Colors Coming to the Creek
Photo by Joe Delnero
Click to enlarge
What's happening in Golden today?
Events for Monday, Oct. 12th
- All day - CURRENT EXHIBITS AT THE MUSEUMS
- All day - Live Workouts with Community Center Pros
- All day - Golden Sports
- All day - Golden History Tours
- 8AM - Municipal Court Arraignments
- 9:30-10:30AM - Fit and Energize Exercise Class
- 10:15-10:45AM - Let's Dance - Registration Required
- 2-3PM - Virtual: Active Minds Monday
- 5:30-7:30PM - The Fundamental Principles of Art
- 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
Many Holidays and Some Closures
Photo by Chris Davell
- The City of Golden offices are closed today in recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day.
- Federal offices are closed today in recognition of Columbus Day. There will be no mail delivery.
- State offices are open today; they were closed last Monday in recognition of Frances Xavier Cabrini Day.
- County offices (including the libraries) are open, because the County does not close for these holidays.
More Construction Updates
The Prosper affordable housing @ 14th and Arapahoe - Photo by Patrick Klein
2-3PM Virtual: Active Minds Monday
Today's Topic: CO Ballot 2026
Review the current initiatives and referenda on the Colorado statewide ballot this fall with Active Minds. Learn about each proposal and understand the arguments on both sides. Also gain an understanding of the referendum and initiative process in Colorado, including its history, pros and cons and significant legislation that has resulted from this process in the past. Register
7 and 9:30PM Ski Film @ The Buffalo Rose
The Way Out 2026 Ski Film from Matchstick Productions
Matchstick Productions returns with their 34th annual ski film, The Way Out, an action-packed tribute to the culture and lifestyle of skiing. What makes skiing special goes far beyond the fleeting thrill of dropping into a line. It’s the deep, elemental relationship with nature that sets mountain culture apart from any traditional activity. For skiers, this isn’t just a sport; we live to ski, and ski to live.The Way Out drops you right into the action across the globe, from heavy Alaskan spine lines to local backyard laps in Whistler. The Way Out represents a path toward total freedom. Whether tracking Hoji, Chris Rubens, and Mark Abma across the iconic Swiss Alps or capturing breakout skier Lucy Leishman storming through Japan’s deep powder with three legendary freeskiers, the verdict is simple: the soul of skiing isn’t dead; it's alive and well wherever the snow is falling. Tickets
Location:
Buffalo Rose
1119 Washington Avenue (Map)
The Golden Word - 10/12/26
Golden History: Indigenous Peoples of Golden
Chief Colorow - Denver Public Library Western History Collection
Click to enlarge
by Paul Haseman
Native Americas
12 October 2026 is Indigenous Peoples Day. It is also Columbus Day. Columbus “discovered” America, but America had been discovered for more than 40,000 years by Native Americans. Today, there are more than 574 federally (BIA) recognized tribes.
Native Americans are omnipresent with the names of states, counties and cities. We honor Native Americans in many subtle ways. For example: Alabama, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Michigan, Texas, Arkansas, Utah, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Alaska, Illinois, North and South Dakota, Iowa, Tennessee, Ohio, Nebraska, Kansas, Hawaii and Missouri.
More than names, Native Americans influenced the formation of the United States. During the 1787 Constitutional Convention, John Adams published a three-volume handbook including texts from Montesquieu and John Locke. One long reference is to the Iroquois Confederation of “Six Nations,” the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca and Tuscarora. They had a Grand Council comprised of 59 chiefs (“sachems”). Our republic form of government is certainly not identical, but more resembles this confederation than any other world government at that time. Our Constitution is influenced by the Iroquois Confederation.
Movement of Tribes
History records the forced movement of hundreds of Indian tribes by Euro-Americans. However, before the arrival of Euro-Americans, the Indian tribes themselves forced other tribes to relocate.
Likewise, many tribes voluntarily migrated to include the Cheyenne and Arapaho from Wisconsin and Minnesota beginning around 1680. The introduction of horses and their value in hunting buffalo was a major contributor to the tribes’ migration to the Great Plains.
And as the tribes migrated, they took their language with them. For example, the Algonquin language from present-day Quebec is the native language 2000 miles west of the Arapaho and Cheyenne.
So, migrations, forced and unforced, did occur before the appearance of Euro-Americas.
Forced Relocation – Euro-Americans
The Trail of Tears refers to the forced relocation to Oklahoma Territory in 1830-1850 of five civilized tribes from the Southeast; Creek (Muskogee), Choctaw, Cherokee, Chickasaw and Seminole. “Civilized” is a pertinent term. Several of the tribal towns had city halls, schools, newspapers, and homes. Many, many were not living in crude huts or tipis (teepees).
The Trail of Tears represents just one example of many unfortunate forced relocations. Treaties were signed with some compensation then those treaties were broken and new treaty after was signed with the “forced” movement of tribes. Many tribes were moved several times.
From the Euro-American perspective, treaties afforded a legal way to erode Native American land holdings and promote settlement on tribal territory.
Random Fact: The phrase “God willin’ and the creek don’t rise” was written in a letter by Benjamin Hawkins, the federal Superintendent of all tribes south of the Ohio River. When summoned to Washington, he wrote this phrase as to his potential attendance. He was referring to the Creek tribe.
Golden
The history of Golden, Colorado, from 1859 onward is well known to many Goldenites.
Excluded from Golden’s historical narrative is the history of the indigenous people who occupied the Front Range region. To address this disparity, the City of Golden published (2022) an ethnographic study, “Indigenous Connections,” in partnership with Native Americans to document the history of indigenous people in this region. The study is available on the Golden History Museum website.
The Clear Creek Valley is situated within the ancestral territory of multiple tribes; mainly the Cheyenne (Tsistsistas), Arapaho (Hinono’ei) and Ute (Nύuchiu).
But before those tribes, archeological digs in the Golden area, such as in Apex Gulch, document Native Americans in Golden as far back as 12,000 years.
Historically, the Cheyenne and Arapaho were allies. Not so with the Utes. Conflicts between the Utes and the Cheyenne/Arapaho prior to Golden’s founding were many.
As seen in the chart, the tribal territories overlapped with Golden right in the middle. The Utes occupied the mountains but hunted on the Plains, while the Arapaho and Cheyenne were Plains Indians.
Ute Tribe
The Utes have an Aztec origin with three basic tribes, the Northern/Mountain Ute, the Southern Ute and the Ute Indian Tribe with regional “bands.” In the Golden area three bands overlapped; the Uncompahgre, Moghwachi, and Tabeguache, with the Moghwachi the most prevalent along the Front Range.
Although basically a mountain tribe, Utes hunted buffalo and seasonally came to the Plains via Ute Pass west of Colorado Springs and via Clear Creek.
Relations with early Spanish settlements were varied but became worse after an 1854 attack on the Pueblo trading post by the Utes and Apaches. The trading post was abandoned. Matters further deteriorated with the discovery of gold in the Rockies leading to the influx of Euro-Americans.
Several treaties (1850, 1863, and 1868) removed the Utes from much of Colorado, although many Utes continued to travel throughout the mountain region into the 1900’s. Today the Mountain Ute and Southern Ute have reservations in southwest Colorado.
Sand Creek Massacre
The Sand Creek Massacre is a black mark on Colorado and America.
The 1851 Ft. Laramie Treaty verified ownership of a vast portion of Colorado by Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes. With the discovery of gold in 1858, easterners poured into Colorado creating conflicts and leading to the 1861 Treaty of Ft. Wise. This treaty vested a smaller area to the tribes but also established the first Cheyenne/ Arapaho Reservation, located along the north bank of the Arkansas River.
Still many Coloradans sought ways to arouse enmity toward these tribes. Minor raids by a few rogue tribal members further ignited passions. Governor John Evans sought and received authority from the War Department to take action. Evans issued a proclamation to “kill all hostile Indians.” Evans formed a 100-day volunteer militia (the 3rd Colorado Calvary) and staged the attack at Ft. Lyon. From there on 29 November 1864, the 3rd Calvary and other federalized militia under Col John Chivington opened fire on a peaceful camp of the two tribes on Sand Creek killing 230, mostly women and children. Notably, some military units refused to participate.
Although Golden was the Territorial capitol, Governor Evans celebrated this harsh action with a parade in Denver.
Congressional and BIA investigations followed, which condemned the military action. As a result, President Andrew Johnson fired Territorial Governor Evans on 1 August 1865. Years later the Southern Arapho tribe succeeded with the US Board of Geographic Names to rename Mr. Evans as Mt. Blue Sky.
The Sand Creek Massacre National Historical Site preserves the location of this brutal action
The unfortunate upshot of this massacre was to the complete removal of the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes from Colorado to Montana, Wyoming, and Oklahoma.
Tribal Locations Today
The Northern Arapaho are now located on the Wind River Reservation near Riverton, Wyoming. The Northern Cheyenne tribe is located in Lame Deer, Montana. The Southern Arapaho tribal headquarters, which they share with the Southern Cheyenne Tribe, is primarily located in the communities of Concho and El Reno, Oklahoma.
The only two Indian reservations in Colorado are in the southwest corner for the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain tribes. The third, Ute Indian Tribe has its reservation at Hanna, Utah.
Chief Colorow
Chief Colorow was a Ute Mountain chief but originally a Comanche,
kidnapped by the Utes at age five and renamed Colorow for his “red”
skin compared to the Aztec origin Utes.
He was successful in many endeavors to include grazing and selling horses to Goldenites and other Jefferson County residents on land, which later became the nearby Rooney Ranch.
Although Colorow participated in the major battle with the Cheyenne and Arapaho in ≈ 1839, by the time Golden was settled, the Utes and Cheyenne/Arapaho in the Golden area were not at war. Chief Colorow visited Golden often to include several Transcript interviews with publisher, George West.
Colorow earned his place in the Jefferson County Hall of Fame for his contributions to the County and “to our State and Nation.”
Colorow Point on Lookout Mtn near the Buffalo Bill Museum is named for Chief Colorow.
Summary
The Arapaho, Cheyenne and Ute tribes have long-standing connections to Golden and the Front Range with Golden located within the homelands of all three tribes.
These tribal histories, some painful, are historically linked to the development of the Golden area and are therefore essential components of the Native-American history of the area.
The City of Golden today recognizes these tribal connections, and they are an essential part of Golden History.
Many thanks to Paul Haseman for this timely exploration of Golden's native heritage.
Weather
Overnight: Clear. Low around 57, with temperatures rising to around 59 overnight. Southwest wind around 7 mph.
Columbus Day: Sunny. High near 78, with temperatures falling to around 75 in the afternoon. South southwest wind around 9 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 49. Northwest wind 0 to 9 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly Clear, 49°F
Tuesday: Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers, 62°F
Tuesday Night: Rain Showers Likely, 48°F
Wednesday: Rain Showers, 49°F
Wednesday Night: Rain Showers Likely, 44°F
Thursday: Chance Rain Showers, 56°F
Thursday Night: Chance Rain Showers then Partly Cloudy, 40°F
Friday: Sunny, 60°F
Friday Night: Mostly Clear, 42°F
Saturday: Sunny, 73°F
Saturday Night: Mostly Clear, 49°F
Sunday: Sunny, 73°F
News About Golden - October 12, 2026
Golden block party showcases possibilities for a new plaza
By Corinne Westeman
Golden Transcript
Right now, the area in front of the Miners Alley Performing Arts Center is home to 35 public parking spaces.
But perhaps one day, it could be a public plaza that would be available for events, artist showcases, holiday markets and more, as local officials have long discussed... 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 or $1,175/year)
Buffalo Rose, Buglet Battery, Foothills Art Center, Golden Cultural Alliance, Miners Alley Performing Arts Center, The Golden Mill, Golden Chamber of Commerce, Golden History Tours, Miners Saloon, Clothilde Elingbow, Michael Mason, Earth Sweet Boutique, and Colorado Railroad Museum
Friends:
($50-99.99/month or $575/yr)
Tall Pines Painting, Baby Doe’s Clothing, Paul Haseman, Donna Anderson, Carol & Doug Harwood, Stephanie Painter, Greg Poulos, Ann Norton & Jonathan Storer, Mary & Don Parker, The Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum, Vic DeMaria, Unite Fitness, and Joy Brandt
Supporters:
($25-49.99/month or $285/yr)
Laura King and Scott Wilson, Bobby German and Alison McNally, Forrest Jones, Barry & Liz Bettis, Cheryl & Tom Schweich, in memory of Marjorie Sloan, Chris and Joyce Davell, 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, Robert Thresher, Tonie Mattox, Steve & M.L. Richardson, Jeremy & Stephanie Keller, AC Development, Golden PT & Pilates, Frank Young & Terre Deegan-Young, Mary Eiberger, and Jonathan Landman & Bonnie Vangilder
Members:
($10-24.99/month or $115/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, Karen Oxman, Catherine Skokan, Ross Fraser & KC Gilliland, Lynne Haigh, Elizabeth Hilliard, Kathy Hirons & Jack Markin, Jess & Anthony Monasterio, Heather Duncan, Lee Ann & Pete Horneck, Carol Cameron, Cheryl Williamson, San Daugherty, 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, Colleen & Michael Ramey, Nancy & Pete Torpey, Jax Baker, Simon Maybury, Rose McLaughlin, Cameron Chambers, Joyce Gravina, Patrick Klein, Barb Robie, Richard Caldwell, Sam & Marilyn Baron, Carmen Johnson, 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, Marge Frueh, Edgar Walker, Bivy Beer Bar, Nancy Cooper, Jane & Mike Templeton, Vicki Greivel, Kim McDonough, Carie Chimbel, Peggy Brochtrup, Cindy & Matt Finley, Kelly Fry, Esther Kettering, Tom & Susan Roberts, Vicki Greivel, GoGood Golden, Sandra Dallas, Nanette Johnson, and Ella Lyons & Jeanne Fritch
Followers:
($5-9.99/month or $55/year)
Golden Community Garden, Lora Haimes, Mariane Erickson, J.J. Fraser, Steve Stevens, Vicki Olson, Emily Kurzinski, Peyton Gibson, Sally Berger, Kristen Morgan, Joyce Sutton, Mary Rains, Craig Champlin, Stan Swisher, Bill Way, Chris Toney, Alicia Zimmerman, Tamara Feucht, Golden Brokers, Diane Tiberi, Cathy Larocca, Dave Cole, and Rachael Kenney-Reid
