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What's Happening in Golden - Monday, Oct. 20th, 2025

News and events in Golden, Colorado. Monday, Oct. 20th, 2025

,   and  Barb Warden
9 min read
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A Fall Day on Clear Creek and the Plains to Peaks Trail

Photo by Keith Yoder
Click to enlarge

What's happening in Golden today?

Events for Monday, Oct. 20th

Golden History Tours
Fit and Energize Exercise Class
Let's Dance - Registration Required

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

Have you voted yet?

Photo by Dave Powers

(I haven't!)

Election Day is only two weeks away. Check our election page for links to the candidates' websites, a map showing Golden's ward boundaries, and links to the candidate forums where you can watch and listen to the candidates for yourself.

2PM Arts & Culture Commission Grants Subcommitee Meeting @ Golden City Hall

This subcommittee will review grant applications submitted by Golden's various cultural organizations. The grants are funded out of our relatively new lodging tax. No meeting packet has been posted, so I'm not sure whether the participants have actually seen the applications yet.

Location:

Golden City Hall
911 10th Street   (Map)

4:15-5PM Thought Bubble Guild: Supernatural Reads @ The Library

Traditional text isn’t the only way to read! Share your favorite graphic novels, comics and manga with fellow teen enthusiasts. Kick things off with a quick book chat, then make and enjoy a cake in a mug! Choose any story that fits the supernatural theme or check out our suggested read: Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker.

This event is for teens in grades 6 – 12 only. Please respect the age limit for safety and to encourage peer learning.

The Golden Word - 10/20/25

Play now.

5:30PM Downtown Development Authority Meeting @ City Hall Council Chambers

Tonight's Topics:

Golden Hotel Grant Request/TIF Deal
The Golden Hotel is planning a $5,554,374 upgrade and expansion program. They are asking the DDA for both a grant and a Tax Increment Financing deal, which would total up to $385,000. The details of the agreement would normally be brought to the board for review and approval when they are available. Instead, staff is suggesting that the DDA empower the city to make the deal: "...staff suggests that the DDA follow City Council’s practice and authorize staff and legal counsel to finalize such an agreement for the chair’s signature, provided that it meets all the terms included in a DDA motion. Alternately, if the board wants to specifically review and approve the Agreement, it would be presented at the next meeting." See pp 14-32 of the meeting packet for more information.

Improving Downtown Vitality Jan-March
The first quarter the year is always painfully slow for downtown businesses. Miners Alley Performing Arts Center is planning a new event to boost visitors and revenue during that period: The Golden Winter Comfort & Comedy Festival. This will bring events and patrons to several downtown venues, including Gnarly's, the Buffalo Rose, and Foothills Arts Center, as well as Miners Alley. The events will include main stage performances, stand-up comedy, CSM student comedy, family-friendly matinees, workshops/classes, open mic nights, and community events. They are requesting that the DDA be the main sponsor for this inaugural year, at a cost of $50K. See pp 27-33 of the meeting packet for more information.

Project Tracker
Staff maintains a spreadsheet (pp. 36 and 37 of the meeting packet) showing the various projects that DDA has discussed, is considering, or has already approved.

Of these, the one that appears most imminent is the redesign of Jackson Street between 11th and 14th Street. This project will eliminate 51 downtown parking spaces. According to the project tracker, "DDA has approved funding of 50% of design, up to $100,000 for 2025. DDA has approved funding for Phase 1 construction of up to $400,000 in 2025 and 2026"

They will again discuss another item from the project tracker–the idea of turning the parking lot by Miners Alley/the Astor House/the Old Capitol Grill into a cultural plaza. See p. 34 of the meeting packet for more about this proposal.

DDA Budget
They will review the proposed budget for 2026. They anticipate total revenues of $1,153,000 and total expenditures of $2,216,000, as follows:

Professsional services for Development Agreements: $5,000
Capital Investment: $55,000
Business assistance/community grants: $130,000
Operating Costs: $143,500
Owner participation agreements $154,500
Contingency $250,000
Non Capital Projects: $1,478,500

The lion's share of this last item ($1,250,000) will go to city projects related to the new city hall/Heart of Golden projects, such as upgrades to Vanover and Parfet Parks. See pp. 22-27 of the meeting packet to review the budget.

Location:

City Hall Council Chambers
911 10th Street   (Map)

Golden History: A Good Week for the Transcript

Colorado Transcript - October 20, 1960 - Reddy Kilowatt made frequent appearances in the Transcript between 1950 and 1963. He was always promoting the use of electrical appliances for safer, cheaper, easier living.
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65 Years Ago
The Colorado Transcript enjoyed a profitable issue on October 20, 1960. It was election season, and there were at least sixteen display ads for political candidates.

Miscellaneous ads from the October 20, 1960 Colorado Transcript - enlarge

In other news on the advertising front:

  • Safeway was sponsoring a Halloween coloring contest and had ice cream on sale for 49 cents per half gallon.
  • The Golden Gate Market on 13th Street had fruit pies available at 3 for $1.
  • Coors, as always, was brewed with pure Rocky Mountain spring water.
  • The Spudnut Shop was selling their potato flour-based treats for 60 center per dozen.
  • The Golden Theatre was showing a "true life" Disney movie called "Jungle Cat," along with "Dumbo."
  • Foss encouraged their customers to hold off on buying Christmas toys because they planned to open a discount toy store on November 14th.
  • Steve Frederick Chevrolet wanted to fix your car--or better yet, sell you a new '61 Chevy Biscayne 6.
  • McKeehen Clothing and Jimmie's Shoe Shop were both eager to satisfy Golden men's sartorial needs.
  • Kellogg Hardware recommended DuPont paint, which was washable, quick-drying, and available for $6.40 a gallon.
  • Finally, the First National Bank offered a solution to the tremendous burden of having too much cash. They suggested that consumers establish a checking account.

The editorial side of the house was busy too, reporting on diverse topics:

  • The City's new outdoor swimming pool had finished its first year in the black.
  • Jefferson County was in court, fending off an attempt by Denver to annex Jefferson County property along Bear Creek.
  • The first elk of hunting season had been brought in. The Golden Mercantile (a downtown grocery story that butchered and stored game) said that game was beginning to arrive, but rather slowly.
  • Council authorized sale of land on 15th Street between Ford and Jackson to the Methodist Church.
  • The County was planning to sell its grand old courthouse, which stood on Washington Avenue at 15th Street.
  • The Republican Women of Jefferson County were hosting Senator Everett Dirksen at the Jeffco Fairgrounds.
  • The Golden Symphony (now called the Jefferson Symphony) was having a guest conductor at that Sunday's concert.
  • The Golden High School Band, under the direction of Dave Rucker, received a superior rating at Band Day at UC Boulder.
  • The Transcript had picked up 13 new subscribers that week (which they listed by name).

Weather

Overnight's Weather

Overnight: A slight chance of rain showers after 5am. Mostly clear. Low around 47, with temperatures rising to around 50 overnight. Northwest wind 13 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Monday's Weather

Monday: A slight chance of rain showers before 8am, then patchy blowing dust between 11am and 4pm. Sunny. High near 60, with temperatures falling to around 57 in the afternoon. Northwest wind 14 to 31 mph, with gusts as high as 48 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Monday Night's Weather

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 38. West wind 8 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.

Monday Night: Mostly Clear, 38°F

Tuesday: Sunny, 68°F

Tuesday Night: Mostly Clear, 42°F

Wednesday: Sunny, 67°F

Wednesday Night: Partly Cloudy, 44°F

Thursday: Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers, 62°F

Thursday Night: Chance Rain Showers, 43°F

Friday: Sunny, 64°F

Friday Night: Mostly Clear, 44°F

Saturday: Mostly Sunny, 70°F

Saturday Night: Mostly Cloudy, 44°F

Sunday: Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers, 66°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, 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, 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, and Centennial State Wealth Advisors

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, and Mary Rains

Highlights