Sunflowers on South Table
Photo by Joe Delnero
Click to enlarge
What's happening in Golden today?
Events for Monday, Jun. 30th
- All day - CURRENT EXHIBITS AT THE MUSEUMS
- All day - Live Workouts with Community Center Pros
- All day - Golden History Tours
- 7-9AM - Clear Creek Corridor Cleanup
- 10:15-10:45AM - Let's Dance - Registration Required
- 12-12:30PM - Mondays with the Mayor
- 1:30-3PM - Getting Smarter with your Smart Device: Android
- 2-3PM - Virtual: Active Minds Monday
- 5:30-6:30PM - Meet the Finalists for Golden's Community Marketing Field Manager
- 5:30-7:30PM - The Fundamental Principles of Art
- 6-9PM - Teach Me to Play! Mondays
- 6:30-8:30PM - Free Concert on the Lawn - Kevin Lufkin Jazz Trio
- 6:30PM - Movement Monday Running Club
For more information, click the item above or visit the Golden Today Calendar
Monthly Appeal
Golden Scenes from June 2025
Thank you to everyone who supported GoldenToday during June.
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What’s in Bloom Along Golden’s Trails? Clustered Broomrape!
Figure 1. Clustered broomrape – Orobanche fasciculata Nutt. – in and around Golden. Top Left: Mount Galbraith Park. Top Right: North Table Mountain, found by Cathy Hansen-Stamp on a Colorado Native Plant Society field trip. Bottom Left: Along Forest Road 211 in southern Jefferson County. Bottom Right: In Centennial Cone Park.
By Tom Schweich
Oh! Those common names! “Broomrape” is a terrible name, except … maybe it does not mean what we think, because English has a rich history and vocabulary derived from numerous languages. The “rape” in “broomrape” comes from the Latin "rapa" or "rapum," both meaning "turnip." Thus, "broomrape" literally refers to the root of the turnip-like plant, Brassica napus, because the root of broomrape is shaped like a turnip.
Language history aside, this parasitic plant called “Clustered Broomrape.” — Orobanche fasciculata Nutt. — is rarely seen because its inconspicuous appearance makes it difficult to spot. However, it lives in many places around Golden, from the North Golden Hogback in the north to Eagle Ridge and Kinney Run in the south. Other collections in Jefferson County include Rocky Flats and Chatfield Farms, two of the best-studied places in Colorado. State-wide, our plant is found throughout Colorado, except for the southeastern plains. The fasciculata part of the name refers to the way the flowers grow together in a bundle at the top of the root.
Clustered broomrape is completely parasitic on other plants (holoparasitic). It has no leaves to photosynthesize nutrients and must tap into the roots of other plants for both water and nutrients. Other plants we have met in this column, such as paintbrush (Castilleja integra) and bastard toadflax (Comandra umbellata ssp. pallida), are half-parasitic (hemiparasitic) because they can photosynthesize with their leaves but tap into the roots of other plants for water.
Our plant is one of two broomrapes named by Thomas Nuttall (1818) for plants he found around Fort Mandan on the Missouri River. The other is named Orobanche ludoviciana. “Ludoviciana” is a Latinization of Louisiana and refers to the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. While O. ludoviciana has been found in Boulder and Denver Counties, it has not been found in Jefferson County.
The original Fort Mandan, where the Lewis and Clark Expedition overwintered in 1804-1805 and Nuttall stayed in 1811, was located on the Missouri River near present-day Washburn, North Dakota. However, the Missouri River has changed course over time, and the original site of the fort is now believed to be underwater.
Orobanche is a Linnean (1753) generic name applied originally to three species in Europe, and two from Virginia when it was an English colony. However, recent phylogenetic work suggests that our North American Orobanche form a unique group of plants that could have their own generic name. Aphyllon Mitch. has been proposed as the generic name for the group (Schneider, 2016). So, some Colorado wildflower books (and global databases) will list our plant under its original name of Orobanche fasciculata Nutt. and others will use Aphyllon fasciculatum (Nutt.) Torr. & A. Gray. Both names are correct, the difference just represents the difference in thought by the authors of the books and databases (POWO, 2025).
References
Colorado Native Plant Society. 2025. Field Trip Calendar. https://conps.org/home/events/event-listing/
Linne´, Carl von. 1753. Species Plantarum. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/358653#page/75/
Nuttall, Thomas. 1818. The Genera of North American Plants and a catalogue of the species to the year 1817. 2 Vols.. Philadelphia: 1818. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/723812#page/59/
POWO. 2025. Plants of the World Online. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/662331-1
Schneider, Adam C. 2016. Resurrection of the genus Aphyllon for the New World broomrapes (Orobanche s.l., Orobanchaceae). Phytokeys. 75: 107-118. Date retrieved 20 October 2020, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/311550883_Resurrection_of_the_genus_Aphyllon_for_New_World_broomrapes_Orobanche_sl_Orobanchaceae/fulltext/5a20ae9e4585158865c50b3b/Resurrection-of-the-genus-Aphyllon-for-New-World-broomrapes-Orobanche-sl-Orobanchaceae.pdf
See all of Tom's articles about Golden's native plants.
1:30-3PM Getting Smarter with your Smart Device: Android @ Golden Library
Learn the parts of your Android phone or tablet, practice touch screen and keyboarding basics, explore your home screen apps, arrange your dock, access settings, use the camera, search the internet, use email, and learn the Notes app. Bring your own Android phone or tablet or use one of our Samsung Galaxy tablets.
Location:
Golden Library
1019 10th Street (Map)
When:
1:30-3PM on Monday, Jun. 30th
2-3PM Virtual: Active Minds Monday - The European Union
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 European Union
Gradually created in the wake of World War II, the European Union was formed to provide a unified trading bloc for Western Europe. As the EU has grown, it has faced obstacles, such as the addition of Central and Eastern European countries and BREXIT, the first and only withdrawal of a nation from the Union. Join Active Minds as we explore the historical roots of the formation of the EU as well as the issues that challenge its future.
Save your spot for this Zoom program.
When:
2-3PM on Monday, Jun. 30th
5:30-6:30PM Meet the Finalists for Golden's Community Marketing Field Manager @ Golden Community Center
Join us for a casual Meet & Greet with the top candidates for Golden’s Community Marketing Field Manager position. This informal drop-in event is your chance to say hello, ask questions, and share what makes Golden such a special place to live, visit, and promote. There’s no formal presentation—just an opportunity to connect with the finalists and get to know them a bit better. We’d love to see you there!
More information
Location:
Golden Community Center
1470 10th Street (Map)
When:
5:30-6:30PM on Monday, Jun. 30th
6:30-8:30PM Free Concert on the Lawn - Kevin Lufkin Jazz Trio @ First United Methodist Church
Bring a blanket or a lawn chair, a picnic or whatever you like and join us for an evening of jazz. The church is providing supervision on the playground so children can play while parents enjoy a night of jazz.
This event is part of the church's work to create connection!
Location:
First United Methodist Church
1500 Ford Street (Map)
When:
6:30-8:30PM on Monday, Jun. 30th
Golden History: The Evolving Science of Paving
Excerpt from the 1882 Birdseye View Map of Golden Colorado with the White Ash Coal Mine, Golden Fire Brick and Tile Works, and 2nd Street (now 12th Street) highlighted
Click to enlarge
139 Years Ago
The June 30, 1886 Colorado Transcript gave kudos to the street commissioner for his work on the streets. Paving was not a well-defined science at that time, and almost anything that improved or leveled the surface counted. In 1886, they were working with lime and coal cinders.
Some good work is being done on Second street by the street commissioner. The gutters are being cleared of dirt and rubbish and the street graded up in low places. We hope they will not stop until the whole street from the coal mines to Washington avenue is paved with lime and coal cinders like the avenue. The vast amount of teaming over this street renders this imperative.
Twelfth Street was originally called “Second Street.” As the map above shows, that street provided the only route to and from both a coal mine and a brick & tile factory. They probably accounted for the “vast amount of teaming” (horses and freight wagons).
The newspaper's owner lived on 12th Street, so he would have had first-hand knowledge of the state of the street.
Weather
Overnight: Partly cloudy. Low around 59, with temperatures rising to around 61 overnight. North northwest wind around 5 mph.
Monday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny. High near 78, with temperatures falling to around 76 in the afternoon. Northeast wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. South southwest wind around 7 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly Cloudy, 60°F
Tuesday: Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 87°F
Tuesday Night: Partly Cloudy, 63°F
Wednesday: Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 90°F
Wednesday Night: Partly Cloudy, 64°F
Thursday: Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 89°F
Thursday Night: Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy, 65°F
Independence Day: Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 84°F
Friday Night: Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy, 61°F
Saturday: Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 82°F
Saturday Night: Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy, 60°F
Sunday: Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 84°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, Tom Reiley, Michael Mason, Colorado Railroad Museum, and Goosetown Station
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, 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, and Robert Thresher.
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, Cherryln Parker, Mary Eiberger, Kevin Nichols, and Ed & Carol Freza
Followers:
($5-9.99/month)
Golden Community Garden, Lora Haimes, Mariane Erickson, J.J. Fraser, Mel Perkins, Bob Hamilton, Kim Linton, Steve Stevens, and Vicki Olson
