Golden
February is Heart & Soul of Golden month, which is the annual celebration of the many Arts & Culture organizations that call Golden home.
42 Years Ago
The Golden Cultural Alliance was founded in 1984. Then, as now, Golden had a surprising number of cultural organizations. The dozens of volunteers who ran those groups decided to band together and hold joint cultural events.
In January of 1985, the fledgling group hosted a concert series, showcasing many area music groups. At each performance, they displayed some other art form–paintings, sculpture, quilts, etc. These concerts continued for several years.
Another early project was a walking tour through the 12th Street Historic District (courtesy of the Golden Landmarks Association) with stops at various Golden cultural hotspots. Later, they published a cookbook as a fund-raiser.
GCA members stocked each other’s brochures and told their visitors about other cultural places to visit.
Since February is traditionally a quiet time in town, the Cultural Alliance proclaimed it to be Heart and Soul of Golden month and planned various special events. For many years, they held a Heart and Soul reception and named various volunteers to be the year’s “Sweethearts.” The Sweethearts served as the Cultural Alliance ambassadors for the year and made a point of attending every concert, exhibit opening, etc. I don’t have the complete list, but these are some of the Sweethearts:
- 2011 Carol Christensen
- 2010 Vern and Vickie Wagner
- 2009 Ted and Frani Bickart
- 2008 Bill and Charlene Pazar
- 2007 Tiberi Family – Diane, Henry, Anna, Joe, & Grace
- 2006 – skipped
- 2005 Jean & Ed Dorsey
- 2004 Joy & Jack Brandt
- 2003 Carol & Chuck Baroch
- 2002 Mary & Charlie Ramstetter
- 2001 Mary & Hal Shelton
- 2000 Donna & Tom Plummer
- 1999 Helen & Hal Leith
- 1998 Pete Smythe & Jacquie Craig
Golden’s cultural scene continues to expand, year after year. It’s a rare day when Golden doesn’t offer at least half a dozen cultural events, and collectively, the organizations host well over 700,000 visitors a year.
In 2025, the City established an Arts and Culture Commission to provide direct financial support to Golden's cultural organizations. In their inaugural year, they distributed $350,000 in cash grants.
In celebration of Heart and Soul of Golden month, I’ll be publishing histories of Golden Cultural Alliance members throughout the month.
Weather
Overnight: Mostly cloudy. Low around 42, with temperatures rising to around 45 overnight. West southwest wind around 9 mph.
Monday: Partly sunny. High near 57, with temperatures falling to around 52 in the afternoon. North northwest wind 6 to 9 mph.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. West wind around 8 mph.
Monday Night: Partly Cloudy, 33°F
Tuesday: Partly Sunny then Chance Light Snow, 52°F
Tuesday Night: Chance Light Snow, 30°F
Wednesday: Sunny, 50°F
Wednesday Night: Mostly Clear, 35°F
Thursday: Sunny, 62°F
Thursday Night: Mostly Clear, 37°F
Friday: Sunny, 62°F
Friday Night: Mostly Clear, 38°F
Saturday: Mostly Sunny, 62°F
Saturday Night: Partly Cloudy, 37°F
Sunday: Sunny, 61°F
News About Golden - February 2, 2026
COMFORT AND COMEDY FESTIVAL
Miners Alley Performing Arts Center, Buffalo Rose, The Golden Mill, and Gnarly's
Golden's First Annual Comfort & Comedy Festival brings two weeks of national comedic acts, local improv, stand-up, workshops, and warmth to downtown... Read more...
Golden’s UllrGrass festival alleviates winter blues with bluegrass
By Corinne Westeman
Golden Transcript
Rows and rows of tents in Parfet Park, festive music and happy crowds is exactly what downtown Golden is like in the summer and early fall.
But the brown grass and barren trees proved that it was, indeed, Jan. 31... 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
